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Nikon D300 vs Panasonic FZ2500

The Nikon D300 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ2500 (labelled Panasonic FZ2000 in some countries) are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in August 2007 and September 2016. The D300 is a DSLR, while the FZ2500 is a fixed lens compact. The cameras are based on an APS-C (D300) and an one-inch (FZ2500) sensor. The Nikon has a resolution of 12.2 megapixels, whereas the Panasonic provides 20 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Nikon D300
versus
Panasonic FZ2500
Nikon D300   Panasonic FZ2500
Digital single lens reflex Fixed lens compact camera
Nikon F mount lenses 24-480mm f/2.8-4.5
12.2 MP – APS-C sensor 20 MP – 1" sensor
no Video 4K/30p Video
ISO 200-3,200 (100 - 6,400) ISO 125-12,800 (80 - 25,600)
Optical viewfinder Electronic viewfinder (2360k dots)
3.0" LCD – 922k dots 3.0" LCD – 1040k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Swivel touchscreen
6 shutter flaps per second 12 shutter flaps per second
Weathersealed bodynot weather sealed
1000 shots per battery charge350 shots per battery charge
147 x 114 x 74 mm, 925 g 138 x 102 x 135 mm, 915 g
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Check D300 offers at
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Check FZ2500 price at
amazon.com

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Nikon D300 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ2500? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

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Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Nikon D300 and the Panasonic FZ2500 is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Size Nikon D300 vs Panasonic FZ2500
Compare D300 versus FZ2500 top
Comparison D300 or FZ2500 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Panasonic FZ2500 is notably smaller (16 percent) than the Nikon D300. It is worth mentioning in this context that the D300 is splash and dust resistant, while the FZ2500 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the FZ2500 has a lens built in, whereas the D300 is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup. You can compare the optics available for the D300 and their specifications in the Nikon Lens Catalog.

Concerning battery life, the D300 gets 1000 shots out of its Nikon EN-EL3e battery, while the FZ2500 can take 350 images on a single charge of its Panasonic DMW-BLC12 power pack.

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

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Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Nikon D300 147 mm 114 mm 74 mm 925 g 1000 Y Aug 2007 1,799ebay.com
2.
 
Panasonic FZ2500 138 mm 102 mm 135 mm 915 g 350 n Sep 2016 1,199 amazon.com
3.
 
Nikon D7000 132 mm 105 mm 77 mm 780 g 1050 Y Sep 2010 1,499ebay.com
4.
 
Nikon D300S 147 mm 115 mm 81 mm 938 g 950 Y Jul 2009 1,799ebay.com
5.
 
Nikon D60 126 mm 94 mm 64 mm 522 g 500 n Jan 2008 629ebay.com
6.
 
Nikon D90 132 mm 103 mm 77 mm 703 g 850 n Aug 2008 1,299ebay.com
7.
 
Nikon D700 147 mm 123 mm 77 mm 1074 g 1000 Y Jul 2008 2,999ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon D40X 124 mm 94 mm 64 mm 522 g 520 n Mar 2007 729ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon D2Xs 158 mm 150 mm 86 mm 1252 g 3800 Y Jun 2006 4,699ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D80 132 mm 103 mm 77 mm 668 g 600 n Aug 2006 999ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon D200 147 mm 113 mm 74 mm 920 g 400 Y Nov 2005 1,699ebay.com
12.
 
Nikon D2X 158 mm 150 mm 86 mm 1252 g 3800 Y Sep 2004 4,999ebay.com
13.
 
Panasonic ZS100 111 mm 65 mm 44 mm 312 g 300 n Jan 2016 699ebay.com
14.
 
Panasonic FZ1000 137 mm 99 mm 131 mm 831 g 360 n Jun 2014 899ebay.com
15.
 
Sony RX100 V 102 mm 58 mm 41 mm 299 g 220 n Oct 2016 999ebay.com
16.
 
Sony RX10 II 129 mm 88 mm 102 mm 813 g 400 Y Jun 2015 1,299ebay.com
17.
 
Sony RX100 IV 102 mm 58 mm 41 mm 298 g 280 n Jun 2015 999ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The FZ2500 was launched at a lower price than the D300, despite having a lens built in. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Nikon D300 features an APS-C sensor and the Panasonic FZ2500 an one-inch sensor. The sensor area in the FZ2500 is 69 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.5 and 2.7. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Nikon D300 and Panasonic FZ2500 sensor measures

Despite having a smaller sensor, the FZ2500 offers a higher resolution of 20 megapixels, compared with 12.2 MP of the D300. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 2.41μm versus 5.53μm for the D300). However, it should be noted that the FZ2500 is much more recent (by 9 years) than the D300, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that make it possible to gather light more efficiently.

