Nikon D300S
Competitors

As well as being compared against other pro DSLRs, the Nikon D300S is also often compared to entry-level DSLRs and mirrorless. The Nikon D300S's top rivals come from Nikon (such as the D7000 and the D90) and Canon (such as the EOS 7D and the EOS 60D)

Generally, some of the advantages of the Nikon D300S compared to other pro DSLR competitors include: it shoots faster continuously (7 fps vs 5.3 fps), slightly more lenses available (169 lenses vs 125 lenses), has slightly more focus points (51 vs 19), slightly better viewfinder coverage (100% vs 98%) and has more storage slots (2 vs 1).

However, on average it is slightly more noisy at high ISO (787 ISO vs 1,815 ISO), has slightly lower image quality (70.0 vs 79.0), slightly smaller viewfinder (0.62x vs 0.71x), takes significantly lower resolution photos (12.2 MP vs 21 MP) and has a slightly smaller sensor (APS-C 23.6x15.8mm vs full frame 35.9x24.0mm).

Canon EOS 7D similar age $1,549 - $1,821 (body only) $1,620 - $1,849 18-135mm lens	Significant advantages of the 7D (vs the D300S) Significantly higher true resolution: 17.9 MP vs 12.2 MP Less shutter lag: 131 ms vs 225 ms Significant disadvantages of the 7D (vs the D300S) Significantly fewer focus points: 19 vs 51 Has fewer storage slots: 1 vs 2 common strengths of the 7D and D300S Many lenses available: 162 lenses vs 169 lenses Fairly small: Professional size 148x111x74 mm vs Professional size 147x114x74 mm Supports RAW
	Compare the Canon EOS 7D vs the Nikon D300S
Nikon D700 1 year older $2,649 (body only)	Significant advantages of the D700 (vs the D300S) Significantly lower noise at high ISO: 2,303 ISO vs 787 ISO Better image quality: 80.0 vs 70.0 Much larger sensor: Full frame 36.0x24.0mm vs APS-C 23.6x15.8mm Significant disadvantages of the D700 (vs the D300S) Significantly fewer lenses available: 121 lenses vs 169 lenses Much less viewfinder coverage: 95% vs 100% Has fewer storage slots: 1 vs 2 common strengths of the D700 and D300S Many focus points: 51 vs 51 Fairly small: Large 147x123x77 mm vs Professional size 147x114x74 mm Supports RAW
	Compare the D700 vs the D300S
Nikon D300 1 year older $1,000 (body only)	Significant advantages of the D300 (vs the D300S) None found Significant disadvantages of the D300 (vs the D300S) Has fewer storage slots: 1 vs 2 common strengths of the D300 and D300S Minimal startup delay: 300 ms vs 300 ms Many lenses available: 169 lenses vs 169 lenses Many focus points: 51 vs 51
	Compare the D300 vs the D300S
Canon EOS 60D 1 year newer $848 - $1,304 (body only) $1,177 - $1,342 18-135mm lens	Significant advantages of the 60D (vs the D300S) Has a flip-out screen Significantly higher true resolution: 17.9 MP vs 12.2 MP Significant disadvantages of the 60D (vs the D300S) Less dynamic range: 11.5 EV vs 12.2 EV Many fewer focus points: 9 vs 51 No weather sealing common strengths of the 60D and D300S Many lenses available: 162 lenses vs 169 lenses Fairly small: Professional size 145x106x79 mm vs Professional size 147x114x74 mm Supports RAW
	Compare the Canon EOS 60D vs the Nikon D300S
Nikon D800 2 years newer $2,999 - $3,000 (body only)	Significant advantages of the D800 (vs the D300S) Much lower noise at high ISO: 2,853 ISO vs 787 ISO Much better image quality: 95.0 vs 70.0 Much higher true resolution: 36.2 MP vs 12.2 MP Significant disadvantages of the D800 (vs the D300S) Significantly fewer lenses available: 121 lenses vs 169 lenses Significantly thicker: 3.2" vs 2.9" common strengths of the D800 and D300S Minimal startup delay: 120 ms vs 300 ms Many focus points: 51 vs 51 Fairly small: Large 146x123x82 mm vs Professional size 147x114x74 mm
	Compare the D800 vs the D300S
Canon EOS 5D Mark II 10 months older $2,130 (body only) $2,875 - $2,999 24-105mm lens	Significant advantages of the 5D Mark II (vs the D300S) Significantly lower noise at high ISO: 1,815 ISO vs 787 ISO Better image quality: 79.0 vs 70.0 Much larger sensor: Full frame 36.0x24.0mm vs APS-C 23.6x15.8mm Significant disadvantages of the 5D Mark II (vs the D300S) Many fewer focus points: 9 vs 51 Fewer lenses available: 125 lenses vs 169 lenses Fewer cross-type focus points: 1 vs 15 common strengths of the 5D Mark II and D300S Fairly small: Professional size 152x114x75 mm vs Professional size 147x114x74 mm Supports RAW Thin: 3" vs 2.9"
	Compare the Canon EOS 5D Mark II vs the Nikon D300S

