• APS-C 372.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • APS-C 365.0mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

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Differences

Nikon D300 advantages over Sony A35

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.50 vs 4.76 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 0.9 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1000 vs 420 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.1 fps vs 5.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    37 vs 12 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony A35 advantages over Nikon D300

  • Less expensive
    $700 vs $1800 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Higher effective ISO
    763 vs 679 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.73x vs 0.63x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    16.2 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSLR-A580

Nikon D300
Sony DSLR-A580
  • $1800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Sony A35
Sony DSLR-A580
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • External Mic Jack
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Higher effective ISO

Compared to Sony A55

Nikon D300
Sony A55
  • $1800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Sony A35
Sony A55
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in GPS

Compared to Sony A33

Nikon D300
Sony A33
  • $1800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Sony A35
Sony A33
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compared to Sony A37

Nikon D300
Sony A37
  • $1800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
Sony A35
Sony A37
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • More dots on screen
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Nikon D300
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $1800
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Sony A35
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
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