Clicky

Nikon D5300 vs Sony A55

Portability
68
Imaging
66
Features
81
Overall
72
Nikon D5300 front
 
Sony SLT-A55 front
Portability
67
Imaging
56
Features
80
Overall
65

Nikon D5300 vs Sony A55 Key Specs

Nikon D5300
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Expand to 25600)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 480g - 125 x 98 x 76mm
  • Announced February 2014
  • Older Model is Nikon D5200
  • Newer Model is Nikon D5500
Sony A55
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 500g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Released August 2010
  • Successor is Sony A57
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Nikon D5300 vs Sony A55 Overview

Here is a complete review of the Nikon D5300 versus Sony A55, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by brands Nikon and Sony. There is a sizeable difference among the resolutions of the D5300 (24MP) and A55 (16MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor sizing (APS-C).

TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

The D5300 was unveiled 3 years later than the A55 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before delving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a short highlight of how the D5300 matches up vs the A55 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon D5300 over the Sony A55

 D5300 A55 
ReleasedFebruary 2014August 2010Fresher by 43 months
Display size3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1037k921kClearer display (+116k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A55 over the Nikon D5300

 A55 D5300 

Common features in the Nikon D5300 and Sony A55

 D5300 A55 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated display
Selfie screen Both are selfie friendly
Touch friendly display Neither comes with Touch friendly display

Nikon D5300 vs Sony A55 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry your camera regularly, you will have to factor in its weight and volume. The Nikon D5300 comes with outside measurements of 125mm x 98mm x 76mm (4.9" x 3.9" x 3.0") with a weight of 480 grams (1.06 lbs) whilst the Sony A55 has sizing of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") along with a weight of 500 grams (1.10 lbs).

See the Nikon D5300 versus Sony A55 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the D5300 against the A55.

Nikon D5300 vs Sony A55 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the D5300 and A55 is 68 and 67 respectively.

Nikon D5300 vs Sony A55 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D5300 vs Sony A55 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is difficult to picture the difference in sensor sizing just by researching specs. The visual underneath might give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the D5300 and A55.

All in all, both of the cameras feature the identical sensor size but different resolution. You should anticipate the Nikon D5300 to provide you with greater detail having an extra 8MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos way more aggressively. The more recent D5300 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon D5300 vs Sony A55 sensor size comparison

Nikon D5300 vs Sony A55 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D5300 vs Sony A55 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D5300 Portrait photography highlights
Sony A55 Portrait photography highlights
79
manual focus
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features face detect focusing
supports RAW files
73
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes face detect focus
supports RAW formats
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon D5300
Street photography with Sony A55
70
fully articulated screen
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
77
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon D5300
Sports photography with Sony A55
66
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features tracking focus
supports phase detect AF
low frames per second (5.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
not so great battery pack (380 per charge)
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon D5300
Travel photography with Sony A55
80
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
62
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
lack of Time Lapse recording
not so great battery pack (380 shots)
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Landscape Comparison

Nikon D5300 Landscape photography highlights
Sony A55 Landscape photography highlights
76
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inches)
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
no anti aliasing filter
supports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
67
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
not so great battery pack (380 shots)
lack of Time Lapse recording
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D5300 Vlogging advice
Sony A55 Vlogging advice
72
display is selfie friendly
features face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with microphone port
does not have image stabilization
78
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with mic jack
Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

Nikon D5300 vs Sony A55 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D5300 and Sony A55
 Nikon D5300Sony SLT-A55
General Information
Company Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon D5300 Sony SLT-A55
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2014-02-12 2010-08-24
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 4 Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 6000 x 4000 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 12800 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO 25600 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 39 15
Cross type focus points 9 3
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 309 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Screen size 3.2 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 1,037 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,150 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x 0.73x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 5.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/200s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 480 grams (1.06 lbs) 500 grams (1.10 lbs)
Physical dimensions 125 x 98 x 76mm (4.9" x 3.9" x 3.0") 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 83 73
DXO Color Depth rating 24.0 23.0
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.9 12.4
DXO Low light rating 1338 816
Other
Battery life 600 photographs 380 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL14,EN-EL14a NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $429 $800