Canon EOS
7D
 vs
Nikon
D300S

Canon EOS 7D

97
"Good quality 1080/720p video output with a range of frame rates"
dpreview.com | talking about the 7D's video-quality
"Excellent build quality with magnesium body and environmental sealing"
dpreview.com | talking about the 7D's build-quality

Reasons to buy the Canon EOS 7D

Weather sealed
 Weather sealed
Shoot in extreme weather
Continuous shooting
 Rapid fire
8 fps
Shutter lag
 Barely any delay taking photos
131 ms shutter lag
Cross type focus points
 Many cross-type focus points
19
Viewfinder coverage
 Great viewfinder coverage
100%
Fastest shutter speed
 Fast shutter speed
1/8000 of a second
Nikon D300S

95
"The D300S is not the standout product that its predecessor was and unless you find your clients are clamoring for video footage... that shouldn't take away from an absolutely excellent product - a gently polished and refined update of a product that we considered a benchmark when it was released."
dpreview.com | talking about the D300S's overall-performance
"It is significantly improved over existing Nikon DSLRs. The biggest difference it that the camera can now use its contrast-detection autofocus system while shooting movies."
dpreview.com | talking about the D300S's video-quality

Reasons to buy the Nikon D300S

Weather sealed
 Weather sealed
Shoot in extreme weather
Startup delay
 Almost no delay when powering up
300 ms startup delay
Lens availability
 Slightly more lenses available
169 lenses
Focus points
 Many focus points
51
Cross type focus points
 Many cross-type focus points
15
Viewfinder coverage
 Great viewfinder coverage
100%

differences

Advantages of the Canon 7D
Movie format Higher resolution movies 1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 24fps
Help
 Shoots higher resolution Full HD (1080p) video at a higher frame rate
True resolution Higher true resolution 17.9 MP vs 12.2 MP
Help
 Capture around 50% more detail in your photos
Shutter lag Significantly less shutter lag 131 ms vs 225 ms
Help
 More than 40% less delay when taking photos
Low light performance Slightly lower noise at high ISO 854 ISO vs 787 ISO
Help
 The 7D has a slight edge (0.1 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Cross type focus points More cross-type focus points 19 vs 15
Help
 Grab focus in difficult situations
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 6,400 ISO vs 3,200 ISO
Help
 The 7D's maximum light sensitivity is 1 f-stop better
Continuous shooting Shoots faster 8 fps vs 7 fps
Help
 More than 10% faster continuous shooting
Weight Lighter 860 g vs 938 g
Help
 Around 10% lighter
Light sensitivity (boost) Better boost ISO 12,800 ISO vs 6,400 ISO
Help
 The 7D's boost ISO is 1 f-stop better
Lowest price Slightly cheaper $1,329.00 vs $1,699.99
Help
 The best price we've seen is $371 cheaper (more than 20% less)
Canon EOS 7D Learn more about
the Canon 7D

Advantages of the Nikon D300S
Dynamic range More dynamic range 12.2 EV vs 11.7 EV
Help
 0.5 f-stops more dynamic range
Overall image quality Better image quality 70.0 vs 66.0
Help
 Around 10% better image quality
Focus points Significantly more focus points 51 vs 19
Help
 Set focus accurately within the frame
Color depth Better color depth 22.5 bits vs 22 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 0.5 more bits of color
Storage slots Has more storage slots 2 vs 1
Help
 More slots allows storing more images without switching memory cards
Sensor size Slightly larger sensor APS-C 23.6x15.8mm vs APS-C 22.3x14.9mm
Help
 More than 10% larger sensor
Battery life Slightly longer battery life 950 shots vs 800 shots
Help
 Around 20% more shots per battery charge
Lens availability Slightly more lenses available 169 lenses vs 162 lenses
Help
 Almost the same
Nikon D300S Learn more about
the Nikon D300S
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent pro DSLRs, and ignoring price

Canon EOS 7D Canon EOS 7D
97 vs 95
Explain scores
Nikon D300S Nikon D300S
Green arrow Too close to call! Snapsort considers these cameras too competitive to make a clear recommendation.

performance Which camera has better performance? Cast your vote!

CanonEOS 7D
 Canon EOS 7D vs Nikon D300S
NikonD300S
Uses Travel score Travel
On holiday or vacation
112
102
Vote Vote
Sports score Sports
Fast action, sometimes indoors
120
105
Vote Vote
Features Color accuracy Color accuracy
White balance in varied lighting
93
113
Vote Vote
Autofocus peformance Still image focusing
Speed and accuracy
96
107
Vote Vote
Autofocus performance Video focusing
Speed and accuracy
118
72
Vote Vote
Manual controls Manual settings
How quickly and easily you can change settings
102
103
Vote Vote
Build quality Build quality
Is it sturdy, well made, plastic or metal
98
115
Vote Vote
Green arrow Join in the discussion below!

