Nikon D300S vs. Nikon D7100: A Hands-On Comparison for the Discerning Photographer

When Nikon launched the D300S in late 2009, it was hailed as a professional-grade upgrade to the D300 - a camera that quickly earned a formidable following among enthusiasts and semi-pros alike. Fast forward to 2013, and Nikon introduced the D7100 as a successor in their Advanced DSLR lineup, promising higher resolution and refined features without breaking the bank.

I’ve spent years testing and comparing cameras across multiple genres, putting them through rigorous technical and real-world workflows. So today, let’s dive deeply into these two Nikon mid-size DSLRs - the D300S and the D7100. Whether you’re hunting for a robust, all-around performer or weighing your options before upgrading, this detailed comparison will give you the insights and practical advice that only come from extensive hands-on experience.

A Tale of Two Titans: Size, Build, and Handling

Both the Nikon D300S and D7100 belong to Nikon’s Advanced DSLR segment, aimed at serious hobbyists and professionals seeking reliability without stepping fully into the flagship FX format. But the two do have noticeable differences in their physical ergonomics and handling.

The D300S sports a slightly larger and heavier body at 938g versus the D7100’s 765g. Dimensionally, it’s bulkier - measuring 147x114x74 mm compared to 136x107x76 mm for the newer D7100. Over many testing sessions, I found the D300S's extra heft offers a reassuring grip, especially when pairing with heavy telephoto lenses for wildlife or sports.

The D7100 trims weight and size for improved portability - a refreshing change if you favor travel or street photography where discretion and reduced fatigue matter. But it never feels toy-like or cramped. Its refined grip design and balanced body remain comfortable through longer shoots, even when you add flash units or battery grips.

Build quality on both cameras is tough, weather-sealed to resist dust and moisture (note that neither is fully waterproof). The D300S has a magnesium alloy chassis, well-known for withstanding field abuse over years, while the D7100 continues this tradition with a similarly rugged exterior, incorporating some ergonomic tweaks in button layout and grip material.

Speaking of which...

The top control layout on both cameras features familiar Nikon ergonomics - dedicated dials for ISO, shutter speed, and exposure compensation. The D300S has a subtle edge with an LCD status panel on the top, allowing quick glance checks on settings without turning the camera on or looking at the rear screen.

The D7100 replaces this LCD panel with more streamlined controls but offers illuminated buttons on certain controls (though neither has backlighting on most keys). Personally, I appreciate the D300S’s top LCD for fast-paced shoots where screen access is inconvenient - say, shuffling through wildlife hides or sports sidelines.

Sensor and Image Quality: Resolution, Dynamic Range, and ISO Performance

One of the most significant leaps between these two models is sensor technology. The D300S sticks with a 12.3MP APS-C CMOS sensor, while the D7100 bumps resolution to 24.1MP on an APS-C sensor without an anti-aliasing filter - a notable change that affects sharpness and detail.

From a purely numerical standpoint:

• D300S: 12MP, 23.6 x 15.8 mm sensor size, max ISO 3200 native (6400 boosted)
• D7100: 24MP, 23.5 x 15.6 mm sensor size, max ISO 6400 native (25,600 boosted)

Removing the anti-aliasing (AA) filter on the D7100 enhances image sharpness and micro-detail resolving power, which is excellent news for landscape, architecture, and macro shooters seeking razor-sharp files. However, this does introduce a higher risk of moiré patterns in certain subjects with fine repetitive textures.

Now, talking dynamic range and color depth, DxOMark metrics give the D7100 a clear advantage: an overall score of 83 vs. the D300S’s 70. The color depth climbs from 22.5 bits to 24.2 bits, and dynamic range improves from 12.2 EV to a very respectable 13.7 EV. This translates to richer tonal gradations in shadows and highlights - a boon for landscape photographers contending with bright skies and complex light.

As for low-light sensitivity, the D7100’s sensor offers a notable increase, with a DxO low-light ISO score of 1256 compared to 787 for the older D300S. This means better noise control and cleaner files at higher ISOs, which is crucial for event, sports, or night photography scenarios.

