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Nikon D300 vs Nikon D90

Portability
55
Imaging
51
Features
59
Overall
54
Nikon D300 front
 
Nikon D90 front
Portability
60
Imaging
51
Features
52
Overall
51

Nikon D300 vs Nikon D90 Key Specs

Nikon D300
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Push to 6400)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 925g - 147 x 114 x 74mm
  • Introduced March 2008
  • Superseded the Nikon D200
  • Renewed by Nikon D300S
Nikon D90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Increase to 6400)
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 703g - 132 x 103 x 77mm
  • Released October 2008
  • Superseded the Nikon D80
  • Updated by Nikon D7000
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Nikon D300 vs Nikon D90 Overview

Let's look more in depth at the Nikon D300 versus Nikon D90, both Advanced DSLR cameras and both are designed by Nikon. The image resolution of the D300 (12MP) and the D90 (12MP) is relatively close and both cameras boast the same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The D300 was brought out 7 months earlier than the D90 so they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving straight to a thorough comparison, here is a quick overview of how the D300 grades against the D90 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon D300 over the Nikon D90

 D300 D90 
Screen resolution922k920kClearer screen (+2k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon D90 over the Nikon D300

 D90 D300 
ReleasedOctober 2008March 2008Fresher by 7 months

Common features in the Nikon D300 and Nikon D90

 D300 D90 
Manual focus More exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Nikon D300 vs Nikon D90 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry your camera, you will need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D300 has got outside measurements of 147mm x 114mm x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") along with a weight of 925 grams (2.04 lbs) and the Nikon D90 has dimensions of 132mm x 103mm x 77mm (5.2" x 4.1" x 3.0") having a weight of 703 grams (1.55 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon D300 versus Nikon D90 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are employing at that time. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the D300 versus the D90.

Nikon D300 vs Nikon D90 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the D300 and D90 is 55 and 60 respectively.

Nikon D300 vs Nikon D90 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D300 vs Nikon D90 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is hard to see the gap in sensor sizing purely by viewing specs. The graphic here might offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the D300 and D90.

All in all, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the same MP so you should expect comparable quality of pictures however you might want to factor the release date of the cameras into account. The older D300 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Nikon D300 vs Nikon D90 sensor size comparison

Nikon D300 vs Nikon D90 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D300 vs Nikon D90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D300 as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon D90 as a Portrait photography camera
60
has manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
62
focusing manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focus
supports RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Nikon D300 Street photography features
Nikon D90 Street photography features
56
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
54
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D300 Sports photography advice
Nikon D90 Sports photography advice
56
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
environment proofing
better than average battery (1,000 per charge)
comes with phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
45
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
low fps (4.5 fps)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D300 as a Travel photography camera
Nikon D90 as a Travel photography camera
56
better than average battery (1,000 per charge)
environment proofing
built-in flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
44
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D300 Landscape photography information
Nikon D90 Landscape photography information
64
has manual focus
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
better than average battery (1,000 shots)
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
57
focusing manually
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D300 Vlogging features
Nikon D90 Vlogging features
9
no video
21
provides face detect focus
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone support
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Nikon D300 vs Nikon D90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D300 and Nikon D90
 Nikon D300Nikon D90
General Information
Brand Nikon Nikon
Model Nikon D300 Nikon D90
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2008-03-12 2008-10-13
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 372.9mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Peak resolution 4288 x 2848 4288 x 2848
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 200 200
RAW images
Lowest enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 51 11
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Nikon F
Total lenses 309 309
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 922k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.63x 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 6.0fps 4.5fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 17.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250s 1/200s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps), 320 x 216 (24 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1280x720
Video file format - Motion JPEG
Microphone 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 Optional Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 925 grams (2.04 lb) 703 grams (1.55 lb)
Physical dimensions 147 x 114 x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") 132 x 103 x 77mm (5.2" x 4.1" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 67 73
DXO Color Depth score 22.1 22.7
DXO Dynamic range score 12.0 12.5
DXO Low light score 679 977
Other
Battery life 1000 photographs 850 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL3e EN-EL3e
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II) SD/SDHC
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $1,100 $1,199