A potelyt.com – Photography & Imaging Resources
ad

When you use links on apotelyt.com to buy products,
the site may earn a commission.

PW

Nikon D300S vs Panasonic GH3

The Nikon D300S and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 are two enthusiast cameras that were announced, respectively, in July 2009 and September 2012. The D300S is a DSLR, while the GH3 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. The cameras are based on an APS-C (D300S) and a Four Thirds (GH3) sensor. The Nikon has a resolution of 12.2 megapixels, whereas the Panasonic provides 15.9 MP.

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

Headline Specifications
Nikon D300S
versus
Panasonic GH3
Nikon D300S   Panasonic GH3
Digital single lens reflex Mirrorless system camera
Nikon F mount lenses Micro Four Thirds lenses
12.2 MP – APS-C sensor 15.9 MP – Four Thirds sensor
720/24p Video 1080/60p Video
ISO 200-3,200 (100 - 6,400) ISO 200-12,800 (125 - 25,600)
Optical viewfinder Electronic viewfinder (1746k dots)
3.0" LCD – 920k dots 3.0" LCD – 614k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Swivel touchscreen
7 shutter flaps per second 6 shutter flaps per second
Weathersealed bodyWeathersealed body
950 shots per battery charge540 shots per battery charge
147 x 115 x 81 mm, 938 g 133 x 93 x 82 mm, 550 g
logo
Check D300S offers at
ebay.com
logo
Check GH3 offers at
ebay.com

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Nikon D300S and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3? 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.

ad

Body comparison

The physical size and weight of the Nikon D300S and the Panasonic GH3 are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Size Nikon D300S vs Panasonic GH3
Compare D300S versus GH3 top
Comparison D300S or GH3 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Panasonic GH3 is notably smaller (27 percent) than the Nikon D300S. Moreover, the GH3 is substantially lighter (41 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. A larger imaging sensor will tend to go along with bigger and heavier lenses, although exceptions exist. You can compare the optics available for the two cameras in the Nikon Lens Catalog (D300S) and the Micro Four Thirds Lens Catalog (GH3). Mirrorless cameras, such as the GH3, have moreover the advantage that they can use many lenses from other systems via adapters, as they have a relatively short flange to focal plane distance.

Concerning battery life, the D300S gets 950 shots out of its Nikon EN-EL3e battery, while the GH3 can take 540 images on a single charge of its Panasonic DMW-BLF19 power pack.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

scroll hint
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.
 
Panasonic GH3 133 mm 93 mm 82 mm 550 g 540 Y Sep 2012 1,299ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 7D 148 mm 111 mm 74 mm 860 g 800 Y Sep 2009 1,699ebay.com
4.
 
Nikon D500 147 mm 115 mm 81 mm 860 g 1240 Y Jan 2016 1,999ebay.com
5.
 
Nikon D7000 132 mm 105 mm 77 mm 780 g 1050 Y Sep 2010 1,499ebay.com
6.
 
Nikon D3100 124 mm 96 mm 75 mm 505 g 550 n Aug 2010 599ebay.com
7.
 
Nikon D3S 160 mm 157 mm 88 mm 1240 g 4200 Y Oct 2009 5,199ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon D3000 126 mm 97 mm 64 mm 536 g 500 n Jul 2009 599ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon D90 132 mm 103 mm 77 mm 703 g 850 n Aug 2008 1,299ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D700 147 mm 123 mm 77 mm 1074 g 1000 Y Jul 2008 2,999ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon D300 147 mm 114 mm 74 mm 925 g 1000 Y Aug 2007 1,799ebay.com
12.
 
Nikon D200 147 mm 113 mm 74 mm 920 g 400 Y Nov 2005 1,699ebay.com
13.
 
Olympus E-M5 II 124 mm 85 mm 45 mm 469 g 310 Y Feb 2015 1,099ebay.com
14.
 
Olympus E-M1 130 mm 94 mm 63 mm 497 g 350 Y Sep 2013 1,399ebay.com
15.
 
Panasonic GH4 133 mm 93 mm 84 mm 560 g 500 Y Feb 2014 1,499ebay.com
16.
 
