Canon
EOS-1D Mark IV
 vs
Nikon
D300S

Updated (October, 2011): Compare the Canon EOS 1D X vs Nikon D300S

Nikon D300S

71
"Although the fine detail of ergonomics can come down to personal preference and hand shape/size, the basics are universal"
dpreview.com | talking about the D300S's feel
"Sophisticated AF system with effective subject tracking"
dpreview.com | talking about the D300S's auto-focus

Reasons to buy the Nikon D300S

Weather sealed
 Weather sealed
Shoot in extreme weather
External mic jack
 External mic jack
Record higher quality audio with a microphone
Lens availability
 Slightly more lenses available
169 lenses
Focus points
 Many focus points
51
Viewfinder coverage
 Great viewfinder coverage
100%
Storage slots
 More storage slots
2
Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

71
"Highly detailed 16MP images in a wide range of condition"
dpreview.com | talking about the EOS-1D Mark IV's image-quality
"Superb build quality with magnesium alloy body and environmental sealing"
dpreview.com | talking about the EOS-1D Mark IV's build-quality

Reasons to buy the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

Weather sealed
 Weather sealed
Shoot in extreme weather
Continuous shooting
 Rapid fire
10 fps
Shutter lag
 Barely any delay taking photos
104 ms shutter lag
Battery life
 Great battery life
1500 shots
Focus points
 Many focus points
45
Cross type focus points
 Many cross-type focus points
39

differences

Advantages of the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO 1,320 ISO vs 787 ISO
Help
 The EOS-1D Mark IV has a slight edge (0.7 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Movie format Higher resolution movies 1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 24fps
Help
 Shoots higher resolution Full HD (1080p) video at a higher frame rate
Cross type focus points Significantly more cross-type focus points 39 vs 15
Help
 Grab focus in difficult situations
Overall image quality Better image quality 74.0 vs 70.0
Help
 Around 10% better image quality
Shutter lag Significantly less shutter lag 104 ms vs 225 ms
Help
 2.2x less delay when taking photos
Continuous shooting Shoots faster 10 fps vs 7 fps
Help
 More than 40% faster continuous shooting
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 12,800 ISO vs 3,200 ISO
Help
 The EOS-1D Mark IV's maximum light sensitivity is 2 f-stops better
True resolution Higher true resolution 16 MP vs 12.2 MP
Help
 Capture more than 30% more detail in your photos
Light sensitivity (boost) Better boost ISO 102,400 ISO vs 6,400 ISO
Help
 The EOS-1D Mark IV's boost ISO is 4 f-stops better
Color depth Better color depth 22.8 bits vs 22.5 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 0.3 more bits of color
Sensor size Larger sensor APS-H 27.9x18.6mm vs APS-C 23.6x15.8mm
Help
 Around 40% larger sensor
Battery life Longer battery life 1500 shots vs 950 shots
Help
 Around 60% more shots per battery charge
Canon EOS-1D Mark IV Learn more about
the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

Advantages of the Nikon D300S
External mic jack Has an external mic jack Yes vs No
Help
 Record high quality audio with an external microphone
Lens availability More lenses available 169 lenses vs 125 lenses
Help
 Around 40% more lenses available
Size Significantly smaller 147x114x74 mm vs 156x157x80 mm
Help
 Around 40% smaller
Viewfinder size Slightly larger viewfinder 0.62x vs 0.59x
Help
 Around 10% larger viewfinder
Dynamic range More dynamic range 12.2 EV vs 12 EV
Help
 0.2 f-stops more dynamic range
Focus points More focus points 51 vs 45
Help
 Set focus accurately within the frame
Built-in flash Built-in flash Yes vs No
Help
 A built-in flash is useful for taking indoor shots where there is little light
Weight Lighter 938 g vs 1,230 g
Help
 More than 20% lighter
Lowest price Cheaper $1,690.00 vs $4,999.99
Help
 The best price we've seen is $3,310 cheaper (3x less)
Thickness Thinner 2.9" vs 3.1"
Help
 Around 10% thinner
Startup delay Slightly less startup delay 300 ms vs 400 ms
Help
 Around 30% less delay when turning on
Nikon D300S Learn more about
the Nikon D300S
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent pro DSLRs, and ignoring price

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV Canon EOS-1D Mark IV
71 vs 71
Explain scores
Nikon D300S Nikon D300S
Green arrow Too close to call! Snapsort considers these cameras too competitive to make a clear recommendation.

advice

Need help deciding?

Ask the community!
I am considering either the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV or the Nikon D300S,
For example: Taking photos in low light or great family photos or ability to take great photos underwater

Select aspects that are most important to you: (max 3)

Popular tags:

Are you a camera expert? Share your knowledge!
1
votes
by John-Dettinger last month
Nikon D300S vs Nikon D7000

I began photography around 11 months ago. I currently have the entry level Nikon D3100. It has d...

2 people recommend the Nikon D7000:

" I've got the d7000 and im really happy with it. 39 focuspoints are more than enough! The low lig..."

" I don't have experience with either camera... but the stats show that the D7000 is better in eve..."
0
votes
by Katie-Renee-Roloson last week
Nikon D300S vs Nikon D7000

I am looking to upgrade to start a wedding photography business ...

2 people recommend the Nikon D7000:

" surely the D7000 is more up to date and seems to be at least as relyable as the d300s (both shut..."

"I shoot weddings with the D7000 and love it.. use the money saved and put it toward a great lens. ..."
0
votes
by Marcos-Panayiotou last month
Nikon D300S vs Nikon D7000

I would like a camera that shoots sharp both during day and night(both raw and bright light) A c...

