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Nikon D300S vs Nikon D7100

Portability
55
Imaging
52
Features
65
Overall
57
Nikon D300S front
 
Nikon D7100 front
Portability
59
Imaging
64
Features
80
Overall
70

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D7100 Key Specs

Nikon D300S
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Increase to 6400)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 938g - 147 x 114 x 74mm
  • Introduced November 2009
  • Succeeded the Nikon D300
  • Refreshed by Nikon D600
Nikon D7100
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Bump to 25600)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 765g - 136 x 107 x 76mm
  • Announced April 2013
  • Replaced the Nikon D7000
  • Renewed by Nikon D7200
Photography Glossary

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D7100 Overview

In this write-up, we will be reviewing the Nikon D300S and Nikon D7100, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras and both of them are offered by Nikon. There is a noticeable difference between the resolutions of the D300S (12MP) and D7100 (24MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The D300S was introduced 4 years earlier than the D7100 which is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting through a step-by-step comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the D300S grades against the D7100 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D300S over the Nikon D7100

 D300S D7100 

Reasons to pick Nikon D7100 over the Nikon D300S

 D7100 D300S 
AnnouncedApril 2013November 2009Newer by 41 months
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1229k920kCrisper screen (+309k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D300S and Nikon D7100

 D300S D7100 
Manually focus More exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D7100 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to travel with your camera, you should consider its weight and proportions. The Nikon D300S comes with physical 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 D7100 has measurements of 136mm x 107mm x 76mm (5.4" x 4.2" x 3.0") having a weight of 765 grams (1.69 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon D300S and Nikon D7100 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing during that time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the D300S compared to the D7100.

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D7100 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the D300S and D7100 is 55 and 59 respectively.

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D7100 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D7100 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its hard to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by reading technical specs. The image here will provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the D300S and D7100.

As you can tell, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You can expect the Nikon D7100 to offer you more detail using its extra 12 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The more aged D300S is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D7100 sensor size comparison

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D7100 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D7100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D300S Portrait photography info
Nikon D7100 Portrait photography info
63
focusing manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
low megapixels (12MP)
78
has manual focus
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides face detection focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D300S as a Street photography camera
Nikon D7100 as a Street photography camera
52
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
heavier than competition (938g)
60
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
fixed screen
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D300S Sports photography details
Nikon D7100 Sports photography details
59
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
weather proofing
has phase detect autofocus
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
69
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
weather proofing
comes with phase detect auto focus
max fps low (6.0 fps)
no image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D300S Travel photography information
Nikon D7100 Travel photography information
48
weather proofing
has built in flash
heavier than competition (938 grams)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
66
weather proofing
good MP (24MP)
built-in flash
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D300S
Landscape photography with Nikon D7100
65
focusing manually
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
has dual storage slots
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
76
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3.2")
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
has dual storage slots
no image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D300S Vlogging features
Nikon D7100 Vlogging features
22
supports face detect autofocus
has mic jack
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
heavier than competition (938 grams)
30
provides face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have external mic jack
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
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Nikon D300S vs Nikon D7100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D300S and Nikon D7100
 Nikon D300SNikon D7100
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Nikon
Model type Nikon D300S Nikon D7100
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2009-11-16 2013-04-25
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4288 x 2848 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 25600
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW files
Minimum boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
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 51
Cross type focus points - 15
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Nikon F
Amount of lenses 309 309
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3.2"
Resolution of display 920 thousand dot 1,229 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle Wide Viewing Angle TFT-LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.63x 0.63x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 7.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 24 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 938g (2.07 lbs) 765g (1.69 lbs)
Dimensions 147 x 114 x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") 136 x 107 x 76mm (5.4" x 4.2" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 70 83
DXO Color Depth rating 22.5 24.2
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.2 13.7
DXO Low light rating 787 1256
Other
Battery life 950 photos 950 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL3e EN-EL15
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 or 10 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Storage media Compact Flash Type I/SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC x 2 slots
Storage slots Dual Dual
Pricing at launch $1,630 $800