• APS-C 372.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • 35mm 847.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • Detailed specifications
  • Nikon D300S
  • Sony Alpha ILCE-A7 III
Links
Prices: Compare Prices Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Nikon D300
D300 vs D300S
Sony A7 II
A7 II vs A7 III
Successor: Nikon D500
D300S vs D500
Sony A7 IV
A7 III vs A7 IV
General
Model Number: D300S A7 III
Alternate Model Number(s):   ILCE-7M3
Camera Format: Pro SLR Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No Yes
Retail Price: $1799.95 $1999.99
Street Price: $1,696.95 $1,898.00
Date Available: 2009-08-31 2018-04-10
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 33.5 oz (951 g)
includes batteries
33.3 oz (945 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 5.8 x 4.5 x 2.9 in.
(147 x 114 x 74 mm)
5.0 x 3.8 x 2.9 in.
(127 x 96 x 74 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony Sony
Effective Megapixels: 12.3 24.2
Sensor Format: APS-C 35mm
Sensor size: 372.88mm2 (23.60mm x 15.80mm) 847.28mm2 (35.60mm x 23.80mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.50 microns 5.93 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x 1.0x
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 Yes
DxO Sensor Score: 70 96
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 22.5 25.0
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.2 14.7
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 787 3,730
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)
6000 x 4000 (24.0 MP, 3:2),
3936 x 2624 (10.3 MP, 3:2),
3008 x 2000 (6.0 MP, 3:2),
3936 x 2624 (10.3 MP, 3:2),
3008 x 2000 (6.0 MP, 3:2),
1968 x 1312 (2.6 MP, 3:2),
6000 x 3376 (20.3 MP, 16:9),
3936 x 2216 (8.7 MP, 16:9),
3008 x 1688 (5.1 MP, 16:9),
3936 x 2216 (8.7 MP, 16:9),
3008 x 1688 (5.1 MP, 16:9),
1968 x 1112 (2.2 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 (14-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 7.1 9.9
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1280x720 (24)
640x424 (24)
320x216 (24)
3840x2160 (30p/​25p/​24p)
1920x1080 (120p/​100p/​60p/​60i/​50p/​50i/​30p/​25p/​24p)
Movie File Format: AVI Motion JPEG XAVC S / AVCHD 2.0 / MP4; Audio: LPCM / 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 E
Lens: n/a Sony FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS SEL2870
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):   28 - 70mm
Focal Length (actual):   28 - 70mm
Zoom Ratio:   2.50x
Aperture Range:   f/3.5-22 (W) / f/5.6-36 (T)
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:   40 cm to Infinity
15.7 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: n/a 55.0mm
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 Fast Hybrid AF (Phase-detect + Contrast-detect AF): 693 phase-detection AF points covering 93% of image area, 425 contrast AF points; Wide (693 points (phase-detection AF), 425 points (contrast-detection AF)) / Zone / Center / Flexible Spot (S/M/L) / Expanded Flexible Spot / Lock-on AF (Wide / Zone / Center / Flexible Spot (S/M/L) / Expanded 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: 0.5-inch (1.30cm), 2359K-dot XGA color OLED, 100% coverage, 0.78x magnification, -4.0 to +3.0 diopter
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a 2,359,296 dots (786,432 pixels)
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.63x 0.78x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.94x 0.78x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots 921,600 dots (307,200 px)
Touchscreen: No Yes
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 27.0x 18.8x
Top Deck Display: Yes No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 3200 51200
Minimum ISO (native): 200 100
ISO Settings: Auto, ISO 200-3200, Lo-1=100, Hi-1=6400 Auto (ISO 100-12800, selectable lower limit and upper limit), 100 - 51200, expandable to 50 - 204800
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, 7 manual modes with fine tuning, color temperature Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent (4 settings), Flash, Custom, Color Temp./ Filter (2500-9900K with 15-step Magenta/Green compensation), Underwater
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/8000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 3D Color Matrix Metering II, Center-weighted, Spot 1200-zone Evaluative Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot, Spot Standard/Large, Entire Screen Avg., Highlight
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, Sports Action, Macro, Landscape, Sunset, Night Scene, Night Portrait; HDR: Auto Exposure Difference, Exposure difference Level (1-6 EV at 1.0 EV step)
Self Timer: 2 to 20 seconds 2 or 10; 3/5 shots after 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer): Yes  
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes No
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., Hi-speed Sync, Wireless; Red-eye reduction: On/Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. n/a
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent n/a
Max Flash Sync: 1/250 1/250
Flash Exposure Compensation: -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0 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:   UHS-II
Other Memory: Dual slots, CF+SD Slot1:SD UHS-II; 2:MS/SD UHS-I
Dual Card Slots: Yes Yes
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: NEF (RAW), 12 or 14 bit, lossless compressed, compressed, or uncompressed; RAW+JPEG, TIFF RAW (14-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: AVI Motion JPEG XAVC S / AVCHD 2.0 / MP4; Audio: LPCM / 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 Yes
NFC: No Yes
Bluetooth: No Yes
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: Yes Yes
Headphone Jack: No Yes
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed,USB 3.0 Super Speed,Bluetooth,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes No
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional wired Optional via RM-VPR1, USB or Wi-Fi
Connections (extended): Type-C HDMI Out, DC In, PC Sync, 10-pin Remote Terminal USB-C (USB 3.1 Gen 1), Multi-Terminal Micro USB (with remote support), Type-D Micro HDMI, Microphone and Headphone jacks
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.48 0.57
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 0.57
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 7.1 9.9
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 26 163
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 7.1 9.7
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): 17 33
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 7.1 9.7
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): 15 30
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.23 seconds 0.20 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 0.125 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.27 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.053 seconds 0.023 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  
Startup Time: 0.3 seconds 1.7 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.3 seconds 0.9 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 1.7 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   710 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 950 shots 610 shots
Battery Life, Video:   115 minutes
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary EN-EL3e, optional MB-D10 battery pack Proprietary
Usable Battery Types: Lithium Ion rechargeable NP-FZ100 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary EN-EL3e Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NP-FZ100 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  
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS X  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Upgrade to D300 adding 720p HD movies, faster burst rate, and other minor improvements.