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Nikon D300S vs Nikon D800

Portability
55
Imaging
52
Features
65
Overall
57
Nikon D300S front
 
Nikon D800 front
Portability
54
Imaging
73
Features
80
Overall
75

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D800 Key Specs

Nikon D300S
(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
Nikon D800
(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
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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.

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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.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon D300S over the Nikon D800

 D300S D800 

Reasons to pick Nikon D800 over the Nikon D300S

 D800 D300S 
LaunchedJune 2012November 2009More modern by 31 months
Display dimension3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution921k920kSharper display (+1k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D300S and Nikon D800

 D300S D800 
Manually focus More precise focus
Display typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D800 size comparison

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

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D800 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D800 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D800 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D300S Portrait photography highlights
Nikon D800 Portrait photography highlights
63
manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with face detection focus
supports RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
83
focusing manually
high MP (36 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
comes with face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon D300S
Street photography with Nikon D800
52
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
no moving screen
no image stabilization
heavier than competitors in class (938 grams)
60
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D300S Sports photography factors
Nikon D800 Sports photography factors
59
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
environment proofing
supports phase detect auto focus
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
74
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
high MP (36MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
environment sealing
comes with phase detect AF
slow fps (4.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D300S Travel photography details
Nikon D800 Travel photography details
48
environment proofing
flash built-in
heavier than competitors in class (938 grams)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly display
66
environment sealing
high MP (36MP)
has built in flash
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D300S Landscape photography factors
Nikon D800 Landscape photography factors
65
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3")
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
two card slots
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
79
focusing manually
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inch)
high MP (36 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
2 card slots
lack of image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D300S Vlogging features
Nikon D800 Vlogging features
22
comes with face detection focus
comes with external mic socket
does not offer selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
heavier than competitors in class (938g)
30
comes with face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have mic support
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
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Nikon D300S vs Nikon D800 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D300S and Nikon D800
 Nikon D300SNikon 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