Sony A300 vs Sony NEX-3
64 Imaging
49 Features
45 Overall
47


89 Imaging
54 Features
55 Overall
54
Sony A300 vs Sony NEX-3 Key Specs
(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
- Introduced January 2008
- Later Model is Sony A330
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 200 - 12800
- 1280 x 720 video
- Sony E Mount
- 297g - 117 x 62 x 33mm
- Revealed June 2010
- Successor is Sony NEX-C3

Sony A300 vs Sony NEX-3 Overview
Lets look more closely at the Sony A300 and Sony NEX-3, one being a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both of them are created by Sony. There exists a significant gap between the resolutions of the A300 (10MP) and NEX-3 (14MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor sizes (APS-C).

The A300 was introduced 3 years before the NEX-3 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Sony A300 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony NEX-3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before diving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple overview of how the A300 grades against the NEX-3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Sony A300 vs Sony NEX-3 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery images for Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 and Sony Alpha NEX-3. The whole galleries are viewable at Sony A300 Gallery and Sony NEX-3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Sony A300 over the Sony NEX-3
A300 | NEX-3 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Sony A300
NEX-3 | A300 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | June 2010 | ![]() | January 2008 | More recent by 28 months |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+690k dot) |
Common features in the Sony A300 and Sony NEX-3
A300 | NEX-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very accurate focus | ||
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Tilting | Tilting screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither includes Touch screen |
Sony A300 vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison
In case you're looking to lug around your camera, you will have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Sony A300 features outer dimensions of 131mm x 99mm x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-3 has dimensions of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).
Compare the Sony A300 and Sony NEX-3 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have attached during that time. Here is a front view over all size comparison of the A300 vs the NEX-3.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the A300 and NEX-3 is 64 and 89 respectively.

Sony A300 vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it can be hard to imagine the gap between sensor measurements merely by reviewing technical specs. The visual here will help offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the A300 and NEX-3.
As you have seen, both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Sony NEX-3 to offer more detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots more aggressively. The older A300 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Sony A300 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Sony A300 vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications
Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Sony | Sony |
Model | Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 |
Type | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Introduced | 2008-01-30 | 2010-06-07 |
Physical type | Compact SLR | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | - | Bionz |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 23.6 x 15.8mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 372.9mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 3872 x 2592 | 4592 x 3056 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | 12800 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 200 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Sony/Minolta Alpha | Sony E |
Total lenses | 143 | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Tilting | Tilting |
Display size | 2.7 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 230 thousand dots | 920 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Display tech | - | TFT Xtra Fine LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentamirror) | None |
Viewfinder coverage | 95% | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.49x | - |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shooting rate | 3.0 frames/s | 7.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | 12.00 m |
Flash options | Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | - | 1/160s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | - | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | None | 1280x720 |
Video file format | - | MPEG-4 |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 632g (1.39 lbs) | 297g (0.65 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 131 x 99 x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") | 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 64 | 68 |
DXO Color Depth score | 22.5 | 22.1 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.4 | 12.0 |
DXO Low light score | 538 | 830 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 330 pictures |
Battery style | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | - | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | Compact Flash | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Cost at launch | $0 | $0 |