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Nikon D300S vs Nikon D500

Portability
55
Imaging
52
Features
65
Overall
57
Nikon D300S front
 
Nikon D500 front
Portability
56
Imaging
65
Features
90
Overall
75

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D500 Key Specs

Nikon D300S
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Increase to 6400)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 938g - 147 x 114 x 74mm
  • Announced November 2009
  • Succeeded the Nikon D300
  • Refreshed by Nikon D600
Nikon D500
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Boost to 1640000)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 860g - 147 x 115 x 81mm
  • Revealed January 2016
  • Older Model is Nikon D300S
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Nikon D300S vs Nikon D500 Overview

Here is a extended analysis of the Nikon D300S vs Nikon D500, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras and both of them are produced by Nikon. There is a big difference between the resolutions of the D300S (12MP) and D500 (21MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The D300S was revealed 7 years prior to the D500 and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a short introduction of how the D300S grades versus the D500 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D300S over the Nikon D500

 D300S D500 

Reasons to pick Nikon D500 over the Nikon D300S

 D500 D300S 
RevealedJanuary 2016November 2009Fresher by 74 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen size3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution2359k920kSharper screen (+1439k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Nikon D300S and Nikon D500

 D300S D500 
Manually focus More accurate focus
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D500 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry your camera frequently, you will need to factor its weight and measurements. The Nikon D300S features physical dimensions of 147mm x 114mm x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") with a weight of 938 grams (2.07 lbs) whilst the Nikon D500 has proportions of 147mm x 115mm x 81mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 3.2") and a weight of 860 grams (1.90 lbs).

Compare the Nikon D300S vs Nikon D500 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have during that time. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the D300S and the D500.

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D500 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the D300S and D500 is 55 and 56 respectively.

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D500 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D500 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is tough to envision the difference between sensor sizing purely by reading a spec sheet. The photograph underneath will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the D300S and D500.

Clearly, both the cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Nikon D500 to deliver greater detail because of its extra 9MP. Higher resolution will let you crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The older D300S is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D500 sensor size comparison

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D500 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D300S Portrait photography advice
Nikon D500 Portrait photography advice
63
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection focus
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
79
manual focus
megapixel count good (21 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon D300S
Street photography with Nikon D500
52
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
heavier than average (938 grams)
68
has a tilting screen
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
has touch focus
weather sealing
very good high ISO (51,200)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon D300S
Sports photography with Nikon D500
59
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
weather proof
sensor has phase detect auto focus
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
megapixel count good (21 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather sealing
better than average battery life (1,240 per charge)
has phase detect autofocus
lack of image stabilization
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Nikon D300S as a Travel photography camera
Nikon D500 as a Travel photography camera
48
weather proof
flash built-in
heavier than average (938g)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
68
better than average battery life (1,240 CIPA)
weather sealing
has bluetooth
has touch focus
megapixel count good (21 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D300S Landscape photography info
Nikon D500 Landscape photography info
65
you can focus manually
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
two card slots
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
77
manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a good size (3.2 inches)
megapixel count good (21 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
very good high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
better than average battery life (1,240 per charge)
has double storage slots
lack of image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D300S
Vlogging with Nikon D500
22
supports face detection focus
includes external mic socket
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
heavier than average (938 grams)
31
touchscreen enabled
comes with face detection autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
has external microphone port
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
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Nikon D300S vs Nikon D500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D300S and Nikon D500
 Nikon D300SNikon D500
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Nikon
Model type Nikon D300S Nikon D500
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2009-11-16 2016-01-05
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed Expeed 5
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 372.9mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 21 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Max resolution 4288 x 2848 5568 x 3712
Max native ISO 3200 51200
Max enhanced ISO 6400 1640000
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW photos
Min enhanced ISO 100 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 51 153
Cross type focus points - 99
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Nikon F
Number of lenses 309 309
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3 inches 3.2 inches
Display resolution 920 thousand dot 2,359 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.63x 0.66x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 7.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 480 (24 fps), 320 x 240 (24 fps) 4K (UHD) 30p/25p/24p, 1080/60p/50p/30p/25p/24p, 720/60p/50p
Max video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 938 grams (2.07 lbs) 860 grams (1.90 lbs)
Physical dimensions 147 x 114 x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") 147 x 115 x 81mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 70 84
DXO Color Depth rating 22.5 24.1
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.2 14.0
DXO Low light rating 787 1324
Other
Battery life 950 pictures 1240 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL3e EN-EL15
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash Type I/SD/SDHC XQD/SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compliant)
Storage slots Dual Dual
Cost at release $1,630 $1,497