Nikon D300S vs Nikon D5000
55 Imaging
52 Features
65 Overall
57


65 Imaging
51 Features
50 Overall
50
Nikon D300S vs Nikon D5000 Key Specs
(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
(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

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).

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.

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D5000 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon D300S and Nikon D5000. The complete galleries are provided at Nikon D300S Gallery and Nikon D5000 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D300S over the Nikon D5000
D300S | D5000 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+690k dot) |
Reasons to pick Nikon D5000 over the Nikon D300S
D5000 | D300S | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Common features in the Nikon D300S and Nikon D5000
D300S | D5000 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | November 2009 | ![]() | June 2009 | Similar 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D5000 Specifications
Nikon D300S | Nikon 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 |