Sony Alpha 300 vs Sony Alpha 500 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Sony · DSLR · 10.2 MP · APS-C
Sony Alpha 300
44
SCORE
|
Sony · DSLR · 12.3 MP · APS-C
Sony Alpha 500
45
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Sony Alpha 300 and Sony Alpha 500 are sibling DSLRs a generation apart. The Alpha 300 was announced in January 2008, and the Alpha 500 followed in August 2009. The Alpha 500 measures 137 x 104 x 84 mm against 131 x 99 x 75 mm for the Alpha 300, so the newer body is larger in every dimension. Weight is nearly identical at 630 g against 632 g. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2008 | 2009 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
January 30, 2008 | August 27, 2009 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 131 x 99 x 75 mm | 137 x 104 x 84 mm |
| Camera weight | 632 g | 630 g |
| Optics | 49/100 | 50/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Alpha 500 is the stronger choice for heavier cropping and larger prints, putting 12.3 megapixels on the same APS-C frame against the Alpha 300's 10.2. Its 5 fps burst also suits sports and wildlife, where the Alpha 300's 3 fps captures fewer frames of the action. Both share the Sony Alpha DT mount, so your Alpha lenses work on either body. Low-light flexibility differs. The Alpha 500 offers a native ISO range of 200 to 12800, four times the ceiling of the Alpha 300's 3200, for dim interiors and evening events. The Alpha 300 counters with an ISO 100 base for wide apertures in bright daylight, where the Alpha 500 starts at 200. The Alpha 500 also uses a CMOS sensor against the Alpha 300's CCD. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
10.2 MP050 | 12.3 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
3872 x 2592 | 4272 x 2848 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CCD | 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. |
16 x 24 | 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. |
3 fps045 | 5 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. |
Sony Alpha DT | 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. |
Bionz | 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 | 20030200 |
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. |
32003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
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 | 20030200 |
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. |
32003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
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. |
90300 | 90300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | 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) | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoNeither camera records video or built-in timelapse, so movie clips and in-camera interval shooting both require a different camera. Both bodies are purely stills tools. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
N/A | N/A |
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. |
N/A | N/A |
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. |
N/A | N/A |
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. |
N/A | N/A |
| Features | 34/100 | 36/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Alpha 500's larger rear screen is the useful feature advantage. Its 3-inch LCD makes it easier to check focus and composition in Live View than the Alpha 300's 2.7-inch panel, and both displays share the same 230,000-dot resolution and tilting design for waist-level or overhead shots. Both cameras offer a built-in flash and an external flash shoe, while neither provides GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, touch control or weather sealing. Geotagging or wireless transfer needs a separate device. | ||
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. |
✗ | ✗ |
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 | 2.7" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
2300001150001500000 | 2300001150001500000 |
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. |
✗ | ✗ |
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 Alpha 300 has the stronger battery rating: 730 shots against 520 for the Alpha 500, a gap of 210 shots. Both use the same NP-FM500H battery, so one set of spares serves either body. Storage favours the newer body. The Alpha 500 accepts SD and SDHC cards alongside Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo media, while the Alpha 300 takes only Compact Flash. If you already own SD cards, the Alpha 500 uses them directly. | ||
| Memory card | Compact Flash | SD / SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | NP-FM500H | NP-FM500H |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
730 shots1505000 | 520 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The Sony Alpha 500 is the better buy for most photographers. Its 5 fps burst suits fast-moving subjects, its ISO 12800 ceiling gives you settings for dim venues, and its 12.3 megapixel sensor leaves more latitude for cropping. The 3-inch screen and SD card support help everyday shooting.
Choose the Sony Alpha 300 if battery endurance matters most, because its 730-shot rating exceeds the Alpha 500's 520, or if you already own Compact Flash cards. Its ISO 100 base also suits wide apertures in bright daylight. Otherwise the Alpha 500's speed, sensitivity and convenience make it the recommended pick.