The resolution advantage of the Panasonic FZ2500 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the FZ2500 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 27.4 x 18.2 inches or 69.5 x 46.3 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 21.9 x 14.6 inches or 55.6 x 37.1 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 18.2 x 12.2 inches or 46.3 x 30.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Nikon D300 are 21.4 x 14.2 inches or 54.5 x 36.2 cm for good quality, 17.2 x 11.4 inches or 43.6 x 28.9 cm for very good quality, and 14.3 x 9.5 inches or 36.3 x 24.1 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Nikon D300 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 200 to ISO 3200, which can be extended to ISO 100-6400. The corresponding ISO settings for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ2500 are ISO 125 to ISO 12800, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 80-25600.

In terms of underlying technology, the D300 is build around a CMOS sensor, while the FZ2500 uses a BSI-CMOS imager. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

D300 versus FZ2500 MP

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The Overall DXO ratings for the two cameras under consideration are close, suggesting that they provide similar imaging performance. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

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Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Nikon D300 APS-C 12.2 4288 2848none22.112.067967
2.
 
Panasonic FZ2500 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p23.012.653870
3.
 
Nikon D7000 APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/24p23.513.9116780
4.
 
Nikon D300S APS-C 12.2 4288 2848720/24p22.512.278770
5.
 
Nikon D60 APS-C 10.0 3872 2592none22.511.456265
6.
 
Nikon D90 APS-C 12.2 4288 2848720/24p22.712.597773
7.
 
Nikon D700 Full Frame 12.1 4256 2832none23.512.2230380
8.
 
Nikon D40X APS-C 10.0 3872 2592none22.411.451663
9.
 
Nikon D2Xs APS-C 12.2 4288 2848none22.210.948959
10.
 
Nikon D80 APS-C 10.0 3872 2592none22.111.252461
11.
 
Nikon D200 APS-C 10.0 3872 2592none22.311.558364
12.
 
Nikon D2X APS-C 12.2 4288 2848none22.110.947659
13.
 
Panasonic ZS100 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.812.555970
14.
 
Panasonic FZ1000 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.111.751764
15.
 
Sony RX100 V 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.812.458670
16.
 
Sony RX10 II 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p23.012.653170
17.
 
Sony RX100 IV 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.812.659170
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Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. The FZ2500 indeed provides for movie recording, while the D300 does not. The highest resolution format that the FZ2500 can use is 4K/30p.

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Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the FZ2500 has an electronic viewfinder (2360k dots), while the D300 has an optical one. Both systems have their advantages, with the electronic viewfinder making it possible to project supplementary shooting information into the framing view, whereas the optical viewfinder offers lag-free viewing and a very clear framing image. The viewfinders of both cameras offer the same field of view (100%), but the viewfinder of the FZ2500 has a higher magnification than the one of the D300 (0.74x vs 0.63x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Nikon D300 and Panasonic FZ2500 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

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Core Features
# image Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Nikon D300optical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/8000s 6.0/s Y n
2.
 
Panasonic FZ25002360 n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 12.0/s Y Y
3.
 
Nikon D7000optical Y3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/8000s 6.0/s Y n
4.
 
Nikon D300Soptical Y3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/8000s 7.0/s Y n
5.
 
Nikon D60optical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
6.
 
Nikon D90optical Y3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 4.5/s Y n
7.
 
Nikon D700optical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/8000s 8.0/s Y n
8.
 
Nikon D40Xoptical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
9.
 
Nikon D2Xsoptical Y2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s n n
10.
 
Nikon D80optical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
11.
 
Nikon D200optical Y2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s Y n
12.
 
Nikon D2Xoptical Y2.5 / 235 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s n n
13.
 
Panasonic ZS1001166 n3.0 / 1040 fixed Y 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
14.
 
Panasonic FZ10002359 n3.0 / 921 swivel n 1/4000s 12.0/s Y Y
15.
 
Sony RX100 V2359 n3.0 / 1229 tilting n 1/2000s 24.0/s Y Y
16.
 
