• APS-C 372.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

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Differences

Nikon D300 advantages over Sony DSLR-A560

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 0.7 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • 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
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.63x vs 0.53x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    37 vs 13 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony DSLR-A560 advantages over Nikon D300

  • Less expensive
    $750 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Higher effective ISO
    819 vs 679 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More pixels
    14.2 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.1 fps vs 6.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • 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
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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-A550

Nikon D300
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $1800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D300 vs Sony DSLR-A550

Sony DSLR-A560
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $750
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Less shutter lag

Compare Sony DSLR-A560 vs Sony DSLR-A550

Compared to Sony DSLR-A500

Nikon D300
Sony DSLR-A500
  • $1800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D300 vs Sony DSLR-A500

Sony DSLR-A560
Sony DSLR-A500
  • $750
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More cross-type AF points
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Less shutter lag

Compare Sony DSLR-A560 vs Sony DSLR-A500

Compared to Canon T3i

Nikon D300
Canon T3i
  • $1800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D300 vs Canon T3i

Sony DSLR-A560
Canon T3i
  • $750
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony DSLR-A560 vs Canon T3i

Compared to Nikon D5100

Nikon D300
Nikon D5100
  • $1800
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D300 vs Nikon D5100

Sony DSLR-A560
Nikon D5100
  • $750
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony DSLR-A560 vs Nikon D5100

Compared to Sony A57

Nikon D300
Sony A57
  • $1800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D300 vs Sony A57

Sony DSLR-A560
Sony A57
  • $750
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoots 24p video

Compare Sony DSLR-A560 vs Sony A57

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