Olympus E-300 versus Nikon D5600

The Olympus Evolt E-300 and the Nikon D5600 are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in September 2004 and November 2016. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are based on a Four Thirds (E-300) and an APS-C (D5600) sensor. The Olympus has a resolution of 8 megapixel, whereas the Nikon provides 24 MP. Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their size, their sensors, their features, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison: Olympus E-300 vs Nikon D5600

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Olympus E-300 and the Nikon D5600. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter. If you prefer, you can also use the toggle button to switch to a comparison in percentage terms (in this case, the camera on the left – the E-300 – represents 100 percent across all the size and weight measures).

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Nikon D5600 is somewhat smaller (4 percent) than the Olympus E-300. Moreover, the D5600 is markedly lighter (25 percent) than the E-300. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the E-300 nor the D5600 are weather-sealed.

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 find an overview of optics for the two cameras in the Four Thirds Lens Catalog (E-300) and the Nikon Lens Catalog (D5600).

Concerning battery life, the E-300 gets 750 shots out of its BLM-1 battery, while the D5600 can take 970 images on a single charge of its EN-EL14a power pack.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, just use the right or left arrows in the table to switch to the respective camera. Alternatively, you can also navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from the full list of cameras there.

Camera Body Specifications

	Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life (CIPA)	Weather Sealing (yes/no)	Camera Launch (announced)	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price (USD)	Used Price (USD)	Camera Model
	Olympus E-300»	5.8 in	3.3 in	2.5 in	22.0 oz	750	n	Sep 2004	799	-		Olympus E-300
	Nikon D5600«	4.9 in	3.8 in	2.8 in	16.4 oz	970	n	Nov 2016	699			Nikon D5600
	Canon XT« »	5.0 in	3.7 in	2.5 in	19.0 oz	400	n	Feb 2005	899	-		Canon XT
	Leica Digilux 3« »	5.7 in	3.4 in	3.0 in	21.4 oz	750	n	Sep 2006	1,499	-		Leica Digilux 3
	Nikon D3400« »	4.9 in	3.9 in	3.0 in	15.7 oz	1200	n	Aug 2016	499	-		Nikon D3400
	Nikon D5500« »	4.9 in	3.8 in	2.8 in	14.8 oz	820	n	Jan 2015	899	-		Nikon D5500
	Nikon D5300« »	4.9 in	3.9 in	3.0 in	16.9 oz	600	n	Oct 2013	799	-		Nikon D5300
	Nikon D3200« »	4.9 in	3.8 in	3.0 in	17.8 oz	540	n	Apr 2012	599	-		Nikon D3200
	Nikon D5200« »	5.1 in	3.9 in	3.1 in	19.6 oz	500	n	Nov 2012	749	-		Nikon D5200
	Olympus E-620« »	5.1 in	3.7 in	2.4 in	18.4 oz	500	n	Feb 2009	699	-		Olympus E-620
	Olympus E-520« »	5.4 in	3.6 in	2.7 in	18.9 oz	750	n	May 2008	699	-		Olympus E-520
	Olympus E-510« »	5.4 in	3.6 in	2.7 in	19.0 oz	750	n	Mar 2007	799	-		Olympus E-510
	Olympus E-330« »	5.5 in	3.4 in	2.8 in	22.5 oz	750	n	Jan 2006	999	-		Olympus E-330
	Olympus E-400« »	5.1 in	3.6 in	2.1 in	15.3 oz	500	n	Sep 2006	699	-		Olympus E-400
	Olympus E-500« »	5.1 in	3.7 in	2.6 in	16.9 oz	750	n	Sep 2005	599	-		Olympus E-500
	Olympus E-1« »	5.6 in	4.1 in	3.2 in	26.0 oz	750	Y	Jun 2003	1,699	-		Olympus E-1
	Panasonic L1« »	5.7 in	3.4 in	2.5 in	21.4 oz	750	n	Feb 2006	999	-		Panasonic L1
Convert to Metric

Any camera purchase will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The D5600 was launched at a somewhat lower price (by 13 percent) than the E-300, which makes it more attractive for photographers on a tight budget. 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: Olympus E-300 vs Nikon D5600

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. 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.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Olympus E-300 features a Four Thirds sensor and the Nikon D5600 an APS-C sensor. The sensor area in the D5600 is 63 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 2.0 and 1.5. The sensor in the E-300 has a native 4:3 aspect ratio, while the one in the D5600 offers a 3:2 aspect.

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors.

With 24MP, the D5600 offers a higher resolution than the E-300 (8MP), but the D5600 has smaller individual pixels (pixel pitch of 3.91μm versus 5.30μm for the E-300). Yet, the D5600 is a much more recent model (by 12 years and 1 month) than the E-300, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the D5600 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. 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 adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The D5600 indeed provides for movie recording, while the E-300 does not. The highest resolution format that the D5600 can use is 1080/60p.