Sony RX10 II2359 Y3.0 / 1229 tilting n 1/3200s 14.0/s Y Y
17.
 
Sony RX100 IV2359 n3.0 / 1228 tilting n 1/2000s 16.0/s Y Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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One feature that is present on the D300, but is missing on the FZ2500 is a top-level LCD. While being, of course, smaller than the rear screen, the control panel conveys some of the essential shooting information and can be convenient for quick and easy settings verification.

The FZ2500 has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing. This characteristic will be appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in taking selfies. In contrast, the D300 does not have a selfie-screen.

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, the FZ2500 is one of those camera that have an additional electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The Nikon D300 and the Panasonic FZ2500 both have an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

The D300 writes its imaging data to Compact Flash cards, while the FZ2500 uses SDXC cards.

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Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Nikon D300 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ2500 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Nikon D300Y- / ---mini2.0---
2.
 
Panasonic FZ2500Ystereo / monoYYmicro2.0Y--
3.
 
Nikon D7000Ymono / monoY-mini2.0---
4.
 
Nikon D300SYstereo / monoY-mini2.0---
5.
 
Nikon D60Y- / ----2.0---
6.
 
Nikon D90Ymono / mono--mini2.0---
7.
 
Nikon D700Y- / ---mini2.0---
8.
 
Nikon D40XY- / ----2.0---
9.
 
Nikon D2XsY- / ----2.0---
10.
 
Nikon D80Y- / ----2.0---
11.
 
Nikon D200Y- / ----2.0---
12.
 
Nikon D2XY- / ----2.0---
13.
 
Panasonic ZS100-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
14.
 
Panasonic FZ1000Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0YY-
15.
 
Sony RX100 V-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
16.
 
Sony RX10 IIYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
17.
 
Sony RX100 IV-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
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It is notable that the FZ2500 offers wifi support, which can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location. In contrast, the D300 does not provide wifi capability.

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Nikon D300 (unlike the FZ2500) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

The FZ2500 is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Panasonic. In contrast, the D300 has been discontinued (but can be found pre-owned on ebay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the D300 was succeeded by the Nikon D300S. Further information on the features and operation of the D300 and FZ2500 can be found, respectively, in the Nikon D300 Manual (free pdf) or the online Panasonic FZ2500 Manual.

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Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Is there a clear favorite between the Nikon D300 and the Panasonic FZ2500? Which camera is better? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

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Arguments in favor of the Nikon D300:

  • Better low-light sensitivity: Requires less light for good images (0.3 stops ISO advantage).
  • Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
  • Easier setting verification: Features an LCD display on top to control shooting parameters.
  • Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
  • More flexible: Can take a variety of interchangeable lenses, including specialty optics.
  • Longer lasting: Can take more shots (1000 versus 350) on a single battery charge.
  • Better sealing: Is weather sealed to enable shooting in dusty or wet environments.
  • Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
  • More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in August 2007).

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Advantages of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ2500:

  • More detail: Has more megapixels (20 vs 12.2MP), which boosts linear resolution by 28%.
  • More dynamic range: Captures a broader range of light and dark details (0.6 EV of extra DR).
  • Broader imaging potential: Can capture not only stills but also 4K/30p video.
  • More framing info: Has an electronic viewfinder that displays shooting data.
  • Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.74x vs 0.63x).
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1040k vs 922k dots).
  • More flexible LCD: Has a swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
  • Fewer buttons to press: Has a touchscreen to facilitate handling and shooting adjustments.
  • More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (12 vs 6 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
  • Ready to shoot: Comes with an integrated lens, while the D300 requires a separate lens.
  • More compact: Is smaller (138x102mm vs 147x114mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
  • Less heavy: Has a lower weight even though it has a lens built in (unlike the D300).
  • Sharper images: Has stabilization technology built-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
  • Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
  • More affordable: Was introduced at a lower price, despite coming with a built-in lens.
  • More modern: Reflects 9 years of technical progress since the D300 launch.

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the FZ2500 is the clear winner of the contest (18 : 9 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera. A professional sports photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a street photog, and a person interested in family portraits has distinct needs from a landscape shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

D300 09:18 FZ2500

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Nikon D300 and the Panasonic FZ2500 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera and Best Superzoom Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the D300 and the FZ2500 in practical situations. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.

Expert reviews

This is where reviews by experts come in. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

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Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Nikon D300..+ +..+ +5/54.5/5 Aug 2007 1,799ebay.com
2.
 
