Nikon D300 vs Sony NEX-3

In this article, we are looking at the Nikon D300 versus Sony NEX-3, former being a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Nikon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the D300 (12MP) and the NEX-3 (14MP) is fairly close and they use the same exact sensor measurements (APS-C).

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

The D300 was brought out 3 years earlier than the NEX-3 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Nikon D300 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony NEX-3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight into a complete comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the D300 grades vs the NEX-3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon D300 & Sony Alpha NEX-3. The entire galleries are provided at Nikon D300 Gallery & Sony NEX-3 Gallery.

If you are planning to carry your camera regularly, you will have to think about its weight and size. The Nikon D300 comes with physical measurements of 147mm x 114mm x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") and a weight of 925 grams (2.04 lbs) while the Sony NEX-3 has specifications of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon D300 versus Sony NEX-3 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are using during that time. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the D300 vs the NEX-3.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the D300 and NEX-3 is 55 and 89 respectively.

Normally, it is very tough to visualise the difference in sensor sizing simply by looking through a spec sheet. The graphic underneath may give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the D300 and NEX-3.

Clearly, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You can anticipate the Sony NEX-3 to provide you with extra detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics a little more aggressively. The older D300 will be behind in sensor innovation.