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Nikon D90 vs D300S

The Nikon D90 and the Nikon D300S are two enthusiast cameras that were announced, respectively, in August 2008 and July 2009. 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 D90
versus
Nikon D300S
Nikon D90   Nikon D300S
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 720/24p Video
ISO 200-3,200 (200 - 6,400) ISO 200-3,200 (100 - 6,400)
Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
3.0" LCD – 920k dots 3.0" LCD – 920k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
4.5 shutter flaps per second 7 shutter flaps per second
not weather sealedWeathersealed body
850 shots per battery charge950 shots per battery charge
132 x 103 x 77 mm, 703 g 147 x 115 x 81 mm, 938 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Nikon D90 and the Nikon D300S? 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 D90 and the Nikon D300S 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 D90 vs Nikon D300S
Compare D90 versus D300S top
Comparison D90 or D300S rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Nikon D300S is notably larger (24 percent) than the Nikon D90. Moreover, the D300S is markedly heavier (33 percent) than the D90. It is noteworthy in this context that the D300S is splash and dust-proof, while the D90 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

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.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. 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 D90 132 mm 103 mm 77 mm 703 g 850 n Aug 2008 1,299ebay.com
2.
 
Nikon D300S 147 mm 115 mm 81 mm 938 g 950 Y Jul 2009 1,799ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 40D 146 mm 108 mm 74 mm 822 g 750 n Aug 2007 1,299ebay.com
4.
 
Nikon D500 147 mm 115 mm 81 mm 860 g 1240 Y Jan 2016 1,999 amazon.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 D3000 126 mm 97 mm 64 mm 536 g 500 n Jul 2009 599ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon D5000 127 mm 104 mm 80 mm 590 g 510 n Apr 2009 749ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon D60 126 mm 94 mm 64 mm 522 g 500 n Jan 2008 629ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D700 147 mm 123 mm 77 mm 1074 g 1000 Y Jul 2008 2,999ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon D40X 124 mm 94 mm 64 mm 522 g 520 n Mar 2007 729ebay.com
12.
 
Nikon D300 147 mm 114 mm 74 mm 925 g 1000 Y Aug 2007 1,799ebay.com
13.
 
Nikon D80 132 mm 103 mm 77 mm 668 g 600 n Aug 2006 999ebay.com
14.
 
Nikon D200 147 mm 113 mm 74 mm 920 g 400 Y Nov 2005 1,699ebay.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 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 D90 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 28 percent) than the D300S, 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 size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant 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. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its 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 and have a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 1.5. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the review cameras among the medium-sized sensor cameras that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Nikon D90 and Nikon D300S sensor measures

The two cameras under review do not only share the same sensor size, but also offer an identical resolution of 12.2 megapixels. This similarity in sensor specs implies that both the D90 and the D300S have the same pixel density, as well as the same pixel size. It should, however, be noted that the D300S is a somewhat more recent model (by 11 months) than the D90, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time.

The Nikon D90 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 200 to ISO 3200, which can be extended to ISO 200-6400. The corresponding ISO settings for the Nikon D300S are ISO 200 to ISO 3200, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-6400.

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.

D90 versus D300S MP

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. 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 adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-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 D90 APS-C 12.2 4288 2848720/24p22.712.597773
2.
 
Nikon D300S APS-C 12.2 4288 2848720/24p22.512.278770
3.
 
Canon 40D APS-C 10.1 3888 2592none22.111.370364
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 D3000 APS-C 10.0 3872 2592none22.311.156362
8.
 
Nikon D5000 APS-C 12.2 4288 2848720/24p22.712.586872
9.
 
Nikon D60 APS-C 10.0 3872 2592none22.511.456265
10.
 
Nikon D700 Full Frame 12.1 4256 2832none23.512.2230380
11.
 
Nikon D40X APS-C 10.0 3872 2592none22.411.451663
12.
 
Nikon D300 APS-C 12.2 4288 2848none22.112.067967
13.
 
Nikon D80 APS-C 10.0 3872 2592none22.111.252461
14.
 
Nikon D200 APS-C 10.0 3872 2592none22.311.558364
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Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, and both provide the same movie specifications (720/24p).

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Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The D90 and the D300S 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 magnification (0.63x), but the one in the D300S has a wider field of view (100%) than the finder in the D90 (96%), so that a larger proportion of the captured image is visible. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Nikon D90 and Nikon D300S 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 D90optical Y3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 4.5/s Y n
2.
 
Nikon D300Soptical Y3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/8000s 7.0/s Y n
3.
 
Canon 40Doptical Y3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 6.5/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 D3000optical n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
8.
 
Nikon D5000optical n2.7 / 230 full-flex n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n
9.
 
Nikon D60optical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
10.
 
Nikon D700optical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/8000s 8.0/s Y n
11.
 
Nikon D40Xoptical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
12.
 
Nikon D300optical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/8000s 6.0/s Y n
13.
 
Nikon D80optical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
14.
 
Nikon D200optical Y2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s Y n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
padding

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 D90 writes its imaging data to SDHC cards, while the D300S uses Compact Flash or SDXC cards. The D300S features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the D90 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 D90 and 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
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Nikon D90Ymono / mono--mini2.0---
2.
 
Nikon D300SYstereo / monoY-mini2.0---
3.
 
