Nikon D300S vs Nikon D5300
55 Imaging
51 Features
65 Overall
56


68 Imaging
65 Features
81 Overall
71
Nikon D300S vs Nikon D5300 Key Specs
(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
(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

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).

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.

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D5300 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon D300S & Nikon D5300. The full galleries are available at Nikon D300S Gallery & Nikon D5300 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D300S over the Nikon D5300
D300S | D5300 |
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Reasons to pick Nikon D5300 over the Nikon D300S
D5300 | D300S | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | February 2014 | ![]() | November 2009 | More modern by 51 months |
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
Display sizing | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Larger display (+0.2") |
Display resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 920k | Clearer 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D5300 Specifications
Nikon D300S | Nikon 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 |