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Nikon D300S vs Nikon D50

Portability
55
Imaging
52
Features
65
Overall
57
Nikon D300S front
 
Nikon D50 front
Portability
64
Imaging
44
Features
39
Overall
42

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D50 Key Specs

Nikon D300S
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Bump to 6400)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 938g - 147 x 114 x 74mm
  • Introduced November 2009
  • Succeeded the Nikon D300
  • Successor is Nikon D600
Nikon D50
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 1600
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 620g - 133 x 102 x 76mm
  • Launched July 2005
  • Newer Model is Nikon D40X
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Nikon D300S vs Nikon D50 Overview

On this page, we are reviewing the Nikon D300S vs Nikon D50, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras and they are both manufactured by Nikon. There is a crucial difference between the resolutions of the D300S (12MP) and D50 (6MP) but both cameras have the same sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The D300S was revealed 4 years after the D50 which is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before we go right into a detailed comparison, here is a short overview of how the D300S scores against the D50 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D300S over the Nikon D50

 D300S D50 
LaunchedNovember 2009July 2005More modern by 53 months
Display dimensions3"2"Larger display (+1")
Display resolution920k130kCrisper display (+790k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon D50 over the Nikon D300S

 D50 D300S 

Common features in the Nikon D300S and Nikon D50

 D300S D50 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D50 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry around your camera regularly, you're going to have to factor its weight and volume. The Nikon D300S comes with outer dimensions of 147mm x 114mm x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") with a weight of 938 grams (2.07 lbs) while the Nikon D50 has sizing of 133mm x 102mm x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0") along with a weight of 620 grams (1.37 lbs).

Examine the Nikon D300S vs Nikon D50 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are using at the time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the D300S compared to the D50.

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D50 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the D300S and D50 is 55 and 64 respectively.

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D50 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D50 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its hard to visualize the difference between sensor sizes purely by going over specs. The pic below will offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the D300S and D50.

All in all, both of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You should anticipate the Nikon D300S to offer extra detail because of its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop photos more aggressively. The younger D300S should have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D50 sensor size comparison

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D50 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D300S as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon D50 as a Portrait photography camera
63
has manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers face detect focus
supports RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
53
manual focus
flash sync speed is above average (1/500 seconds)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no liveview
sensor resolution not great (6 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Nikon D300S Street photography details
Nikon D50 Street photography details
52
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than average in class (938 grams)
58
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competition (620g)
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D300S Sports photography details
Nikon D50 Sports photography details
59
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
weather sealing
supports phase detect auto focus
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
38
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
no liveview
low frames per second (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (6 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon D300S
Travel photography with Nikon D50
48
weather sealing
built-in flash
more heavy than average in class (938g)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
50
lighter than competition (620g)
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse mode
sensor resolution not great (6MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D300S Landscape photography details
Nikon D50 Landscape photography details
65
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
has dual storage slots
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
46
manual focus
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
small screen (2 inch)
no liveview
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (6MP)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D300S as a Vlogging camera
Nikon D50 as a Vlogging camera
22
offers face detect focus
comes with microphone jack
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
more heavy than average in class (938g)
9
can't shoot video
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Nikon D300S vs Nikon D50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D300S and Nikon D50
 Nikon D300SNikon D50
General Information
Brand Nikon Nikon
Model Nikon D300S Nikon D50
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2009-11-16 2005-07-23
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.7 x 15.5mm
Sensor surface area 372.9mm² 367.4mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 6 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4288 x 2848 3008 x 2000
Maximum native ISO 3200 1600
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 200 200
RAW support
Lowest enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 51 -
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 size 3 inch 2 inch
Resolution of screen 920k dot 130k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.63x 0.5x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 7.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 11.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/500 seconds
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) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 None
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 938g (2.07 lb) 620g (1.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 147 x 114 x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") 133 x 102 x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 70 55
DXO Color Depth score 22.5 20.9
DXO Dynamic range score 12.2 10.8
DXO Low light score 787 560
Other
Battery life 950 pictures -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model EN-EL3e EN-EL3
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 to 20 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash Type I/SD/SDHC SD card
Storage slots Dual Single
Launch pricing $1,630 $499