Sony NEX-5R vs Nikon D300

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony NEX-5R and Nikon D300. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony NEX-5R is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D300 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony NEX-5R were released 2012 and Nikon D300 was released 2006. That is a 6 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony NEX-5R 2012
Nikon D300 2006

Type of camera

Sony NEX-5R is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D300 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony NEX-5R has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D300 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 NEX-5R 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Nikon D300 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 NEX-5R has a 16 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D300 has 12,3 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony NEX-5R 16 MP
16032768 pixels
4912 x 3264
Nikon D300 12,3 MP
12212224 pixels
4288 x 2848

Sony NEX-5R has a 31 % larger resolution than Nikon D300. 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

Sony NEX-5R has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D300. Sony NEX-5R has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Nikon D300 has 200 to 6400.

Camera ISO Range
Sony NEX-5R 100-25600
Nikon D300 200-6400

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony NEX-5R
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D300

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony NEX-5R can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds and Nikon D300 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony NEX-5R 10
Nikon D300 6

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

When comparing these two cameras there is only one of them that can shoot movies and that is Sony NEX-5R. Unfortunately Nikon D300 does not support recording movies and movie clips.

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.

Nikon D300 weighs 925 gr (equal to 2.04 lb) which is 235% heavier than Sony NEX-5R and its 276 gr (or 0.61 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony NEX-5R 276 gr
0.61 lb
Nikon D300 925 gr
2.04 lb

Sony NEX-5R vs Nikon D300 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony NEX-5R and Nikon D300, 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 NEX-5R
Nikon D300
Name Sony NEX-5R Nikon D300
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony NEX-5R
Nikon D300
Release Year 2012 2006
Release Date 2012-08-29 2007-08-23
MSRP 649 USD 1799 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony NEX-5R
Nikon D300
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Sony NEX-5R
Nikon D300
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 4912 x 3264 pixels 4288 x 2848 pixels
Megapixels 16 MP 12,3 MP
Image Processor Bionz EXPEED
Image
Sony NEX-5R
Nikon D300
ISO Range 100 - 25600 200 - 6400
White Balance Presets 6 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW + TIFF
Optics & Focus
Sony NEX-5R
Nikon D300
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 25 51
Lens Mount Sony E

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 NEX-5R
Nikon D300
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 920000 922000
Touch screen Yes No
Screen type Tilt Up 180° Down 50° TFT LCD Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic (Optional) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.94× (0.63× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution 0 N/A
Photography features
Sony NEX-5R
Nikon D300
Frames per second 10 fps 6 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash No Yes
Built-in Flash Range N/A 12 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Average
Exposure Compensation +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony NEX-5R
Nikon D300
Video recording Yes No
Video format AVCHD
N/A
Video resolution 1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
N/A
Built-in Microphone Yes No
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Sony NEX-5R
Nikon D300
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Sony NEX-5R
Nikon D300
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Built-in
No
Remote Control Yes (Optional RMT-DSLR1)
Yes (Optional)
GPS No Yes
Optional through GP-1
Body & Dimensions
Sony NEX-5R
Nikon D300
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion NPFW50 rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL3e rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 330 shots 1000 shots
Width 111 mm 147 mm
Height 59 mm 114 mm
Depth 39 mm 74 mm
Weight 276 gram 925 gram