Nikon
D300
 vs
Nikon
D300S

Nikon D300S

71
Winner

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
External mic jack
 External mic jack
Record higher quality audio with a microphone
Focus points
 Many focus points
51
Viewfinder coverage
 Great viewfinder coverage
100%
Storage slots
 More storage slots
2
Badge
 Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses
Nikon D300

68
Runner-up

Nikon D300
"Very good resolution and detail without looking over-processed"
dpreview.com | talking about the D300's image-quality
"You really have to pick up the D300 to appreciate how nicely it fits into your hand, the ergonomics are great and the soft rubber used on the grip ensures holding the camera steady is an easy task."
dpreview.com | talking about the D300's feel

Reasons to buy the Nikon D300

Weather sealed
 Weather sealed
Shoot in extreme weather
Focus points
 Many focus points
51
Viewfinder coverage
 Great viewfinder coverage
100%
Badge
 Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses
Fastest shutter speed
 Fast shutter speed
1/8000 of a second

differences

Advantages of the Nikon D300
Lowest price Slightly cheaper $1,000.00 vs $1,690.00
Help
 The best price we've seen is $690 cheaper (more than 40% less)
Nikon D300 Learn more about
the Nikon D300

Advantages of the Nikon D300S
Movie format Shoots movies 720p @ 24fps vs None
Help
 Shoots HD (720p) video as well as still pictures
Color depth Better color depth 22.5 bits vs 22.1 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 0.4 more bits of color
Overall image quality Better image quality 70.0 vs 67.0
Help
 Almost the same
Low light performance Slightly lower noise at high ISO 787 ISO vs 679 ISO
Help
 The D300S has a slight edge (0.2 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Storage slots Has more storage slots 2 vs 1
Help
 More slots allows storing more images without switching memory cards
Dynamic range More dynamic range 12.2 EV vs 12 EV
Help
 0.2 f-stops more dynamic range
Continuous shooting Shoots faster 7 fps vs 6 fps
Help
 Around 20% faster continuous shooting
Nikon D300S Learn more about
the Nikon D300S
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent pro DSLRs, and ignoring price

Nikon D300 Nikon D300
68 vs 71
Explain scores
Nikon D300S Nikon D300S
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Nikon D300S.

advice

Need help deciding?

Ask the community!
I am considering either the D300 or the 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
Focus points Lots of focus points Help
51
Lens availability Many lenses available Help
169 lenses
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%
Thickness Thin Help
2.9"
Fastest shutter speed Fast max shutter speeds Help
1/8000 of a second
Weight Heavy Help
D300:925 g
D300S:938 g
Light sensitivity (boost) Poor boost ISO Help
6,400 ISO
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
12.2 MP
Screen flips out No flip-out screens Help
Less flexible
Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
3,200 ISO
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
Movie format One shoots movies Help
D300:None
D300S:720p @ 24fps

Compared to recent pro DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Size Fairly small Help
Professional size 147x114x74 mm
Supports RAW Supports RAW Help
Better editing
Lowest price Inexpensive Help
D300:$1,000.00
D300S:$1,690.00
Built-in flash Each has a built-in flash Help
External flash not needed
Sensor size Very small sensors Help
APS-C 23.6x15.8mm
Shutter lag Significant shutter lag Help
D300:227 ms
D300S:225 ms
Battery life Few shots per battery charge Help
D300:1000 shots
D300S:950 shots
Cross type focus points Few cross-type focus points Help
15
Viewfinder size Below average viewfinder size Help
0.62x
Continuous shooting Slow continuous shooting Help
D300:6 fps
D300S:7 fps
Color depth Poor color depth Help
D300:22.1 bits
D300S:22.5 bits
Screen size Very small screens Help
3.0"
Low light performance Above average noise at high ISO Help
D300:679 ISO
D300S:787 ISO
Overall image quality Low image quality Help
D300:67.0
D300S:70.0

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon D7000

Nikon D7000

Entry-level DSLR

$1,000 body only

$1,100 with 55-200mm lens
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Movie format Records higher quality movies
Thickness Is thicker
Focus points Has slightly fewer focus points
Compare the D7000 vs the D300
Compare the D7000 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 D300
Compare the D90 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
Movie format Records higher quality movies
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Focus points Has significantly fewer focus points
Dynamic range Has slightly narrower dynamic range
Compare the EOS 7D vs the D300
Compare the EOS 7D vs the D300S
Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $597 body only

$600 - $697 with 18-55mm lens
Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the D5100 vs the D300
Compare the D5100 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
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the D700 vs the D300
Compare the D700 vs the D300S
Canon EOS 60D

Canon EOS 60D

Pro DSLR

$848 - $1,304 body only

$1,177 - $1,342 with 18-135mm lens
Movie format Records higher quality movies
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Thickness Is thicker
Viewfinder coverage Significantly less viewfinder coverage
Compare the EOS 60D vs the D300
Compare the EOS 60D vs the D300S
Nikon D800

Nikon D800

Pro DSLR

$2,999 - $3,000 body only
Low light performance Is much less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has much better image quality
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the D800 vs the D300
Compare the D800 vs the D300S

Nikon D300 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Nikon D300.

Nikon D300S Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

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

appearance

Nikon D300 Nikon D300S
Nikon D300 Nikon D300S
Nikon D300 Nikon D300S

discussion

Showing 2 comments

Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (1:20 PM, August 02, 2011)
Our mistake, the Nikon D300 does not record video.  We'll get that fixed up asap.
 
sky (3:20 AM, July 31, 2011)
I read the comparison between D90 and D300 and I didn't see any comment regarding video recording.does that means D300 is able to record video as well?