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Nikon D300S vs Nikon D80

Portability
55
Imaging
52
Features
65
Overall
57
Nikon D300S front
 
Nikon D80 front
Portability
62
Imaging
48
Features
36
Overall
43

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D80 Key Specs

Nikon D300S
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Boost to 6400)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 938g - 147 x 114 x 74mm
  • Announced November 2009
  • Older Model is Nikon D300
  • Replacement is Nikon D600
Nikon D80
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Boost to 3200)
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 668g - 132 x 103 x 77mm
  • Released September 2006
  • Earlier Model is Nikon D70
  • Successor is Nikon D90
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Nikon D300S vs Nikon D80 Overview

Below, we will be evaluating the Nikon D300S versus Nikon D80, both Advanced DSLR cameras and both are designed by Nikon. The resolution of the D300S (12MP) and the D80 (10MP) is pretty comparable and they use the exact same sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The D300S was unveiled 3 years later than the D80 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before going through a complete comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the D300S matches up versus the D80 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D300S over the Nikon D80

 D300S D80 
ReleasedNovember 2009September 2006More recent by 39 months
Screen dimension3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution920k230kSharper screen (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon D80 over the Nikon D300S

 D80 D300S 

Common features in the Nikon D300S and Nikon D80

 D300S D80 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D80 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to lug around your camera frequently, you'll have to consider its weight and proportions. The Nikon D300S has got external dimensions of 147mm x 114mm x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") along with a weight of 938 grams (2.07 lbs) whilst the Nikon D80 has measurements of 132mm x 103mm x 77mm (5.2" x 4.1" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 668 grams (1.47 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon D300S versus Nikon D80 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilising during that time. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the D300S and the D80.

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D80 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the D300S and D80 is 55 and 62 respectively.

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D80 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D80 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's tough to picture the gap in sensor measurements merely by checking out technical specs. The photograph underneath will help offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the D300S and D80.

As you can tell, each of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different resolution. You should expect the Nikon D300S to produce greater detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots much more aggressively. The more modern D300S provides a benefit in sensor technology.

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D80 sensor size comparison

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D80 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D80 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D300S Portrait photography highlights
Nikon D80 Portrait photography highlights
63
focusing manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
52
has manual focus
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Nikon D300S Street photography features
Nikon D80 Street photography features
52
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than others (938 grams)
54
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D300S Sports photography info
Nikon D80 Sports photography info
59
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
weather sealing
has phase detect autofocus
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
40
decent sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
slow frames per second (3.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D300S Travel photography details
Nikon D80 Travel photography details
48
weather sealing
flash built-in
more heavy than others (938 grams)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
44
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D300S
Landscape photography with Nikon D80
65
focusing manually
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
has double storage slots
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
47
has manual focus
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inch)
doesn't have liveview
no image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
lack of Time Lapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D300S as a Vlogging camera
Nikon D80 as a Vlogging camera
22
features face detection autofocus
has external microphone port
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
more heavy than others (938 grams)
9
can't record video
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Nikon D300S vs Nikon D80 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D300S and Nikon D80
 Nikon D300SNikon D80
General Information
Brand Nikon Nikon
Model type Nikon D300S Nikon D80
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2009-11-16 2006-09-23
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Maximum resolution 4288 x 2848 3872 x 2592
Maximum native ISO 3200 1600
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW support
Min boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 51 -
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Nikon F
Amount of lenses 309 309
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 2.5 inches
Screen resolution 920k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.63x 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 7.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 13.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250 secs 1/200 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 480 (24 fps), 320 x 240 (24 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 None
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 938 grams (2.07 lbs) 668 grams (1.47 lbs)
Dimensions 147 x 114 x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") 132 x 103 x 77mm (5.2" x 4.1" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 70 61
DXO Color Depth rating 22.5 22.1
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.2 11.2
DXO Low light rating 787 524
Other
Battery life 950 images -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID EN-EL3e EN-EL3e
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash Type I/SD/SDHC SD/SDHC card
Storage slots 2 1
Price at launch $1,630 $800