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Canon T3 vs Sony H300

The Canon EOS Rebel T3 (called Canon 1100D in some regions) and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H300 are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in February 2011 and February 2014. The T3 is a DSLR, while the H300 is a fixed lens compact. The cameras are based on an APS-C (T3) and a 1/2.3-inch (H300) sensor. The Canon has a resolution of 12.2 megapixels, whereas the Sony provides 19.9 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Canon T3
versus
Sony H300
Canon T3   Sony H300
Digital single lens reflex Fixed lens compact camera
Canon EF mount lenses 25-875mm f/3.4-6.5
12.2 MP – APS-C sensor 19.9 MP – 1/2.3" sensor
720/30p Video 720/30p Video
ISO 100-6,400 ISO 80-3,200
Optical viewfinder No viewfinder, LCD framing
2.7" LCD – 230k dots 3.0" LCD – 460k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
3 shutter flaps per second 0.8 shutter flaps per second
700 shots per battery charge350 shots per battery charge
130 x 100 x 78 mm, 495 g 128 x 89 x 92 mm, 590 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon EOS Rebel T3 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H300? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

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Body comparison

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Canon T3 and the Sony H300. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Size Canon T3 vs Sony H300
Compare T3 versus H300 top
Comparison T3 or H300 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Sony H300 is notably smaller (12 percent) than the Canon T3. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the T3 nor the H300 are weather-sealed.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the H300 has a lens built in, whereas the T3 is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup. You can compare the optics available for the T3 and their specifications in the Canon EF Lens Catalog.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

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Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon T3 130 mm 100 mm 78 mm 495 g 700 n Feb 2011 449ebay.com
2.
 
Sony H300 128 mm 89 mm 92 mm 590 g 350 n Feb 2014 219ebay.com
3.
 
Canon T100 129 mm 102 mm 77 mm 436 g 500 n Feb 2018 399 amazon.com
4.
 
Canon T6 129 mm 101 mm 78 mm 485 g 500 n Mar 2016 449ebay.com
5.
 
Canon SX610 105 mm 61 mm 27 mm 191 g 270 n Jan 2015 249ebay.com
6.
 
Canon T5 130 mm 100 mm 78 mm 480 g 500 n Feb 2014 449ebay.com
7.
 
Canon G1 X 117 mm 81 mm 65 mm 534 g 250 n Jan 2012 799ebay.com
8.
 
Canon T4i 133 mm 100 mm 79 mm 575 g 440 n Jun 2012 849ebay.com
9.
 
Canon T3i 133 mm 100 mm 80 mm 570 g 440 n Feb 2011 599ebay.com
10.
 
Canon T2i 129 mm 98 mm 62 mm 530 g 440 n Feb 2010 699ebay.com
11.
 
Canon XS 126 mm 98 mm 65 mm 502 g 500 n Jun 2008 449ebay.com
12.
 
Canon XSi 129 mm 98 mm 62 mm 524 g 500 n Jan 2008 799ebay.com
13.
 
Canon XTi 127 mm 84 mm 65 mm 556 g 370 n Aug 2006 799ebay.com
14.
 
Sony HX90V 102 mm 58 mm 36 mm 245 g 360 n Apr 2015 429ebay.com
15.
 
Sony HX400V 130 mm 93 mm 103 mm 660 g 300 n Feb 2014 499ebay.com
16.
 
Sony H400 130 mm 95 mm 122 mm 628 g 300 n Feb 2014 319ebay.com
17.
 
Sony H200 123 mm 83 mm 87 mm 530 g 240 n Jan 2013 249ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The H300 was launched at a lower price than the T3, despite having a lens built in. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Canon T3 features an APS-C sensor and the Sony H300 a 1/2.3-inch sensor. The sensor area in the H300 is 91 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.6 and 5.6. The sensor in the T3 has a native 3:2 aspect ratio, while the one in the H300 offers a 4:3 aspect.

Canon T3 and Sony H300 sensor measures

Despite having a smaller sensor, the H300 offers a higher resolution of 19.9 megapixels, compared with 12.2 MP of the T3. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 1.19μm versus 5.15μm for the T3). However, it should be noted that the H300 is much more recent (by 3 years) than the T3, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that make it possible to gather light more efficiently. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the H300 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Sony H300 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the H300 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 25.8 x 19.3 inches or 65.4 x 49.1 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 20.6 x 15.5 inches or 52.3 x 39.3 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 17.2 x 12.9 inches or 43.6 x 32.7 cm. The corresponding values for the Canon T3 are 21.4 x 14.2 inches or 54.3 x 36.2 cm for good quality, 17.1 x 11.4 inches or 43.4 x 28.9 cm for very good quality, and 14.2 x 9.5 inches or 36.2 x 24.1 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Canon EOS Rebel T3 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 6400. The corresponding ISO settings for the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H300 are ISO 80 to ISO 3200 (no boost).

