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Nikon D300S vs Olympus E-500

Portability
55
Imaging
52
Features
65
Overall
57
Nikon D300S front
 
Olympus E-500 front
Portability
70
Imaging
42
Features
34
Overall
38

Nikon D300S vs Olympus E-500 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
  • Launched November 2009
  • Earlier Model is Nikon D300
  • Refreshed by Nikon D600
Olympus E-500
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 400 (Expand to 1600)
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 479g - 130 x 95 x 66mm
  • Released October 2005
  • Alternative Name is EVOLT E-500
  • Successor is Olympus E-510
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Nikon D300S vs Olympus E-500 Overview

Its time to examine more in depth at the Nikon D300S vs Olympus E-500, both Advanced DSLR cameras by competitors Nikon and Olympus. There is a large difference among the sensor resolutions of the D300S (12MP) and E-500 (8MP) and the D300S (APS-C) and E-500 (Four Thirds) come with different sensor size.

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The D300S was manufactured 4 years later than the E-500 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting in to a in depth comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the D300S matches up against the E-500 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D300S over the Olympus E-500

 D300S E-500 
ReleasedNovember 2009October 2005More recent by 50 months
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution920k215kClearer screen (+705k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus E-500 over the Nikon D300S

 E-500 D300S 

Common features in the Nikon D300S and Olympus E-500

 D300S E-500 
Manual focus More exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither comes with Touch friendly screen

Nikon D300S vs Olympus E-500 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to lug around your camera, you're going to have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Nikon D300S comes with outside 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 Olympus E-500 has proportions of 130mm x 95mm x 66mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.6") having a weight of 479 grams (1.06 lbs).

Examine the Nikon D300S vs Olympus E-500 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the D300S versus the E-500.

Nikon D300S vs Olympus E-500 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the D300S and E-500 is 55 and 70 respectively.

Nikon D300S vs Olympus E-500 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D300S vs Olympus E-500 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be hard to picture the gap in sensor measurements only by researching a spec sheet. The visual here might give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the D300S and E-500.

As you can see, both of the cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The D300S because of its bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field easier and the Nikon D300S will provide you with greater detail due to its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The more modern D300S should have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon D300S vs Olympus E-500 sensor size comparison

Nikon D300S vs Olympus E-500 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D300S vs Olympus E-500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D300S Portrait photography information
Olympus E-500 Portrait photography information
63
manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
49
focusing manually
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
does not have liveview
sensor resolution low (8 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon D300S
Street photography with Olympus E-500
52
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competitors (938 grams)
57
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than others (479 grams)
fixed screen
no image stabilization
low maximum ISO (400)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D300S as a Sports photography camera
Olympus E-500 as a Sports photography camera
59
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
37
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports phase detect AF
does not have liveview
max frames per second low (3.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (8MP)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D300S Travel photography info
Olympus E-500 Travel photography info
48
environment proofing
built-in flash
more heavy than competitors (938g)
low megapixels (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
52
lighter than others (479g)
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (8 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D300S as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus E-500 as a Landscape photography camera
65
manual focus
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3")
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
has dual storage slots
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
43
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
screen is small (2.5")
does not have liveview
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (8MP)
low maximum ISO (400)
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D300S Vlogging features
Olympus E-500 Vlogging features
22
features face detect focus
includes microphone jack
does not feature selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
more heavy than competitors (938g)
9
no video shooting
Photography Glossary

Nikon D300S vs Olympus E-500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D300S and Olympus E-500
 Nikon D300SOlympus E-500
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Olympus
Model type Nikon D300S Olympus E-500
Also Known as - EVOLT E-500
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2009-11-16 2005-10-21
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 8 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3
Max resolution 4288 x 2848 3264 x 2448
Max native ISO 3200 400
Max enhanced ISO 6400 1600
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW images
Min enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 51 3
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 309 45
Crop factor 1.5 2.1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.5 inches
Screen resolution 920k dots 215k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.63x 0.45x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 7.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250 seconds 1/180 seconds
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) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Video format Motion JPEG -
Mic support
Headphone support
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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 938g (2.07 lbs) 479g (1.06 lbs)
Dimensions 147 x 114 x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") 130 x 95 x 66mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 70 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.2 not tested
DXO Low light rating 787 not tested
Other
Battery life 950 photographs -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID EN-EL3e -
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type Compact Flash Type I/SD/SDHC Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card
Card slots Dual 1
Launch price $1,630 $600