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Nikon D300S vs D2X

The Nikon D300S and the Nikon D2X are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in July 2009 and September 2004. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are equipped with an APS-C sensor. Both cameras offer a resolution of 12.2 megapixels.

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

Headline Specifications
Nikon D300S
versus
Nikon D2X
Nikon D300S   Nikon D2X
Digital single lens reflex Digital single lens reflex
Nikon F mount lenses Nikon F mount lenses
12.2 MP – APS-C sensor 12.2 MP – APS-C sensor
720/24p Video no Video
ISO 200-3,200 (100 - 6,400) ISO 100-800 (100 - 3,200)
Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
3.0" LCD – 920k dots 2.5" LCD – 235k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
7 shutter flaps per second 5 shutter flaps per second
Weathersealed bodyWeathersealed body
950 shots per battery charge3800 shots per battery charge
147 x 115 x 81 mm, 938 g 158 x 150 x 86 mm, 1252 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Nikon D300S and the Nikon D2X? 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

The physical size and weight of the Nikon D300S and the Nikon D2X are illustrated 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 size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Size Nikon D300S vs Nikon D2X
Compare D300S versus D2X top
Comparison D300S or D2X rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Nikon D2X is notably larger (40 percent) than the Nikon D300S. Moreover, the D2X is markedly heavier (33 percent) than the D300S. In this context, it is worth noting that both cameras are splash and dust-proof and can, hence, be used in inclement weather conditions or harsh environments.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. In this particular case, both cameras feature the same lens mount, so that they can use the same lenses. You can compare the optics available in the Nikon Lens Catalog.

Concerning battery life, the D300S gets 950 shots out of its Nikon EN-EL3e battery, while the D2X can take 3800 images on a single charge of its Nikon EN-EL4a power pack. As can be seen in the images above, the D2X has a battery grip built in. This facilitates image-taking in portrait orientation and gives it additional battery power. In order to provide similar functionality for the D300S, Nikon provides the MB-D10 vertical grip as an optional accessory (see here on ebay).

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

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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 D300S 147 mm 115 mm 81 mm 938 g 950 Y Jul 2009 1,799ebay.com
2.
 
Nikon D2X 158 mm 150 mm 86 mm 1252 g 3800 Y Sep 2004 4,999ebay.com
3.
 
Nikon D500 147 mm 115 mm 81 mm 860 g 1240 Y Jan 2016 1,999ebay.com
4.
 
Nikon D7000 132 mm 105 mm 77 mm 780 g 1050 Y Sep 2010 1,499ebay.com
5.
 
Nikon D3100 124 mm 96 mm 75 mm 505 g 550 n Aug 2010 599ebay.com
6.
 
Nikon D5000 127 mm 104 mm 80 mm 590 g 510 n Apr 2009 749ebay.com
7.
 
Nikon D60 126 mm 94 mm 64 mm 522 g 500 n Jan 2008 629ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon D700 147 mm 123 mm 77 mm 1074 g 1000 Y Jul 2008 2,999ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon D300 147 mm 114 mm 74 mm 925 g 1000 Y Aug 2007 1,799ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D2Xs 158 mm 150 mm 86 mm 1252 g 3800 Y Jun 2006 4,699ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon D200 147 mm 113 mm 74 mm 920 g 400 Y Nov 2005 1,699ebay.com
12.
 
Nikon D2H 158 mm 150 mm 86 mm 1070 g 2900 Y Jul 2003 3,499ebay.com
13.
 
Nikon D1X 157 mm 153 mm 85 mm 1100 g 1200 Y Feb 2001 5,999ebay.com
14.
 
Nikon D1 157 mm 153 mm 85 mm 1100 g .. Y Jun 1999 5,499ebay.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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Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The D300S was launched at a markedly lower price (by 64 percent) than the D2X, which puts it into a different market segment. 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.

Sensor comparison

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have 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 tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature an APS-C sensor, but their sensors differ slightly in size. They nevertheless have the same format factor of 1.5. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Nikon D300S and Nikon D2X sensor measures

Even though the D300S has a slightly larger sensor, both cameras offer the same resolution of 12.2 megapixels. This implies that the D300S has a lower pixel density and larger individual pixels (with a pixel pitch of 5.53μm versus 5.52μm for the D2X), which gives it a potential advantage in terms of light gathering capacity. In addition, the D300S is much more recent (by 4 years and 10 months) than the D2X, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time.

The Nikon D300S 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 Nikon D2X are ISO 100 to ISO 800, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-3200.

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

D300S versus D2X MP

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. Of the two cameras under review, the D300S provides substantially higher image quality than the D2X, with an overall score that is 11 points higher. This advantage is based on 0.4 bits higher color depth, 1.3 EV in additional dynamic range, and 0.7 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

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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 D300S APS-C 12.2 4288 2848720/24p22.512.278770
2.
 
