• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Nikon D800 advantages over Sony A6300

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.88 vs 3.92 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 1.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,853 vs 1,437 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 900 vs 400 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • More pixels
    36.3 vs 24.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony A6300 advantages over Nikon D800

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    48 mm vs 81 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    9 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.1 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    11.1 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 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
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos

User reviews

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Buy the Sony A6300

Review Excerpt

  • Rugged build; Excellent controls; Extremely high resolution; Dual cards; Surprising high ISO performance.

  • Very large files; Slower frame rate; Custom white balance gives a greenish tint; Battery life lower than D700.

  • Excellent image quality; Improved high-ISO performance; Better JPEG quality; Fast autofocus; Very good subject tracking with real-time live view feature; All-magnesium body construction; 4K video.

  • Slow buffer clearing (no UHS-II support); No touchscreen, Clunky menus; Wi-Fi can be a bit frustrating to use.

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Nikon D800
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • More cross-type AF points
Sony A6300
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $748
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Nikon D800E

Nikon D800
Nikon D800E
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
Sony A6300
Nikon D800E
  • $748
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Sony A6000

Nikon D800
Sony A6000
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $674
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
Sony A6300
Sony A6000
  • $748
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Fast startup
  • $674
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive

Compared to Nikon D810

Nikon D800
Nikon D810
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $2246
  • 35mm
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
Sony A6300
Nikon D810
  • $748
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $2246
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Fujifilm X-A3

Nikon D800
Fujifilm X-A3
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
Sony A6300
Fujifilm X-A3
  • $748
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
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