Canon 5D vs Nikon D300S
55 Imaging
55 Features
41 Overall
49


55 Imaging
52 Features
65 Overall
57
Canon 5D vs Nikon D300S Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 13MP - Full frame Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 3200
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- No Video
- Canon EF Mount
- 895g - 152 x 113 x 75mm
- Introduced November 2005
- Successor is Canon 5D MII
(Full Review)
- 12MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 200 - 3200 (Raise to 6400)
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1280 x 720 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 938g - 147 x 114 x 74mm
- Revealed November 2009
- Previous Model is Nikon D300
- Replacement is Nikon D600

Canon 5D vs Nikon D300S Overview
The following is a thorough comparison of the Canon 5D versus Nikon D300S, both Advanced DSLR cameras by companies Canon and Nikon. The image resolution of the 5D (13MP) and the D300S (12MP) is fairly comparable but the 5D (Full frame) and D300S (APS-C) feature totally different sensor size.

The 5D was unveiled 5 years earlier than the D300S which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).
Before we go through a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick overview of how the 5D matches up versus the D300S with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon 5D vs Nikon D300S Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon EOS 5D & Nikon D300S. The full galleries are provided at Canon 5D Gallery & Nikon D300S Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon 5D over the Nikon D300S
5D | D300S |
---|
Reasons to pick Nikon D300S over the Canon 5D
D300S | 5D | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | November 2009 | ![]() | November 2005 | Newer by 48 months |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Display resolution | 920k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+690k dot) |
Common features in the Canon 5D and Nikon D300S
5D | D300S | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial exact focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither has Touch friendly display |
Canon 5D vs Nikon D300S Physical Comparison
For anybody who is going to travel with your camera, you will want to consider its weight and size. The Canon 5D has physical dimensions of 152mm x 113mm x 75mm (6.0" x 4.4" x 3.0") having a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs) and the Nikon D300S has specifications of 147mm x 114mm x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") having a weight of 938 grams (2.07 lbs).
See the Canon 5D versus Nikon D300S in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you select at that time. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the 5D vs the D300S.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the 5D and D300S is 55 and 55 respectively.

Canon 5D vs Nikon D300S Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, its difficult to visualise the gap in sensor dimensions just by checking out a spec sheet. The picture below will offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the 5D and D300S.
As you can see, both of the cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The 5D using its larger sensor will make shooting shallower DOF less difficult and the Canon 5D will produce greater detail having an extra 1 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop images a little more aggressively. The more aged 5D will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Canon 5D vs Nikon D300S Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon 5D vs Nikon D300S Specifications
Canon EOS 5D | Nikon D300S | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Canon | Nikon |
Model | Canon EOS 5D | Nikon D300S |
Class | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Introduced | 2005-11-12 | 2009-11-16 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Digic II | Expeed |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Full frame | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 36 x 24mm | 23.6 x 15.8mm |
Sensor surface area | 864.0mm² | 372.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 13 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 |
Full resolution | 4368 x 2912 | 4288 x 2848 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | 3200 |
Max boosted ISO | - | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 200 |
RAW data | ||
Lowest boosted ISO | - | 100 |
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 51 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Canon EF | Nikon F |
Total lenses | 250 | 309 |
Crop factor | 1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 2.5 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of display | 230k dots | 920k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Display technology | TFT liquid-crystal color LCD | Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 96 percent | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.71x | 0.63x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 3.0 frames/s | 7.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash modes | External | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | 1/200 seconds | 1/250 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | - | 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 480 (24 fps), 320 x 240 (24 fps) |
Max video resolution | None | 1280x720 |
Video data format | - | Motion JPEG |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
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 proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 895 grams (1.97 pounds) | 938 grams (2.07 pounds) |
Dimensions | 152 x 113 x 75mm (6.0" x 4.4" x 3.0") | 147 x 114 x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 71 | 70 |
DXO Color Depth score | 22.9 | 22.5 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.1 | 12.2 |
DXO Low light score | 1368 | 787 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 800 photos | 950 photos |
Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | BP-511A | EN-EL3e |
Self timer | Yes (10 sec (2 sec with mirror lock-up)) | Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | Compact Flash (Type I or II) | Compact Flash Type I/SD/SDHC |
Card slots | Single | Two |
Price at launch | $2,780 | $1,630 |