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Nikon D300S vs Nikon D90

Portability
55
Imaging
52
Features
65
Overall
57
Nikon D300S front
 
Nikon D90 front
Portability
60
Imaging
52
Features
52
Overall
52

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D90 Key Specs

Nikon D300S
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Increase to 6400)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 938g - 147 x 114 x 74mm
  • Released November 2009
  • Earlier Model is Nikon D300
  • Successor is Nikon D600
Nikon D90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Increase to 6400)
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 703g - 132 x 103 x 77mm
  • Introduced October 2008
  • Replaced the Nikon D80
  • Newer Model is Nikon D7000
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Nikon D300S vs Nikon D90 Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Nikon D300S and Nikon D90, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras and both are offered by Nikon. The sensor resolution of the D300S (12MP) and the D90 (12MP) is pretty similar and both cameras have the same sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The D300S was announced 14 months later than the D90 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving into a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief overview of how the D300S matches up against the D90 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D300S over the Nikon D90

 D300S D90 
IntroducedNovember 2009October 2008More recent by 14 months

Reasons to pick Nikon D90 over the Nikon D300S

 D90 D300S 

Common features in the Nikon D300S and Nikon D90

 D300S D90 
Focus manually Very precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements
Screen resolution920k920kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D90 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to lug around your camera often, you're going to have to factor its weight and volume. The Nikon D300S has external measurements of 147mm x 114mm x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") and a weight of 938 grams (2.07 lbs) while the Nikon D90 has sizing of 132mm x 103mm x 77mm (5.2" x 4.1" x 3.0") having a weight of 703 grams (1.55 lbs).

Look at the Nikon D300S and Nikon D90 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilising during that time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the D300S against the D90.

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D90 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the D300S and D90 is 55 and 60 respectively.

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D90 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D90 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its tough to see the contrast between sensor measurements just by going over specifications. The visual here may give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the D300S and D90.

To sum up, each of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the same megapixels so you can expect similar quality of pictures but you should always consider the launch date of the products into consideration. The fresher D300S will have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D90 sensor size comparison

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D90 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D300S vs Nikon D90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D300S Portrait photography factors
Nikon D90 Portrait photography factors
63
manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features face detection focus
supports RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
63
manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Nikon D300S Street photography advice
Nikon D90 Street photography advice
52
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
heavier than competitors in class (938g)
54
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon D300S
Sports photography with Nikon D90
59
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
environment proofing
has phase detect auto focus
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12MP)
46
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
max fps very slow (4.5 frames per second)
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12MP)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D300S Travel photography information
Nikon D90 Travel photography information
48
environment proofing
has built in flash
heavier than competitors in class (938g)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
44
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D300S
Landscape photography with Nikon D90
65
manual focus
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
two card slots
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12MP)
58
manual focus
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D300S Vlogging highlights
Nikon D90 Vlogging highlights
22
features face detection focus
has external mic socket
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
heavier than competitors in class (938g)
21
provides face detect focus
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic socket
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Nikon D300S vs Nikon D90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D300S and Nikon D90
 Nikon D300SNikon D90
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Model type Nikon D300S Nikon D90
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2009-11-16 2008-10-13
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
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 12MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Peak resolution 4288 x 2848 4288 x 2848
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 200 200
RAW data
Minimum enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 51 11
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Nikon F
Available lenses 309 309
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 920k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.63x 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 7.0 frames/s 4.5 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 17.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250s 1/200s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 480 (24 fps), 320 x 240 (24 fps) 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps), 320 x 216 (24 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 938 grams (2.07 lbs) 703 grams (1.55 lbs)
Physical 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 Overall rating 70 73
DXO Color Depth rating 22.5 22.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.2 12.5
DXO Low light rating 787 977
Other
Battery life 950 photos 850 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack 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 recording
Storage type Compact Flash Type I/SD/SDHC SD/SDHC
Card slots Two Single
Pricing at release $1,630 $1,199