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Nikon D300S Comparison Review

The Nikon D300S is a DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) camera that was announced in July 2009 and is equipped with an APS-C sensor. It offers a resolution of 12.2 megapixel.

camera

Is the Nikon D300S a good camera? The D300S has a Camera Elo of 1616. This rating puts the D300S below average of all digital single lens reflex cameras. In terms of its sensor size category (APS cameras), the D300S also ranks below average. Based on its within category standings, the camera earns a 2.5-star performance rating. – Well, the Nikon D300S is more than 14 years old, and there have been many other good digital cameras released since 2009.

Headline Specifications
Nikon D300S
Digital single lens reflex
Nikon F mount lenses
12.2 MP, APS-C Sensor
720/24p Video
ISO 200 - 3 200 (100 - 6 400)
Optical viewfinder
3.0 LCD, 920k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
7 shutter flaps per second
Weathersealed body
950 shots per battery charge
147 x 115 x 81 mm, 938 g

Read on to find out more about the camera's size, sensor, features, reception by expert reviewers, and how it compares to other digital cameras.

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Body comparison with a credit card

The physical dimensions of the Nikon D300S relative to a credit card are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Nikon D300S vs credit card front
D300S versus credit card top view
D300S and credit card rear side

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the Nikon D300S alongside a set of similar cameras. If you want to review a particular camera pair side-by-side, just move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible comparisons there.

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Body Specifications
#   Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Nikon D300S 147 mm 115 mm 81 mm 938 g 950 Y Jul 2009 1,799ebay.com
2.
 
Nikon D500 147 mm 115 mm 81 mm 860 g 1240 Y Jan 2016 1,999 amazon.com
3.
 
Nikon D7000 132 mm 105 mm 77 mm 780 g 1050 Y Sep 2010 1,499ebay.com
4.
 
Nikon D3100 124 mm 96 mm 75 mm 505 g 550 n Aug 2010 599ebay.com
5.
 
Nikon D5000 127 mm 104 mm 80 mm 590 g 510 n Apr 2009 749ebay.com
6.
 
Nikon D60 126 mm 94 mm 64 mm 522 g 500 n Jan 2008 629ebay.com
7.
 
Nikon D700 147 mm 123 mm 77 mm 1074 g 1000 Y Jul 2008 2,999ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon D300 147 mm 114 mm 74 mm 925 g 1000 Y Aug 2007 1,799ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon D2Xs 158 mm 150 mm 86 mm 1252 g 3800 Y Jun 2006 4,699ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D200 147 mm 113 mm 74 mm 920 g 400 Y Nov 2005 1,699ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon D2X 158 mm 150 mm 86 mm 1252 g 3800 Y Sep 2004 4,999ebay.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 listed prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The Nikon D300S was launched in the US market at a price of $1,799. 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.

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Sensor comparison with a 35mm slide

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors 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. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tent to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

The Nikon D300S features an APS-C sensor and has a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 1.5. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the Nikon D300S among the medium-sized sensor cameras that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability.

Nikon D300S sensor measures

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of alternatives.

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Sensor Characteristics
#   Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Nikon D300S APS-C 12.2 4288 2848720/24p22.512.278770
2.
 
Nikon D500 APS-C 20.7 5568 37124K/30p24.014.0132483
3.
 
Nikon D7000 APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/24p23.513.9116780
4.
 
Nikon D3100 APS-C 14.2 4608 30721080/24p22.511.391967
5.
 
Nikon D5000 APS-C 12.2 4288 2848720/24p22.712.586872
6.
 
Nikon D60 APS-C 10.0 3872 2592none22.511.456265
7.
 
Nikon D700 Full Frame 12.1 4256 2832none23.512.2230380
8.
 
Nikon D300 APS-C 12.2 4288 2848none22.112.067967
9.
 
Nikon D2Xs APS-C 12.2 4288 2848none22.210.948959
10.
 
Nikon D200 APS-C 10.0 3872 2592none22.311.558364
11.
 
Nikon D2X APS-C 12.2 4288 2848none22.110.947659
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Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The D300S indeed provides movie recording capabilities. The highest resolution format that the D300S can use is 720/24p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the D300S has an optical viewfinder that provides a field of view of 100% and a magnification of 0.63x. The following tables report on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Nikon D300S and comparable cameras.

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Core Features
#   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 D300Soptical Y3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/8000s 7.0/s Y n
2.
 
Nikon D500optical Y3.2 / 2359 tilting Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n n
3.
 
Nikon D7000optical Y3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/8000s 6.0/s Y n
4.
 
Nikon D3100optical n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
5.
 
Nikon D5000optical n2.7 / 230 full-flex n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n
6.
 
Nikon D60optical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
7.
 
Nikon D700optical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/8000s 8.0/s Y n
8.
 
Nikon D300optical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/8000s 6.0/s Y n
9.
 
Nikon D2Xsoptical Y2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s n n
10.
 
Nikon D200optical Y2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s Y n
11.
 
Nikon D2Xoptical Y2.5 / 235 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s n n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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One convenient feature of the D300S is the presence of an on-board flash. While this built-in flash is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light to brighten deep shadow areas.

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Connection 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 D300S and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
#   Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Nikon D300SYstereo / monoY-mini2.0---
2.
 
Nikon D500Ystereo / monoYYmini3.0YYY
3.
 
Nikon D7000Ymono / monoY-mini2.0---
4.
 
Nikon D3100Ymono / mono--mini2.0---
5.
 
Nikon D5000Ymono / mono--mini2.0---
6.
 
