• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.2 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Nikon P300 advantages over Sony A5100

Sony A5100 advantages over Nikon P300

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.92 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 400 vs 240 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 12.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Buy the Nikon P300

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Buy the Sony A5100
Body Only (Black)
  • Body Only (Black)
  • Kit with 16-50mm Lens (Black)
  • Kit with 16-50mm Lens (White)
All A5100 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Very small and comfortable form factor; Very good image quality for its class; New dual video record function; Quick autofocus and good dynamic range.

  • Lacks an EVF and external mode dial; No hot shoe; JPEG processing at higher ISOs not as good as some competing mid-level models.

  • Read our Sony A5100 Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon P310

Nikon P300
Nikon P310
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • $169
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Shoots 1080p video

Compare Nikon P300 vs Nikon P310

Sony A5100
Nikon P310
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $169
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Sony A5100 vs Nikon P310

Compared to Olympus XZ-10

Nikon P300
Olympus XZ-10
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Touchscreen

Compare Nikon P300 vs Olympus XZ-10

Sony A5100
Olympus XZ-10
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Integrated ND filter

Compare Sony A5100 vs Olympus XZ-10

Compared to Samsung NX1100

Nikon P300
Samsung NX1100
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon P300 vs Samsung NX1100

Sony A5100
Samsung NX1100
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Higher-res screen
  • Hot shoe

Compare Sony A5100 vs Samsung NX1100

Compared to Sony A5000

Nikon P300
Sony A5000
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon P300 vs Sony A5000

Sony A5100
Sony A5000
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A5100 vs Sony A5000

Compared to Fujifilm XQ2

Nikon P300
Fujifilm XQ2
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $200
  • 2/3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon P300 vs Fujifilm XQ2

Sony A5100
Fujifilm XQ2
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $200
  • 2/3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Doesn't require an AA filter

Compare Sony A5100 vs Fujifilm XQ2

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