Generally, some of the advantages of the Nikon D300S compared to entry-level DSLR competitors include: it slightly larger viewfinder (0.62x vs 0.53x), has a weather sealed body, shoots faster continuously (7 fps vs 4.5 fps), has slightly less startup delay (300 ms vs 1500 ms) and has an external mic jack.

However, on average it is slightly more noisy at high ISO (787 ISO vs 1,162 ISO), has slightly lower image quality (70.0 vs 80.0), records lower quality movies (720p @ 24fps vs 1080p @ 24fps), takes slightly lower resolution photos (12.2 MP vs 16.1 MP) and slightly lower maximum light sensitivity (3,200 ISO vs 6,400 ISO).

Nikon D7000 1 year newer $1,000 (body only) $1,100 55-200mm lens	Significant advantages of the D7000 (vs the D300S) Significantly lower noise at high ISO: 1,167 ISO vs 787 ISO Significantly better image quality: 80.0 vs 70.0 Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 24fps vs 720p @ 24fps Significant disadvantages of the D7000 (vs the D300S) Significantly fewer focus points: 39 vs 51 Significantly fewer cross-type focus points: 9 vs 15 common strengths of the D7000 and D300S High resolution screens: 920k dots vs 920k dots Above average viewfinder size: 0.62x vs 0.62x Both are weather sealed, which is fairly uncommon among similar cameras
	Compare the D7000 vs the D300S
Nikon D90 1 year older $897 (body only) $1,047 55-200mm lens	Significant advantages of the D90 (vs the D300S) Significantly smaller: Professional size 132x103x77 mm vs Professional size 147x114x74 mm Much lighter: 703 g vs 938 g Significant disadvantages of the D90 (vs the D300S) Many fewer focus points: 11 vs 51 Many fewer cross-type focus points: 1 vs 15 No weather sealing common strengths of the D90 and D300S High resolution screens: 930k dots vs 920k dots Above average viewfinder size: 0.63x vs 0.62x Minimal startup delay: 300 ms vs 300 ms
	Compare the D90 vs the D300S
Nikon D5100 1 year newer $500 - $597 (body only) $600 - $697 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the D5100 (vs the D300S) Significantly lower noise at high ISO: 1,183 ISO vs 787 ISO Significantly better image quality: 80.0 vs 70.0 Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 24fps Significant disadvantages of the D5100 (vs the D300S) Many fewer focus points: 11 vs 51 Many fewer cross-type focus points: 1 vs 15 No weather sealing common strengths of the D5100 and D300S High resolution screens: 920k dots vs 920k dots 24p support Minimal startup delay: 500 ms vs 300 ms
	Compare the D5100 vs the D300S
Pentax K-5 1 year newer $888 - $1,129 (body only) $1,033 - $1,283 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the K-5 (vs the D300S) Significantly lower noise at high ISO: 1,162 ISO vs 787 ISO Significantly better image quality: 82.0 vs 70.0 Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 25fps vs 720p @ 24fps Significant disadvantages of the K-5 (vs the D300S) Many fewer focus points: 11 vs 51 No 24p support Significantly fewer lenses available: 90 lenses vs 169 lenses common strengths of the K-5 and D300S High resolution screens: 920k dots vs 920k dots Both are weather sealed, which is fairly uncommon among similar cameras Fast continuous shooting: 7 fps vs 7 fps
	Compare the Pentax K-5 vs the Nikon D300S
Nikon D3100 1 year newer $500 - $547 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the D3100 (vs the D300S) Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 24fps vs 720p @ 24fps Much smaller: Prosumer size 124x96x73 mm vs Professional size 147x114x74 mm Video autofocus: Contrast detection vs None Significant disadvantages of the D3100 (vs the D300S) Many fewer focus points: 11 vs 51 Much lower resolution screen: 230k dots vs 920k dots Many fewer cross-type focus points: 1 vs 15 common strengths of the D3100 and D300S Minimal startup delay: 400 ms vs 300 ms 24p support Many lenses available: 169 lenses vs 169 lenses
	Compare the D3100 vs the D300S
Canon Rebel T3i 1 year newer $619 - $700 (body only) $745 - $1,000 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the T3i (vs the D300S) Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 24fps Significantly higher true resolution: 17.9 MP vs 12.2 MP Has a flip-out screen Significant disadvantages of the T3i (vs the D300S) Many fewer focus points: 9 vs 51 Many fewer cross-type focus points: 1 vs 15 Much more startup delay: 1500 ms vs 300 ms common strengths of the T3i and D300S High resolution screens: 1,040k dots vs 920k dots 24p support Many lenses available: 162 lenses vs 169 lenses
	Compare the Canon Rebel T3i vs the Nikon D300S

