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Nikon D300 vs Sony A77

Portability
55
Imaging
51
Features
59
Overall
54
Nikon D300 front
 
Sony SLT-A77 front
Portability
59
Imaging
64
Features
83
Overall
71

Nikon D300 vs Sony A77 Key Specs

Nikon D300
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Boost to 6400)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 925g - 147 x 114 x 74mm
  • Released March 2008
  • Older Model is Nikon D200
  • Successor is Nikon D300S
Sony A77
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 50 - 16000 (Expand to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 732g - 143 x 104 x 81mm
  • Introduced October 2011
  • Succeeded the Sony A700
  • Replacement is Sony A77 II
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Nikon D300 vs Sony A77 Overview

Below is a thorough assessment of the Nikon D300 vs Sony A77, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by companies Nikon and Sony. There is a big difference between the resolutions of the D300 (12MP) and A77 (24MP) but both cameras have the same sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The D300 was revealed 4 years earlier than the A77 and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving into a full comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the D300 grades against the A77 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D300 over the Sony A77

 D300 A77 
Display resolution922k921kCrisper display (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A77 over the Nikon D300

 A77 D300 
IntroducedOctober 2011March 2008More recent by 44 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Nikon D300 and Sony A77

 D300 A77 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Nikon D300 vs Sony A77 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to lug around your camera frequently, you will have to factor its weight and volume. The Nikon D300 provides physical measurements of 147mm x 114mm x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 925 grams (2.04 lbs) whilst the Sony A77 has sizing of 143mm x 104mm x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") having a weight of 732 grams (1.61 lbs).

Check out the Nikon D300 vs Sony A77 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have at that time. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the D300 compared to the A77.

Nikon D300 vs Sony A77 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the D300 and A77 is 55 and 59 respectively.

Nikon D300 vs Sony A77 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D300 vs Sony A77 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very hard to envision the gap between sensor measurements merely by reading through a spec sheet. The photograph below might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the D300 and A77.

Clearly, each of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same megapixels. You should expect to see the Sony A77 to give extra detail because of its extra 12MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics more aggressively. The older D300 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon D300 vs Sony A77 sensor size comparison

Nikon D300 vs Sony A77 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D300 vs Sony A77 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D300 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A77 as a Portrait photography camera
60
manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
78
you can focus manually
decent MP (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D300 Street photography information
Sony A77 Street photography information
56
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
75
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D300 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A77 as a Sports photography camera
56
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
environment proofing
good battery (1,000 shots)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
no image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
74
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
environment proofing
supports phase detect AF
terrible battery pack (470 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D300 Travel photography info
Sony A77 Travel photography info
56
good battery (1,000 per charge)
environment proofing
flash built-in
low MP (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
63
environment proofing
decent MP (24MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
doesn't have Timelapse function
terrible battery pack (470 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D300 Landscape photography factors
Sony A77 Landscape photography factors
64
manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
good battery (1,000 per charge)
no image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
71
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
terrible battery pack (470 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D300 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A77 as a Vlogging camera
9
lack of video recording
76
selfie friendly display
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with microphone socket
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Nikon D300 vs Sony A77 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D300 and Sony A77
 Nikon D300Sony SLT-A77
General Information
Make Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon D300 Sony SLT-A77
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2008-03-12 2011-10-25
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 372.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4288 x 2848 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 3200 16000
Max enhanced ISO 6400 25600
Lowest native ISO 200 50
RAW photos
Lowest enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 51 19
Cross type focus points - 11
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 309 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 922 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.63x 0.73x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 6.0 frames per sec 12.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Max 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
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 925 gr (2.04 lbs) 732 gr (1.61 lbs)
Physical dimensions 147 x 114 x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") 143 x 104 x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 67 78
DXO Color Depth rating 22.1 24.0
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.0 13.2
DXO Low light rating 679 801
Other
Battery life 1000 pictures 470 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL3e NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $1,100 $900