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Sony A500 vs Sony H300

Portability
63
Imaging
52
Features
52
Overall
52
Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H300 front
Portability
63
Imaging
45
Features
37
Overall
41

Sony A500 vs Sony H300 Key Specs

Sony A500
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 630g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Announced August 2009
  • Replacement is Sony A560
Sony H300
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-875mm (F3-5.9) lens
  • 590g - 130 x 95 x 122mm
  • Released February 2014
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Sony A500 vs Sony H300 Overview

Its time to examine more closely at the Sony A500 versus Sony H300, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both sold by Sony. There is a large difference between the image resolutions of the A500 (12MP) and H300 (20MP) and the A500 (APS-C) and H300 (1/2.3") use totally different sensor dimensions.

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The A500 was launched 5 years before the H300 which is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Sony A500 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony H300 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before going straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a short overview of how the A500 grades vs the H300 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Sony H300

 A500 H300 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Reasons to pick Sony H300 over the Sony A500

 H300 A500 
ReleasedFebruary 2014August 2009More modern by 54 months
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Sony A500 and Sony H300

 A500 H300 
Display dimension3"3"Identical display sizing
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither offers Touch friendly display

Sony A500 vs Sony H300 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry around your camera, you'll need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Sony A500 offers outer dimensions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") having a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs) while the Sony H300 has measurements of 130mm x 95mm x 122mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 4.8") accompanied by a weight of 590 grams (1.30 lbs).

Compare the Sony A500 versus Sony H300 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are employing during that time. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the A500 versus the H300.

Sony A500 vs Sony H300 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the A500 and H300 is 63 and 63 respectively.

Sony A500 vs Sony H300 top view buttons comparison

Sony A500 vs Sony H300 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to envision the gap between sensor sizes merely by reviewing a spec sheet. The pic here may offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the A500 and H300.

As you can see, both the cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The A500 due to its larger sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Sony H300 will offer greater detail utilizing its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos much more aggressively. The more aged A500 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Sony A500 vs Sony H300 sensor size comparison

Sony A500 vs Sony H300 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A500 vs Sony H300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A500 Portrait photography factors
Sony H300 Portrait photography factors
63
you can focus manually
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
40
megapixel count good (20MP)
has face detection autofocus
no manual focus
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sony A500
Street photography with Sony H300
74
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
43
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
heavier than average (590g)
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Sports Comparison

Sony A500 Sports photography highlights
Sony H300 Sports photography highlights
51
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
max frames per second low (5.0 frames/s)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery life (520 per charge)
50
great zoom range (25-875mm 35.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
better than average battery power (350 per charge)
slow fps (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony A500
Travel photography with Sony H300
43
flash built-in
no Time Lapse function
not so great battery life (520 CIPA)
MP count low (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly display
56
better than average battery power (350 CIPA)
megapixel count good (20MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
long reach (875mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
heavier than average (590g)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony A500
Landscape photography with Sony H300
60
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery life (520 per charge)
no Time Lapse function
47
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
better than average battery power (350 shots)
no manual focus
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A500 Vlogging advice
Sony H300 Vlogging advice
9
no video shooting
24
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection autofocus
slow maximum aperture (f3)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic jack
heavier than average (590g)
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Sony A500 vs Sony H300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A500 and Sony H300
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A500Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H300
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H300
Category Entry-Level DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2009-08-27 2014-02-13
Body design Compact SLR SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by Bionz Bionz(R)
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4272 x 2848 5152 x 3864
Max native ISO 12800 3200
Minimum native ISO 200 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-875mm (35.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3-5.9
Number of lenses 143 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology - Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder resolution - 201 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 95% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 5.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m 8.80 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off, Advanced Flash
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30p)
Max video resolution None 1280x720
Video file format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 630 grams (1.39 pounds) 590 grams (1.30 pounds)
Dimensions 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") 130 x 95 x 122mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 4.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 64 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.6 not tested
DXO Low light rating 772 not tested
Other
Battery life 520 photographs 350 photographs
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FM500H -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (Off, 10 sec, 2 sec, portrait1, portrait2)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick PRO Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $638 $249