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Nikon D300S vs Nikon D780

Portability
55
Imaging
52
Features
65
Overall
57
Nikon D300S front
 
Nikon D780 front
Portability
57
Imaging
77
Features
89
Overall
81

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D780 Key Specs

Nikon D300S
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Raise to 6400)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 938g - 147 x 114 x 74mm
  • Launched November 2009
  • Old Model is Nikon D300
  • Successor is Nikon D600
Nikon D780
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 204800)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 840g - 144 x 116 x 76mm
  • Announced January 2020
  • Earlier Model is Nikon D750
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Nikon D300S vs Nikon D780 Overview

Below is a complete overview of the Nikon D300S vs Nikon D780, both Advanced DSLR cameras and both of them are designed by Nikon. There is a sizeable difference among the image resolutions of the D300S (12MP) and D780 (25MP) and the D300S (APS-C) and D780 (Full frame) boast different sensor size.

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The D300S was introduced 11 years prior to the D780 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the D300S scores versus the D780 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D300S over the Nikon D780

 D300S D780 

Reasons to pick Nikon D780 over the Nikon D300S

 D780 D300S 
AnnouncedJanuary 2020November 2009More recent by 123 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2359k920kClearer display (+1439k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Nikon D300S and Nikon D780

 D300S D780 
Manually focus More exact focus
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D780 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to lug around your camera often, you will need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Nikon D300S provides physical measurements of 147mm x 114mm x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") along with a weight of 938 grams (2.07 lbs) while the Nikon D780 has proportions of 144mm x 116mm x 76mm (5.7" x 4.6" x 3.0") having a weight of 840 grams (1.85 lbs).

Look at the Nikon D300S vs Nikon D780 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the D300S compared to the D780.

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D780 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the D300S and D780 is 55 and 57 respectively.

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D780 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D780 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's hard to visualize the contrast in sensor measurements purely by going through a spec sheet. The photograph underneath might offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the D300S and D780.

As you can see, the 2 cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The D300S using its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field more challenging and the Nikon D780 will provide more detail using its extra 13MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The older D300S will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D780 sensor size comparison

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D780 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D780 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D300S as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon D780 as a Portrait photography camera
63
has manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers face detection focus
saves RAW formats
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
86
manual focus
great megapixels (25MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
provides face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D300S Street photography information
Nikon D780 Street photography information
52
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
more heavy than competition (938 grams)
71
screen tilts up and down
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
features touch to focus
environment sealing
very good high ISO (51,200)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D300S Sports photography highlights
Nikon D780 Sports photography highlights
59
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
weather proof
supports phase detect auto focus
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
82
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
great megapixels (25 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
provides tracking focus
environment sealing
great battery life (2,260 CIPA)
supports phase detect autofocus
lack of image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon D300S
Travel photography with Nikon D780
48
weather proof
flash built-in
more heavy than competition (938 grams)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
71
great battery life (2,260 shots)
environment sealing
supports bluetooth
features touch to focus
great megapixels (25MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D300S Landscape photography details
Nikon D780 Landscape photography details
65
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
two card slots
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
81
manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a good size (3.2")
great megapixels (25MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
very good high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
great battery life (2,260 CIPA)
has double storage slots
lack of image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D300S Vlogging advice
Nikon D780 Vlogging advice
22
offers face detection focus
comes with external microphone socket
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
more heavy than competition (938g)
32
screen is touchscreen
provides face detect autofocus
high video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
comes with mic port
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
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Nikon D300S vs Nikon D780 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D300S and Nikon D780
 Nikon D300SNikon D780
General Information
Company Nikon Nikon
Model Nikon D300S Nikon D780
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2009-11-16 2020-01-07
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed Expeed 6
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 35.9 x 23.9mm
Sensor surface area 372.9mm² 858.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 25MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4288 x 2848 6048 x 4024
Max native ISO 3200 51200
Max enhanced ISO 6400 204800
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Min enhanced ISO 100 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 51 51
Cross focus points - 15
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F Nikon F
Total lenses 309 309
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3" 3.2"
Display resolution 920k dot 2,359k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.63x 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 900 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 7.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain no built-in flash
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250 secs -
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) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 938 grams (2.07 lb) 840 grams (1.85 lb)
Physical dimensions 147 x 114 x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") 144 x 116 x 76mm (5.7" x 4.6" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 70 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.2 not tested
DXO Low light score 787 not tested
Other
Battery life 950 photos 2260 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL3e EN-EL15b
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage media Compact Flash Type I/SD/SDHC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Storage slots 2 2
Price at release $1,630 $2,297