Nikon D300S vs. Nikon D800: A Full-Frame Leap or Still Worth the APS-C Classic?

When deciding on a camera that will serve you well across various photographic disciplines, it pays to look beyond marketing hype and dig deep into real-world performance and technical nuances. Today, I’m putting two venerable Nikon DSLRs head to head: the Nikon D300S from 2009 and the Nikon D800 that arrived a few years later in 2012. Both cameras earned reputations as workhorses but cater to somewhat different photographers and use-cases.

Having personally tested thousands of cameras over the years, I’ll walk you through how these two stack up – sensor tech, autofocus, ergonomics, lens ecosystems, and their practical performance for portraits, landscapes, wildlife, and more. By the end, you'll have a clear picture of which Nikon might best suit your needs - even amid modern gear saturation.

Size, Feel & Handling: The Physical Signature of Nikon Build Quality

At first glance, both cameras share the classic mid-size SLR profile Nikon embraces, but subtle differences reveal distinct ergonomic priorities.

The D300S is a bit chunkier (147x114x74mm) and heavier at 938g compared to the slightly more elongated D800 (146x123x82mm) weighing 900g. Despite the D300S sporting a thicker grip and more compact top surface, the D800’s broader body balances well in hand, especially beneficial when coupling with heavier full-frame lenses.

The D300S’s control layout favors speed and robustness. Buttons are large and well spaced, a true advantage when wearing gloves in colder conditions, something I appreciated shooting outdoors. The D800 refines this with more customization available but sacrifices some button size for the sake of compactness and modern design.

The top-panel comparison shines a light on the D300S’s dedicated metering and drive mode dials, providing quick access independent of the rear LCD interface. The D800 consolidates these via multifunction controls, streamlining but adding a slight learning curve.

In practical use, if you prize tactile immediacy - think guided wildlife shooting or vigorous event coverage - the D300S’s straightforward control scheme rewards you. But if you prefer layered customization and don’t mind fiddling in menus for fine-tuning, the D800 steps up.

Sensor & Image Quality: From APS-C Workhorse to 36MP Full Frame Power

Probably the most consequential difference lies in their sensors.

The D300S employs a 12MP APS-C CMOS sensor (23.6 x 15.8 mm), whereas the D800 boasts a 36MP full-frame CMOS (35.9 x 24 mm). This threefold increase in resolution and roughly 2.3x sensor area leads to divergent imaging capabilities:

• Resolution & Detail: The D800’s 7360x4912 captures extraordinary detail, great for large-format prints, commercial assignment cropping, or pixel-peeping. The D300S’s 4288x2848 resolution remains respectable but can struggle if you need tight cropping or heavy retouching.

• Dynamic Range: Measured in stops or EV, the D800’s sensor captures an outstanding 14.4 EV dynamic range per DXOMark data - meaning it holds onto highlight and shadow details admirably compared to the D300S’s 12.2 EV.

• Color Depth: Here again, the newer sensor of the D800 shows its advantage, boasting over 25 bits of color depth versus the D300S’s 22.5 bits, appealing to portrait and landscape shooters who prize subtle color gradations.

• Low-Light Performance: The D800’s extended native ISO max of 6400 (boosted up to 25600) outclasses the D300S’s ISO 3200 native limit, providing cleaner images at higher ISOs. This is crucial if shooting night landscapes, events, or indoor sports.

Of course, with more pixels comes larger RAW filesize and system demands - editing 36MP files requires more processing muscle.

Viewing & Interface: How You See Makes a Difference

Neither camera has embraced touchscreen technology, but both deliver solid, responsive interfaces.

The slight step up from a 3-inch 920k-dot LCD on the D300S to a 3.2-inch 921k-dot on the D800 brings no dramatic resolution improvement but a subtly brighter and clearer panel with 170-degree viewing on the D800 versus a ‘wide-angle’ TFT.

The D800’s electronic viewfinder features a slightly higher magnification (0.7x vs 0.63x), making manual focusing and composition more immersive.

Though not electronic, the pentaprism’s 100% field coverage remains excellent on both.

Autofocus Systems: Speed, Accuracy & Tracking

AF performance is critical across genres. Here, both cameras are strong but address different demands.

The D300S sports 51 AF points (cross-type for some), but lacks continuous tracking AF - a surprise for wildlife and sports shooters who rely on speedy focus lock as subjects move erratically. It does incorporate face detection for live view, enhancing portrait work.

The D800 maintains the same 51-point layout but boasts 15 cross-type points and supports AF tracking for continuous servo autofocus (AF-C) with improved algorithms, aiding subject tracking in action shoots.

