• APS-C 372.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • Detailed specifications
  • Nikon D300
  • Sony Alpha SLT-A58
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Nikon D200
D200 vs D300
 
Successor: Nikon D300S
D300 vs D300S
Sony A68
A58 vs A68
General
Model Number: D300 A58
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Pro SLR SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $1799.95 $600.00
Street Price:   $598.00
Date Available: 2007-11-15 2013-04-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 29.1 oz (825 g) 25.8 oz (731 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 5.8 x 4.5 x 2.9 in.
(147 x 114 x 74 mm)
5.1 x 3.8 x 3.1 in.
(129 x 96 x 78 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:   Sony
Effective Megapixels: 12.3 20.1
Sensor Format: APS-C APS-C
Sensor size: 372.88mm2 (23.60mm x 15.80mm) 366.6mm2 (23.50mm x 15.60mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.50 microns 4.31 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 67 74
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 22.1 23.3
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.0 12.5
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 679 753
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4288 x 2848 (12.2 MP, Other),
3216 x 2136 (6.9 MP, Other),
2144 x 1424 (3.1 MP, Other)
5456 x 3632 (19.8 MP, 3:2),
5456 x 3064 (16.7 MP, 16:9),
3872 x 2576 (10.0 MP, 3:2),
3872 x 2176 (8.4 MP, 16:9),
2736 x 1824 (5.0 MP, 3:2),
2736 x 1536 (4.2 MP, 16:9),
12416 x 1856 (23.0 MP, Other),
8192 x 1856 (15.2 MP, Other),
2160 x 5536 (12.0 MP, Other),
2160 x 3872 (8.4 MP, Other)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.21), NEF (RAW), 12 or 14-bit JPEG, RAW (12-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 6.1 4.9
Video Capture
Can take movies: No Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (60i or 24p (24/​17Mbps))
1440x1080 (30p/​12Mbps)
640x480 (30p/​3Mbps)
Movie File Format:   AVCHD / MP4; Audio: Dolby Digital (AC-3)/MPEG-4 AAC-LC, stereo
Composite Video Out: Yes No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: Yes n/a
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Nikon F Sony Alpha (Minolta A)
Lens: n/a Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):   27 - 83mm
Focal Length (actual):   18 - 55mm
Zoom Ratio:   3.06x
Aperture Range:   f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - 36 (T)
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:   25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: n/a 55.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: Yes
Digital Zoom Values:   Up to 4x; up to 2x Clear Image Digital Zoom
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 51 point (15 cross-type sensors) TTL phase detection with 3D focus tracking by Nikon Multi-CAM 3500DX Phase Detection: 15 points (3 points cross type); Wide (auto, 15 points), Zone, Spot, Local; Enhanced Object Tracking; Eye Start AF
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD EVF / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentaprism, 100%, 0.94x, 19.5mm eyepoint, -2.0 to +1.0 diopter EVF type; 1/2-inch, 1.44M-dot OLED Tru-Finder, 100% coverage, 0.88x magnification (0.57x 35mm eq.), 26.5mm from the eyepiece lens / 23mm from the eyepiece frame eye point, -4.0 to +4.0 diopter
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a 1,440,000 dots
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.63x 0.57x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.94x 0.88x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 2.7
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots 460,800 dots (153,600 px)
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 27.0x 15.0x
Top Deck Display: Yes No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 3200 16000
Minimum ISO (native): 200 100
ISO Settings: 200-3200, Lo-1=100, Hi-1=6400 Auto (100-3200), 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800, 16000; (Multi-frame NR mode up to ISO 25600)
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, 7 manual modes with fine tuning, color temperature Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom, Color Temp./ Filter (2500-9900K with 15-step Magenta/Green compensation)
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/4000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 3D Color Matrix Metering II, Center-weighted, Spot 1200-zone Evaluative, Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes:   Scene Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports Action, Sunset, Night Portrait, Night View, Handheld Twilight; Picture Effects: Posterization (Color, B/W), Pop Color, Retro Photo, Partial Color (R,G,B,Y), High Contrast Monochrome, Toy Camera, Soft High-key, Soft Focus, HDR Painting, Rich-tone Monochrome, Miniature; Sweep Panorama, Anti Motion Blur, Multi Frame Noise Reduction
Self Timer: 2 to 20 seconds 2 or 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer): Yes  
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Front-Curtain Sync, Red-Eye Reduction, Red-Eye Reduction with Slow Sync, Slow Sync, and Rear-Curtain Sync; supports Advanced Wireless Lighting system Auto, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Hi-speed sync., Red-eye reduction (on/off selectable for Auto flash and fill-flash mode), Wireless, Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. 10.0 m / 32.8 ft.
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent Lens dependent
Max Flash Sync: 1/250 1/160
Flash Exposure Compensation: -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe, Sync Terminal Multi Interface Hot shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:   Full TTL exposure
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 / CF2 / Microdrive MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   No UHS support
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: NEF (RAW), 12 or 14-bit RAW (12-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format:   AVCHD / MP4; Audio: Dolby Digital (AC-3)/MPEG-4 AAC-LC, stereo
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No Yes
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes No
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional wired Optional wired RM-VPR1
Connections (extended): HDMI Out, DC In, PC Sync, 10-pin Expansion Terminal Type-D Micro HDMI, DC Input, 3.5mm Stereo Micophone Jack, Multi/Micro USB (remote)
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.39 0.51
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.39 0.55
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): Unlimited 2
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):   0.57
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 6.1 4.9
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 37 8
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   4.9
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   6
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   4.9
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):   5
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.23 seconds 0.13 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.054 seconds 0.082 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.28 seconds 0.33 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.057 seconds 0.054 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):   Full Autofocus Shutter Lag, Wide-area Mode = 0.139s
Startup Time: 0.3 seconds 1.9 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.1 seconds 1.1 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 3.2 seconds 2.1 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   700 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 1000 shots 690 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary EN-EL3e, optional MB-D10 battery pack Proprietary
Usable Battery Types: Lithium Ion rechargeable NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary EN-EL3e Lithium Ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No No
Software
Included Software: PictureProject CD-ROM PlayMemories Home, Image Data Converter 4
OS Compatibility: Windows Windows XP SP3/Vista SP2/7 SP1/8; Mac OS X v10.5 or later. (Software is Windows only.)
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: New 20.1MP Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor, SteadyShot INSIDE image stabilization, 2.7" 406K-dot tilting LCD, OLED Tru-Finder EVF, 5fps full-resolution burst mode (up to 8fps in Tele-zoom Continuous Advance Priority AE mode), new Lock-on autofocus, Full HD 1080i60 movies, Multi Interface Hot Shoe, new area-specific noise reduction. U.S. availability and pricing TBD.