Sony Alpha 300 vs Sony Alpha 700 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Sony · DSLR · 10.2 MP · APS-C
Sony Alpha 300
44
SCORE
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Sony · DSLR · 12.2 MP · APS-C
Sony Alpha 700
46
WINNER
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Sony Alpha 700 and Sony Alpha 300 are both APS-C DSLRs on the Sony Alpha DT mount, so the same DT lenses fit either body. The Alpha 700 arrived in 2007 as the larger, heavier model, measuring 142 x 105 x 80 mm and weighing 768 g. The 2008 Alpha 300 is a more compact 131 x 99 x 75 mm and 136 g lighter at 632 g, which favours it for travel and long handheld walks. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2008 | 2007 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
January 30, 2008 | September 6, 2007 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 131 x 99 x 75 mm | 142 x 105 x 80 mm |
| Camera weight | 632 g | 768 g |
| Optics | 49/100 | 51/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Alpha 700 is the stronger choice for action photography and heavy cropping. Its 12.2 MP CMOS sensor gives more pixels than the Alpha 300's 10.2 MP CCD, and its 5 fps continuous rate outpaces the Alpha 300's 3 fps when a subject is moving quickly through the frame. A 1/8000 second top shutter, double the Alpha 300's 1/4000, allows wider apertures in bright light. The finders differ in construction: the Alpha 700 uses a pentaprism while the Alpha 300 uses a pentamirror. The Alpha 700 also reaches ISO 6400 on its expanded scale, where the Alpha 300 stops at 3200. In their standard range the two share 100 to 3200 ISO, nine autofocus points and in-body stabilisation, so handheld work in ordinary light behaves the same on each. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
10.2 MP050 | 12.2 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 | 16 x 24 |
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 | 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. |
32003003280000 | 32003003280000 |
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. |
32003003280000 | 64003003280000 |
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 | 800080032000 |
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 (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoNeither camera records video, and neither offers a built-in time-lapse mode, so both are purely stills tools. Anyone who needs movie clips alongside photographs will have to look beyond this pair. | ||
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 | 28/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesLive view is the Alpha 300's distinctive advantage, letting you compose on its tilting LCD for macro work, overhead crowds or low table-level shots. The Alpha 700 has no live view at all and relies on its optical finder. Its screen is larger and much sharper, however, at 3 inches with 920000 dots against the Alpha 300's 2.7 inches and 230000 dots. The two cameras are alike in offering a built-in flash, external flash support and a flip-out screen for reviewing images at awkward angles. Neither has GPS, wireless connectivity or touch control, so moving images off the camera means cards and cables on both. | ||
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 | 9200001150001500000 |
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 | No |
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 | 65/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe Alpha 700 gives you two card slots, taking Compact Flash Type I or II alongside Memory Stick Duo and Pro Duo, which is handy when you want separate cards for different kinds of work. The Alpha 300 accepts a single Compact Flash card only. Both use the same NP-FM500H battery, and neither charges over USB. The Alpha 300 is rated for 730 shots per charge against 650 for the Alpha 700, an advantage for a long day of shooting between charges. | ||
| Memory card | Compact Flash | Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | No |  Yes |
| 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 | 650 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Alpha 700 if you photograph movement, because its 5 fps burst, 1/8000 shutter and pentaprism finder suit sports, birds and running children. Its extra megapixels leave more room to crop a distant subject, and its 920000-dot screen is much sharper for reviewing frames in the field.
Choose the Alpha 300 for live view shooting and lighter travel. Framing macros or overhead scenes on the tilting LCD is something the Alpha 700 cannot do. The Alpha 300 also has the longer battery rating, and it is 136 g lighter to carry. Because both share the Sony Alpha DT mount and the same battery, moving either way keeps your lenses and spares in play.