Sony A58 vs Nikon D5300

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Sony A58 vs Nikon D5300

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APS-C 366.6mm²
20.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 16,000

Go in depth with our full Sony A58 Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A58 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A58.
Compare Sony A58 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A58 conclusion.

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.

Succeeded by the Sony A68
Compare A58 vs A68

Succeeded by the Nikon D5500
Compare D5300 vs D5500

Compare SONY A68 vs NIKON D5500

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Differences

Sony A58 advantages over Nikon D5300

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Lighter weight
731g vs 1035g
Lighter weight
Less shutter lag
0.13 vs 0.29 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Faster RAW shooting
4.8 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
6 vs 4 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Nikon D5300 advantages over Sony A58

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Fast startup
~0.50 vs 1.9 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
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.
D5300 test data on DxO Mark A58 test data on DxO Mark

1,338 vs 753 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
D5300 test data on DxO Mark A58 test data on DxO Mark

13.9 vs 12.5 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
More telephoto lens reach
210 mm vs 83 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
More cross-type AF points
9 vs 3
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Higher-res screen
346k vs 154k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
More pixels
24.2 vs 20.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
More AF points
39 vs 15
More AF points improve autofocus
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
100 vs 8 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 16000 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

Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read A58 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D5300 User Reviews

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Buy the Sony A58

Kit with 18-55mm Lens

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D5300

Body Only

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

All D5300 Deals

Review Excerpt

Improved 20.1-megapixel resolution; Impressive image quality, especially for its price; Fast and decisive autofocus (in most conditions); Very good battery life; Good video quality (Full HD 1080p, though it doesn't support 60p frame rate).
Plastic lens mount; Slower burst mode speeds and shallower buffer than A57; LCD no longer fully articulating; Mediocre kit lens; Electronic instead of an optical viewfinder may be a turnoff for some.
Read our Sony A58 Review

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

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Sony A58

Pentax K-5 IIs

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$497
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A58 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Nikon D5300

Pentax K-5 IIs

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

$497
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D5300 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Compared to Nikon D5200

Sony A58

Nikon D5200

$598
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$500
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A58 vs Nikon D5200

Nikon D5300

Nikon D5200

$549
APS-C

Built-in Wi-Fi
Built-in GPS

$500
APS-C

Less expensive
Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Nikon D5300 vs Nikon D5200

Compared to Canon T5i

Sony A58

Canon T5i

$598
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$539
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A58 vs Canon T5i

Nikon D5300

Canon T5i

$549
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

$539
APS-C

Less expensive
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D5300 vs Canon T5i

Compared to Pentax K-3

Sony A58

Pentax K-3

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$699
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A58 vs 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

Compared to Canon T6s

Sony A58

Canon T6s

$598
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$619
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

Compare Sony A58 vs Canon T6s

Nikon D5300

Canon T6s

$549
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

$619
APS-C

Touchscreen
NFC

Compare Nikon D5300 vs Canon T6s

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