Canon 40DY- / ----2.0---
4.
 
Nikon D500Ystereo / monoYYmini3.0YYY
5.
 
Nikon D7000Ymono / monoY-mini2.0---
6.
 
Nikon D3100Ymono / mono--mini2.0---
7.
 
Nikon D3000Y- / ----2.0---
8.
 
Nikon D5000Ymono / mono--mini2.0---
9.
 
Nikon D60Y- / ----2.0---
10.
 
Nikon D700Y- / ---mini2.0---
11.
 
Nikon D40XY- / ----2.0---
12.
 
Nikon D300Y- / ---mini2.0---
13.
 
Nikon D80Y- / ----2.0---
14.
 
Nikon D200Y- / ----2.0---
padding

It is notable that the D300S has a microphone port, which can help to improve the quality of audio recordings by attaching an external microphone. The D90 does not feature such a mic input.

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Nikon D300S (unlike the D90) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

Both the D90 and the D300S have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The D90 was replaced by the Nikon D7000, while the D300S was followed by the Nikon D500. Further information on the features and operation of the D90 and D300S can be found, respectively, in the Nikon D90 Manual (free pdf) or the online Nikon D300S Manual.

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Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Is the Nikon D90 better than the Nikon D300S or vice versa? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.


Arguments in favor of the Nikon D90:

  • More compact: Is smaller (132x103mm vs 147x115mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
  • Less heavy: Is lighter (by 235g or 25 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (28 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in August 2008).


Advantages of the Nikon D300S:

  • Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
  • More complete view: Has a viewfinder with a larger field of view (100% vs 96%).
  • Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (7 vs 4.5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
  • Longer lasting: Gets more shots (950 versus 850) out of a single battery charge.
  • Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
  • Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
  • Greater peace of mind: Features a second card slot as a backup in case of memory card failure.
  • More modern: Was introduced somewhat (11 months) more recently.

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the D300S is the clear winner of the contest (11 : 4 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

D90 04:11 D300S

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Nikon D90 and the Nikon D300S 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 D90 or the D300S. 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 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.

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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 D90..+ +..+ +4/54.5/5 Aug 2008 1,299ebay.com
2.
 
Nikon D300S5/5+ +..82/1004/54.5/5 Jul 2009 1,799ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 40D..+ +..+ +4.5/54.5/5 Aug 2007 1,299ebay.com
4.
 
Nikon D5005/5+ +4.7/591/1004.5/55/5 Jan 2016 1,999 amazon.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 D3000..+..72/1004/54.5/5 Jul 2009 599ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon D5000..+ +..75/1004/54.5/5 Apr 2009 749ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon D60..80/100..+ +4/54.5/5 Jan 2008 629ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D700..89/100..+ +4.5/54.5/5 Jul 2008 2,999ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon D40X..79/100..+ +4/54/5 Mar 2007 729ebay.com
12.
 
Nikon D300..+ +..+ +5/54.5/5 Aug 2007 1,799ebay.com
13.
 
Nikon D80..+..+ +o4.5/5 Aug 2006 999ebay.com
14.
 
Nikon D200..+ +..+ +o.. Nov 2005 1,699ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
padding

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. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, 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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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 D90 vs Nikon D300S

    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 D90 Nikon D300S
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Nikon F mount lenses Nikon F mount lenses
    Launch Date August 2008 July 2009
    Launch Price USD 1,299 USD 1,799
    Sensor Specs Nikon D90 Nikon D300S
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 23.6 x 15.8 mm 23.6 x 15.8 mm
    Sensor Area 372.88 mm2 372.88 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 5.53 μm
    Pixel Density 3.28 MP/cm2 3.28 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 720/24p Video 720/24p Video
    ISO Setting 200 - 3,200 ISO 200 - 3,200 ISO
    ISO Boost 200 - 6,400 ISO 100 - 6,400 ISO
    Image Processor EXPEED EXPEED
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 73 70
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 22.7 22.5
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 12.5 12.2
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 977 787
    Screen Specs Nikon D90 Nikon D300S
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 96% 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.63x 0.63x
    Top-Level Screen Control Panel Control Panel
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 920k dots 920k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Fixed screen
    Shooting Specs Nikon D90 Nikon D300S
    Focus System Phase-detect AF Phase-detect AF
    Continuous Shooting 4.5 shutter flaps/s 7 shutter flaps/s
    Shutter Life Expectancy100 000 actuations150 000 actuations
    Time-Lapse Photographyno IntervalometerIntervalometer built-in
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDHC cards CF or SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Dual card slots
    UHS card support no no
    Connectivity Specs Nikon D90 Nikon D300S
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    Studio Flash no PC Sync PC Sync socket
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI mini HDMI
    Microphone Port no MIC socket External MIC port
    Wifi Support no Wifi no Wifi
    Body Specs Nikon D90 Nikon D300S
    Environmental Sealingnot weather sealedWeathersealed body
    Battery Type EN-EL3e EN-EL3e
    Battery Life (CIPA)850 shots per charge950 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 132 x 103 x 77 mm
    (5.2 x 4.1 x 3.0 in)
    147 x 115 x 81 mm
    (5.8 x 4.5 x 3.2 in)
    Camera Weight 703 g (24.8 oz) 938 g (33.1 oz)
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