Nikon D300S vs Nikon D5100
55 Imaging
52 Features
65 Overall
57


66 Imaging
56 Features
81 Overall
66
Nikon D300S vs Nikon D5100 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 200 - 3200 (Push to 6400)
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1280 x 720 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 938g - 147 x 114 x 74mm
- Released November 2009
- Replaced the Nikon D300
- Updated by Nikon D600
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Display
- ISO 100 - 6400 (Push to 25600)
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 560g - 128 x 97 x 79mm
- Revealed April 2011
- Old Model is Nikon D5000
- Newer Model is Nikon D5200

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D5100 Overview
Following is a extended review of the Nikon D300S versus Nikon D5100, former is a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR and both of them are created by Nikon. There exists a large gap between the resolutions of the D300S (12MP) and D5100 (16MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizing (APS-C).

The D300S was announced 17 months prior to the D5100 making the cameras a generation away from one another. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Nikon D300S being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Nikon D5100 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before going through a in-depth comparison, below is a concise view of how the D300S scores versus the D5100 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D5100 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon D300S & Nikon D5100. The whole galleries are available at Nikon D300S Gallery & Nikon D5100 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D300S over the Nikon D5100
D300S | D5100 |
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Reasons to pick Nikon D5100 over the Nikon D300S
D5100 | D300S | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | April 2011 | ![]() | November 2009 | More modern by 17 months |
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 920k | Clearer display (+1k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Common features in the Nikon D300S and Nikon D5100
D300S | D5100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial accurate focus | ||
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display measurement |
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither offers Touch friendly display |
Nikon D300S vs Nikon D5100 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera regularly, you will need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Nikon D300S offers outer dimensions of 147mm x 114mm x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") and a weight of 938 grams (2.07 lbs) and the Nikon D5100 has measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 79mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.1") with a weight of 560 grams (1.23 lbs).
Check the Nikon D300S versus Nikon D5100 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have chosen at the time. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the D300S vs the D5100.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the D300S and D5100 is 55 and 66 respectively.

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D5100 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it is very hard to see the difference between sensor sizes just by checking specs. The image underneath should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the D300S and D5100.
All in all, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You can anticipate the Nikon D5100 to resolve greater detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images a little more aggressively. The more aged D300S is going to be behind in sensor technology.

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D5100 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D5100 Specifications
Nikon D300S | Nikon D5100 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Nikon | Nikon |
Model | Nikon D300S | Nikon D5100 |
Category | Advanced DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Released | 2009-11-16 | 2011-04-26 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Expeed | Expeed 2 |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 23.6 x 15.8mm | 23.6 x 15.7mm |
Sensor surface area | 372.9mm² | 370.5mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 16MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 |
Max resolution | 4288 x 2848 | 4928 x 3264 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | 6400 |
Max enhanced ISO | 6400 | 25600 |
Min native ISO | 200 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Min enhanced ISO | 100 | - |
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 51 | 11 |
Cross focus points | - | 1 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Nikon F | Nikon F |
Amount of lenses | 309 | 309 |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fully Articulated |
Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of screen | 920k dots | 921k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Screen tech | Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle | TFT LCD monitor |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | 95 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.63x | 0.52x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Max shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shutter rate | 7.0 frames per sec | 4.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | 1/250s | 1/200s |
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) | 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4 |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 | 938g (2.07 lb) | 560g (1.23 lb) |
Dimensions | 147 x 114 x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") | 128 x 97 x 79mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 70 | 80 |
DXO Color Depth score | 22.5 | 23.5 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 12.2 | 13.6 |
DXO Low light score | 787 | 1183 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 950 images | 660 images |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | EN-EL3e | EN-EL14 |
Self timer | Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) | Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | Compact Flash Type I/SD/SDHC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | Two | One |
Launch pricing | $1,630 | $0 |