Sony RX1 vs Nikon D5300

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Sony RX1 vs Nikon D5300

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35mm 855.6mm²
24.3 megapixels
35.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Sony RX1 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the RX1.

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 RX1R II
Compare RX1 vs RX1R II

Succeeded by the Nikon D5500
Compare D5300 vs D5500

Compare SONY RX1R II vs NIKON D5500

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Differences

Sony RX1 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.
Bigger pixels
~ 5.97 vs 3.92 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
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.
RX1 test data on DxO Mark D5300 test data on DxO Mark

2,534 vs 1,338 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Higher max flash sync
1/4000 vs 1/200 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Faster RAW shooting
5.2 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
15 vs 4 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Nikon D5300 advantages over Sony RX1

Less expensive
$697 vs $2398*
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Fast startup
~0.50 vs 1.7 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
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 220 shots
Capture more photos
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
100 vs 15 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

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
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
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

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
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
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
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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Adorama
Read RX1 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D5300 User Reviews

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Sony RX1

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Buy the Nikon D5300

Body Only

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

All D5300 Deals

Review Excerpt

Full-frame, 24-megapixel sensor in a compact body; Carl Zeiss Sonnar 35mm f/2 T* lens; Blazing fast autofocus; Impressive image quality that rivals (and sometimes surpasses) full-frame DSLRs; Customizable function buttons make it a breeze to use.
Fixed-length lens limits shooting flexibility; Some exposure bias, color shift, moire and video AF issues; Viewfinders (optical or electronic) only available as optional accessories; Extremely expensive for a compact camera.
Read our Sony RX1 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 Sony RX1R

Sony RX1

Sony RX1R

$2398
35mm

Has anti-aliasing filter

$2598
35mm

Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compare Sony RX1 vs Sony RX1R

Nikon D5300

Sony RX1R

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$2598
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Nikon D5300 vs Sony RX1R

Compared to Pentax K-3

Sony RX1

Pentax K-3

$2398
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$699
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sony RX1 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 RX1

Canon T6s

$2398
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$619
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony RX1 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

Compared to Sony RX1R II

Sony RX1

Sony RX1R II

$2398
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$3298
35mm

Eye-level viewfinder
Tiltable Screen

Compare Sony RX1 vs Sony RX1R II

Nikon D5300

Sony RX1R II

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$3298
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Nikon D5300 vs Sony RX1R II

Compared to Zeiss ZX1

Sony RX1

Zeiss ZX1

$2398
35mm

Focus peaking
Bigger pixels

$6000
35mm

Eye-level viewfinder
Shoot 4K video

Compare Sony RX1 vs Zeiss ZX1

Nikon D5300

Zeiss ZX1

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Built-in GPS

$6000
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D5300 vs Zeiss ZX1

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