Yet, in practical testing, I found the D300S’s files still hold up well when stopped down and under controlled ISO ranges. Color reproduction on skin tones remains pleasing and natural, an important factor if you shoot portraiture.

The Viewfinder and Rear Display: Seeing Your Shot Clearly

Both cameras sport optical pentaprism viewfinders with approximately 100% frame coverage and similar 0.63x magnification, lending a bright, clear shooting experience, especially in daylight conditions.

The rear LCD screen on each offers useful differences:

• D300S: 3.0-inch Super Density TFT LCD with 920k dots, fixed
• D7100: 3.2-inch TFT LCD with 1,229k dots, fixed

While neither camera offers a touchscreen nor articulating screen, the D7100’s larger and higher-resolution display makes reviewing images and navigating menus noticeably more comfortable. The improved viewing angles help when shooting at awkward positions.

Optical viewfinders still hold the crown for fast, lag-free framing, and both models excel here. However, for live view use, the D7100's higher-res LCD makes for a more pleasant experience, especially when zooming in to check focus sharpness.

Autofocus and Speed: Tracking and Precision Under Pressure

Here’s where Nikon's engineering advances become very clear.

The autofocus systems both feature 51 focus points, but key differences arise in cross-type sensors and tracking features:

• D300S: 51 focus points, AF uses phase detection, supports face detection, but limited autofocus tracking capabilities.
• D7100: 51 focus points with 15 cross-type sensors for enhanced precision, improved autofocus tracking, face detection, plus the addition of AF center with superior sensitivity.

With sports, wildlife, and fast-action shooting, accurate and responsive autofocus is non-negotiable. In my field tests, the D7100’s focus system more reliably tracks moving subjects, locking and maintaining focus even during erratic movement and in lower light conditions.

The D300S shines with fast autofocus acquisition on still subjects, but the D7100 adds real improvements in continuous AF and predictive tracking.

Continuous shooting rates differ slightly:

• D300S: 7 fps
• D7100: 6 fps

While the D300S offers a slight edge in burst speed, the D7100’s overall AF accuracy and buffer depth make the actual high-speed shooting experience smoother in extended bursts.

Versatility in Video and Connectivity

Video has become a significant consideration, even for primarily still photographers.

The D300S offers basic video capability with 720p HD at 24 fps in Motion JPEG format. It includes a built-in microphone input but lacks headphone output, limiting audio monitoring options. Video features are somewhat basic and suited more for casual use.

The D7100 represents a substantial upgrade:

• Full HD 1080p video at up to 60 fps
• Video recording formats include MPEG-4 and H.264 for better compression and quality
• Microphone port plus headphone jack for real-time audio monitoring
• Improved manual controls, including exposure adjustments during recording

For videographers on a budget or hybrid shooters, the D7100 offers vastly more creative freedom and professional audio options.

Wi-Fi and wireless features are optional accessories on both models, but the earlier D300S requires Eye-Fi cards for wireless transfer, which feels dated today.

Storage, Battery, and Storage Media: Practical Essentials

Both cameras feature dual card slots, a highly valued feature for professionals ensuring backup or increased storage capacity:

• D300S: Dual slots for CompactFlash Type I and SD/SDHC cards
• D7100: Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots

Personally, I appreciate the D7100’s switch to dual SD slots, which aligns better with common, affordable card formats and makes media management easier.

Battery life is excellent on both, rated at about 950 shots per charge. The D300S uses the EN-EL3e battery, while the D7100 uses the newer EN-EL15, offering higher capacity and better longevity under demanding shooting conditions.

Lens Compatibility and Ecosystem: F-Mount Faithful

Both cameras use Nikon’s venerable F-mount lens system, with a whopping 309 lenses available, from wide primes to long telephotos and specialized macro optics.

Depending on your shooting style, lens availability will not be a limiting factor for either camera. The APS-C sensor format introduces a 1.5x crop factor, which effectively extends the reach of telephoto lenses - highly advantageous in wildlife and sports photography.

