Nikon D5300 vs Sony A99 II

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Nikon D5300 vs Sony A99 II

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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 861.6mm²
42.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Sony A99 II Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A99 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A99 II.
Compare Sony A99 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A99 II conclusion.

Succeeded by the Nikon D5500
Compare D5300 vs D5500
Compare Nikon D5500 vs Sony A99 II

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Differences

Nikon D5300 advantages over Sony A99 II

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Less expensive
$697 vs $3198*
Save money for lenses or accessories
Fast startup
~0.50 vs 1.2 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

600 vs 490 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Bigger JPEG buffer
100 vs 61 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sony A99 II 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
~ 4.51 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
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
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.
A99 II test data on DxO Mark D5300 test data on DxO Mark

2,317 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
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
More cross-type AF points
15 vs 9
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Less shutter lag
0.11 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
More pixels
42.4 vs 24.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
More AF points
79 vs 39
More AF points improve autofocus
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Faster JPEG shooting
10.5 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
11.1 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
25 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
102400 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Tilt-swivel screen
Both provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
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

Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D5300 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A99 II User Reviews

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Buy the Nikon D5300

Body Only

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

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Buy the Sony A99 II

Body Only

All A99 II 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

Superb image quality at low, moderate ISOs; Improved high ISO performance; Fast continuous shooting speeds; Very impressive hybrid autofocus; High-quality 4K UHD video; Rugged camera body.
Multi-selector joystick can be awkward to use; No EVF live view at fastest burst rate; Buffer clearing is slow with no UHS-II support; 4K UHD video isn't as full-featured as E-mount counterparts.
Read our Sony A99 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7100

Nikon D5300

Nikon D7100

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$745
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon D5300 vs Nikon D7100

Sony A99 II

Nikon D7100

$3198
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$745
APS-C

Less expensive
Lens selection

Compare Sony A99 II 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 A99 II

Pentax K-3

$3198
35mm

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

$699
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A99 II 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 A99 II

Canon T6s

$3198
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$619
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A99 II vs Canon T6s

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Nikon D5300

Canon 5D Mark IV

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$2099
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D5300 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Sony A99 II

Canon 5D Mark IV

$3198
35mm

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$2099
35mm

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A99 II vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Compared to Nikon D850

Nikon D5300

Nikon D850

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$2464
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Nikon D5300 vs Nikon D850

Sony A99 II

Nikon D850

$3198
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2464
35mm

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A99 II vs Nikon D850

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