In terms of underlying technology, the T3 is build around a CMOS sensor, while the H300 uses a CCD imager. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

T3 versus H300 MP

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Canon T3 APS-C 12.2 4272 2848720/30p21.911.075562
2.
 
Sony H300 1/2.3 19.9 5152 3864720/30p20.111.463045
3.
 
Canon T100 APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.911.469563
4.
 
Canon T6 APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.011.778166
5.
 
Canon SX610 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38881080/30p20.211.671247
6.
 
Canon T5 APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.911.372463
7.
 
Canon G1 X 1.5-inch 14.2 4352 32641080/24p21.710.864460
8.
 
Canon T4i APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.711.272262
9.
 
Canon T3i APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.111.579365
10.
 
Canon T2i APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.111.578466
11.
 
Canon XS APS-C 10.1 3888 2592none22.010.971962
12.
 
Canon XSi APS-C 12.2 4272 2848none21.910.869261
13.
 
Canon XTi APS-C 10.1 3888 2592none22.111.066462
14.
 
Sony HX90V 1/2.3 18.0 4896 36721080/60p20.211.673847
15.
 
Sony HX400V 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38881080/60p20.111.462945
16.
 
Sony H400 1/2.3 19.9 5152 3864720/30p20.111.463045
17.
 
Sony H200 1/2.3 15.2 5184 2930720/30p19.911.252944
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, and both provide the same movie specifications (720/30p).

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Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the T3 has an optical viewfinder, which can be very useful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the H300 relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Canon T3 and Sony H300 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

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Core Features
# image Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Canon T3optical n2.7 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
2.
 
Sony H300none n3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/1500s 0.8/s Y Y
3.
 
Canon T100optical n2.7 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
4.
 
Canon T6optical n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
5.
 
Canon SX610none n3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/2000s 2.5/s Y Y
6.
 
Canon T5optical n3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
7.
 
Canon G1 Xoptical n3.0 / 922 swivel n 1/4000s 1.9/s Y Y
8.
 
Canon T4ioptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
9.
 
Canon T3ioptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel n 1/4000s 3.7/s Y n
10.
 
Canon T2ioptical n3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/4000s 3.7/s Y n
11.
 
Canon XSoptical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
12.
 
Canon XSioptical n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.5/s Y n
13.
 
Canon XTioptical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
14.
 
Sony HX90V638 n3.0 / 921 tilting n 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
15.
 
Sony HX400V210 n3.0 / 921 tilting n 1/4000s 10.0/s Y Y
16.
 
Sony H400210 n3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/2000s 0.7/s Y Y
17.
 
Sony H200none n3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/1500s 0.8/s Y Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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The T3 writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the H300 uses SDXC or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards.

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Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon EOS Rebel T3 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H300 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Canon T3Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
2.
 
Sony H300-mono / mono--micro2.0Y--
3.
 
Canon T100Ymono / mono--mini2.0YY-
4.
 
Canon T6Ymono / mono--mini2.0YY-
5.
 
Canon SX610-- / ---micro2.0YY-
6.
 
Canon T5Ymono / mono--mini2.0---
7.
 
Canon G1 XYstereo / mono--mini2.0---
8.
 
Canon T4iYstereo / monoY-mini2.0---
9.
 
Canon T3iYmono / monoY-mini2.0---
10.
 
Canon T2iYstereo / -Y-mini2.0---
11.
 
Canon XSY- / ----2.0---
12.
 
Canon XSiY- / ---mini2.0---
13.
 
Canon XTiY- / ----2.0---
14.
 
Sony HX90V-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
15.
 
Sony HX400VYstereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
16.
 
Sony H400-mono / mono--micro2.0Y--
17.
 
Sony H200-mono / mono---2.0---
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It is notable that the T3 has a hotshoe, while the H300 does not. This socket makes it possible to easily attach optional accessories, such as an external flash gun.

Both the T3 and the H300 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The T3 was replaced by the Canon T5, while the H300 does not have a direct successor. Further information on the features and operation of the T3 and H300 can be found, respectively, in the Canon T3 Manual (free pdf) or the online Sony H300 Manual.

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Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Which of the two cameras – the Canon T3 or the Sony H300 – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

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Advantages of the Canon EOS Rebel T3:

  • Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
  • Better image quality: Features bigger pixels on a larger sensor for higher quality imaging.
  • Richer colors: The pixel size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
  • More dynamic range: Larger pixels capture a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
  • Better low-light sensitivity: Larger pixels means good image quality even under poor lighting.
  • Easier framing: Has an optical viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
  • Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/4000s vs 1/1500s) to freeze action.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (3 vs 0.8 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • More flexible: Can take a variety of interchangeable lenses, including specialty optics.
  • Longer lasting: Can take more shots (700 versus 350) on a single battery charge.
  • Better lighting: Features a hotshoe and can thus hold and trigger an external flash gun.
  • More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in February 2011).

