• APS-C 372.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • APS-C 357.3mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • Detailed specifications
  • Nikon D300S
  • Sony Alpha ILCE-A3000
Links
Prices: Compare Prices Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Nikon D300
D300 vs D300S
 
Successor: Nikon D500
D300S vs D500
 
General
Model Number: D300S A3000
Alternate Model Number(s):   ILCE-3000, ILCE-3500
Camera Format: Pro SLR Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $1799.95 $399.99
Street Price: $1,696.95 $598.00
Date Available: 2009-08-31 2013-09-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 33.5 oz (951 g)
includes batteries
21.7 oz (616 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 5.8 x 4.5 x 2.9 in.
(147 x 114 x 74 mm)
5.0 x 3.6 x 3.3 in.
(128 x 91 x 85 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony Sony
Effective Megapixels: 12.3 20.1
Sensor Format: APS-C APS-C
Sensor size: 372.88mm2 (23.60mm x 15.80mm) 357.28mm2 (23.20mm x 15.40mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.50 microns 4.25 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 No
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 70 78
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 22.5 23.7
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.2 12.8
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 787 1,068
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, lossless compressed, compressed, or uncompressed; RAW+JPEG, TIFF JPEG, RAW (12-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 7.1 3.5
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1280x720 (24)
640x424 (24)
320x216 (24)
1920x1080 (60i or 24p (24/​17Mbps))
1440x1080 (30p/​12Mbps)
640x480 (30p/​3Mbps)
Movie File Format: AVI Motion JPEG AVCHD 2.0 / 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 No
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Nikon F Sony E
Lens: n/a Sony SEL1855 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS; 11 elements in 9 groups with 3 apherical elements
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 - 32 (T); 7 blade aperture
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:   25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: n/a 49.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No Yes
Digital Zoom: No Yes
Digital Zoom Values: n/a 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 Contrast-detect AF: Multi Point (25 points)/ Center-weighted/ Flexible Spot
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD EVF / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type: eye-level pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.94x mag., 19.5mm eyepoint, -2 to +1 diopter EVF: 0.5cm (0.2 type), 201,600 dot equivalent, 100% coverage, 0.7x magnification, -4 to +3.5 m^-1 diopter, 21mm eyepoint from eyepiece lens, 15mm from eyepiece frame at -1m^-1 diopter (CIPA standard)
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a 201,600 dots
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.63x 0.47x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.94x 0.70x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots 230,400 dots (76,800 px)
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 27.0x 15.1x
Top Deck Display: Yes No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 3200 16000
Minimum ISO (native): 200 100
ISO Settings: Auto, ISO 200-3200, Lo-1=100, Hi-1=6400 Auto (100-3200), 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800, 16000
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 Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: N/A Scene Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports Action, Sunset, Night Portrait, Night View, Hand-held Twilight, Anti Motion Blur; Sweep Panorama; Picture Effects: Posterization (Color, B/W), Pop Color, Retro Photo, Partial Color (R,G,B,Y), High Contrast Mono, Toy Camera, Soft High-key, Soft Focus, HDR Painting, Rich-tone Mono, Miniature; HDR; DRO
Self Timer: 2 to 20 seconds 2 or 10; 3 shots after 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 Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync. Red-eye reduction: On/Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. 4.0 m / 13.1 ft.
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent Lens dependent; GN = 6m (ISO 200) / 4m (ISO100)
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 No
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 / SD / SDHC MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory: Dual slots, CF+SD  
Dual Card Slots: Yes No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: NEF (RAW), 12 or 14 bit, lossless compressed, compressed, or uncompressed; RAW+JPEG, TIFF RAW (12-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: AVI Motion JPEG AVCHD 2.0 / 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 No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: Yes No
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): Type-C HDMI Out, DC In, PC Sync, 10-pin Remote Terminal Multi Terminal/Micro USB (with remote support)
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.48 0.98
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.48  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): Unlimited  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): 0.47 1.84
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 7.1 3.5
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 26 11
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 7.1  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): 17  
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 7.1 3.5
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): 15 5
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.23 seconds 0.28 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR): 0.47 seconds  
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR): 0.053 seconds  
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.150 seconds 0.069 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.27 seconds 0.39 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.053 seconds 0.022 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Live View lags Hand-held mode Phase-detect AF: 0.473s Hand-held mode Prefocused: 0.053s Tripod mode Contrast-detect AF: 2.5s Tripod mode Prefocused: 0.419s Full AF lag, Wide-Area AF mode = 0.289s
Startup Time: 0.3 seconds 2.2 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.3 seconds 1.0 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 1.7 seconds 2.2 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   470 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 950 shots  
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary EN-EL3e, optional MB-D10 battery pack Proprietary
Usable Battery Types: Lithium Ion rechargeable NP-FW50 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary EN-EL3e Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NP-FW50 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes No
Internal Charging Supported: No Yes
Software
Included Software: PictureProject CD-ROM PlayMemories Home, Image Data Converter 4
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS X Windows XP/Vista/7/8; Mac OS X 10.5 or later. (PlayMemories Home is Windows only.)
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Upgrade to D300 adding 720p HD movies, faster burst rate, and other minor improvements. Mirrorless ILC that looks like an SLR. Sony E-mount, contrast-detect AF, Full HD movies (60i/24p).