Nikon
D300S
 vs
Nikon
D80

Nikon D300S

77
Winner

Nikon D300S
"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
"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

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 D80

43
Runner-up

Nikon D80

Reasons to buy the Nikon D80

Badge
 Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses

differences

Advantages of the Nikon D300S
Screen size Much larger screen 3.0" vs 2.5"
Help
 More than 20% larger screen
Dynamic range More dynamic range 12.2 EV vs 11.2 EV
Help
 1 f-stop more dynamic range
Overall image quality Significantly better image quality 70.0 vs 61.0
Help
 More than 10% better image quality
Screen resolution Much higher resolution screen 920k dots vs 230k dots
Help
 4x higher resolution screen
Live view Has live view Yes vs No
Help
 Preview your photos on the camera's screen before taking them
Movie format Shoots movies 720p @ 24fps vs None
Help
 Shoots HD (720p) video as well as still pictures
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO 787 ISO vs 524 ISO
Help
 The D300S has a slight edge (0.6 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Weather sealed Weather sealed Yes vs No
Help
 Sealed to shoot in the rain
Continuous shooting Shoots significantly faster 7 fps vs 3 fps
Help
 Around 2.5x faster continuous shooting
Color depth Better color depth 22.5 bits vs 22.1 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 0.4 more bits of color
Viewfinder coverage Much better viewfinder coverage 100% vs 95%
Help
 Around 10% better viewfinder coverage
Sensor type Has a CMOS-family sensor CMOS vs CCD
Help
 CMOS-family sensors often produce better quality images
Storage slots Has more storage slots 2 vs 1
Help
 More slots allows storing more images without switching memory cards
True resolution Higher true resolution 12.2 MP vs 10 MP
Help
 Capture more than 20% more detail in your photos
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 3,200 ISO vs 1,600 ISO
Help
 The D300S's maximum light sensitivity is 1 f-stop better
Fastest shutter speed Much faster max shutter speed 1/8000s vs 1/4000s
Help
 2x faster max shutter speed
Thickness Thinner 2.9" vs 3"
Help
 Almost the same
Nikon D300S Learn more about
the Nikon D300S

Advantages of the Nikon D80
Size Smaller 132x103x77 mm vs 147x114x74 mm
Help
 Around 20% smaller
Weight Lighter 668 g vs 938 g
Help
 Around 30% lighter
Lowest price Cheaper $700.00 vs $1,699.99
Help
 The best price we've seen is $1,000 cheaper (2.4x less)
Nikon D80 Learn more about
the Nikon D80
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent DSLRs, and ignoring price

Nikon D300S Nikon D300S
77 vs 43
Explain scores
Nikon D80 Nikon D80
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Nikon D300S. This recommendation, however, should be taken with a grain of salt since it doesn't always make sense to compare a pro DSLR with a entry-level DSLR.

performance Which camera has better performance? Cast your vote!

NikonD300S
 Nikon D300S vs Nikon D80
NikonD80
Uses Travel score Travel
On holiday or vacation
1
0
Vote Vote
Sports score Sports
Fast action, sometimes indoors
1
0
Vote Vote
Features Color accuracy Color accuracy
White balance in varied lighting
1
0
Vote Vote
Autofocus peformance Still image focusing
Speed and accuracy
1
0
Vote Vote
Manual controls Manual settings
How quickly and easily you can change settings
1
0
Vote Vote
Build quality Build quality
Is it sturdy, well made, plastic or metal
1
0
Vote Vote
Green arrow Join in the discussion below!

similarities

Compared to recent DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Lens availability Many lenses available Help
169 lenses
Viewfinder Both have pentaprism viewfinders Help
Pentaprism
Light sensitivity (boost) Poor boost ISO Help
D300S:6,400 ISO
D80:3,200 ISO
Screen flips out No flip-out screens Help
Less flexible
Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
D300S:3,200 ISO
D80:1,600 ISO
True resolution Capture low resolution images Help
D300S:12.2 MP
D80:10 MP
Autofocus No video autofocus Help
Manual focus only
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur

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 D300S
Compare the D7000 vs the D80
Nikon D90

Nikon D90

Entry-level DSLR

$869 - $897 body only

$1,099 - $1,200 with 18-105mm lens
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
External mic jack Lacks and external mic jack
Compare the D90 vs the D300S
Compare the D90 vs the D80
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 D300S
Compare the D5100 vs the D80
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 significantly heavier
Compare the D700 vs the D300S
Compare the D700 vs the D80
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 D300S
Compare the D3100 vs the D80
Canon EOS 60D

Canon EOS 60D

Pro DSLR

$899 - $1,304 body only

$1,138 - $1,342 with 18-135mm lens
Movie format Records higher quality movies
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Thickness Is thicker
Focus points Has much fewer focus points
Compare the EOS 60D vs the D300S
Compare the EOS 60D vs the D80
Canon EOS Rebel T2i

Canon Rebel T2i

Entry-level DSLR

$499 - $949 body only

$579 - $867 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
Viewfinder Has a lower quality type of viewfinder
Compare the Rebel T2i vs the D300S
Compare the Rebel T2i vs the D80

Nikon D300S Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon EOS 7D

Canon EOS 7D

Pro DSLR

$1,329 - $1,821 body only

$1,498 - $1,800 with 28-135mm lens
Movie format Higher resolution movies
True resolution Higher true resolution
Dynamic range Less dynamic range
Overall image quality Worse image quality
Compare the EOS 7D vs the D300S
Nikon D300

Nikon D300

Pro DSLR

$1,673 - $1,816 body only

$2,639 with 16-85mm lens
Movie format Does not take movies
Overall image quality Worse image quality
Compare the D300 vs the D300S

Nikon D80 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon D3000

Nikon D3000

Entry-level DSLR

$677 with 18-55mm lens
Screen size Much larger screen
Color depth Better color depth
Viewfinder size Smaller viewfinder
Lens focus motor Doesn't have a built-in focus motor
Compare the D3000 vs the D80

appearance

Nikon D300S Nikon D80
Nikon D300S Nikon D80
Nikon D300S Nikon D80

Find similar cameras

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discussion Which do you think is better?

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