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Nikon D300 vs Olympus E-510

Portability
55
Imaging
51
Features
59
Overall
54
Nikon D300 front
 
Olympus E-510 front
Portability
69
Imaging
44
Features
42
Overall
43

Nikon D300 vs Olympus E-510 Key Specs

Nikon D300
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Expand to 6400)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 925g - 147 x 114 x 74mm
  • Announced March 2008
  • Earlier Model is Nikon D200
  • New Model is Nikon D300S
Olympus E-510
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 490g - 136 x 92 x 68mm
  • Introduced November 2007
  • Additionally Known as EVOLT E-510
  • Replaced the Olympus E-500
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-520
Photography Glossary

Nikon D300 vs Olympus E-510 Overview

In this write-up, we will be looking at the Nikon D300 versus Olympus E-510, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by companies Nikon and Olympus. The resolution of the D300 (12MP) and the E-510 (10MP) is pretty similar but the D300 (APS-C) and E-510 (Four Thirds) use different sensor measurements.

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The D300 was brought out 4 months later than the E-510 so they are both of a similar age. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving straight into a full comparison, below is a quick overview of how the D300 matches up against the E-510 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D300 over the Olympus E-510

 D300 E-510 
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution922k230kCrisper screen (+692k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus E-510 over the Nikon D300

 E-510 D300 

Common features in the Nikon D300 and Olympus E-510

 D300 E-510 
IntroducedMarch 2008November 2007Similar age
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Nikon D300 vs Olympus E-510 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to lug around your camera regularly, you will want to factor its weight and volume. The Nikon D300 enjoys outer measurements of 147mm x 114mm x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") having a weight of 925 grams (2.04 lbs) and the Olympus E-510 has sizing of 136mm x 92mm x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") along with a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs).

Compare the Nikon D300 versus Olympus E-510 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you use at that moment. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the D300 versus the E-510.

Nikon D300 vs Olympus E-510 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the D300 and E-510 is 55 and 69 respectively.

Nikon D300 vs Olympus E-510 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D300 vs Olympus E-510 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very difficult to picture the difference between sensor measurements merely by reading specs. The photograph underneath might give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the D300 and E-510.

All in all, the 2 cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The D300 featuring a bigger sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF simpler and the Nikon D300 will deliver greater detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures a little more aggressively.

Nikon D300 vs Olympus E-510 sensor size comparison

Nikon D300 vs Olympus E-510 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D300 vs Olympus E-510 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D300 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus E-510 as a Portrait photography camera
60
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
56
focusing manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
resolution not great (10MP)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon D300
Street photography with Olympus E-510
56
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than others in class (490 grams)
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D300 Sports photography information
Olympus E-510 Sports photography information
56
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
weather proofing
better than average battery power (1,000 shots)
comes with phase detect AF
low fps (6.0 fps)
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
52
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
has phase detect autofocus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
resolution not great (10MP)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D300 Travel photography features
Olympus E-510 Travel photography features
56
better than average battery power (1,000 CIPA)
weather proofing
has built in flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
52
lighter than others in class (490g)
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse function
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D300
Landscape photography with Olympus E-510
64
has manual focus
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
better than average battery power (1,000 per charge)
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
55
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
tiny screen (2.5")
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D300
Vlogging with Olympus E-510
9
no video shooting
9
no video recording
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Nikon D300 vs Olympus E-510 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D300 and Olympus E-510
 Nikon D300Olympus E-510
General Information
Make Nikon Olympus
Model type Nikon D300 Olympus E-510
Also referred to as - EVOLT E-510
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2008-03-12 2007-11-23
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.8mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 372.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3
Max resolution 4288 x 2848 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 3200 1600
Max enhanced ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW support
Lowest enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 51 3
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 309 45
Crop factor 1.5 2.1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 2.5"
Resolution of display 922 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.63x 0.46x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Max video resolution None None
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 925 grams (2.04 pounds) 490 grams (1.08 pounds)
Dimensions 147 x 114 x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") 136 x 92 x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 67 52
DXO Color Depth rating 22.1 21.2
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.0 10.0
DXO Low light rating 679 442
Other
Battery life 1000 pictures -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID EN-EL3e -
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $1,100 $550