Nikon
D300
 vs
Nikon
D300S

Nikon D300S

95
Winner

Nikon D300S
"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
Continuous shooting
 Rapid fire
7 fps
External mic jack
 External mic jack
Record higher quality audio with a microphone
Focus points
 Many focus points
51
Cross type focus points
 Many cross-type focus points
15
Viewfinder coverage
 Great viewfinder coverage
100%
Nikon D300

91
Runner-up

Nikon D300
"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
"The body is constructed from magnesium alloy, soft rubber is used on the grips both front and back as well as environmental seals on compartment doors."
dpreview.com | talking about the D300's build-quality

Reasons to buy the Nikon D300

Weather sealed
 Weather sealed
Shoot in extreme weather
Focus points
 Many focus points
51
Cross type focus points
 Many cross-type focus points
15
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
Snapsort is not aware of any important advantages of the Nikon D300 vs the Nikon D300S.
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
Overall image quality Better image quality 70.0 vs 67.0
Help
 Almost the same
Color depth Better color depth 22.5 bits vs 22.1 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 0.4 more bits of color
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
Continuous shooting Shoots faster 7 fps vs 6 fps
Help
 Around 20% faster continuous shooting
Dynamic range More dynamic range 12.2 EV vs 12 EV
Help
 0.2 f-stops more dynamic range
Lowest price Slightly cheaper $1,699.99 vs $2,199.99
Help
 The best price we've seen is $500 cheaper (more than 20% less)
Nikon D300S Learn more about
the Nikon D300S
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent pro DSLRs, and ignoring price

Nikon D300 Nikon D300
91 vs 95
Explain scores
Nikon D300S Nikon D300S
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Nikon D300S.

performance Which camera has better performance? Cast your vote!

NikonD300
 Nikon D300 vs Nikon D300S
NikonD300S
Uses Travel score Travel
On holiday or vacation
14
21
Vote Vote
Sports score Sports
Fast action, sometimes indoors
15
25
Vote Vote
Features Color accuracy Color accuracy
White balance in varied lighting
14
17
Vote Vote
Autofocus peformance Still image focusing
Speed and accuracy
16
17
Vote Vote
Manual controls Manual settings
How quickly and easily you can change settings
18
17
Vote Vote
Build quality Build quality
Is it sturdy, well made, plastic or metal
20
19
Vote Vote
Green arrow Join in the discussion below!

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
Screen resolution High resolution screens Help
D300:922k dots
D300S:920k dots
Startup delay Minimal startup delay Help
300 ms startup delay
Cross type focus points Many cross-type focus points Help
15
Viewfinder Both have pentaprism viewfinders Help
Pentaprism
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
HDR Neither has in-camera HDR Help
You could do HDR manually
Screen flips out No flip-out screens Help
Less flexible
Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
3,200 ISO
True resolution Capture low resolution images Help
12.2 MP
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
Professional size 147x114x74 mm
Built-in flash Each has a built-in flash Help
External flash not needed
Lowest price Inexpensive Help
D300:$2,199.99
D300S:$1,699.99
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
Viewfinder size Below average viewfinder size Help
0.62x
Movie format One shoots movies Help
D300:None
D300S:720p @ 24fps
Screen size Very small screens Help
3.0"
Low light performance Above average noise at high ISO Help
D300:679 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
Focus points Has slightly fewer focus points
Cross type focus points Has slightly fewer cross-type focus points
Compare the D7000 vs the D300
Compare the D7000 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 D300
Compare the D90 vs the D300S
Canon EOS 7D

Canon EOS 7D

Pro DSLR

$1,329 - $1,821 body only

$1,498 - $1,800 with 28-135mm 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

$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 D300
Compare the D5100 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
Weight Is slightly heavier
Viewfinder coverage Much less viewfinder coverage
Compare the D700 vs the D300
Compare the D700 vs the D300S
Canon EOS 60D

Canon EOS 60D

Pro DSLR

$879 - $1,304 body only

$1,139 - $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 D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $984 with 18-55mm lens
Movie format Records higher quality movies
Movie continuous focus Can focus continuously while recording movies
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Lens focus motor Doesn't have a built-in focus motor
Compare the D3100 vs the D300
Compare the D3100 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

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 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?