Nikon D60Y- / ----2.0---
7.
 
Nikon D700Y- / ---mini2.0---
8.
 
Nikon D300Y- / ---mini2.0---
9.
 
Nikon D2XsY- / ----2.0---
10.
 
Nikon D200Y- / ----2.0---
11.
 
Nikon D2XY- / ----2.0---
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It is notable that the D300S has a microphone port. Such an external microphone input can help to substantially improve the quality of audio recordings when a good external microphone is used.

Further information on the features and operation of the D300S can be found in the free online Nikon D300S Manual or on the Nikon support site.

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Expert reviews

While the specs-based evaluation of cameras is instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it says nothing about, for example, the handling, responsiveness, and overall imaging quality of the D300S 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. This is why expert reviews are important. The following table reports the overall rankings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]).

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Review Scores
#    Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Nikon D300S5/5+ +..82/1004/54.5/5 Jul 2009 1,799ebay.com
2.
 
Nikon D5005/5+ +4.7/591/1004.5/55/5 Jan 2016 1,999 amazon.com
3.
 
Nikon D70004/5....80/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2010 1,499ebay.com
4.
 
Nikon D31005/5+ +..72/1004.5/54.5/5 Aug 2010 599ebay.com
5.
 
Nikon D5000..+ +..75/1004/54.5/5 Apr 2009 749ebay.com
6.
 
Nikon D60..80/100..+ +4/54.5/5 Jan 2008 629ebay.com
7.
 
Nikon D700..89/100..+ +4.5/54.5/5 Jul 2008 2,999ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon D300..+ +..+ +5/54.5/5 Aug 2007 1,799ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon D2Xs............ Jun 2006 4,699ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D200..+ +..+ +o.. Nov 2005 1,699ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon D2X......+ +.... Sep 2004 4,999ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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The above review scores should be interpreted 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. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date 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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Nikon D300S FAQ

Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the D300S.

What type of imaging sensor is used in the Nikon D300S?

The camera is build around a CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor.

Which image processing chip is used in the Nikon D300S to convert the raw signal into an image file and perform noise reduction and image sharpening?

Nikon equipped the D300S with the EXPEED image processor.

What is the ISO sensitivity range of the Nikon D300S?

The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 200 to ISO 3200, which can be extended to ISO 100-6400.

What is the life expectancy of the shutter in the Nikon D300S?

Nikon mentions a shutter rating of 150 000 actuations for the D300S. This number represents a Mean Time before Failure, that is an average value. The shutter might fail earlier, or it might last longer. Anyway, in order to exhaust the expected shutter life of the D300S over, say, three years, one would have to take about 150 pictures each and every day.

How do I find the shutter count on my Nikon D300S?

Nikon embeds the number of shutter actuations in image metadata. You can check the number of shots that your D300S has taken up to now by uploading a recent image to the free online shutter count finder app.

Do I need to purchase an external camera trigger to shoot time-lapse sequences with the Nikon D300S?

No, the Nikon D300S has an intervalometer built-in, so that low frequency shooting (for example, flower blooming, sunset, moon rise) can be undertaken without the need to purchase a separate external intervalometer and related software.

Does the Nikon D300S feature an autofocus assist light?

Yes, the camera has a lamp built-in that can illuminate the subject and improve autofocus in low-light settings.

What is the fastest shutter speed that can be used with the Nikon D300S for flash photography?

The D300S's flash sync speed is 1/250 sec.

Which battery does the Nikon D300S use?

The camera gets its power from the EN-EL3e (here at amazon), which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.

Is there a vertical grip available for the Nikon D300S?

Yes, Nikon offers the MB-D10 as an optional accessory to facilitate shooting in portrait orientation and to provide additional battery power.

Camera to camera comparisons

In case you are interested in seeing how this camera compares to another one, just make your choice using the following search menu. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

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    Specifications Summary
    Camera Model Nikon D300S
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Nikon F mount lenses
    Launch Date July 2009
    Launch Price USD 1 799
    Sensor Specs
    Sensor Technology CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 23.6 x 15.8 mm
    Sensor Area 373 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 28.4 mm
    Crop Factor 1.5x
    Sensor Resolution 12.2 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4 288 x 2 848 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 5.53 μm
    Pixel Density 3.28 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 720/24p Video
    ISO Setting 200 - 3 200 ISO
    ISO Boost 100 - 6 400 ISO
    Image Processor EXPEED
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 70
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 22.5
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 12.2
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 787
    Screen Specs
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.63x
    Top-Level Screen Control Panel
    LCD Framing Live View
    LCD Size 3.0 inch
    LCD Resolution 920k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen
    Touch Input No touchscreen
    Shooting Specs
    Focus System Phase-detect AF
    Manual Focusing Aidno Peaking Feature
    Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000s
    Continuous Shooting 7 shutter flaps/s
    Shutter Life Expectancy150 000 actuations
    Silent Shootingno E-Shutter
    Time Lapse PhotographyIntervalometer Built-in
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium CF or SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Dual card slots
    UHS card support no
    Connectivity Specs
    External Flash Hotshoe
    Studio Flash PC Sync socket
    USB Connector USB 2.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI
    Microphone Port External MIC port
    Wifi Support no Wifi
    Body Specs
    Environmental SealingWeathersealed body
    Battery Type EN-EL3e power pack
    Battery Life (CIPA)950 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 147 x 115 x 81 mm
    (5.8 x 4.5 x 3.2 in)
    Camera Weight 938 g (33.1 oz)

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