Nikon D2X APS-C 12.2 4288 2848none22.110.947659
3.
 
Nikon D500 APS-C 20.7 5568 37124K/30p24.014.0132483
4.
 
Nikon D7000 APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/24p23.513.9116780
5.
 
Nikon D3100 APS-C 14.2 4608 30721080/24p22.511.391967
6.
 
Nikon D5000 APS-C 12.2 4288 2848720/24p22.712.586872
7.
 
Nikon D60 APS-C 10.0 3872 2592none22.511.456265
8.
 
Nikon D700 Full Frame 12.1 4256 2832none23.512.2230380
9.
 
Nikon D300 APS-C 12.2 4288 2848none22.112.067967
10.
 
Nikon D2Xs APS-C 12.2 4288 2848none22.210.948959
11.
 
Nikon D200 APS-C 10.0 3872 2592none22.311.558364
12.
 
Nikon D2H APS-C 4.0 2464 1632none18.910.035240
13.
 
Nikon D1X APS-C 5.9 3008 1960none........
14.
 
Nikon D1 APS-C 2.6 2000 1312none........
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Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. The D300S indeed provides movie recording capabilities, while the D2X does not. The highest resolution format that the D300S can use is 720/24p.

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Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. The D300S and the D2X are similar in the sense that both have an optical viewfinder. The latter is useful for getting a clear image for framing even in brightly lit environments. The viewfinders of both cameras offer the same field of view (100%), but the viewfinder of the D300S has a higher magnification than the one of the D2X (0.63x vs 0.57x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Nikon D300S and Nikon D2X in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

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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 D300Soptical Y3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/8000s 7.0/s Y n
2.
 
Nikon D2Xoptical Y2.5 / 235 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s n n
3.
 
Nikon D500optical Y3.2 / 2359 tilting Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n n
4.
 
Nikon D7000optical Y3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/8000s 6.0/s Y n
5.
 
Nikon D3100optical n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
6.
 
Nikon D5000optical n2.7 / 230 full-flex n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n
7.
 
Nikon D60optical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
8.
 
Nikon D700optical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/8000s 8.0/s Y n
9.
 
Nikon D300optical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/8000s 6.0/s Y n
10.
 
Nikon D2Xsoptical Y2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s n n
11.
 
Nikon D200optical Y2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s Y n
12.
 
Nikon D2Hoptical Y2.5 / 211 fixed n 1/8000s 8.0/s n n
13.
 
Nikon D1Xoptical Y2.0 / 120 fixed n 1/16000s 3.0/s n n
14.
 
Nikon D1optical Y2.0 / 120 fixed n 1/16000s 4.5/s n n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The D300S has one, while the D2X does not. While the built-in flash of the D300S is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.

The Nikon D300S has 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 D300S writes its imaging data to Compact Flash or SDXC cards, while the D2X uses Compact Flash cards. The D300S features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the D2X only has one slot.

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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 D300S and Nikon D2X 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 D300SYstereo / monoY-mini2.0---
2.
 
Nikon D2XY- / ----2.0---
3.
 
Nikon D500Ystereo / monoYYmini3.0YYY
4.
 
Nikon D7000Ymono / monoY-mini2.0---
5.
 
Nikon D3100Ymono / mono--mini2.0---
6.
 
Nikon D5000Ymono / mono--mini2.0---
7.
 
Nikon D60Y- / ----2.0---
8.
 
Nikon D700Y- / ---mini2.0---
9.
 
Nikon D300Y- / ---mini2.0---
10.
 
Nikon D2XsY- / ----2.0---
11.
 
Nikon D200Y- / ----2.0---
12.
 
Nikon D2HY- / ----2.0---
13.
 
Nikon D1XY- / ----FW---
14.
 
Nikon D1Y- / ----FW---
padding

Both cameras feature a PC Sync terminal to control professional strobe lights, which will be appreciated by studio photographers.

Both the D300S and the D2X have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The D2X was replaced by the Nikon D2Xs, while the D300S was followed by the Nikon D500. Further information on the features and operation of the D300S and D2X can be found, respectively, in the Nikon D300S Manual (free pdf) or the online Nikon D2X Manual.

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Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Which of the two cameras – the Nikon D300S or the Nikon D2X – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.