One person recommends the Nikon D7000:

" noise reduction at high iso. more true resolution .bigger sensor than other semipro camera"
0
votes
by Sherry-McCollum last month
Nikon D300S vs Nikon D700

I'm an advanced amateur and the most important features in the camera are ease of use and very sha...

One person recommends the Nikon D300S:

"Go for the D300s and spend some extra money on lenses. To get great wildlife shots you'll need a l..."
0
votes
by Saeddo-Fodi last week
Nikon D2Xs vs Nikon D300S

dear sir /madam i want to buy a second body with my nikon d80 but i want it to be better i wa...

similarities

Compared to recent DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Weather sealed Weather sealed Help
Shoot in extreme weather
Focus points Many focus points Help
EOS-1D Mark IV:45
D300S:51
Viewfinder Both have pentaprism viewfinders Help
Pentaprism
Supports 24p 24p support Help
For that film look
Viewfinder coverage Above average viewfinder coverage Help
100%
Storage slots Multiple storage slots Help
2
Fastest shutter speed Fast max shutter speeds Help
1/8000 of a second
Weight Heavy Help
EOS-1D Mark IV:1,230 g
D300S:938 g
HDR Neither has in-camera HDR Help
You could do HDR manually
Screen flips out No flip-out screens Help
Less flexible
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur
Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
3D Neither camera can take 3D photos Help
No 3d support

Compared to recent pro DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Supports RAW Supports RAW Help
Better editing
Sensor size Very small sensors Help
EOS-1D Mark IV:APS-H 27.9x18.6mm
D300S:APS-C 23.6x15.8mm
True resolution Capture low resolution images Help
EOS-1D Mark IV:16 MP
D300S:12.2 MP
Viewfinder size Below average viewfinder size Help
EOS-1D Mark IV:0.59x
D300S:0.62x
Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
EOS-1D Mark IV:12,800 ISO
D300S:3,200 ISO
Screen size Very small screens Help
3.0"
Color depth Poor color depth Help
EOS-1D Mark IV:22.8 bits
D300S:22.5 bits
Overall image quality Low image quality Help
EOS-1D Mark IV:74.0
D300S:70.0
Low light performance Above average noise at high ISO Help
EOS-1D Mark IV:1,320 ISO
D300S:787 ISO

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon D7000

Nikon D7000

Entry-level DSLR

$1,000 body only

$1,100 with 55-200mm lens
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Color depth Has slightly more color depth
Thickness Is thicker
Shutter lag Has significantly more shutter lag
Compare the D7000 vs the EOS-1D Mark IV
Compare the D7000 vs the D300S
Canon EOS 7D

Canon EOS 7D

Pro DSLR

$1,549 - $1,821 body only

$1,620 - $1,849 with 18-135mm lens
Storage slots Has fewer storage slots
Focus points Has significantly fewer focus points
Compare the EOS 7D vs the EOS-1D Mark IV
Compare the EOS 7D vs the D300S
Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Pro DSLR

$2,130 body only

$2,875 - $2,999 with 24-105mm lens
Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Storage slots Has fewer storage slots
Viewfinder coverage Slightly less viewfinder coverage
Compare the EOS 5D Mark II vs the EOS-1D Mark IV
Compare the EOS 5D Mark II vs the D300S
Nikon D90

Nikon D90

Entry-level DSLR

$897 body only

$1,047 with 55-200mm lens
Weight Is slightly lighter
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the D90 vs the EOS-1D Mark IV
Compare the D90 vs the D300S
Nikon D700

Nikon D700

Pro DSLR

$2,649 body only
Low light performance Is significantly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is slightly heavier
Compare the D700 vs the EOS-1D Mark IV
Compare the D700 vs the D300S
Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $597 body only

$600 - $697 with 18-55mm lens
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Color depth Has slightly more color depth
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the D5100 vs the EOS-1D Mark IV
Compare the D5100 vs the D300S
Nikon D800

Nikon D800

Pro DSLR

$2,999 - $3,000 body only
Low light performance Is significantly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has much better image quality
Thickness Is thicker
Size Is slightly larger
Compare the D800 vs the EOS-1D Mark IV
Compare the D800 vs the D300S

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon EOS 5D Mark III

Canon EOS 5D Mark III

Pro DSLR

$3,499 - $3,500 body only

$4,299 - $4,300 with 24-105mm lens
Low light performance Significantly lower noise at high ISO
Overall image quality Better image quality
Dynamic range Less dynamic range
Continuous shooting Shoots significantly slower
Compare the EOS 5D Mark III vs the EOS-1D Mark IV
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III

Canon EOS-1Ds

Pro DSLR

$9,135 - $9,321 body only
Viewfinder size Much larger viewfinder
Overall image quality Better image quality
Screen resolution Much lower resolution screen
Autofocus Slower autofocus
Compare the EOS-1Ds vs the EOS-1D Mark IV
Nikon D3X

Nikon D3X

Pro DSLR

$7,997 - $8,000 body only
Overall image quality Significantly better image quality
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO
Cross type focus points Significantly fewer cross-type focus points
Continuous shooting Shoots significantly slower
Compare the D3X vs the EOS-1D Mark IV

Nikon D300S Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon D300

Nikon D300

Pro DSLR

$1,000 body only
Lowest price Slightly cheaper
Movie format Does not take movies
Color depth Worse color depth
Compare the D300 vs the D300S

appearance

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV Nikon D300S
Canon EOS-1D Mark IV Nikon D300S
Canon EOS-1D Mark IV Nikon D300S

discussion

Showing 0 comments