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Reasons to prefer the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H300:

  • More detail: Has more megapixels (19.9 vs 12.2MP), which boosts linear resolution by 25%.
  • Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
  • Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.0" vs 2.7") for image review and settings control.
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (460k vs 230k dots).
  • Ready to shoot: Comes with an integrated lens, while the T3 requires a separate lens.
  • More compact: Is smaller (128x89mm vs 130x100mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
  • Sharper images: Has stabilization technology built-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
  • Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
  • More affordable: Was introduced at a lower price, despite coming with a built-in lens.
  • More modern: Reflects 3 years of technical progress since the T3 launch.

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the T3 emerges as the winner of the contest (12 : 10 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

T3 12:10 H300

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon T3 and the Sony H300 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera and Best Superzoom Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the T3 and the H300 in practical situations. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is where reviews by experts come in. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

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Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon T3..80/100..69/1004/54.5/5 Feb 2011 449ebay.com
2.
 
Sony H300..+....4.5/54/5 Feb 2014 219ebay.com
3.
 
Canon T100..o3/5..3.5/53.5/5 Feb 2018 399 amazon.com
4.
 
Canon T64/5o4/573/1004/54/5 Mar 2016 449ebay.com
5.
 
Canon SX610........4/54/5 Jan 2015 249ebay.com
6.
 
Canon T53/5+....4/54.5/5 Feb 2014 449ebay.com
7.
 
Canon G1 X5/5+..76/1004/54.5/5 Jan 2012 799ebay.com
8.
 
Canon T4i4/5+ +..77/1004.5/54.5/5 Jun 2012 849ebay.com
9.
 
Canon T3i3/5o..77/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2011 599ebay.com
10.
 
Canon T2i..+ +..77/1004/54.5/5 Feb 2010 699ebay.com
11.
 
Canon XS..82/100..+ +3.5/54.5/5 Jun 2008 449ebay.com
12.
 
Canon XSi..+ +..+ +4/54.5/5 Jan 2008 799ebay.com
13.
 
Canon XTi..+ +..+ +o4/5 Aug 2006 799ebay.com
14.
 
Sony HX90V4/5+ +....4/54.5/5 Apr 2015 429ebay.com
15.
 
Sony HX400V4/5+ +....4/54/5 Feb 2014 499ebay.com
16.
 
Sony H400..o....3.5/53.5/5 Feb 2014 319ebay.com
17.
 
Sony H200........3.5/53.5/5 Jan 2013 249ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just use the search menu below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

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    Specifications: Canon T3 vs Sony H300

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Canon T3 Sony H300
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex Fixed lens compact camera
    Camera Lens Canon EF mount lenses 25-875mm f/3.4-6.5
    Launch Date February 2011 February 2014
    Launch Price USD 449 USD 219
    Sensor Specs Canon T3 Sony H300
    Sensor Technology CMOS CCD
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor 1/2.3" Sensor
    Sensor Size 22.0 x 14.7 mm 6.17 x 4.55 mm
    Sensor Area 323.4 mm2 28.0735 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 26.5 mm 7.7 mm
    Crop Factor 1.6x 5.6x
    Sensor Resolution 12.2 Megapixels 19.9 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4272 x 2848 pixels 5152 x 3864 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 5.15 μm 1.19 μm
    Pixel Density 3.76 MP/cm2 70.91 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter no AA filter
    Movie Capability 720/30p Video 720/30p Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 6,400 ISO 80 - 3,200 ISO
    Image Processor DIGIC 4 BIONZ
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 62 ..
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 21.9 ..
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 11.0 ..
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 755 ..
    Screen Specs Canon T3 Sony H300
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder no viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 95%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.50x
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 2.7inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 230k dots 460k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Fixed screen
    Shooting Specs Canon T3 Sony H300
    Focus System Phase-detect AF Contrast-detect AF
    Continuous Shooting 3 shutter flaps/s 0.8 shutter flaps/s
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards MS or SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    UHS card support no no
    Connectivity Specs Canon T3 Sony H300
    External Flash Hotshoe no Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI micro HDMI
    Wifi Support no Wifi Wifi built-in
    Body Specs Canon T3 Sony H300
    Battery Type Canon LP-E10 Sony 4xAA
    Battery Life (CIPA)700 shots per charge350 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 130 x 100 x 78 mm
    (5.1 x 3.9 x 3.1 in)
    128 x 89 x 92 mm
    (5.0 x 3.5 x 3.6 in)
    Camera Weight 495 g (17.5 oz) 590 g (20.8 oz)
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    Check H300 offers at
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