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Nikon D300 vs Sony Alpha DSLR-A700

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

NikonD300SonyAlpha DSLR-A700
Overview
ReleasedNovember 2007September 2007
Image and sensor
Camera typeDSLRDSLR
Sensor formatAPS-CAPS-C
Sensor typeCMOSCMOS
Sensor dimensions23.6 × 15.8 mm23.5 × 15.6 mm
Effective resolution12.3 MP12.24 MP
Largest image4288 × 28484272 × 2848
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range200–3200100–3200
Sensor detail13.1 million total pixels; vibrating low-pass filter for dust removal; Image Dust Off reference dataExmor CMOS; 13.05 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), compressed cRAW and RAW/cRAW+JPEG; 3:2 or cropped 16:9 JPEGs; Sony’s launch table specifies RAW 4288 × 2856 separately from JPEG 4272 × 2848
ISO detailExpanded equivalents ISO 100–6400; Auto ISOISO 100–3200 in 1/3-stop steps, expandable to ISO 6400; Auto range configurable. Sony’s exact table differs from Photo Review’s ISO comparison table.
Image processorEXPEED image-processing system; Scene Recognition SystemBIONZ with noise reduction in the RAW processing stage
Lens and shooting
Lens mountNikon F mountSony A-mount
StabilisationOptical lens stabilisationSensor shift
Maximum continuous burst6 fps5 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; 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 11 points, centre dual-cross sensor and additional F2.8 precision sensor; single-shot, automatic and continuous AF, direct manual focus and manual focus; selectable Eye-Start AF; EV 0–18 detection at ISO 100; dedicated AF-assist lamp
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 1/8000 second plus Bulb; flash sync 1/250 second with stabilisation off or 1/200 second with it on; Sony rates durability at approximately 100,000 cycles
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 5 fps Hi or 3 fps Lo; Sony’s Japanese table claims 16 Extra Fine JPEGs, 18 RAW, 25 cRAW or 12 RAW/cRAW+JPEG frames; Standard/Fine JPEGs can continue to card capacity. Shooting conditions and card speed affect results; PhotographyBlog lists lower RAW/cRAW buffer counts.
Stabilisation detailOptical VR depends on the attached lens; no sensor-shift stabilisationSuper SteadyShot sensor shift; Sony claims approximately 2.5–4 stops depending on lens and shooting 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 terminalBuilt-in pop-up flash with guide number 12 in metres at ISO 100; ADI and pre-flash TTL control; PC sync terminal; compatible external flashes support wireless and high-speed sync
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 exposure; scene modes; 40-segment honeycomb, centre-weighted or spot metering; ±3 EV compensation in 1/2- or 1/3-stop steps; D-Range Optimizer, 14 Creative Styles, Quick Navi and three saved shooting setups
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderOpticalOptical
Screen size3″3″
Screen dots920,000921,600
Tilting screenNo–
Display detailFixed TFT with 170° viewing angle; dots count subpixels; removable protective coverFixed 3.0-inch Xtra Fine TFT LCD with anti-reflection coating; 921,600 dots count colour subpixels; shooting settings appear on the rear screen rather than a top status LCD
Viewfinder detailPentaprism, approximately 100% coverage and 0.94× magnification with 50mm at infinity; 19.5 mm eyepoint; selectable gridFixed eye-level pentaprism; approximately 95% coverage and 0.9× magnification with a 50 mm lens at infinity; Spherical Acute Matte focusing screen; optical depth-of-field preview
Connections and design
Wi-FiNo–
Battery life (maker's claim)1000 photographs650 photographs
Body weight825 g690 g
Release detailNikon's original US announcement specifies November 2007 availability; Japan records 23 November. Main retains the monthSony China announced retail for the end of September 2007; month precision retained. Sony Japan’s revised press release gives 9 November 2007, moved forward from 16 November.
Recording mediaCompactFlash Type I/II, including UDMA, and Microdrive; single slotSeparate CompactFlash Type I/II (UDMA Mode 5) and Memory Stick Duo/PRO Duo/PRO-HG Duo slots; Microdrive support; recording medium selected by the user
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; HDMI Type C mini for still-image playback; NTSC/PAL video output; wired remote-release connector, flash sync and DC input; supplied software supports computer remote control
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; Sony CIPA claim approximately 650 photographs with built-in flash used for half the shots; optional VG-C70AM grip holds two batteries. PhotographyBlog’s NP-FM55H reference is contradicted by Sony’s explicit incompatibility note.
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 141.7 × 104.8 × 79.7 mm (width × height × depth), excluding protrusions
Weight detailApproximately 825 g excluding battery, card, body cap and monitor coverApproximately 690 g without battery, memory card, lens or accessories; loaded weight not published in Sony’s table
MaterialsMagnesium-alloy construction with dust and moisture seals; not a waterproof ratingMagnesium-alloy front and upper covers with aluminium internal chassis; seals around controls and card door reduce dust and moisture ingress, without guaranteeing waterproofing
Colours–Black
In the box–NP-FM500H battery, BC-VM10 charger and power cord, RMT-DSLR1 wireless remote, USB and video cables, shoulder strap, eyepiece cover and cup, body and shoe caps, 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 DSLR without video recording or rear-screen live view (PhotographyBlog and Photo Review)

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