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Nikon D300S vs Nikon D5200

Portability
55
Imaging
52
Features
65
Overall
57
Nikon D300S front
 
Nikon D5200 front
Portability
66
Imaging
64
Features
77
Overall
69

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D5200 Key Specs

Nikon D300S
(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  • Superseded the Nikon D300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
Nikon D5200
(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
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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).

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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.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D300S over the Nikon D5200

 D300S D5200 

Reasons to pick Nikon D5200 over the Nikon D300S

 D5200 D300S 
RevealedMay 2013November 2009More modern by 42 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution921k920kSharper screen (+1k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Nikon D300S and Nikon D5200

 D300S D5200 
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Screen sizing3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D5200 size comparison

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

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D5200 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D5200 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D5200 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D300S
Portrait photography with Nikon D5200
63
manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
78
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D300S Street photography highlights
Nikon D5200 Street photography highlights
52
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
more heavy than competition (938 grams)
68
screen articulates fully
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D300S Sports photography info
Nikon D5200 Sports photography info
59
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
weather sealing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
no image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
60
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
supports phase detect autofocus
slow frames per second (5.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery pack (500 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D300S Travel photography highlights
Nikon D5200 Travel photography highlights
48
weather sealing
built-in flash
more heavy than competition (938g)
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
69
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
terrible battery pack (500 shots)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D300S Landscape photography factors
Nikon D5200 Landscape photography factors
65
manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
has dual storage slots
no image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
69
manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3")
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery pack (500 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D300S Vlogging info
Nikon D5200 Vlogging info
22
comes with face detection autofocus
includes external microphone jack
does not have selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
more heavy than competition (938g)
71
screen is selfie friendly
offers face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with microphone port
lack of image stabilization
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Nikon D300S vs Nikon D5200 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D300S and Nikon D5200
 Nikon D300SNikon 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