Panasonic G6 122 mm 85 mm 71 mm 390 g 340 n Apr 2013 599ebay.com
17.
 
Panasonic GH2 124 mm 90 mm 76 mm 442 g 330 n Sep 2010 899ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
padding

Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. 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 GH3 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 28 percent) than the D300S, which puts it into a different market segment. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. 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 sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units 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 tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Nikon D300S features an APS-C sensor and the Panasonic GH3 a Four Thirds sensor. The sensor area in the GH3 is 40 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.5 and 2.0. The sensor in the D300S has a native 3:2 aspect ratio, while the one in the GH3 offers a 4:3 aspect.

Nikon D300S and Panasonic GH3 sensor measures

Despite having a smaller sensor, the GH3 offers a higher resolution of 15.9 megapixels, compared with 12.2 MP of the D300S. 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 3.76μm versus 5.53μm for the D300S). However, it should be noted that the GH3 is much more recent (by 3 years and 1 month) than the D300S, 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 GH3 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the GH3 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 23 x 17.3 inches or 58.5 x 43.9 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 18.4 x 13.8 inches or 46.8 x 35.1 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 15.4 x 11.5 inches or 39 x 29.3 cm. The corresponding values for the Nikon D300S 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 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 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 are ISO 200 to ISO 12800, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 125-25600.

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 GH3 MP

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. 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. The Overall DXO ratings for the two cameras under consideration are close, suggesting that they provide similar imaging performance. The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

scroll hint
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.
 
Panasonic GH3 Four Thirds 15.9 4608 34561080/60p22.712.481271
3.
 
Canon 7D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.011.785466
4.
 
Nikon D500 APS-C 20.7 5568 37124K/30p24.014.0132483
5.
 
Nikon D7000 APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/24p23.513.9116780
6.
 
Nikon D3100 APS-C 14.2 4608 30721080/24p22.511.391967
7.
 
Nikon D3S Full Frame 12.1 4256 2832720/24p23.512.0325382
8.
 
Nikon D3000 APS-C 10.0 3872 2592none22.311.156362
9.
 
Nikon D90 APS-C 12.2 4288 2848720/24p22.712.597773
10.
 
Nikon D700 Full Frame 12.1 4256 2832none23.512.2230380
11.
 
Nikon D300 APS-C 12.2 4288 2848none22.112.067967
12.
 
Nikon D200 APS-C 10.0 3872 2592none22.311.558364
13.
 
Olympus E-M5 II Four Thirds 15.9 4608 34561080/60p23.012.584273
14.
 
Olympus E-M1 Four Thirds 15.9 4608 34561080/30p23.012.775773
15.
 
Panasonic GH4 Four Thirds 15.9 4608 34564K/30p23.212.879174
16.
 
Panasonic G6 Four Thirds 15.9 4608 34561080/60p21.311.563961
17.
 
Panasonic GH2 Four Thirds 15.9 4608 34561080/60i21.211.365560
padding

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, but the GH3 provides a better video resolution than the D300S. It can shoot movie footage at 1080/60p, while the Nikon is limited to 720/24p.

ad

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the GH3 has an electronic viewfinder (1746k dots), while the D300S 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 GH3 has a higher magnification than the one of the D300S (0.67x vs 0.63x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Nikon D300S, the Panasonic GH3, and comparable cameras.

scroll hint
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.
 
Panasonic GH31746 n3.0 / 614 swivel Y 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
3.
 
Canon 7Doptical Y3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/8000s 8.0/s Y n
4.
 
Nikon D500optical Y3.2 / 2359 tilting Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n n
5.
 
Nikon D7000optical Y3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/8000s 6.0/s Y n
6.
 
Nikon D3100optical n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
7.
 
Nikon D3Soptical Y3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/8000s 11.0/s n n
8.
 
Nikon D3000optical n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
9.
 
Nikon D90optical Y3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 4.5/s Y n
10.
 
Nikon D700optical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/8000s 8.0/s Y n
11.
 
Nikon D300optical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/8000s 6.0/s Y n
12.
 
Nikon D200optical Y2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s Y n
13.
 
