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Nikon D300 vs Sony Alpha DSLR-A200

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

NikonD300SonyAlpha DSLR-A200
Overview
ReleasedNovember 2007January 2008
Image and sensor
Camera typeDSLRDSLR
Sensor formatAPS-CAPS-C
Sensor typeCMOSCCD
Sensor dimensions23.6 × 15.8 mm23.6 × 15.8 mm
Effective resolution12.3 MP10.2 MP
Largest image4288 × 28483872 × 2592
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range200–3200100–3200
Sensor detail13.1 million total pixels; vibrating low-pass filter for dust removal; Image Dust Off reference data10.8 million total pixels; RGB primary-colour filter; anti-static coating and sensor-shift dust removal
Image formats12-bit or 14-bit NEF RAW, uncompressed, compressed or losslessly compressed; JPEG, TIFF RGB and RAW plus JPEGJPEG, RAW (Sony ARW 2.0) and RAW+JPEG; 3:2 or cropped 16:9 stills; 12-bit analogue-to-digital conversion
ISO detailExpanded equivalents ISO 100–6400; Auto ISOISO 100–3200 in whole-stop steps, plus Auto; high-ISO noise reduction available from ISO 1600
Image processorEXPEED image-processing system; Scene Recognition SystemBIONZ
Lens and shooting
Lens mountNikon F mountSony A-mount
StabilisationOptical lens stabilisationSensor shift
Maximum continuous burst6 fps3 fps
Lens detailAF coupling supports compatible screw-drive lenses. Supported non-CPU AI lenses permit aperture-priority and manual exposure; entered lens data enables colour matrix metering. IX and F3AF lenses unsupportedInterchangeable Sony A-mount; supports compatible Sony, Minolta and Konica Minolta AF lenses; kit optics are separate from body specifications
AutofocusMulti-CAM 3500DX phase detection; 51 points including 15 cross-type; single-point, auto-area and dynamic 9/21/51-point modes with 3D tracking; AF fine-tuningTTL phase detection with nine points and centre cross sensor; single-shot, automatic and continuous AF, manual focus and selectable Eye-Start AF; detection range EV 0–18 at ISO 100
Shutter1/8000 to 30 seconds and Bulb; standard flash sync 1/250 second, with 1/320 available at reduced flash range; shutter tested to 150000 cyclesElectronically controlled vertical-traverse focal-plane shutter; 30 seconds to 1/4000 second plus Bulb; flash sync 1/160 second
Burst detailApproximately 6 fps with the body's EN-EL3e. Up to 8 fps using MB-D10 with EN-EL4/EN-EL4a or eight AA cells, or EH-5/EH-5a AC power; an EN-EL3e in the grip alone does not provide 8 fps. 14-bit RAW limits speed to approximately 2.5 fpsUp to 3 fps; JPEG Standard/Fine can continue until the card fills, subject to card and shooting conditions. Maker buffer claim six RAW or three RAW+JPEG frames.
Stabilisation detailOptical VR depends on the attached lens; no sensor-shift stabilisationSuper SteadyShot sensor-shift stabilisation; Sony claims approximately 2.5–3.5 stops depending on lens and conditions; excludes Minolta AF Macro Zoom 3X–1X F1.7–2.8
FlashPop-up i-TTL flash; guide number approximately 12 at ISO 100 in metres, 13 at full manual output; commander support, hot shoe and PC sync terminalAutomatic pop-up built-in flash, guide number 12 in metres at ISO 100; ADI and pre-flash TTL control; wireless and high-speed sync require compatible external flash
Exposure controlsP/S/A/M; 1005-pixel RGB 3D Colour Matrix Metering II; ±5 EV compensation; Active D-Lighting and interval timerProgram, aperture priority, shutter priority and manual controls; scene modes; 40-segment honeycomb, centre-weighted and spot metering; ±2 EV compensation in 1/3-stop steps; D-Range Optimizer and Creative Style controls
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderOpticalOptical
Screen size3″2.7″
Screen dots920,000230,400
Tilting screenNoNo
Display detailFixed TFT with 170° viewing angle; dots count subpixels; removable protective coverFixed Clear Photo TFT LCD; 230,400 dots count colour subpixels; shooting information rotates with body orientation
Viewfinder detailPentaprism, approximately 100% coverage and 0.94× magnification with 50mm at infinity; 19.5 mm eyepoint; selectable gridFixed eye-level pentamirror; approximately 95% coverage and 0.83× magnification with a 50 mm lens at infinity
Connections and design
Wi-FiNo–
Battery life (maker's claim)1000 photographs750 photographs
Body weight825 g532 g
Release detailNikon's original US announcement specifies November 2007 availability; Japan records 23 November. Main retains the monthSony Hong Kong specifies launch from the end of January 2008 for the single- and double-lens kits; Japan gives 15 February 2008 for body and kits. January is the earliest maker-stated retail precision found.
Recording mediaCompactFlash Type I/II, including UDMA, and Microdrive; single slotCompactFlash Type I/II and Microdrive; Memory Stick Duo, PRO Duo and PRO-HG Duo require a separately sold CompactFlash-slot adaptor
PortsUSB 2.0 Hi-Speed, analogue NTSC/PAL output, full-size HDMI Type A (HDMI 1.3a), ten-pin accessory terminal and PC flash sync; optional MC-35 connects compatible external GPS receiversUSB 2.0 Hi-Speed with NTSC/PAL video output; wired remote-release connector and DC input; no HDMI
Wireless connectionsOptional WT-4 transmitter supplies network transfer; Wi-Fi is not built into the body–
Battery life detailEN-EL3e; approximately 1000 shots under CIPA conditions with AF-S VR 24–120mm f/3.5–5.6G ED, flash on alternate exposures and no live view. Separate Nikon continuous test claims approximately 3000. Optional MB-D10 accepts EN-EL3e, EN-EL4/EN-EL4a or eight AA cellsNP-FM500H, 7.2 V and 11.8 Wh (1650 mAh); approximately 750 photographs CIPA with built-in flash used for half the shots. The A100's NP-FM55H cannot be used, contrary to PhotographyBlog's handling description.
ChargingExternal MH-18a charger; optional EH-5/EH-5a AC adapterSupplied BC-VM10 external charger; optional AC-VQ900AM adaptor/charger
DimensionsApproximately 147 × 114 × 74 mmApproximately 130.8 × 98.5 × 71.3 mm (width × height × depth), excluding protrusions
Weight detailApproximately 825 g excluding battery, card, body cap and monitor coverApproximately 532 g without battery, memory card, lens or accessories; no loaded weight published in the maker table
MaterialsMagnesium-alloy construction with dust and moisture seals; not a waterproof ratingPlastic outer body (PhotographyBlog and Cameralabs)
Colours–Black
In the box–NP-FM500H battery, BC-VM10 charger, power cord, USB and video cables, shoulder strap, eyepiece cover and cup, body cap and software CD
Video
Video detailNo movie recording. Handheld live view uses phase-detection AF with mirror interruption; Tripod live view uses contrast-detection AFStill-image camera with no movie recording; no live-view framing, mirror lock-up or depth-of-field preview (PhotographyBlog and Cameralabs)

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