Sony a500 vs Nikon D5300
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a500 and Nikon D5300. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Sony a500 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D5300 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.
Sony a500 were released 2009 and Nikon D5300 was released 2013. That is a 4 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Sony a500 | 2009 |
Nikon D5300 | 2013 |
Type of camera
Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.
Sensors / crop factor
These cameras have different sensors. Sony a500 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D5300 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.
Camera | Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 ** |
Sony a500 | 75 mm Sony APS-C sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5 |
Nikon D5300 | 75 mm Nikon DX sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5 |
** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"
Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Sony)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)
Resolution
Sony a500 has a 12 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D5300 has 24 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:
Camera | Megapixels |
Sony a500 |
12 MP
12166656 pixels 4272 x 2848 |
Nikon D5300 |
24 MP
24000000 pixels 6000 x 4000 |
Nikon D5300 has a 97 % larger resolution than Sony a500. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.
ISO range
Nikon D5300 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a500. Nikon D5300 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 12800 while Sony a500 has 200 to 12800.
Camera | ISO Range |
Sony a500 | 200-12800 |
Nikon D5300 | 100-12800 |
Autofocus and lens compatibility
There is a big difference between these two cameras. Sony a500 has a built-in autofocus motor but Nikon D5300 does not. If you want to be able to use autofocus on Nikon D5300 there is a need for having an autofocus motor inside the lens. We really encourage you to look closely at our lens compatibility charts at the links below.
Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a500
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D5300
Pictures per second
Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a500 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds and Nikon D5300 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Sony a500 | 5 |
Nikon D5300 | 5 |
Ability to record movies
It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.
It is only one of these two cameras that support recording movies and movie clips and that is Nikon D5300. Sadly, the Sony a500 does not support this.
Weight
The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.
Sony a500 weighs 630 gr (equal to 1.39 lb) which is 31% heavier than Nikon D5300 and its 480 gr (or 1.06 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Sony a500 | 630 gr 1.39 lb |
Nikon D5300 | 480 gr 1.06 lb |
Sony a500 vs Nikon D5300 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a500 and Nikon D5300, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.
Product |
Sony a500 |
Nikon D5300 |
Name | Sony a500 | Nikon D5300 |
Manufacturer | Sony | Nikon |
Release Date and Price |
Sony a500 |
Nikon D5300 |
Release Year | 2009 | 2013 |
Release Date | 2009-08-27 | 2013-10-17 |
MSRP | 549 USD | 729 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Sony a500 |
Nikon D5300 |
Camera Type | DSLR | DSLR |
Sensor |
Sony a500 |
Nikon D5300 |
Sensor Size | APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) |
APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm) Also known as "DX" |
Sensor Type | CMOS | CMOS |
Resolution | 4272 x 2848 pixels | 6000 x 4000 pixels |
Megapixels | 12 MP | 24 MP |
Image Processor | Bionz | EXPEED 4 |
Image |
Sony a500 |
Nikon D5300 |
ISO Range | 200 - 12800 | 100 - 12800 |
White Balance Presets | 6 | 12 |
Custom White Balance | Yes | Yes |
Image Stabilization |
Yes (Sensor-Shift) |
No |
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating | 0 stops | 0 stops |
Uncompressed format | RAW | RAW |
Optics & Focus |
Sony a500 |
Nikon D5300 |
Autofocus Motor | Yes | No |
Autofocus |
Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Center Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView |
Focus Points | 9 | 39 |
Lens Mount |
Sony A See Compatible Lenses |
Nikon F See Compatible Lenses |
Focal Length Multiplier |
APS-C Sensor (1.5x) 1.5x multiplier Example: 24 mm becomes 36 mm 50 mm becomes 75 mm 100 mm becomes 150 mm 200 mm becomes 300 mm |
DX / APS-C (1.5x) 1.5x multiplier Example: 24 mm becomes 36 mm 50 mm becomes 75 mm 100 mm becomes 150 mm 200 mm becomes 300 mm |
Screen & Viewfinder |
Sony a500 |
Nikon D5300 |
Articulated LCD | Tilting | Fully articulated |
Screen size | 3” | 3,2” |
Screen dots | 230000 | 1037000 |
Touch screen | No | No |
Screen type | N/A | TFT LCD monitor |
Live view | Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder Coverage | 95% | 95% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.) | 0.82× (0.55× 35mm equiv.) |
Viewfinder Resolution | N/A | N/A |
Photography features |
Sony a500 |
Nikon D5300 |
Frames per second | 5 fps | 5 fps |
Minimum Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Built-in Flash | Yes | Yes |
Built-in Flash Range | 12 meters | 12 meters |
External Flash | Yes | Yes |
Self-Timer | Yes | Yes |
Time-lapse | No | Yes |
Metering modes |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Exposure Compensation | +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Sony a500 |
Nikon D5300 |
Video recording | No | Yes |
Video format | N/A |
MPEG4 H.264 |
Video resolution | N/A |
1280 x 720 1920 x 1080 |
Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
Built-in Speakers | No | Yes |
Storage |
Sony a500 |
Nikon D5300 |
Memory Card |
Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC |
Compact Flash |
Connectivity |
Sony a500 |
Nikon D5300 |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | No | Yes |
Headphone Port | No | No |
Wireless | No |
Yes Built-In |
Remote Control | Yes (Wired or wirelss (Optional)) |
Optional with ML-L3 or WR-R10
|
GPS | No |
Yes Built-in |
Body & Dimensions |
Sony a500 |
Nikon D5300 |
Enviromentally sealed | No | No |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
Lithium-Ion NP-FM500H rechargeable battery & charger
|
Lithium-Ion EN-EL14a or EN-EL14 rechargeable battery & charger
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 520 shots | 600 shots |
Width | 137 mm | 125 mm |
Height | 104 mm | 98 mm |
Depth | 84 mm | 76 mm |
Weight | 630 gram | 480 gram |