similarities

Compared to recent DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Weather sealed Weather sealed Help
Shoot in extreme weather
Lens availability Many lenses available Help
7D:162 lenses
D300S:169 lenses
Screen resolution High resolution screens Help
920k dots
Cross type focus points Many cross-type focus points Help
7D:19
D300S:15
Viewfinder Both have pentaprism viewfinders Help
Pentaprism
Supports 24p 24p support Help
For that film look
Viewfinder coverage Above average viewfinder coverage Help
100%
Thickness Thin Help
2.9"
Fastest shutter speed Fast max shutter speeds Help
1/8000 of a second
Weight Heavy Help
7D:860 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
Autofocus No video autofocus Help
Manual focus only
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
Size Fairly small Help
7D:148x111x74 mm
D300S:147x114x74 mm
Lowest price Inexpensive Help
7D:$1,329.00
D300S:$1,699.99
Built-in flash Each has a built-in flash Help
External flash not needed
Light sensitivity (boost) Poor boost ISO Help
7D:12,800 ISO
D300S:6,400 ISO
Sensor size Very small sensors Help
7D:APS-C 22.3x14.9mm
D300S:APS-C 23.6x15.8mm
Battery life Few shots per battery charge Help
7D:800 shots
D300S:950 shots
Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
7D:6,400 ISO
D300S:3,200 ISO
Viewfinder size Below average viewfinder size Help
0.62x
Screen size Very small screens Help
3.0"
Low light performance Above average noise at high ISO Help
7D:854 ISO
D300S:787 ISO

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon D7000

Nikon D7000

Entry-level DSLR

$1,097 body only

$1,227 with 55-200mm lens
Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has significantly better image quality
Shutter lag Has significantly more shutter lag
Cross type focus points Has slightly fewer cross-type focus points
Compare the D7000 vs the EOS 7D
Compare the D7000 vs the D300S
Canon EOS 60D

Canon EOS 60D

Pro DSLR

$879 - $1,304 body only

$1,139 - $1,342 with 18-135mm lens
Screen flips out Has a screen which flips out
Thickness Is thicker
Viewfinder coverage Significantly less viewfinder coverage
Compare the EOS 60D vs the EOS 7D
Compare the EOS 60D vs the D300S
Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Pro DSLR

$2,160 - $2,400 body only

$2,799 with 24-105mm lens
Low light performance Is significantly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Built-in flash Doesn't have a built-in flash
Viewfinder coverage Slightly less viewfinder coverage
Compare the EOS 5D Mark II vs the EOS 7D
Compare the EOS 5D Mark II vs the D300S
Canon Rebel T3i

Canon Rebel T3i

Entry-level DSLR

$624 - $800 body only

$869 - $1,100 with 18-135mm lens
Screen flips out Has a screen which flips out
Weight Is significantly lighter
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the EOS 7D
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the D300S
Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$650 - $749 body only

$600 - $750 with 18-55mm lens
Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has significantly better image quality
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the D5100 vs the EOS 7D
Compare the D5100 vs the D300S
Nikon D90

Nikon D90

Entry-level DSLR

$849 - $897 body only

$1,099 - $1,200 with 18-105mm lens
Weight Is slightly lighter
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Viewfinder coverage Significantly less viewfinder coverage
Compare the D90 vs the EOS 7D
Compare the D90 vs the D300S
Nikon D700

Nikon D700

Pro DSLR

$2,750 body only
Low light performance Is much less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has significantly better image quality
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Weight Is slightly heavier
Compare the D700 vs the EOS 7D
Compare the D700 vs the D300S

Canon EOS 7D Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Canon EOS 7D.

Nikon D300S Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Nikon D300S.

appearance

Canon EOS 7D Nikon D300S
Canon EOS 7D Nikon D300S
Canon EOS 7D Nikon D300S

Find similar cameras

Here are some links to help you find other cameras with similar features to both of these:

discussion Which do you think is better?

Speech is free, but discussion at Snapsort is moderated! Please discuss your opinion of these cameras here, and discuss feedback for Snapsort at our support community.

Showing 6 comments

Avatar for BayAreaHydro BayAreaHydro (2:29 PM, February 02, 2012)
There is no question that the video on Canon 1080 surpasses that of Nikon's 720.Dollar for dollar there is no comparison, Canon wins hands down.
 
Ishaanctg (8:09 PM, January 17, 2012)
@Hojayho Bro,whats the cheapest lense that u use for d300s and how is its result, and how is the image quality of d300s compared to d7000 in a similar lense
 
Fearless (6:55 PM, November 19, 2011)
I belive that 7D has weather sealed body also
 
Engr Omerfarooq (1:01 PM, October 28, 2011)
both 7d and d300s are excellent. but i go for more towards ergonomics at pro level because image quality will always be great by big companies like nikon and canon. i like handling of nikon more then canon. just personal preference.
 
Maj_mike28 (2:46 PM, June 07, 2011)
I would agree on this statement... My Fav is D7000 of all bodies I have and had. Currently I own a D300s, D7000, and D5000. The image quality for D7000 is really good. Thumbs up for D7000 and most of the time when I cover an event D7000 is really handy supported back by my D300s and for real emergency D5000. The quality of the D5000 is not as far from D300s but you can only obtain a good quality on D5000 once you do it manually and not in Aperture Priority mode or etc.
 
Hojayho (10:59 PM, May 21, 2011)
I just sold my 7d which I had for 1 year and four months, and got a nikon d300s.

The hand feel of the 7d is heavier and more solid, but the image quality of the 300s is better, sharper, more dynamic range and more detail. I still have a 5d and 1d mark iin, and a d7000, d1x and 3100, and all 3 fuji s2, s3 & s5. The s3 is the best in portraits, but sport shots would have to be the 7d.
The image qualiy of the d300s is as good as the 5d and 1d mark iin.

I am happy to have switched the 7d to d300s, cos the 7d's pictures seem dull.
My favorite is the d7000, for the price and full hd video with constantly focusing while filming.