Nikon D5100 vs Sony A300
66 Imaging
56 Features
81 Overall
66


64 Imaging
49 Features
45 Overall
47
Nikon D5100 vs Sony A300 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400 (Raise to 25600)
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 560g - 128 x 97 x 79mm
- Introduced April 2011
- Previous Model is Nikon D5000
- Replacement is Nikon D5200
(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
- Revealed January 2008
- Newer Model is Sony A330

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A300 Overview
Below is a extensive assessment of the Nikon D5100 and Sony A300, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. There is a large difference among the resolutions of the D5100 (16MP) and A300 (10MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizing (APS-C).

The D5100 was manufactured 3 years later than the A300 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).
Before going in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a short summation of how the D5100 scores against the A300 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A300 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon D5100 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A300. The entire galleries are available at Nikon D5100 Gallery & Sony A300 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D5100 over the Sony A300
D5100 | A300 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | April 2011 | ![]() | January 2008 | More recent by 40 months |
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Tilting | Fully Articulating display |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer display (+691k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Reasons to pick Sony A300 over the Nikon D5100
A300 | D5100 |
---|
Common features in the Nikon D5100 and Sony A300
D5100 | A300 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very exact focusing | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Neither provides Touch display |
Nikon D5100 vs Sony A300 Physical Comparison
When you are planning to lug around your camera, you will want to consider its weight and measurements. The Nikon D5100 provides physical measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 79mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.1") with a weight of 560 grams (1.23 lbs) while the Sony A300 has proportions of 131mm x 99mm x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).
Look at the Nikon D5100 and Sony A300 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are employing during that time. The following is the front view scale comparison of the D5100 and the A300.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the D5100 and A300 is 66 and 64 respectively.

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A300 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it is tough to imagine the difference in sensor measurements merely by going through technical specs. The photograph here might offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the D5100 and A300.
As you can tell, both the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You can expect to see the Nikon D5100 to provide more detail due to its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop images a little more aggressively. The fresher D5100 should have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A300 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A300 Specifications
Nikon D5100 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Nikon | Sony |
Model | Nikon D5100 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 |
Class | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Introduced | 2011-04-26 | 2008-01-30 |
Physical type | Compact SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Expeed 2 | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 23.6 x 15.7mm | 23.6 x 15.8mm |
Sensor area | 370.5mm² | 372.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 10 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | - |
Highest Possible resolution | 4928 x 3264 | 3872 x 2592 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Maximum enhanced ISO | 25600 | - |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 9 |
Cross focus points | 1 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Nikon F | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Number of lenses | 309 | 143 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fully Articulated | Tilting |
Screen sizing | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
Resolution of screen | 921k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Screen technology | TFT LCD monitor | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | 95 percent | 95 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.52x | 0.49x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shutter rate | 4.0 frames per second | 3.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain | Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | 1/200s | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps) | - |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | None |
Video data format | MPEG-4 | - |
Mic 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 | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 560 grams (1.23 lbs) | 632 grams (1.39 lbs) |
Dimensions | 128 x 97 x 79mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.1") | 131 x 99 x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 80 | 64 |
DXO Color Depth score | 23.5 | 22.5 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 13.6 | 11.4 |
DXO Low light score | 1183 | 538 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 660 pictures | - |
Battery type | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | EN-EL14 | - |
Self timer | Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | Compact Flash |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Pricing at release | $0 | $0 |