Nikon D5300 vs Sony A7 III

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Nikon D5300 vs Sony A7 III

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APS-C 366.6mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Nikon D5300 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D5300 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D5300.
Compare Nikon D5300 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D5300 conclusion.

35mm 847.3mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Sony A7 III Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A7 III in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A7 III.
Compare Sony A7 III image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A7 III conclusion.

Succeeded by the Nikon D5500
Compare D5300 vs D5500

Succeeded by the Sony A7 IV
Compare A7 III vs A7 IV

Compare NIKON D5500 vs SONY A7 IV

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Differences

Nikon D5300 advantages over Sony A7 III

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Less expensive
$697 vs $1998
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Fast startup
~0.50 vs 1.7 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
More telephoto lens reach
210 mm vs 70 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos

Sony A7 III advantages over Nikon D5300

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Bigger pixels
~ 5.93 vs 3.92 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
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.
A7 III test data on DxO Mark D5300 test data on DxO Mark

3,730 vs 1,338 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Newer
7 years vs 11 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Less shutter lag
0.20 vs 0.29 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More viewfinder magnification
0.78x vs 0.55x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Faster JPEG shooting
9.9 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
163 vs 100 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
9.7 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
33 vs 4 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
204800 vs 25600 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
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
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

In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D5300 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A7 III User Reviews

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Body Only
Kit with 18-140mm Lens
Kit with 18-55mm Lens

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Body Only
Kit with 28-70mm Lens

All A7 III Deals

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.
Read our Nikon D5300 Review

New 24MP sensor offers excellent image quality; Outstanding high ISO performance and dynamic range; Improved JPEG colors; Improved build quality; Fast autofocus; Excellent 4K video; Very good battery life.
Buffer clearing can be slow even with fast UHS-II cards; UHS-II support only on one card slot; No losslessly compressed RAW option; Dedicated battery charger not included; Menus are still confusing; No built-in flash.
Read our Sony A7 III Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7100

Nikon D5300

Nikon D7100

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$690
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon D5300 vs Nikon D7100

Sony A7 III

Nikon D7100

$1865
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$690
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A7 III vs Nikon D7100

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

Compare Nikon D5300 vs Pentax K-3

Sony A7 III

Pentax K-3

$1865
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$699
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A7 III vs Pentax K-3

Compared to Canon T6s

Nikon D5300

Canon T6s

$549
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

$619
APS-C

Touchscreen
NFC

Compare Nikon D5300 vs Canon T6s

Sony A7 III

Canon T6s

$1865
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$619
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A7 III vs Canon T6s

Compared to Nikon Z6

Nikon D5300

Nikon Z6

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1396
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Nikon D5300 vs Nikon Z6

Sony A7 III

Nikon Z6

$1865
35mm

NFC
Higher effective ISO

$1396
35mm

Top deck display
More dots on screen

Compare Sony A7 III vs Nikon Z6

Compared to Nikon Z6 II

Nikon D5300

Nikon Z6 II

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1747
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Nikon D5300 vs Nikon Z6 II

Sony A7 III

Nikon Z6 II

$1865
35mm

NFC
Longer video battery life

$1747
35mm

Top deck display
Newer

Compare Sony A7 III vs Nikon Z6 II

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