Feature comparison: Olympus E-300 vs Nikon D5600

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The E-300 and the D5600 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 table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Olympus E-300 and Nikon D5600 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras. If you need more detail on the specs, you can find comprehensive listings, for example, in the dpreview camera hub.

One differentiating feature between the two cameras concerns the touch sensitivity of the rear screen. The D5600 has a touchscreen, while the E-300 has a conventional panel. Touch control can be particularly helpful, for example, for setting the focus point.

The E-300 writes its imaging data to Compact Flash or xD Picture cards, while the D5600 uses SDXC cards. The E-300 features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the D5600 only has one slot.

The D5600 is a current model that online retailers, such as amazon, will have in stock. In contrast, the E-300 has been discontinued (but it can be found pre-owned on eBay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the E-300 was succeeded by the Olympus E-330.

Review summary: Olympus E-300 vs Nikon D5600

So what conclusions can be drawn? Which of the two cameras – the Olympus E-300 or the Nikon D5600 – has the upper hand? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

Advantages of the Olympus Evolt E-300:

• Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
• 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 September 2004).

Reasons to prefer the Nikon D5600:

• More detail: Has more megapixels (24 vs 8MP), which boosts linear resolution by 77%.
• Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
• Better image quality: Is equipped with a larger and more technologically advanced sensor.
• Richer colors: Larger sensor generates images with better, more accurate colors.
• More dynamic range: Capable of capturing a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
• Better low-light sensitivity: Can be used in poorly lit environments and still produce good images.
• Broader imaging potential: Can capture not only stills but also 1080/60p video.
• Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.2" vs 1.8") for image review and settings control.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1037k vs 134k dots).
• More flexible LCD: Has swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
• Fewer buttons to press: Has a touchscreen to facilitate handling and shooting adjustments.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (5 vs 2.5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 159g or 25 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
• Longer lasting: Gets more shots (970 versus 750) out of a single battery charge.
• Easier file upload: Has wifi build in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
• Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
• Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
• More affordable: Was released into a lower priced segment (13 percent cheaper at launch).
• More modern: Reflects 12 years and 1 month of technical progress since the E-300 launch.

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the D5600 is the clear winner of the contest (19 : 3 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.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it says nothing about, for example, the handling, responsiveness, and overall imaging quality of the E-300 and the D5600 in practical situations. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate. This is why expert reviews are important. The adjacent table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (cameralabs, dpreview, ephotozine, imaging-resource, photographyblog). You can find the full text of the reviews by clicking on the site logo in the table header.

Review Scores

	Camera Model						Camera Launch (announced)	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price (USD)	Used Price (USD)	Camera Model
	Olympus E-300»	-	Rec	rev	rev	4.5/5	Sep 2004	799	-		Olympus E-300
	Nikon D5600«	-	79/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4/5	Nov 2016	699			Nikon D5600
	Canon XT« »	80/100	HiRec	rev	rev	-	Feb 2005	899	-		Canon XT
	Leica Digilux 3« »	-	-	-	-	-	Sep 2006	1,499	-		Leica Digilux 3
	Nikon D3400« »	Rec	76/100	4/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2016	499	-		Nikon D3400
	Nikon D5500« »	Rec	79/100	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2015	899	-		Nikon D5500
	Nikon D5300« »	HiRec	79/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Oct 2013	799	-		Nikon D5300
	Nikon D3200« »	HiRec	73/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Apr 2012	599	-		Nikon D3200
	Nikon D5200« »	HiRec	79/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Nov 2012	749	-		Nikon D5200
	Olympus E-620« »	88/100	72/100	4.5/5	rev	5/5	Feb 2009	699	-		Olympus E-620
	Olympus E-520« »	87/100	HiRec	4.5/5	4/5	4.5/5	May 2008	699	-		Olympus E-520
	Olympus E-510« »	89/100	HiRec	3.5/5	rev	4.5/5	Mar 2007	799	-		Olympus E-510
	Olympus E-330« »	-	Rec	rev	3.5/5	-	Jan 2006	999	-		Olympus E-330
	Olympus E-400« »	85/100	-	4/5	-	4/5	Sep 2006	699	-		Olympus E-400
	Olympus E-500« »	76/100	HiRec	-	-	-	Sep 2005	599	-		Olympus E-500
	Olympus E-1« »	-	Rec	rev	rev	-	Jun 2003	1,699	-		Olympus E-1
	Panasonic L1« »	85/100	Rec	-	rev	3.5/5	Feb 2006	999	-		Panasonic L1

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time 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.

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. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting. If the camera you are interested in is not available, please send me an email, and I will try to locate and add the respective data to the application.

You are here:  Home  »  CAM-parator  »  Olympus E-300 vs Nikon D5600