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Sony A300 vs YI M1

Portability
64
Imaging
49
Features
45
Overall
47
Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 front
 
YI M1 front
Portability
87
Imaging
59
Features
66
Overall
61

Sony A300 vs YI M1 Key Specs

Sony A300
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 632g - 131 x 99 x 75mm
  • Introduced January 2008
  • Replacement is Sony A330
YI M1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 350g - 114 x 64 x 34mm
  • Released September 2016
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Sony A300 vs YI M1 Overview

In this write-up, we are evaluating the Sony A300 vs YI M1, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Sony and YI. There exists a substantial gap between the image resolutions of the A300 (10MP) and M1 (20MP) and the A300 (APS-C) and M1 (Four Thirds) enjoy totally different sensor dimensions.

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The A300 was released 9 years prior to the M1 and that is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Sony A300 being a Compact SLR camera and the YI M1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the A300 matches up against the M1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony A300 over the YI M1

 A300 M1 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Reasons to pick YI M1 over the Sony A300

 M1 A300 
ReleasedSeptember 2016January 2008Fresher by 105 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1040k230kSharper display (+810k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Sony A300 and YI M1

 A300 M1 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Sony A300 vs YI M1 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry your camera, you need to think about its weight and volume. The Sony A300 enjoys outside dimensions of 131mm x 99mm x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") and a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs) and the YI M1 has sizing of 114mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.5" x 2.5" x 1.3") along with a weight of 350 grams (0.77 lbs).

See the Sony A300 vs YI M1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the A300 vs the M1.

Sony A300 vs YI M1 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A300 and M1 is 64 and 87 respectively.

Sony A300 vs YI M1 top view buttons comparison

Sony A300 vs YI M1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its tough to envision the difference between sensor sizing merely by going over a spec sheet. The graphic here should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the A300 and M1.

As you can see, both of these cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The A300 featuring a larger sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field easier and the YI M1 will offer you greater detail as a result of its extra 10 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop pics a little more aggressively. The older A300 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Sony A300 vs YI M1 sensor size comparison

Sony A300 vs YI M1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A300 vs YI M1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A300 Portrait photography factors
YI M1 Portrait photography factors
59
focusing manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
MP count low (10 megapixels)
75
manual focus
decent MP (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Sony A300 as a Street photography camera
YI M1 as a Street photography camera
74
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
73
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
supports focus by touch
above average ISO range (25,600)
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sony A300 as a Sports photography camera
YI M1 as a Sports photography camera
54
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
max frames per second low (3.0 frames/s)
MP count low (10MP)
54
decent MP (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
better than average battery (450 per charge)
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony A300 Travel photography advice
YI M1 Travel photography advice
45
built-in flash
missing Timelapse function
MP count low (10MP)
does not offer selfie friendly display
78
better than average battery (450 per charge)
has bluetooth
supports focus by touch
decent MP (20MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony A300
Landscape photography with YI M1
57
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
MP count low (10MP)
missing Timelapse function
76
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3")
decent MP (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
above average ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
better than average battery (450 shots)
lack of image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A300 Vlogging info
YI M1 Vlogging info
9
no video recording
33
touch screen
provides face detection focusing
video resolution high (4096 x 2160 resolution)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
lack of external mic socket
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Sony A300 vs YI M1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A300 and YI M1
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A300YI M1
General Information
Company Sony YI
Model type Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 YI M1
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2008-01-30 2016-09-19
Physical type Compact SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3872 x 2592 5184 x 3888
Maximum native ISO 3200 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 81
Lens
Lens mount type Sony/Minolta Alpha Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 143 107
Focal length multiplier 1.5 2.1
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7" 3"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 1,040 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.49x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Red-Eye Slow
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 4096 x 2160 @ 30p / 75 Mbps, MOV, H.264, AAC
Maximum video resolution None 4096x2160
Video file format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 632 grams (1.39 lbs) 350 grams (0.77 lbs)
Dimensions 131 x 99 x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") 114 x 64 x 34mm (4.5" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 64 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.4 not tested
DXO Low light rating 538 not tested
Other
Battery life - 450 images
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse recording
Storage type Compact Flash SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots Single Single
Launch price $0 $320