Clicky

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D5000

Portability
55
Imaging
52
Features
65
Overall
57
Nikon D300S front
 
Nikon D5000 front
Portability
65
Imaging
51
Features
50
Overall
50

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D5000 Key Specs

Nikon D300S
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Push to 6400)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 938g - 147 x 114 x 74mm
  • Launched November 2009
  • Previous Model is Nikon D300
  • Renewed by Nikon D600
Nikon D5000
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Push to 6400)
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 590g - 127 x 104 x 80mm
  • Announced June 2009
  • Replaced the Nikon D60
  • Renewed by Nikon D5100
Photography Glossary

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D5000 Overview

Following is a in-depth comparison of the Nikon D300S versus Nikon D5000, one is a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR and both are manufactured by Nikon. The resolution of the D300S (12MP) and the D5000 (12MP) is pretty similar and they use the same exact sensor measurements (APS-C).

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

The D300S was released 6 months after the D5000 so they are of a similar generation. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Nikon D300S being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Nikon D5000 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving straight into a full comparison, below is a short summation of how the D300S matches up versus the D5000 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon D300S over the Nikon D5000

 D300S D5000 
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kClearer screen (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon D5000 over the Nikon D300S

 D5000 D300S 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Nikon D300S and Nikon D5000

 D300S D5000 
AnnouncedNovember 2009June 2009Similar generation
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Touch screen No Touch screen

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D5000 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry around your camera frequently, you'll have to think about its weight and proportions. The Nikon D300S provides exterior measurements of 147mm x 114mm x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 938 grams (2.07 lbs) while the Nikon D5000 has measurements of 127mm x 104mm x 80mm (5.0" x 4.1" x 3.1") and a weight of 590 grams (1.30 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon D300S versus Nikon D5000 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have chosen at that time. Following is the front view size comparison of the D300S and the D5000.

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D5000 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the D300S and D5000 is 55 and 65 respectively.

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D5000 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D5000 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's tough to see the gap between sensor sizes merely by reading specifications. The pic underneath may give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the D300S and D5000.

Plainly, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same megapixels so you should expect similar quality of photos though you would want to take the production date of the products into consideration.

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D5000 sensor size comparison

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D5000 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D5000 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D300S as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon D5000 as a Portrait photography camera
63
focusing manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect focus
saves RAW files
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
62
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
low megapixels (12MP)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Street Comparison

Nikon D300S Street photography information
Nikon D5000 Street photography information
52
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
heavier than others (938 grams)
65
screen articulates fully
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Sports Comparison

Nikon D300S Sports photography details
Nikon D5000 Sports photography details
59
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
environment sealing
has phase detect auto focus
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
42
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
max fps low (4.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
terrible battery power (510 shots)
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Travel Comparison

Nikon D300S Travel photography details
Nikon D5000 Travel photography details
48
environment sealing
flash built-in
heavier than others (938 grams)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
56
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
terrible battery power (510 per charge)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Landscape Comparison

Nikon D300S Landscape photography info
Nikon D5000 Landscape photography info
65
focusing manually
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
2 card slots
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
51
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
terrible battery power (510 shots)
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D300S
Vlogging with Nikon D5000
22
features face detect focus
has mic support
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
heavier than others (938g)
52
display is selfie friendly
comes with face detection autofocus
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external microphone socket
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D5000 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D300S and Nikon D5000
 Nikon D300SNikon D5000
General Information
Company Nikon Nikon
Model Nikon D300S Nikon D5000
Type Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2009-11-16 2009-06-12
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed 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
Full resolution 4288 x 2848 4288 x 2848
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Max boosted ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 200 200
RAW support
Min boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 51 11
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Nikon F
Amount of lenses 309 309
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display size 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 920k dots 230k dots
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 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.63x 0.52x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 7.0 frames per second 4.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt 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, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/250s 1/200s
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) 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps), 320 x 216 (24 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected 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 938 grams (2.07 pounds) 590 grams (1.30 pounds)
Dimensions 147 x 114 x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") 127 x 104 x 80mm (5.0" x 4.1" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 70 72
DXO Color Depth score 22.5 22.7
DXO Dynamic range score 12.2 12.5
DXO Low light score 787 868
Other
Battery life 950 photographs 510 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL3e EN-EL9a
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash Type I/SD/SDHC SD/SDHC card
Card slots 2 Single
Pricing at launch $1,630 $630