• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • APS-C 357.3mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000

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Differences

Nikon D5300 advantages over Sony A5000

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,338 vs 1,089 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 600 vs 420 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    210 mm vs 75 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher-res screen
    346k vs 154k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 20.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.0 fps vs 3.3 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 15 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    4.0 fps vs 2.5 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 16000 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sony A5000 advantages over Nikon D5300

  • Less expensive
    $298 vs $697
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Thinner
    35 mm vs 76 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    388g vs 1035g
    Lighter weight
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    9 vs 4 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A5000

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent image quality similar to more expensive DSLRs (like the D7100); Great dynamic range; Responsive all-around performer; Excellent Full HD video-shooting quality; Built-in Wi-Fi with remote control and sharing features; Built-in GPS; Compact and lightweight size; 18-140mm kit lens performs well for its type and has a very versatile focus length range.

  • AA-filterless sensor makes it more prone to moire; Burst speed slows with highest quality 14-bit RAW images; Live View mode not as good as some competitors; No external headphone jack; GPS receiver not very sensitive.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7100

Nikon D5300
Nikon D7100
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $695
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
Sony A5000
Nikon D7100
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $695
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Sony NEX-5T

Nikon D5300
Sony NEX-5T
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Bigger pixels
Sony A5000
Sony NEX-5T
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Internal flash
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compared to Pentax K-3

Nikon D5300
Pentax K-3
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Fast startup
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Sony A5000
Pentax K-3
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Sony A5100

Nikon D5300
Sony A5100
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
Sony A5000
Sony A5100
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO

Compared to Canon T6s

Nikon D5300
Canon T6s
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup
  • $619
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • NFC
Sony A5000
Canon T6s
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $619
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
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