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Nikon D300S vs Sony A900

Portability
55
Imaging
51
Features
65
Overall
56
Nikon D300S front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 front
Portability
54
Imaging
66
Features
62
Overall
64

Nikon D300S vs Sony A900 Key Specs

Nikon D300S
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Bump to 6400)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 938g - 147 x 114 x 74mm
  • Announced November 2009
  • Replaced the Nikon D300
  • Later Model is Nikon D600
Sony A900
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Released October 2008
  • Newer Model is Sony A99
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Nikon D300S vs Sony A900 Overview

Here, we will be reviewing the Nikon D300S versus Sony A900, both Advanced DSLR cameras by brands Nikon and Sony. There exists a considerable gap among the sensor resolutions of the D300S (12MP) and A900 (25MP) and the D300S (APS-C) and A900 (Full frame) boast different sensor sizing.

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The D300S was unveiled 13 months later than the A900 which makes them a generation apart from one another. The two cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before we go straight to a detailed comparison, here is a brief overview of how the D300S matches up vs the A900 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D300S over the Sony A900

 D300S A900 
ReleasedNovember 2009October 2008Fresher by 13 months

Reasons to pick Sony A900 over the Nikon D300S

 A900 D300S 
Screen resolution922k920kSharper screen (+2k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D300S and Sony A900

 D300S A900 
Manually focus More precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Nikon D300S vs Sony A900 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry your camera, you have to consider its weight and size. The Nikon D300S provides outer dimensions of 147mm x 114mm x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") along with a weight of 938 grams (2.07 lbs) whilst the Sony A900 has specifications of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") with a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon D300S versus Sony A900 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are employing at that moment. Here is a front view over all size comparison of the D300S against the A900.

Nikon D300S vs Sony A900 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the D300S and A900 is 55 and 54 respectively.

Nikon D300S vs Sony A900 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D300S vs Sony A900 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be tough to picture the gap in sensor sizing just by seeing specifications. The photograph here should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the D300S and A900.

To sum up, both of those cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The D300S having a smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field more difficult and the Sony A900 will produce more detail having an extra 13 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop shots way more aggressively. The fresher D300S provides a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon D300S vs Sony A900 sensor size comparison

Nikon D300S vs Sony A900 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D300S vs Sony A900 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D300S
Portrait photography with Sony A900
62
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
71
you can focus manually
MP count excellent (25MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW files
no liveview
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Nikon D300S Street photography factors
Sony A900 Street photography factors
52
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (938g)
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D300S as a Sports photography camera
Sony A900 as a Sports photography camera
58
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
weather proof
has phase detect autofocus
no image stabilization
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
70
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count excellent (25 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
weather proofing
supports phase detect autofocus
no liveview
slow frames per second (5.0 frames/s)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon D300S
Travel photography with Sony A900
48
weather proof
has built in flash
more heavy than competition in class (938 grams)
resolution not great (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
54
weather proofing
MP count excellent (25MP)
no Timelapse function
doesn't have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D300S Landscape photography factors
Sony A900 Landscape photography factors
64
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
two card slots
no image stabilization
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
72
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count excellent (25MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
has dual storage slots
no liveview
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D300S
Vlogging with Sony A900
22
has face detection autofocus
has external microphone socket
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
more heavy than competition in class (938g)
9
can't shoot video
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Nikon D300S vs Sony A900 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D300S and Sony A900
 Nikon D300SSony Alpha DSLR-A900
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Sony
Model Nikon D300S Sony Alpha DSLR-A900
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2009-11-16 2008-10-22
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 12MP 25MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4288 x 2848 6048 x 4032
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Max boosted ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW photos
Lowest boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 51 9
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 309 143
Crop factor 1.5 1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 920k dot 922k dot
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 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.63x 0.74x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 7.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt 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
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 480 (24 fps), 320 x 240 (24 fps) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Video format Motion JPEG -
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 938g (2.07 lb) 895g (1.97 lb)
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 70 79
DXO Color Depth score 22.5 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 12.2 12.3
DXO Low light score 787 1431
Other
Battery life 950 photographs 880 photographs
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL3e NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media Compact Flash Type I/SD/SDHC Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, UDMA Mode 5, Supports FAT12 / FAT16 / FAT32
Storage slots Two Two
Cost at launch $1,630 $2,736