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Nikon D300S vs Sony A77

Portability
55
Imaging
52
Features
65
Overall
57
Nikon D300S front
 
Sony SLT-A77 front
Portability
59
Imaging
64
Features
83
Overall
71

Nikon D300S vs Sony A77 Key Specs

Nikon D300S
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Expand to 6400)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 938g - 147 x 114 x 74mm
  • Launched November 2009
  • Replaced the Nikon D300
  • Replacement is Nikon D600
Sony A77
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 50 - 16000 (Raise 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 D300S vs Sony A77 Overview

In this write-up, we are reviewing the Nikon D300S versus Sony A77, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by companies Nikon and Sony. There exists a big gap between the image resolutions of the D300S (12MP) and A77 (24MP) but they feature the same exact sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The D300S was introduced 23 months before the A77 making the cameras a generation away from one another. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving straight into a complete comparison, below is a concise overview of how the D300S matches up vs the A77 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D300S over the Sony A77

 D300S A77 

Reasons to pick Sony A77 over the Nikon D300S

 A77 D300S 
IntroducedOctober 2011November 2009Newer by 23 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution921k920kSharper display (+1k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Nikon D300S and Sony A77

 D300S A77 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Nikon D300S vs Sony A77 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to travel with your camera often, you have to consider its weight and proportions. The Nikon D300S offers external dimensions of 147mm x 114mm x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") and a weight of 938 grams (2.07 lbs) whilst the Sony A77 has measurements of 143mm x 104mm x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 732 grams (1.61 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon D300S versus Sony A77 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you select at the time. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the D300S compared to the A77.

Nikon D300S vs Sony A77 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the D300S and A77 is 55 and 59 respectively.

Nikon D300S vs Sony A77 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D300S vs Sony A77 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very tough to envision the difference between sensor dimensions only by reading through specifications. The image below may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the D300S and A77.

Plainly, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Sony A77 to give greater detail using its extra 12MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos far more aggressively. The more aged D300S is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Nikon D300S vs Sony A77 sensor size comparison

Nikon D300S vs Sony A77 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D300S vs Sony A77 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D300S Portrait photography info
Sony A77 Portrait photography info
63
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
exports RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
78
you can focus manually
decent MP (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D300S as a Street photography camera
Sony A77 as a Street photography camera
52
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (938g)
75
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D300S Sports photography factors
Sony A77 Sports photography factors
59
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect AF
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
74
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
weather sealing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
not so great battery power (470 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D300S Travel photography features
Sony A77 Travel photography features
48
environment proofing
has built in flash
more heavy than competition in class (938 grams)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
63
weather sealing
decent MP (24MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
no Time Lapse recording
not so great battery power (470 per charge)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D300S Landscape photography details
Sony A77 Landscape photography details
65
you can focus manually
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
has double storage slots
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
71
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
not so great battery power (470 CIPA)
no Time Lapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D300S Vlogging advice
Sony A77 Vlogging advice
22
provides face detect focusing
includes microphone port
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
more heavy than competition in class (938g)
76
selfie friendly display
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes external mic support
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Nikon D300S vs Sony A77 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D300S and Sony A77
 Nikon D300SSony SLT-A77
General Information
Company Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon D300S Sony SLT-A77
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2009-11-16 2011-10-25
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 372.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4288 x 2848 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 3200 16000
Max boosted ISO 6400 25600
Lowest native ISO 200 50
RAW files
Lowest boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 51 19
Cross type focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 309 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 920 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology 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
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 7.0 frames/s 12.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m
Flash options 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
AE bracketing
White balance 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
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 480 (24 fps), 320 x 240 (24 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 938g (2.07 lb) 732g (1.61 lb)
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 All around rating 70 78
DXO Color Depth rating 22.5 24.0
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.2 13.2
DXO Low light rating 787 801
Other
Battery life 950 pictures 470 pictures
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL3e NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type Compact Flash Type I/SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 2 1
Cost at launch $1,630 $900