Nikon D300S vs Nikon D800
55 Imaging
52 Features
65 Overall
57


54 Imaging
72 Features
80 Overall
75
Nikon D300S vs Nikon D800 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 200 - 3200 (Boost 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
- Renewed by Nikon D600
(Full Review)
- 36MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3.2" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400 (Raise to 25600)
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 900g - 146 x 123 x 82mm
- Launched June 2012
- Old Model is Nikon D700
- Successor is Nikon D810

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D800 Overview
Below, we are comparing the Nikon D300S vs Nikon D800, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras and they are both produced by Nikon. There exists a considerable gap between the image resolutions of the D300S (12MP) and D800 (36MP) and the D300S (APS-C) and D800 (Full frame) enjoy different sensor dimensions.

The D300S was announced 3 years prior to the D800 which is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).
Before getting straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple view of how the D300S grades versus the D800 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D800 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon D300S & Nikon D800. The whole galleries are viewable at Nikon D300S Gallery & Nikon D800 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D300S over the Nikon D800
D300S | D800 |
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Reasons to pick Nikon D800 over the Nikon D300S
D800 | D300S | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | June 2012 | ![]() | November 2009 | More modern by 31 months |
Display dimension | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Larger display (+0.2") |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 920k | Sharper display (+1k dot) |
Common features in the Nikon D300S and Nikon D800
D300S | D800 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More precise focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Absent Touch display |
Nikon D300S vs Nikon D800 Physical Comparison
If you're aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Nikon D300S enjoys physical 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) and the Nikon D800 has measurements of 146mm x 123mm x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") having a weight of 900 grams (1.98 lbs).
See the Nikon D300S vs Nikon D800 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are working with during that time. Here is the front view sizing comparison of the D300S vs the D800.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the D300S and D800 is 55 and 54 respectively.

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D800 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it's hard to picture the gap between sensor sizes just by reading specifications. The image below might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the D300S and D800.
To sum up, each of these cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The D300S with its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF tougher and the Nikon D800 will offer you extra detail with its extra 24MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop pics much more aggressively. The more aged D300S is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D800 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D800 Specifications
Nikon D300S | Nikon D800 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Nikon | Nikon |
Model type | Nikon D300S | Nikon D800 |
Type | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Revealed | 2009-11-16 | 2012-06-11 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Expeed | Expeed 3 |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | Full frame |
Sensor dimensions | 23.6 x 15.8mm | 35.9 x 24mm |
Sensor surface area | 372.9mm² | 861.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 36 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 5:4 and 3:2 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4288 x 2848 | 7360 x 4912 |
Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 6400 |
Maximum enhanced ISO | 6400 | 25600 |
Lowest native ISO | 200 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Lowest enhanced ISO | 100 | - |
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Total focus points | 51 | 51 |
Cross type focus points | - | 15 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Nikon F | Nikon F |
Available lenses | 309 | 309 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3 inches | 3.2 inches |
Screen resolution | 920k dots | 921k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen technology | Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle | TFT Color LCD with 170 degrees wide-viewing angle |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.63x | 0.7x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Max shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/8000s |
Continuous shutter rate | 7.0 frames/s | 4.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
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, High-speed sync |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | 1/250s | 1/250s |
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) | 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) |
GPS | Optional | Optional |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 938 grams (2.07 lb) | 900 grams (1.98 lb) |
Dimensions | 147 x 114 x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") | 146 x 123 x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 70 | 95 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 22.5 | 25.3 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 12.2 | 14.4 |
DXO Low light rating | 787 | 2853 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 950 photos | 900 photos |
Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | EN-EL3e | EN-EL15 |
Self timer | Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) | Yes (2 to 20 sec, 1 to 9 exposures at intervals of 0.5, 1, 2 or 3 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | Compact Flash Type I/SD/SDHC | Compact Flash (Type I), SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-I compliant |
Card slots | 2 | 2 |
Launch cost | $1,630 | $2,999 |