Nikon D5300 vs Sony SLT Alpha 65 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · DSLR · 24.2 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Nikon D5300
57
SCORE
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Sony · DSLR · 24.3 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony SLT Alpha 65
57
SCORE
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon D5300 and the Sony SLT Alpha 65 are interchangeable-lens DSLRs aimed at APS-C shooters, announced in October 2013 and August 2011. Their Nikon F DX and Sony Alpha DT mounts are separate systems, so choose each body alongside the lenses available for it. The D5300 is the lighter and more compact carry. It weighs 480 g against 622 g for the Alpha 65, a 142 g difference, and measures 125 x 98 x 76 mm against 132 x 97 x 81 mm. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2013 | 2011 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
October 17, 2013 | August 24, 2011 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 125 x 98 x 76 mm | 132 x 97 x 81 mm |
| Camera weight | 480 g | 622 g |
| Optics | 65/100 | 68/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Alpha 65 is the better tool for fast action, capturing 10 frames per second against 5 from the D5300, twice the frames in a burst. Its in-body sensor stabilisation steadies handheld shots with any Sony DT lens. The D5300 has no in-body stabilisation, so handheld steadiness there depends on the lens. The D5300 counters with 39 autofocus points against 19, more positions for off-centre subjects, and its optical pentamirror viewfinder shows the scene without electronic delay. Sensor resolution is near-identical at 24.3 versus 24.2 megapixels on APS-C CMOS. Both cap the shutter at 1/4000 second and reach 25600 ISO expanded, with the Alpha 65 offering 16000 ISO standard against the D5300's 12800. | ||
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. |
15.6 x 23.5 | 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. |
390300 | 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 | 70/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoTime-lapse work favours the D5300, which produces interval sequences in camera. The Alpha 65 does not offer built-in timelapse. For ordinary clips the ceilings match, with Full HD as the maximum resolution and a top frame rate of 60 fps. File format is the practical editing choice. The D5300 records MOV files, while the Alpha 65 offers AVCHD and MP4. | ||
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. |
 Yes | No |
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 | 46/100 | 41/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesWireless transfer favours the D5300, which has Wi-Fi for sending photos straight to a phone. Its 3.2 inch 1037000 dot LCD also gives a sharper view than the Alpha 65's 921000 dot 3 inch screen when checking focus and detail. Several controls are shared. Each camera has a flip-out screen, live view, GPS geotagging, a built-in flash and an external flash shoe, while neither offers weather sealing, touch control or Bluetooth. | ||
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. |
 Yes | 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 | 3.2" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
10370001150001500000 | 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. |
 Yes | 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. |
 Yes | No |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 29/100 | 27/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe D5300 has the longer rated battery life, at 600 shots from its EN-EL14a against 510 shots from the Alpha 65's NP-FM500H. Both accept SD, SDHC and SDXC cards in a single slot, and the Alpha 65 also takes Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo media. Neither offers 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. |
600 shots1505000 | 510 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Nikon D5300 for travel and everyday shooting if you value its lighter body, wireless sharing, in-camera time-lapse and denser autofocus spread for off-centre subjects like street scenes and portraits.
Choose the Sony SLT Alpha 65 for sports and wildlife, where 10 fps bursts and sensor stabilisation with every Sony DT lens pay off, and its 2359000 dot electronic viewfinder gives a detailed preview of the frame. Since the mounts do not cross, commit to the system whose lenses suit you.