Panasonic FZ2500..+..82/1004.5/55/5 Sep 2016 1,199 amazon.com
3.
 
Nikon D70004/5....80/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2010 1,499ebay.com
4.
 
Nikon D300S5/5+ +..82/1004/54.5/5 Jul 2009 1,799ebay.com
5.
 
Nikon D60..80/100..+ +4/54.5/5 Jan 2008 629ebay.com
6.
 
Nikon D90..+ +..+ +4/54.5/5 Aug 2008 1,299ebay.com
7.
 
Nikon D700..89/100..+ +4.5/54.5/5 Jul 2008 2,999ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon D40X..79/100..+ +4/54/5 Mar 2007 729ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon D2Xs............ Jun 2006 4,699ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D80..+..+ +o4.5/5 Aug 2006 999ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon D200..+ +..+ +o.. Nov 2005 1,699ebay.com
12.
 
Nikon D2X......+ +.... Sep 2004 4,999ebay.com
13.
 
Panasonic ZS1004.5/5+ +..82/1004.5/54.5/5 Jan 2016 699ebay.com
14.
 
Panasonic FZ10004/5+ +..82/1004.5/54.5/5 Jun 2014 899ebay.com
15.
 
Sony RX100 V4.5/5+ +..83/1004/54.5/5 Oct 2016 999ebay.com
16.
 
Sony RX10 II5/5+ +..82/1004.5/54/5 Jun 2015 1,299ebay.com
17.
 
Sony RX100 IV4.5/5+ +..85/1004/54.5/5 Jun 2015 999ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

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    Specifications: Nikon D300 vs Panasonic FZ2500

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Nikon D300 Panasonic FZ2500
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex Fixed lens compact camera
    Camera Lens Nikon F mount lenses 24-480mm f/2.8-4.5
    Launch Date August 2007 September 2016
    Launch Price USD 1,799 USD 1,199
    Sensor Specs Nikon D300 Panasonic FZ2500
    Sensor Technology CMOS BSI-CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor 1" Sensor
    Sensor Size 23.6 x 15.8 mm 13.2 x 8.8 mm
    Sensor Area 372.88 mm2 116.16 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 28.4 mm 15.9 mm
    Crop Factor 1.5x 2.7x
    Sensor Resolution 12.2 Megapixels 20 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4288 x 2848 pixels 5472 x 3648 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 5.53 μm 2.41 μm
    Pixel Density 3.28 MP/cm2 17.18 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability no Video 4K/30p Video
    ISO Setting 200 - 3,200 ISO 125 - 12,800 ISO
    ISO Boost 100 - 6,400 ISO 80 - 25,600 ISO
    Image Processor EXPEED Venus
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 67 70
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 22.1 23
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 12.0 12.6
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 679 538
    Screen Specs Nikon D300 Panasonic FZ2500
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder Electronic viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100% 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.63x 0.74x
    Viewfinder Resolution 2360k dots
    Top-Level Screen Control Panel no Top Display
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 922k dots 1040k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Swivel screen
    Touch Input no Touchscreen Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs Nikon D300 Panasonic FZ2500
    Focus System Phase-detect AF Contrast-detect AF
    Manual Focusing Aidno Peaking FeatureFocus Peaking
    Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) 1/8000s 1/4000s
    Continuous Shooting 6 shutter flaps/s 12 shutter flaps/s
    Electronic Shutterno E-Shutterup to 1/16000s
    Time-Lapse PhotographyIntervalometer built-inIntervalometer built-in
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium CF cards SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    Connectivity Specs Nikon D300 Panasonic FZ2500
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    Studio Flash PC Sync socket no PC Sync
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI micro HDMI
    Microphone Port no MIC socket External MIC port
    Headphone Socket no Headphone port Headphone port
    Wifi Support no Wifi Wifi built-in
    Body Specs Nikon D300 Panasonic FZ2500
    Environmental SealingWeathersealed bodynot weather sealed
    Battery Type Nikon EN-EL3e Panasonic DMW-BLC12
    Battery Life (CIPA)1000 shots per charge350 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 147 x 114 x 74 mm
    (5.8 x 4.5 x 2.9 in)
    138 x 102 x 135 mm
    (5.4 x 4.0 x 5.3 in)
    Camera Weight 925 g (32.6 oz) 915 g (32.3 oz)
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