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Nikon D3000 vs Sony A300

Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
36
Overall
44
Nikon D3000 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 front
Portability
64
Imaging
49
Features
45
Overall
47

Nikon D3000 vs Sony A300 Key Specs

Nikon D3000
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Boost to 3200)
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 536g - 126 x 97 x 64mm
  • Revealed December 2009
  • Earlier Model is Nikon D40
  • Successor is Nikon D3100
Sony A300
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 632g - 131 x 99 x 75mm
  • Announced January 2008
  • Successor is Sony A330
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Nikon D3000 vs Sony A300 Overview

Here, we are matching up the Nikon D3000 vs Sony A300, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Sony. The image resolution of the D3000 (10MP) and the A300 (10MP) is fairly well matched and both cameras offer the identical sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The D3000 was revealed 23 months later than the A300 making them a generation apart from each other. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before we go straight to a in depth comparison, here is a short highlight of how the D3000 matches up against the A300 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon D3000 over the Sony A300

 D3000 A300 
AnnouncedDecember 2009January 2008Fresher by 23 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Sony A300 over the Nikon D3000

 A300 D3000 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Nikon D3000 and Sony A300

 D3000 A300 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Nikon D3000 vs Sony A300 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry your camera regularly, you need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D3000 has got physical dimensions of 126mm x 97mm x 64mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") with a weight of 536 grams (1.18 lbs) while the Sony A300 has dimensions of 131mm x 99mm x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") along with a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Compare the Nikon D3000 vs Sony A300 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilising during that time. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the D3000 against the A300.

Nikon D3000 vs Sony A300 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the D3000 and A300 is 69 and 64 respectively.

Nikon D3000 vs Sony A300 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3000 vs Sony A300 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor sizing just by looking at technical specs. The photograph here will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the D3000 and A300.

As you can tell, the two cameras come with the identical sensor size and the same exact megapixels therefore you can expect similar quality of pictures although you will need to consider the launch date of the products into consideration. The more modern D3000 should have a benefit in sensor technology.

Nikon D3000 vs Sony A300 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3000 vs Sony A300 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3000 vs Sony A300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D3000
Portrait photography with Sony A300
54
manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no liveview
low MP (10MP)
59
focusing manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3000 Street photography info
Sony A300 Street photography info
58
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
74
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3000 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A300 as a Sports photography camera
39
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
no liveview
low frames per second (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
low MP (10MP)
terrible battery life (500 per charge)
54
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon D3000
Travel photography with Sony A300
45
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse recording
terrible battery life (500 per charge)
low MP (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
45
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3000 Landscape photography advice
Sony A300 Landscape photography advice
51
manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no liveview
lack of image stabilization
low MP (10 megapixels)
terrible battery life (500 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
57
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3000 Vlogging information
Sony A300 Vlogging information
9
can't shoot video
9
no video
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Nikon D3000 vs Sony A300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3000 and Sony A300
 Nikon D3000Sony Alpha DSLR-A300
General Information
Brand Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon D3000 Sony Alpha DSLR-A300
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2009-12-11 2008-01-30
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 -
Highest resolution 3872 x 2592 3872 x 2592
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Highest boosted ISO 3200 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 309 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x 0.49x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/200 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Highest video resolution None None
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 536 grams (1.18 lbs) 632 grams (1.39 lbs)
Physical dimensions 126 x 97 x 64mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") 131 x 99 x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 62 64
DXO Color Depth rating 22.3 22.5
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.1 11.4
DXO Low light rating 563 538
Other
Battery life 500 pictures -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID EN-EL9a -
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card Compact Flash
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $0 $0