Decision tools · Compare
D300S vs A6000
Quick take: The A6000 has the highest resolution at 24MP; the D300S is the most affordable; only the D300S is weather sealed.
16 specs side by side·13 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras
How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.
Sony
A6000 2014
Best for Entry-level mirrorless & budget E-mount
£249
list price · used from £128 at eBay
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Verdictwhich should you buy?
A6000 — Entry-Level Mirrorless & Budget E-Mount: The Sony that started a generation of E-mount loyalty — 11fps, 24MP, and 179 phase-detect points in a compact body that remained excellent value for nearly a decade.
Who should buy what
A6000 (2014)
is the right camera for you if…
- First-time mirrorless buyers who want a capable, proven body at the lowest price
- Sony E-mount users who want a compact backup or second body
- Parents and travellers who want good image quality without a large camera
- Anyone curious about APS-C mirrorless who wants to try the system affordably
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | D300SNikon · 2009 | A6000Sony · 2014 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £145Best | £249 |
| Sensor | 12.3MP APS-C CMOS | 24.3MP APS-C Exmor APS HD CMOS |
| Resolution | 12.3MP | 24.3MPBest |
| Video | 720p/24 | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | 51-point phase-detect (15 cross-type) via viewfinder; contrast AF in live view (tripod mode) | 179 phase-detect + 25 contrast-detect AF points |
| Stabilisation | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) | No stabilisation |
| Burst Rate | 7fps | 11fpsBest |
| Battery Life | ~950 shots (CIPA)Best | ~360 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 920g (with battery) | 344g (with battery and card)Best |
| Dimensions | 147 × 114 × 74mm | 119.9 × 66.9 × 45.1mm |
| Weather Sealed | YesBest | Not weather sealed |
| Viewfinder | Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.94x | EVF, OLED 1.44M dots, 0.70× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" fixed LCD, 920k dots | 3.0" tilting LCD, 921k dots (no touch) |
| Mount | Nikon F-mount (DX) | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | Dual slots: CompactFlash + SD | Single SD UHS-I slot |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0, mini HDMI, 3.5mm mic jack, 10-pin remote | USB, Wi-Fi, NFC |
Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.
How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
D300S
A6000
Portrait
5.2/10
6.3/10
Street
4.4/10
7.6/10
Travel
4.5/10
6.5/10
Wedding & Events
6.0/10
4.6/10
Documentary
4.4/10
4.0/10
Sports & Action
5.9/10
6.2/10
Landscape
4.3/10
4.8/10
Wildlife
5.9/10
6.7/10
Casual
2.5/10
4.4/10
Food
3.4/10
5.5/10
Macro
3.1/10
5.0/10
Architecture
3.7/10
5.2/10
Astrophotography
5.5/10
4.6/10
Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →
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