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Nikon D5100 vs Sony A300

Portability
66
Imaging
56
Features
81
Overall
66
Nikon D5100 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 front
Portability
64
Imaging
49
Features
45
Overall
47

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A300 Key Specs

Nikon D5100
(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
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
  • Revealed January 2008
  • Newer Model is Sony A330
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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).

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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.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D5100 over the Sony A300

 D5100 A300 
RevealedApril 2011January 2008More recent by 40 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kClearer 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A300 size comparison

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

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A300 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A300 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D5100 Portrait photography advice
Sony A300 Portrait photography advice
73
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
59
focusing manually
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Nikon D5100 as a Street photography camera
Sony A300 as a Street photography camera
67
screen can move to multiple angles
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no image stabilization
74
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D5100 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A300 as a Sports photography camera
63
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
better than average battery power (660 per charge)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (4.0 fps)
no image stabilization
54
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
low resolution sensor (10MP)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D5100 Travel photography info
Sony A300 Travel photography info
77
better than average battery power (660 shots)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
45
flash built-in
no Time Lapse recording
low resolution sensor (10MP)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D5100 Landscape photography factors
Sony A300 Landscape photography factors
72
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
decent sized screen (3")
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
better than average battery power (660 per charge)
no image stabilization
57
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
low resolution sensor (10MP)
no Time Lapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D5100 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A300 as a Vlogging camera
69
selfie friendly screen
provides face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes external mic socket
no image stabilization
9
no video recording
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Nikon D5100 vs Sony A300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D5100 and Sony A300
 Nikon D5100Sony 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