Olympus E-M5 II2360 n3.0 / 1037 swivel Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
14.
 
Olympus E-M12360 n3.0 / 1037 tilting Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
15.
 
Panasonic GH42359 n3.0 / 1036 swivel Y 1/8000s 12.0/s Y n
16.
 
Panasonic G61440 n3.0 / 1036 swivel Y 1/4000s 7.0/s Y n
17.
 
Panasonic GH21534 n3.0 / 460 swivel n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
padding

One feature that is present on the D300S, but is missing on the GH3 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 GH3 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 D300S 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 GH3 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 D300S and the Panasonic GH3 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 D300S writes its imaging data to Compact Flash or SDXC cards, while the GH3 uses SDXC cards. The D300S features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the GH3 only has one slot. The GH3 supports UHS-I cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s), while the D300S cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD cards.

ad

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 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

scroll hint
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.
 
Panasonic GH3Ystereo / monoYYmini2.0Y--
3.
 
Canon 7DYmono / -Y-mini2.0---
4.
 
Nikon D500Ystereo / monoYYmini3.0YYY
5.
 
Nikon D7000Ymono / monoY-mini2.0---
6.
 
Nikon D3100Ymono / mono--mini2.0---
7.
 
Nikon D3SYstereo / ---mini2.0---
8.
 
Nikon D3000Y- / ----2.0---
9.
 
Nikon D90Ymono / mono--mini2.0---
10.
 
Nikon D700Y- / ---mini2.0---
11.
 
Nikon D300Y- / ---mini2.0---
12.
 
Nikon D200Y- / ----2.0---
13.
 
Olympus E-M5 IIYstereo / monoY-micro2.0Y--
14.
 
Olympus E-M1Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y--
15.
 
Panasonic GH4Ystereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
16.
 
Panasonic G6Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0YY-
17.
 
Panasonic GH2Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0---
padding

It is notable that the GH3 offers wifi support, which can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location. In contrast, the D300S does not provide wifi capability.

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

Both the D300S and the GH3 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The D300S was replaced by the Nikon D500, while the GH3 was followed by the Panasonic GH4. Further information on the features and operation of the D300S and GH3 can be found, respectively, in the Nikon D300S Manual (free pdf) or the online Panasonic GH3 Manual.

ad

Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Which of the two cameras – the Nikon D300S or the Panasonic GH3 – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

ilogo

Arguments in favor of the Nikon D300S:

  • Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
  • Easier setting verification: Features an LCD display on top to control shooting parameters.
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (920k vs 614k dots).
  • Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (7 vs 6 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Longer lasting: Can take more shots (950 versus 540) on a single battery charge.
  • Greater peace of mind: Features a second card slot as a backup in case of memory card failure.
  • More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in July 2009).

ilogo

Reasons to prefer the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3:

  • More detail: Has more megapixels (15.9 vs 12.2MP), which boosts linear resolution by 12%.
  • Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (1080/60p vs 720/24p).
  • Better sound control: Has a headphone port that enables audio monitoring while recording.
  • More framing info: Has an electronic viewfinder that displays shooting data.
  • Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.67x vs 0.63x).
  • 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.
  • Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
  • More compact: Is smaller (133x93mm vs 147x115mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
  • Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 388g or 41 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
  • More legacy lens friendly: Can use many non-native lenses via adapters.
  • Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
  • Faster buffer clearing: Has an SD card interface that supports the UHS-I standard.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (28 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More modern: Reflects 3 years and 1 month of technical progress since the D300S launch.

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the GH3 is the clear winner of the contest (16 : 8 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

D300S 08:16 GH3

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Nikon D300S and the Panasonic GH3 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera and Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens 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 D300S and the GH3 in practical situations. 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 table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear 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.

scroll hint
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.
 
Panasonic GH35/5+ +..79/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2012 1,299ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 7D5/5+ +..84/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2009 1,699ebay.com
4.
 
Nikon D5005/5+ +4.7/591/1004.5/55/5 Jan 2016 1,999ebay.com
5.
 
Nikon D70004/5....80/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2010 1,499ebay.com
6.
 
Nikon D31005/5+ +..72/1004.5/54.5/5 Aug 2010 599ebay.com
7.
 