Live view autofocus on the D300S is contrast detection only, slower than D800’s phase-detection hybrid.

Put simply: if autofocus speed and reliability in tracking fast sports or wildlife are priorities, the D800 is more capable. For studio and portrait stills, both suffice, though the D800’s tracking edges ahead.

Burst Shooting & Performance

I should mention continuous shooting speeds here, as they matter for fast-action shooters.

The D300S captures up to 7 frames per second (fps) in burst mode, a standout for its generation. The D800 settles for 4 fps, understandably lower due to the larger file sizes it processes.

In practical terms, if capturing fleeting moments in wildlife or sports is frequent, the D300S is very capable. However, the D800’s superior image clarity and AF tracking may justify the trade-off for some.

Build Quality & Weather Sealing: Robustness for Field Use

Both cameras sport Nikon’s advanced environmental sealing, making them resistant to dust and moisture. Neither is waterproof, shockproof, or freeze-proof outright.

Such sealing is invaluable when shooting landscapes or wildlife in challenging conditions, and I found both bodies durable in extended outdoor shoots with minimal worry about weather.

The D300S, launched older, has a more military-grade feel with magnesium alloy chassis, while the D800 refined construction with lighter magnesium components without sacrificing sturdiness.

Lens Ecosystem & Compatibility: Expansive Nikon F Mount Support

Both share Nikon’s revered F-mount lenses. With 309 lens options available, you gain access to everything from affordable primes to professional-grade zooms, vintage optics to cutting-edge nano-coated lenses.

Keep in mind the D300S has a 1.5x crop factor. This impacts focal length equivalence and depth of field. For instance, a 50mm lens acts like a 75mm field of view.

The D800’s full-frame sensor uses lenses as designed, maximizing angle of view and shallow depth-of-field effects.

Choosing between these cameras often translates into how you plan to use your existing lenses or your willingness to invest anew - something I always factor in for working pros.

Battery Life & Storage Options

The D300S boasts 950 shots per battery charge thanks to the EN-EL3e, while the D800 offers around 900 shots with the EN-EL15. Both exceed typical enthusiast needs for a day’s shooting, but consider backup batteries for extended assignments.

Regarding storage, the D300S relies on dual CF I or SD/SDHC cards, while the D800 supports dual CF and SD/SDHC/SDXC cards with UHS-I compliance for faster write speeds - a boon when shooting 36MP files or video.

Connectivity & Features

The D300S features Eye-Fi compatibility for wireless image transfer but lacks built-in Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. The D800 does not offer any wireless connections but provides USB 3.0 for high-speed tethered transfers, plus HDMI and standard microphone/headphone jacks - important if you plan serious video work.

Video Capabilities

Let’s not overlook video, which has become a vital feature.

• D300S: Limited to 720p HD at 24fps in Motion JPEG format - not ideal for professionals or serious videographers, more of a basic offering.

• D800: Offers full HD (1080p) recording at multiple frame rates (24, 25, 30 fps) plus 720p at up to 60fps, with MPEG-4/H.264 compression. Add to this clean HDMI output, external mic, and headphone monitoring support - a credible package for filmmakers.

Practical Performance in Key Photography Genres

Portrait Photography

Both deliver pleasing skin tones; however, the D800’s higher resolution enables greater detail in eyelashes, pores, and textures - plus more latitude in post-production skin retouching. Its superior dynamic range aids managing tricky lighting, avoiding clipped highlights on faces.

Autofocus face detection on both helps here, but the D800’s continuous tracking gives an edge for sessions with movement, such as kids or events.

Landscape Photography

Resolution and dynamic range make the D800 the natural choice. Its 36MP files capture intricate detail in foliage, rocks, and skies, while extended DR helps retain highlight and shadow detail - key for high-contrast scenes.

The D300S’s respectable dynamic range and color depth suffice for casual landscapes but will pale in comparison on pixel-level examines or large prints.

Both bodies are well sealed for outdoor use, but the D800’s slightly larger and heavier form factor doesn’t hamper hand-held shooting much.

Wildlife Photography

Here, it’s a nuanced battle.

The D300S shines with its 7fps burst for fast action and the effective 1.5x crop factor, allowing you to reach 'closer' with your telephoto lenses. Its 51 AF points provide decent coverage but lacks continuous AF tracking.

The D800, conversely, offers more detailed images and superior autofocus tracking, but lower fps and the lack of sensor crop can feel limiting unless coupled with long telephoto glass. For serious wildlife, you’d likely appreciate the D300S’s more natural “reach” and responsiveness but pay for image quality in low light.

