Nikon D300 vs Sony A850
55 Imaging
51 Features
59 Overall
54
54 Imaging
68 Features
60 Overall
64
Nikon D300 vs Sony A850 Key Specs
(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
(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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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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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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This is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon D300 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A850. The full galleries are provided at Nikon D300 Gallery & Sony A850 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D300 over the Sony A850
| D300 | A850 |
|---|
Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Nikon D300
| A850 | D300 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | April 2010 |  | March 2008 | Newer by 25 months |
Common features in the Nikon D300 and Sony A850
| D300 | A850 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual focus |  | Dial accurate focus | ||
| Screen type | Fixed |  | Fixed | Fixed screen |
| Screen dimensions | 3" |  | 3" | Equal screen dimensions |
| Screen resolution | 922k |  | 922k | Equal 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.
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.
Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the D300 and A850 is 55 and 54 respectively.
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 Screen and ViewFinder
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Nikon D300 vs Sony A850 Specifications
| Nikon D300 | Sony 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 |