Nikon D3300 vs Sony SLT Alpha 65 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · DSLR · 24.2 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Nikon D3300
55
SCORE
|
Sony · DSLR · 24.3 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony SLT Alpha 65
57
WINNER
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon D3300 and the Sony SLT Alpha 65 are both DSLRs released three years apart. The 2014 D3300 measures 124 x 98 x 76 mm and weighs 430 g. The 2011 Alpha 65 measures 132 x 97 x 81 mm and weighs 622 g, which is 192 g heavier. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2014 | 2011 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
January 7, 2014 | August 24, 2011 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 124 x 98 x 76 mm | 132 x 97 x 81 mm |
| Camera weight | 430 g | 622 g |
| Optics | 64/100 | 68/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Sony SLT Alpha 65 is the stronger choice for action shooting. It offers 10 fps continuous shooting against 5 fps on the D3300, double the frame rate for catching a bird taking off, and 19 autofocus points versus 11 for tracking an off-centre subject. The lens mounts differ as well: the D3300 takes Nikon F DX lenses and the Alpha 65 takes Sony Alpha DT glass. The Alpha 65 also offers in-body stabilisation, steadying handheld shots with any mounted lens, while the D3300 relies on stabilised Nikon lenses. Resolution is a near-match, differing by just 0.1 megapixels, 24.3 against 24.2, so neither gains a real cropping advantage. The D3300 uses an optical pentamirror viewfinder, while the Alpha 65's 2,359,000-dot electronic viewfinder shows a live image from the sensor. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
24.2 MP050 | 24.3 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
6000 x 4000 | 6000 x 4000 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
15.4 x 23.2 | 15.6 x 23.5 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
5 fps045 | 10 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Nikon F DX | Sony Alpha DT |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Expeed 4 | Bionz |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
128003003280000 | 160003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
256003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
110300 | 190300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
No |  Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentamirror) | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | 235900009900000 |
| Video | 56/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoFor family clips and web footage, neither camera offers a resolution or slow-motion edge. Each camera's maximum video resolution is Full HD, each maximum frame rate is 60 fps, and neither supports 4K or a built-in timelapse function. The useful split for editors is file format. The D3300 records MOV files, while the Alpha 65 offers AVCHD and MP4, so you can match your footage to your editing workflow. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD | Full HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
60 fps | 60 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MOV | AVCHD, MP4 |
| Features | 41/100 | 41/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Alpha 65 gives you two practical shooting conveniences the D3300 lacks: a flip screen and GPS. The screen helps you compose low garden-level shots or raised overhead frames, and GPS tags each photo's location, useful for travel and wildlife cataloguing. The screen panels match: both use a 3-inch, 921,000-dot LCD and neither is a touchscreen. Each has a built-in flash and supports an external flash, and neither offers Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or weather sealing. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
No |  Yes |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
9210001150001500000 | 9210001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
No |  Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 32/100 | 27/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe D3300 has the clear battery advantage, rated for 700 shots against 510 on the Alpha 65, a 190-shot difference. For a full day of sightseeing, that higher rating works in the Nikon's favour. Both use a single card slot and take SD, SDHC and SDXC cards, but the Alpha 65 also accepts Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo media, useful if you already own Sony cards. Neither camera supports USB charging. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | EN-EL14a | NP-FM500H |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
700 shots1505000 | 510 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the D3300 if you want a lighter travel camera with a longer rated battery life for all-day walking and static subjects. Its 430 g body and 700-shot rating suit landscape and travel photographers who shoot at a measured pace.
Choose the Alpha 65 for action and handheld work. Its 10 fps burst, 19 autofocus points and in-body stabilisation suit sports, wildlife and dim interiors, while the flip screen and GPS add flexibility for filming and location tagging. The shooting features favour the Sony whenever your subjects move.