Generally, some of the advantages of the Nikon D300S compared to mirrorless interchangeable-lens competitors include: it has a slightly higher resolution screen (920k dots vs 610k dots), has higher quality type of viewfinder (pentaprism vs digital), significantly larger viewfinder (0.62x vs 0.44x), has a weather sealed body and records movies in 24p.

However, on average it is slightly more noisy at high ISO (787 ISO vs 1,016 ISO), records lower quality movies (720p @ 24fps vs 1080p @ 60fps), has slightly lower image quality (70.0 vs 81.0), doesn't have image stabilization (none vs sensor shift) and takes much lower resolution photos (12.2 MP vs 24 MP).

Sony NEX-7 2 years newer $1,200 (body only) $1,350 - $1,499 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the NEX-7 (vs the D300S) Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 60fps vs 720p @ 24fps Much higher true resolution: 24 MP vs 12.2 MP Much smaller: Compact 111x59x38 mm vs Professional size 147x114x74 mm Significant disadvantages of the NEX-7 (vs the D300S) Much fewer lenses available: 8 lenses vs 169 lenses Much shorter battery life: 430 shots vs 950 shots No weather sealing common strengths of the NEX-7 and D300S Good image quality: 81.0 vs 70.0 High resolution screens: 921k dots vs 920k dots Viewfinders: Digital vs Pentaprism
	Compare the Sony NEX-7 vs the Nikon D300S
Olympus OM-D E-M5 2 years newer $1,000 - $1,299 (body only) $1,100 14-42mm lens	Significant advantages of the E-M5 (vs the D300S) Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 60fps vs 720p @ 24fps Better maximum light sensitivity: 25,600 ISO vs 3,200 ISO Image stabilization: Sensor shift vs None Significant disadvantages of the E-M5 (vs the D300S) Much fewer lenses available: 26 lenses vs 169 lenses Slower autofocus: Contrast detection vs Phase detection Significantly smaller viewfinder: 0.44x vs 0.62x common strengths of the E-M5 and D300S Viewfinders: Digital vs Pentaprism Above average viewfinder size: 0.44x vs 0.62x Both are weather sealed, which is fairly uncommon among similar cameras
	Compare the Olympus OM-D E-M5 vs the Nikon D300S