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Canon 30D vs Nikon D300S

Portability
58
Imaging
46
Features
39
Overall
43
Canon EOS 30D front
 
Nikon D300S front
Portability
55
Imaging
52
Features
65
Overall
57

Canon 30D vs Nikon D300S Key Specs

Canon 30D
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Boost to 3200)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Canon EF/EF-S Mount
  • 784g - 144 x 106 x 74mm
  • Released April 2006
  • Replaced the Canon 20D
  • Renewed by Canon 40D
Nikon D300S
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Bump to 6400)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 938g - 147 x 114 x 74mm
  • Launched November 2009
  • Replaced the Nikon D300
  • Renewed by Nikon D600
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Canon 30D vs Nikon D300S Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Canon 30D vs Nikon D300S, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by rivals Canon and Nikon. There is a sizable difference between the resolutions of the 30D (8MP) and D300S (12MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The 30D was manufactured 4 years before the D300S which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving straight to a full comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the 30D matches up against the D300S in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon 30D over the Nikon D300S

 30D D300S 

Reasons to pick Nikon D300S over the Canon 30D

 D300S 30D 
LaunchedNovember 2009April 2006More modern by 44 months
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution920k230kClearer screen (+690k dot)

Common features in the Canon 30D and Nikon D300S

 30D D300S 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Canon 30D vs Nikon D300S Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry around your camera frequently, you should factor in its weight and proportions. The Canon 30D features physical measurements of 144mm x 106mm x 74mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 2.9") with a weight of 784 grams (1.73 lbs) while the Nikon D300S has measurements of 147mm x 114mm x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") and a weight of 938 grams (2.07 lbs).

Analyze the Canon 30D vs Nikon D300S in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have at the time. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the 30D vs the D300S.

Canon 30D vs Nikon D300S size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the 30D and D300S is 58 and 55 respectively.

Canon 30D vs Nikon D300S top view buttons comparison

Canon 30D vs Nikon D300S Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is difficult to visualise the difference between sensor sizes purely by looking at technical specs. The image below should give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the 30D and D300S.

As you have seen, both of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Nikon D300S to give you greater detail due to its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures more aggressively. The more aged 30D is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Canon 30D vs Nikon D300S sensor size comparison

Canon 30D vs Nikon D300S Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 30D vs Nikon D300S Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 30D Portrait photography details
Nikon D300S Portrait photography details
51
you can focus manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no liveview feature
resolution not great (8 megapixels)
63
focusing manually
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Canon 30D Street photography highlights
Nikon D300S Street photography highlights
52
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
52
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
no moving screen
no image stabilization
heavier than others (938g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon 30D
Sports photography with Nikon D300S
44
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
no liveview feature
max frames per second very slow (5.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
resolution not great (8MP)
59
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
weather sealing
comes with phase detect auto focus
no image stabilization
resolution not great (12MP)
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Travel Comparison

Canon 30D Travel photography factors
Nikon D300S Travel photography factors
42
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse function
resolution not great (8 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
48
weather sealing
built-in flash
heavier than others (938g)
resolution not great (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 30D as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon D300S as a Landscape photography camera
46
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Canon EF/EF-S mount)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
no liveview feature
no image stabilization
resolution not great (8 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse function
65
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a good size (3")
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
2 card slots
no image stabilization
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 30D Vlogging advice
Nikon D300S Vlogging advice
9
lack of video recording
22
comes with face detection focus
does have external mic support
does not have a selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
heavier than others (938g)
Photography Glossary

Canon 30D vs Nikon D300S Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 30D and Nikon D300S
 Canon EOS 30DNikon D300S
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Model type Canon EOS 30D Nikon D300S
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2006-04-04 2009-11-16
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Expeed
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 22.5 x 15mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 337.5mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 8 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Max resolution 3504 x 2336 4288 x 2848
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Max enhanced ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW data
Minimum enhanced ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 51
Lens
Lens mount type Canon EF/EF-S Nikon F
Number of lenses 326 309
Crop factor 1.6 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology - Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x 0.63x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Red-eye reduction, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250s 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 480 (24 fps), 320 x 240 (24 fps)
Max video resolution None 1280x720
Video format - Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 784 gr (1.73 pounds) 938 gr (2.07 pounds)
Physical dimensions 144 x 106 x 74mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 2.9") 147 x 114 x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 59 70
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 22.5
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.8 12.2
DXO Low light rating 736 787
Other
Battery life - 950 photographs
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery ID - EN-EL3e
Self timer Yes (10 sec (2 sec with mirror lock-up)) Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) Compact Flash Type I/SD/SDHC
Card slots Single Two
Pricing at release $773 $1,630