Updated (January, 2012): Compare the Nikon D4 vs Nikon D300S

Nikon D3

87

Winner

Nikon D3

Reasons to buy the Nikon D3

Low light performance
Low noise at high ISO
2,290 ISO
Viewfinder size
Large viewfinder
0.70x
Weather sealed
Weather sealed
Shoot in extreme weather
Continuous shooting
Rapid fire
9 fps
Sensor size
Large sensor
Full frame 36.0x24.0mm
Shutter lag
Barely any delay taking photos
88 ms shutter lag
Nikon D300S

71

Runner-up

Nikon D300S

"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
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
Thickness
Thin
2.9"

differences

Advantages of the Nikon D3

Low light performance Significantly lower noise at high ISO 2,290 ISO vs 787 ISO
Help
The D3 has excellent image quality 1.5 f-stops higher ISO than the D300S
Overall image quality Significantly better image quality 81.0 vs 70.0
Help
Around 20% better image quality
Battery life Much longer battery life 4300 shots vs 950 shots
Help
More than 4.5x more shots per battery charge
Sensor size Much larger sensor Full frame 36.0x24.0mm vs APS-C 23.6x15.8mm
Help
Around 2.5x larger sensor
Color depth Better color depth 23.5 bits vs 22.5 bits
Help
Distinguishes 1 more bits of color
Shutter lag Significantly less shutter lag 88 ms vs 225 ms
Help
2.6x less delay when taking photos
Viewfinder size Larger viewfinder 0.70x vs 0.62x
Help
Around 30% larger viewfinder
Continuous shooting Shoots faster 9 fps vs 7 fps
Help
Around 30% faster continuous shooting
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 6,400 ISO vs 3,200 ISO
Help
The D3's maximum light sensitivity is 1 f-stop better
Light sensitivity (boost) Better boost ISO 25,600 ISO vs 6,400 ISO
Help
The D3's boost ISO is 2 f-stops better
Nikon D3 Learn more about
the Nikon D3

Advantages of the Nikon D300S

Sensor cleaning Has a self cleaning sensor Yes vs No
Help
Removes dust from the sensor automatically, avoiding spots in photos
Movie format Shoots movies 720p @ 24fps vs None
Help
Shoots HD (720p) video as well as still pictures
Lens availability Significantly more lenses available 169 lenses vs 121 lenses
Help
Around 40% more lenses available
Size Much smaller 147x114x74 mm vs 160x157x88 mm
Help
More than 40% smaller
Thickness Much thinner 2.9" vs 3.5"
Help
Around 20% thinner
Weight Significantly lighter 938 g vs 1,300 g
Help
Around 30% lighter
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
Nikon D300S Learn more about
the Nikon D300S
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent pro DSLRs, and ignoring price

Nikon D3 Nikon D3
87 vs 71
Explain scores
Nikon D300S Nikon D300S
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Nikon D3.

advice

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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
Focus points Lots of focus points Help
51
Weather sealed Weather sealed Help
Shoot in extreme weather
Viewfinder Both have pentaprism viewfinders Help
Pentaprism
Startup delay Minimal startup delay Help
300 ms startup delay
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
D3:1,300 g
D300S:938 g
Autofocus No video autofocus Help
Manual focus only
HDR Neither has in-camera HDR Help
You could do HDR manually
True resolution Capture low resolution images Help
D3:12.1 MP
D300S:12.2 MP
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
Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
D3:6,400 ISO
D300S:3,200 ISO
Movie format One shoots movies Help
D3:None
D300S:720p @ 24fps

Compared to recent pro DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Supports RAW Supports RAW Help
Better editing
Light sensitivity (boost) Poor boost ISO Help
D3:25,600 ISO
D300S:6,400 ISO
Cross type focus points Few cross-type focus points Help
15
Screen size Very small screens Help
3.0"

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Nikon D7000

Nikon D7000

Entry-level DSLR

$1,000 body only

$1,100 with 55-200mm lens

Movie format Records higher quality movies
Dynamic range Has slightly wider dynamic range
Thickness Is thicker
Shutter lag Has significantly more shutter lag
Canon EOS 7D

Canon EOS 7D

Pro DSLR

$1,549 - $1,821 body only

$1,620 - $1,849 with 18-135mm lens

Movie format Records higher quality movies
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Storage slots Has fewer storage slots
Shutter lag Has slightly more shutter lag
Nikon D700

Nikon D700

Pro DSLR

$2,649 body only

Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is slightly heavier
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
Nikon D300

Nikon D300

Pro DSLR

$1,000 body only

Storage slots Has fewer storage slots
Shutter lag Has significantly more shutter lag
Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $597 body only

$600 - $697 with 18-55mm lens

Movie format Records higher quality movies
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker
Nikon D800

Nikon D800

Pro DSLR

$2,999 - $3,000 body only

Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has significantly better image quality
Thickness Is thicker
Size Is slightly larger

Nikon D3 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

Movie format Shoots movies
Screen size Significantly larger screen
Battery life Much shorter battery life
Dynamic range Less dynamic range

Nikon D300S Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Canon EOS 60D

Canon EOS 60D

Pro DSLR

$848 - $1,304 body only

$1,177 - $1,342 with 18-135mm lens

Movie format Higher resolution movies
Screen flips out Has a flip-out screen
Dynamic range Less dynamic range
Focus points Many fewer focus points

appearance

Nikon D3 Nikon D300S
Nikon D3 Nikon D300S
Nikon D3 Nikon D300S

discussion

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