In my opinion, the D7100’s newer tech better leverages modern AF-S and VR lenses, but the D300S remains fully compatible without any issues.

Sample Images and Real-World Performance Highlights

Image quality comparisons confirm the technical differences:

Nikon D300S screen back Nikon D7100 front Nikon D7100 screen back

The D7100 files show crisper details across landscapes and architectural shots, markedly improved dynamic range in skies, and better high-ISO noise control in dim conditions. Portraits retain beautiful skin tones but reveal slightly more digital "smoothness" compared to the warmer rendering in the D300S.

The D300S’s files demonstrate a pleasing, slightly punchier color palette with strong contrast and reliable rendering in varied lighting - ideal for portraits and event photography.

Scoring the Cameras: Overall Strengths and Weaknesses

Here’s a summary of their performance based on my evaluation, aligned with DxOMark-style criteria and practical use:

Specialized Use Case Assessment: Which Camera Excels Where?

• Portrait Photography
  The D300S delivers rich skin tones and a natural color palette, while the D7100’s higher resolution shines for retouching and cropping. Both handle bokeh well, though lens choice remains decisive.

• Landscape Photography
  The D7100’s wider dynamic range and superior detail due to no AA filter make it optimal here. Weather sealing in both cameras helps in challenging environments.

• Wildlife Photography
  While the D300S shoots slightly faster bursts, the D7100’s AF tracking and noise performance in low light give it the edge during unpredictable game action.

• Sports Photography
  Again, autofocus precision tips the balance toward the D7100, but the D300S’s burst speed and robust build are still formidable.

• Street Photography
  The D7100’s lighter build and quiet operation suit street shooters, who value discretion and speed in changing lighting.

• Macro Photography
  Both perform admirably, but the D7100’s higher-resolution sensor helps capture fine textures and details crucial for macro work.

• Night and Astro Photography
  The D7100’s improved high ISO and dynamic range are huge pluses, permitting cleaner night skies and more balanced star fields.

• Video Capabilities
  Decisively in favor of the D7100 given full HD 1080p, various frame rates, and audio monitoring.

• Travel Photography
  The D7100’s smaller size and lighter weight make it friendlier on long hauls.

• Professional Workflows
  Both support RAW and tethered shooting, but D7100’s newer processor and refined file handling speed post-processing.

Final Thoughts: Making Your Choice

So where do we stand after a thorough comparison?

• Choose the Nikon D300S if:
  You prioritize a proven rugged body, faster burst rates, and pleasing color rendition for portraits and action photography. Its design suits photographers loyal to CF cards or who want a hassle-free optical display with top LCD convenience. Despite its older sensor, it still delivers satisfying image quality for many demanding situations. Cost is higher, but you’re investing in a robust, battle-tested machine.

• Choose the Nikon D7100 if:
  You want a considerably higher resolution sensor, superior image quality, enhanced autofocus tracking, modern video capabilities, and a lighter camera body. If your photography spans landscapes, wildlife, sports with tracking focus, or incorporates video, the D7100 offers a significantly better all-around package - especially at nearly half the price of the D300S on the used market. The switch to dual SD cards and longer battery life is icing on the cake for hybrid professionals.

My Personal Take

Having photographed with both quite extensively, I personally prefer the D7100 for versatility and image quality, mainly because the sensor advances and autofocus improvements are so compelling for today’s photographic demands. That said, the D300S has a certain tactile charm and reliability that still resonates, particularly in action-heavy or harsh environments.

If budget is your biggest consideration and you want a feature-packed, future-proof DSLR, the D7100 stands out. For those who value build toughness and a slightly faster burst frame rate, the D300S can still be a worthy companion - especially if your lens arsenal is Nikon F-mount CF friendly.

Whatever you decide, both these cameras represent excellent examples of Nikon’s DSLR heritage - proven performers that many photographers have trusted for years.

Happy shooting!

If you want to see more of my image samples, handling impressions, and real-world tests, check out my dedicated video reviews linked above. There, I explore specifics like AF behavior in low light and bokeh comparisons shot side-by-side.

End of Comparison Article