Nikon D3S5/5....89/1004.5/55/5 Oct 2009 5,199ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon D3000..+..72/1004/54.5/5 Jul 2009 599ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon D90..+ +..+ +4/54.5/5 Aug 2008 1,299ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D700..89/100..+ +4.5/54.5/5 Jul 2008 2,999ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon D300..+ +..+ +5/54.5/5 Aug 2007 1,799ebay.com
12.
 
Nikon D200..+ +..+ +o.. Nov 2005 1,699ebay.com
13.
 
Olympus E-M5 II5/5+ +4.5/581/1005/55/5 Feb 2015 1,099ebay.com
14.
 
Olympus E-M15/5+ +..84/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2013 1,399ebay.com
15.
 
Panasonic GH45/5+ +..85/1005/55/5 Feb 2014 1,499ebay.com
16.
 
Panasonic G64/5+ +....5/54.5/5 Apr 2013 599ebay.com
17.
 
Panasonic GH25/5+ +..79/1004.5/55/5 Sep 2010 899ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
padding

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 rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

logo
Check D300S offers at
ebay.com
logo
Check GH3 offers at
ebay.com

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 use the search menu below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

~
    loader
    ad

    Specifications: Nikon D300S vs Panasonic GH3

    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 Panasonic GH3
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex Mirrorless system camera
    Camera Lens Nikon F mount lenses Micro Four Thirds lenses
    Launch Date July 2009 September 2012
    Launch Price USD 1,799 USD 1,299
    Sensor Specs Nikon D300S Panasonic GH3
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor Four Thirds Sensor
    Sensor Size 23.6 x 15.8 mm 17.3 x 13.0 mm
    Sensor Area 372.88 mm2 224.9 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 28.4 mm 21.6 mm
    Crop Factor 1.5x 2.0x
    Sensor Resolution 12.2 Megapixels 15.9 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4288 x 2848 pixels 4608 x 3456 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 5.53 μm 3.76 μm
    Pixel Density 3.28 MP/cm2 7.08 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 720/24p Video 1080/60p Video
    ISO Setting 200 - 3,200 ISO 200 - 12,800 ISO
    ISO Boost 100 - 6,400 ISO 125 - 25,600 ISO
    Image Processor EXPEED Venus VII FHD
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 70 71
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 22.5 22.7
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 12.2 12.4
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 787 812
    Screen Specs Nikon D300S Panasonic GH3
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder Electronic viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100% 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.63x 0.67x
    Viewfinder Resolution 1746k dots
    Top-Level Screen Control Panel no Top Display
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 920k dots 614k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Swivel screen
    Touch Input no Touchscreen Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs Nikon D300S Panasonic GH3
    Focus System Phase-detect AF Contrast-detect AF
    Continuous Shooting 7 shutter flaps/s 6 shutter flaps/s
    Electronic Shutterno E-ShutterYES
    Time-Lapse PhotographyIntervalometer built-inIntervalometer built-in
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium CF or SDXC cards SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Dual card slots Single card slot
    UHS card support no UHS-I
    Connectivity Specs Nikon D300S Panasonic GH3
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    Studio Flash PC Sync socket PC Sync socket
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI mini HDMI
    Microphone Port External MIC port External MIC port
    Headphone Socket no Headphone port Headphone port
    Wifi Support no Wifi Wifi built-in
    Body Specs Nikon D300S Panasonic GH3
    Environmental SealingWeathersealed bodyWeathersealed body
    Battery Type Nikon EN-EL3e Panasonic DMW-BLF19
    Battery Life (CIPA)950 shots per charge540 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 147 x 115 x 81 mm
    (5.8 x 4.5 x 3.2 in)
    133 x 93 x 82 mm
    (5.2 x 3.7 x 3.2 in)
    Camera Weight 938 g (33.1 oz) 550 g (19.4 oz)
    logo
    Check D300S offers at
    ebay.com
    logo
    Check GH3 offers at
    ebay.com

    Did you notice an error on this page? If so, please get in touch, so that we can correct the information.

    You are here Home  »  CAM-parator  »  Nikon D300S vs Panasonic GH3