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Nikon D300 vs Sony Alpha DSLR-A350

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

NikonD300SonyAlpha DSLR-A350
Overview
ReleasedNovember 2007March 2008
Image and sensor
Camera typeDSLRDSLR
Sensor formatAPS-CAPS-C
Sensor typeCMOSCCD
Sensor dimensions23.6 × 15.8 mm23.5 × 15.7 mm
Effective resolution12.3 MP14.2 MP
Largest image4288 × 28484592 × 3056
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range200–3200100–3200
Sensor detail13.1 million total pixels; vibrating low-pass filter for dust removal; Image Dust Off reference data14.9 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. Photo Review’s specification footer incorrectly lists ISO 80 expansion, absent from Sony’s exact table.
Image processorEXPEED image-processing system; Scene Recognition SystemBIONZ
Lens and shooting
Lens mountNikon F mountSony A-mount
StabilisationOptical lens stabilisationSensor shift
Maximum continuous burst6 fps2.5 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 2.5 fps using the optical viewfinder or 2 fps in live view; JPEG Standard/Fine can continue until the card fills, subject to shooting conditions and card speed. Maker buffer claim four 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 metering through the optical finder or 1200-zone analysis in live view, with centre-weighted and spot options; ±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 screenNoYes
Display detailFixed TFT with 170° viewing angle; dots count subpixels; removable protective coverClear Photo TFT LCD; 230,400 dots count colour subpixels; tilts approximately 130° upward or 40° downward. Live view previews exposure compensation, white balance and selected Creative Style settings; Smart Teleconverter produces 1.4×/2× digital crops.
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 0.74× magnification with a 50 mm lens at infinity; optical path closed automatically when live view is selected
Connections and design
Wi-FiNo–
Battery life (maker's claim)1000 photographs730 photographs
Body weight825 g582 g
Release detailNikon's original US announcement specifies November 2007 availability; Japan records 23 November. Main retains the monthSony Hong Kong specifies March 2008 retail for body and kits; Japan gives 7 March 2008. March is retained because the Hong Kong launch has no published day.
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); maker CIPA claim approximately 730 photographs with optical finder or 410 in live view, with built-in flash used for half the shots; optional VG-B30AM grip holds two packs
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 × 74.7 mm (width × height × depth), excluding protrusions
Weight detailApproximately 825 g excluding battery, card, body cap and monitor coverApproximately 582 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 (PhotographyBlog); Quick AF Live View uses a dedicated secondary sensor with a pentamirror switching mechanism, rather than the main image sensor. It shows 90% coverage and has no magnified manual-focus-check mode.

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