• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 10.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000

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Differences

Sony DSLR-A300 advantages over Sony NEX-7

  • Less expensive
    $800 vs $1350 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.12 vs 3.92 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 730 vs 430 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    105 mm vs 83 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 18 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sony NEX-7 advantages over Sony DSLR-A300

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,016 vs 538 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.4 vs 11.3 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Thinner
    42 mm vs 74 mm
    Thinner
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.73x vs 0.49x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 10.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    16000 vs 3200 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony NEX-7

Review Excerpt

  • 24.3-megapixel sensor with excellent image quality; Small body; Exceptional user interface; Full HD 60p video; Electronic viewfinder and flash are built-in.

  • No Mode dial; Flash sync is a touch slow; No UHS-I card support; Needs a better kit lens to match the sensor quality.

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSLR-A200

Sony DSLR-A300
Sony DSLR-A200
  • $563
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $470
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More viewfinder magnification
Sony NEX-7
Sony DSLR-A200
  • $1248
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $470
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Pentax K2000

Sony DSLR-A300
Pentax K2000
  • $563
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $556
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • More cross-type AF points
Sony NEX-7
Pentax K2000
  • $1248
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $556
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Lens selection

Compared to Nikon D5000

Sony DSLR-A300
Nikon D5000
  • $563
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
Sony NEX-7
Nikon D5000
  • $1248
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compared to Samsung NX200

Sony DSLR-A300
Samsung NX200
  • $563
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range
Sony NEX-7
Samsung NX200
  • $1248
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive

Compared to Samsung NX300

Sony DSLR-A300
Samsung NX300
  • $563
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
Sony NEX-7
Samsung NX300
  • $1248
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
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