Nikon D300 vs Sony DSLR-A580

Sony DSLR-A580 advantages over Nikon D300

• Less expensive
  $900 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

  Higher effective ISO

  Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

  Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

  You can learn more at our glossary entry.

  Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.

  DSLR-A580 test data on DxO Mark D300 test data on DxO Mark
  1,123 vs 679 iso
  Take photos in low light with less noise
• More dynamic range

  More dynamic range

  Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

  Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

  Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.

  DSLR-A580 test data on DxO Mark D300 test data on DxO Mark
  13.3 vs 12.0 evs
  Retain detail in highlight and shadows
• More pixels
  16.2 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