Nikon D300S vs Nikon D5200
55 Imaging
52 Features
65 Overall
57


66 Imaging
64 Features
77 Overall
69
Nikon D300S vs Nikon D5200 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 200 - 3200 (Expand to 6400)
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1280 x 720 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 938g - 147 x 114 x 74mm
- Launched November 2009
- Superseded the Nikon D300
- Successor is Nikon D600
(Full Review)
- 24MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400 (Bump to 25600)
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 555g - 129 x 98 x 78mm
- Revealed May 2013
- Old Model is Nikon D5100
- Replacement is Nikon D5300

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D5200 Overview
In this article, we will be looking at the Nikon D300S vs Nikon D5200, one is a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR and both of them are designed by Nikon. There is a huge difference among the resolutions of the D300S (12MP) and D5200 (24MP) but they feature the same exact sensor sizing (APS-C).

The D300S was brought out 4 years prior to the D5200 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Nikon D300S being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Nikon D5200 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before diving through a complete comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the D300S grades versus the D5200 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D5200 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon D300S and Nikon D5200. The entire galleries are provided at Nikon D300S Gallery and Nikon D5200 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D300S over the Nikon D5200
D300S | D5200 |
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Reasons to pick Nikon D5200 over the Nikon D300S
D5200 | D300S | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | May 2013 | ![]() | November 2009 | More modern by 42 months |
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 920k | Sharper screen (+1k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Common features in the Nikon D300S and Nikon D5200
D300S | D5200 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More accurate focusing | ||
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen measurement |
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither features Touch screen |
Nikon D300S vs Nikon D5200 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is aiming to carry around your camera, you'll need to factor in its weight and size. The Nikon D300S enjoys external dimensions of 147mm x 114mm x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 938 grams (2.07 lbs) and the Nikon D5200 has specifications of 129mm x 98mm x 78mm (5.1" x 3.9" x 3.1") along with a weight of 555 grams (1.22 lbs).
Take a look at the Nikon D300S vs Nikon D5200 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the D300S compared to the D5200.

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the D300S and D5200 is 55 and 66 respectively.

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D5200 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it's tough to visualise the difference in sensor sizes simply by checking out technical specs. The pic underneath might give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the D300S and D5200.
As you have seen, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You should count on the Nikon D5200 to produce extra detail having its extra 12MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures far more aggressively. The more aged D300S will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D5200 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D5200 Specifications
Nikon D300S | Nikon D5200 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Nikon | Nikon |
Model type | Nikon D300S | Nikon D5200 |
Class | Advanced DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Launched | 2009-11-16 | 2013-05-16 |
Body design | Mid-size SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Expeed | Expeed 3 |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 23.6 x 15.8mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 372.9mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 24 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 |
Max resolution | 4288 x 2848 | 6000 x 4000 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | 6400 |
Max enhanced ISO | 6400 | 25600 |
Minimum native ISO | 200 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Minimum enhanced ISO | 100 | - |
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Total focus points | 51 | 39 |
Cross type focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Nikon F | Nikon F |
Available lenses | 309 | 309 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fully Articulated |
Screen sizing | 3" | 3" |
Screen resolution | 920 thousand dot | 921 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Screen tech | Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle | TFT LCD monitor |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | 95% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.63x | 0.52x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 7.0 frames/s | 5.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 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 | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | 1/250 seconds | 1/200 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 480 (24 fps), 320 x 240 (24 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | Optional |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | Optional | Optional |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 938 gr (2.07 lb) | 555 gr (1.22 lb) |
Dimensions | 147 x 114 x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") | 129 x 98 x 78mm (5.1" x 3.9" x 3.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 70 | 84 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 22.5 | 24.2 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 12.2 | 13.9 |
DXO Low light rating | 787 | 1284 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 950 images | 500 images |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | EN-EL3e | EN-EL14 |
Self timer | Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) | Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | Compact Flash Type I/SD/SDHC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | 2 | 1 |
Price at release | $1,630 | $595 |