Advantages of the Nikon D300S:

  • Better image quality: Scores substantially higher (11 points) in the DXO overall assessment.
  • More dynamic range: Captures a larger spectrum of light and dark details (1.3 EV of extra DR).
  • Better low-light sensitivity: Requires less light for good images (0.7 stops ISO advantage).
  • Broader imaging potential: Can record not only still images but also 720/24p movies.
  • Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.63x vs 0.57x).
  • Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.0" vs 2.5") for image review and settings control.
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (920k vs 235k dots).
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (7 vs 5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
  • More compact: Is smaller (147x115mm vs 158x150mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
  • Less heavy: Is lighter (by 314g or 25 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
  • Easier fill-in: Is equipped with a small onboard flash to brighten deep shadow areas.
  • Greater peace of mind: Features a second card slot as a backup in case of memory card failure.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (64 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More modern: Reflects 4 years and 10 months of technical progress since the D2X launch.


Reasons to prefer the Nikon D2X:

  • More portrait friendly: Features an integrated vertical grip for easier portrait shooting.
  • Longer lasting: Gets more shots (3800 versus 950) out of a single battery charge.
  • More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in September 2004).

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the D300S is the clear winner of the match-up (15 : 3 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.

D300S 15:03 D2X

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Nikon D300S and the Nikon D2X place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera listing 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 remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the D300S or the D2X. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.

Expert reviews

This is why expert reviews are important. The following table reports the overall ratings 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]). 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 D300S5/5+ +..82/1004/54.5/5 Jul 2009 1,799ebay.com
2.
 
Nikon D2X......+ +.... Sep 2004 4,999ebay.com
3.
 
Nikon D5005/5+ +4.7/591/1004.5/55/5 Jan 2016 1,999ebay.com
4.
 
Nikon D70004/5....80/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2010 1,499ebay.com
5.
 
Nikon D31005/5+ +..72/1004.5/54.5/5 Aug 2010 599ebay.com
6.
 
Nikon D5000..+ +..75/1004/54.5/5 Apr 2009 749ebay.com
7.
 
Nikon D60..80/100..+ +4/54.5/5 Jan 2008 629ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon D700..89/100..+ +4.5/54.5/5 Jul 2008 2,999ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon D300..+ +..+ +5/54.5/5 Aug 2007 1,799ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D2Xs............ Jun 2006 4,699ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon D200..+ +..+ +o.. Nov 2005 1,699ebay.com
12.
 
Nikon D2H......+ +.... Jul 2003 3,499ebay.com
13.
 
Nikon D1X......+ +.... Feb 2001 5,999ebay.com
14.
 
Nikon D1......+ +.... Jun 1999 5,499ebay.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 comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

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    Specifications: Nikon D300S vs Nikon D2X

    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 D300S Nikon D2X
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Nikon F mount lenses Nikon F mount lenses
    Launch Date July 2009 September 2004
    Launch Price USD 1,799 USD 4,999
    Sensor Specs Nikon D300S Nikon D2X
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 23.6 x 15.8 mm 23.7 x 15.7 mm
    Sensor Area 372.88 mm2 372.09 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 28.4 mm 28.4 mm
    Crop Factor 1.5x 1.5x
    Sensor Resolution 12.2 Megapixels 12.2 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4288 x 2848 pixels 4288 x 2848 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 5.53 μm 5.52 μm
    Pixel Density 3.28 MP/cm2 3.28 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 720/24p Video no Video
    ISO Setting 200 - 3,200 ISO 100 - 800 ISO
    ISO Boost 100 - 6,400 ISO 100 - 3,200 ISO
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 70 59
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 22.5 22.1
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 12.2 10.9
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 787 476
    Screen Specs Nikon D300S Nikon D2X
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100% 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.63x 0.57x
    Top-Level Screen Control Panel Control Panel
    LCD Framing Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 2.5inch
    LCD Resolution 920k dots 235k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Fixed screen
    Shooting Specs Nikon D300S Nikon D2X
    Focus System Phase-detect AF Phase-detect AF
    Continuous Shooting 7 shutter flaps/s 5 shutter flaps/s
    Shutter Life Expectancy150 000 actuations150 000 actuations
    Time-Lapse PhotographyIntervalometer built-inno Intervalometer
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash no On-Board Flash
    Storage Medium CF or SDXC cards CF cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Dual card slots Single card slot
    Connectivity Specs Nikon D300S Nikon D2X
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    Studio Flash PC Sync socket PC Sync socket
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI no HDMI
    Microphone Port External MIC port no MIC socket
    Wifi Support no Wifi no Wifi
    Body Specs Nikon D300S Nikon D2X
    Environmental SealingWeathersealed bodyWeathersealed body
    Battery Type Nikon EN-EL3e Nikon EN-EL4a
    Battery Life (CIPA)950 shots per charge3800 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 147 x 115 x 81 mm
    (5.8 x 4.5 x 3.2 in)
    158 x 150 x 86 mm
    (6.2 x 5.9 x 3.4 in)
    Camera Weight 938 g (33.1 oz) 1252 g (44.2 oz)
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