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Nikon D300 vs Sony A850

Portability
55
Imaging
51
Features
59
Overall
54
Nikon D300 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front
Portability
54
Imaging
68
Features
60
Overall
64

Nikon D300 vs Sony A850 Key Specs

Nikon D300
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Bump to 6400)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 925g - 147 x 114 x 74mm
  • Announced March 2008
  • Previous Model is Nikon D200
  • Successor is Nikon D300S
Sony A850
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Raise to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Introduced April 2010
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Nikon D300 vs Sony A850 Overview

On this page, we will be analyzing the Nikon D300 and Sony A850, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Sony. There exists a large gap between the resolutions of the D300 (12MP) and A850 (25MP) and the D300 (APS-C) and A850 (Full frame) provide totally different sensor sizes.

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The D300 was revealed 3 years earlier than the A850 which is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting into a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief summation of how the D300 matches up versus the A850 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D300 over the Sony A850

 D300 A850 

Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Nikon D300

 A850 D300 
IntroducedApril 2010March 2008Newer by 25 months

Common features in the Nikon D300 and Sony A850

 D300 A850 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Screen resolution922k922kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Nikon D300 vs Sony A850 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to travel with your camera, you are going to need to factor its weight and measurements. The Nikon D300 features exterior measurements of 147mm x 114mm x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") with a weight of 925 grams (2.04 lbs) and the Sony A850 has proportions of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Check out the Nikon D300 and Sony A850 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you choose at that time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the D300 vs the A850.

Nikon D300 vs Sony A850 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the D300 and A850 is 55 and 54 respectively.

Nikon D300 vs Sony A850 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D300 vs Sony A850 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very difficult to see the difference between sensor dimensions only by looking at a spec sheet. The image here might offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the D300 and A850.

Clearly, each of the cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The D300 having a tinier sensor will make getting shallow DOF trickier and the Sony A850 will resolve extra detail because of its extra 13MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs more aggressively. The more aged D300 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Nikon D300 vs Sony A850 sensor size comparison

Nikon D300 vs Sony A850 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D300 vs Sony A850 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D300
Portrait photography with Sony A850
60
has manual focus
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
MP count low (12 megapixels)
72
you can focus manually
amazing resolution (25 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
does not have liveview
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Street Comparison

Nikon D300 Street photography information
Sony A850 Street photography information
56
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
large sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D300 Sports photography advice
Sony A850 Sports photography advice
56
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
environment proofing
better than average battery life (1,000 per charge)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
71
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
amazing resolution (25MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D300 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A850 as a Travel photography camera
56
better than average battery life (1,000 per charge)
environment proofing
built-in flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
55
weather proofing
amazing resolution (25MP)
lack of Timelapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D300 Landscape photography features
Sony A850 Landscape photography features
64
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
better than average battery life (1,000 CIPA)
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
73
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
amazing resolution (25 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
two card slots
does not have liveview
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D300 Vlogging advice
Sony A850 Vlogging advice
9
no video shooting
9
no video recording
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Nikon D300 vs Sony A850 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D300 and Sony A850
 Nikon D300Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
General Information
Company Nikon Sony
Model Nikon D300 Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2008-03-12 2010-04-15
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.8mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 372.9mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 25 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4288 x 2848 6048 x 4032
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Highest boosted ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 200 200
RAW images
Minimum boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 51 9
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 309 143
Crop factor 1.5 1
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 922 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 98%
Viewfinder magnification 0.63x 0.74x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 6.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/250 secs 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Highest video resolution None None
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 925 gr (2.04 lbs) 895 gr (1.97 lbs)
Physical dimensions 147 x 114 x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 67 79
DXO Color Depth score 22.1 23.8
DXO Dynamic range score 12.0 12.2
DXO Low light score 679 1415
Other
Battery life 1000 images 880 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL3e NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II) Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo
Card slots 1 Dual
Cost at launch $1,100 $0