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Nikon D300S vs Nikon D5300

Portability
55
Imaging
51
Features
65
Overall
56
Nikon D300S front
 
Nikon D5300 front
Portability
68
Imaging
65
Features
81
Overall
71

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D5300 Key Specs

Nikon D300S
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Expand to 6400)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 938g - 147 x 114 x 74mm
  • Revealed November 2009
  • Earlier Model is Nikon D300
  • Later Model is Nikon D600
Nikon D5300
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 480g - 125 x 98 x 76mm
  • Announced February 2014
  • Old Model is Nikon D5200
  • Replacement is Nikon D5500
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Nikon D300S vs Nikon D5300 Overview

In this article, we are contrasting the Nikon D300S versus Nikon D5300, former is a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR and both are created by Nikon. There is a sizable difference among the image resolutions of the D300S (12MP) and D5300 (24MP) but they use the same exact sensor sizing (APS-C).

Photography Glossary

The D300S was revealed 5 years earlier than the D5300 which is a fairly significant difference 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 D5300 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go through a more detailed comparison, below is a brief summary of how the D300S matches up versus the D5300 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D300S over the Nikon D5300

 D300S D5300 

Reasons to pick Nikon D5300 over the Nikon D300S

 D5300 D300S 
AnnouncedFebruary 2014November 2009More modern by 51 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1037k920kClearer display (+117k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Nikon D300S and Nikon D5300

 D300S D5300 
Manually focus More precise focus
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D5300 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry around your camera often, you should factor in its weight and volume. The Nikon D300S features outer measurements of 147mm x 114mm x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") with a weight of 938 grams (2.07 lbs) while the Nikon D5300 has sizing of 125mm x 98mm x 76mm (4.9" x 3.9" x 3.0") with a weight of 480 grams (1.06 lbs).

Check the Nikon D300S versus Nikon D5300 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. Here is the front view over all size comparison of the D300S versus the D5300.

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D5300 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the D300S and D5300 is 55 and 68 respectively.

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D5300 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D5300 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very difficult to visualise the gap in sensor sizes merely by viewing a spec sheet. The image below may give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the D300S and D5300.

Clearly, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Nikon D5300 to result in greater detail because of its extra 12 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics a little more aggressively. The more aged D300S will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D5300 sensor size comparison

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D5300 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D5300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D300S Portrait photography factors
Nikon D5300 Portrait photography factors
62
manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
low megapixels (12MP)
79
you can focus manually
good megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D300S as a Street photography camera
Nikon D5300 as a Street photography camera
52
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
heavier than others in class (938g)
69
screen can move to multiple angles
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D300S as a Sports photography camera
Nikon D5300 as a Sports photography camera
58
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
weather sealing
comes with phase detect AF
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
65
good megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has tracking focus
has phase detect AF
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D300S Travel photography advice
Nikon D5300 Travel photography advice
48
weather sealing
has built in flash
heavier than others in class (938 grams)
low megapixels (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
80
good megapixels (24MP)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D300S as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon D5300 as a Landscape photography camera
64
manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
has dual storage slots
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
76
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3.2")
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
does not have anti aliasing filter
exports RAW formats
no image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D300S Vlogging highlights
Nikon D5300 Vlogging highlights
22
includes face detect focusing
does have mic jack
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
heavier than others in class (938 grams)
72
selfie friendly screen
has face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has microphone jack
no image stabilization
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Nikon D300S vs Nikon D5300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D300S and Nikon D5300
 Nikon D300SNikon D5300
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Model type Nikon D300S Nikon D5300
Category Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2009-11-16 2014-02-12
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed Expeed 4
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 12MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Maximum resolution 4288 x 2848 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 3200 12800
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 25600
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW support
Minimum boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
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 display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 3" 3.2"
Resolution of display 920 thousand dot 1,037 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display 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 0.55x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 7.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
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
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250 secs 1/200 secs
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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 938 gr (2.07 pounds) 480 gr (1.06 pounds)
Dimensions 147 x 114 x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") 125 x 98 x 76mm (4.9" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 70 83
DXO Color Depth rating 22.5 24.0
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.2 13.9
DXO Low light rating 787 1338
Other
Battery life 950 pictures 600 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL3e EN-EL14,EN-EL14a
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media Compact Flash Type I/SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Two 1
Retail cost $1,630 $429