Nikon D300S vs Sony A99
55 Imaging
52 Features
65 Overall
57


57 Imaging
69 Features
88 Overall
76
Nikon D300S vs Sony A99 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 200 - 3200 (Expand to 6400)
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1280 x 720 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 938g - 147 x 114 x 74mm
- Released November 2009
- Earlier Model is Nikon D300
- Updated by Nikon D600
(Full Review)
- 24MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Display
- ISO 100 - 25600
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 812g - 147 x 111 x 78mm
- Released December 2012
- Earlier Model is Sony A900
- Renewed by Sony A99 II

Nikon D300S vs Sony A99 Overview
Its time to take a deeper look at the Nikon D300S and Sony A99, both Advanced DSLR cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap among the resolutions of the D300S (12MP) and A99 (24MP) and the D300S (APS-C) and A99 (Full frame) have totally different sensor sizing.

The D300S was manufactured 4 years before the A99 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).
Before diving straight to a thorough comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the D300S matches up against the A99 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Nikon D300S vs Sony A99 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon D300S and Sony SLT-A99. The entire galleries are viewable at Nikon D300S Gallery and Sony A99 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D300S over the Sony A99
D300S | A99 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony A99 over the Nikon D300S
A99 | D300S | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | December 2012 | ![]() | November 2009 | More recent by 37 months |
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
Display resolution | 1229k | ![]() | 920k | Clearer display (+309k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Common features in the Nikon D300S and Sony A99
D300S | A99 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very accurate focusing | ||
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal display measurement |
Touch display | ![]() | Neither includes Touch display |
Nikon D300S vs Sony A99 Physical Comparison
For those who are aiming to lug around your camera, you will have to consider its weight and proportions. The Nikon D300S features external dimensions of 147mm x 114mm x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 938 grams (2.07 lbs) and the Sony A99 has measurements of 147mm x 111mm x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1") and a weight of 812 grams (1.79 lbs).
Analyze the Nikon D300S and Sony A99 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the D300S compared to the A99.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the D300S and A99 is 55 and 57 respectively.

Nikon D300S vs Sony A99 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it's tough to visualise the gap in sensor measurements simply by checking out technical specs. The graphic here may offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the D300S and A99.
As you can tell, both of the cameras have different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The D300S featuring a smaller sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field harder and the Sony A99 will produce extra detail due to its extra 12MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images a bit more aggressively. The older D300S will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon D300S vs Sony A99 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D300S vs Sony A99 Specifications
Nikon D300S | Sony SLT-A99 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Nikon | Sony |
Model type | Nikon D300S | Sony SLT-A99 |
Type | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Released | 2009-11-16 | 2012-12-12 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Expeed | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | Full frame |
Sensor measurements | 23.6 x 15.8mm | 35.8 x 23.8mm |
Sensor area | 372.9mm² | 852.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 24MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4288 x 2848 | 6000 x 4000 |
Highest native ISO | 3200 | 25600 |
Highest boosted ISO | 6400 | - |
Min native ISO | 200 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Min boosted ISO | 100 | - |
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Total focus points | 51 | 19 |
Cross type focus points | - | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Nikon F | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Available lenses | 309 | 143 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fully Articulated |
Display diagonal | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Display resolution | 920k dots | 1,229k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Display tech | Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle | TFT Xtra Fine color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 2,359k dots |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.63x | 0.71x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/8000s |
Continuous shooting rate | 7.0 frames/s | 10.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | no built-in flash |
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 | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/250s | 1/250s |
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) | 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | None |
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 | 938g (2.07 lb) | 812g (1.79 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 147 x 114 x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") | 147 x 111 x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 70 | 89 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 22.5 | 25.0 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 12.2 | 14.0 |
DXO Low light rating | 787 | 1555 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 950 shots | 500 shots |
Style of battery | 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 shooting | ||
Storage type | Compact Flash Type I/SD/SDHC | Memory Stick PRO Duo/Pro-HG Duo; SD, SDHC and SDXC |
Card slots | Two | Two |
Retail cost | $1,630 | $1,998 |