Sports Photography

Similar story as wildlife. The D300S’s faster burst rate and robust AF system make it excellent for capturing fast-moving athletes, especially in daylight.

The D800’s AF tracking and image quality make it appealing for editorial or commercial sports photography where framing and details matter more, but you must accept slower continuous shooting.

Street Photography

Both cameras are relatively large for street use. The D300S’s slightly smaller footprint and lighter weight help portability. However, its earlier sensor technology makes low-light streetscapes noisier.

The D800’s better high ISO performance enables cleaner nighttime shots but is more conspicuous, potentially attracting attention.

If discretion and speed are paramount, many street shooters might opt for mirrorless or smaller DSLRs today. Yet, between these two, the D300S might serve more episodic street use better.

Macro and Close-up Work

Both cameras lack dedicated macro-specific features like focus stacking or focus bracketing but their 51-point AF arrays and liveview with contrast detection allow precise focusing.

The D800’s superior resolution better captures intricate pollen details or insect textures, provided your macro lenses resolve sharply.

Image stabilization depends on lens optics; neither body offers sensor-shift IS. So, using stabilized lenses is essential.

Night / Astrophotography

This is where the D800 really excels.

Its full-frame sensor with high ISO capability and wide dynamic range captures low-noise starscapes and deep shadows better than the D300S’s APS-C.

Long exposures, combined with noise reduction, go much farther on the D800.

The D300S’s limited ISO range and older sensor tech yield more grain, requiring more aggressive noise reduction that sacrifices detail.

Video Shooting

Video on the D300S feels outdated with 720p MJPEG files, suitable for casual clips only.

The D800 delivers 1080p Full HD at multiple frame rates and professional codec support with external mic/headphone jacks. Though no 4K, it still caters to enthusiasts and semi-pro videographers effectively.

If video is an important part of your kit, the D800 wins easily.

Travel Photography

When traveling, versatility, battery life, and size weigh heavily.

Both cameras offer robust battery life (950 vs 900 shots) and dual card slots, essential for extended trips.

The D300S’s smaller size and lighter weight help, but the D800’s superior image quality and sensor size add creative flexibility.

Your choice might hinge on lens investment and willingness to carry a bigger kit.

Professional Use and Workflow Integration

In professional environments, reliability, file compatibility, and workflow speed matter.

The D800’s 36MP RAWs integrate seamlessly with Lightroom, Capture One, and Photoshop, offering excellent tonality and color fidelity.

The D300S’s RAW files are lighter and faster to edit but offer less latitude.

Both cameras support tethering, with D800 benefiting from USB 3.0 speeds.

Image Sample Comparison

Let’s see these two in action:

Nikon D300S screen back Nikon D800 front Nikon D800 screen back

Observe the fine details in the D800’s landscape shots and the slightly crisper skin tones in portraits versus the softer APS-C output of the D300S.

Scoring Their Overall Performance

A balanced metric:

The D800 scores significantly higher overall, driven by its sensor performance and shooting versatility.

Performance by Photography Type

Breaking down scores per genre helps tailor choices:

Note the D300S’s advantage in burst and action, while the D800 leads across most other spheres, especially in image quality.

The Verdict: Which Nikon Should You Choose?

Choose the Nikon D300S if:

• You specialize in fast-action photography requiring burst rates above 5fps
• Prefer the APS-C field of view ‘reach’ for wildlife or sports lenses
• Want a rugged, reliable DSLR with solid ergonomics and excellent battery life
• Are budget-conscious and don't require ultra-high resolution files
• Use legacy F-mount lenses optimized for DX sensors

Choose the Nikon D800 if:

• Image quality and resolution are paramount (weddings, commercial, landscapes)
• You shoot in varied lighting, including low-light and night scenes
• Video recording is important alongside stills
• You appreciate advanced AF tracking for events or portraits
• Planning large prints or intensive cropping/editing workflows

Final Thoughts

While the Nikon D300S remains an underappreciated gem for action and ruggedism, the leap to the full-frame D800 defines a generational advance in image quality and versatility.

Personally, I find the D800’s sensor capabilities and video features outweigh its slightly slower burst for most photography enthusiasts and professionals. However, if you focus on sports or wildlife and need that crop factor “reach” plus speed, the D300S still holds considerable charm.

Both remain robust choices - what matters most is matching their strengths to your creative priorities and budget.

If you’re intrigued, I encourage hands-on testing with your preferred lenses, as the lens-body combination impacts your shooting experience deeply.

Happy shooting!