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Nikon D300S was announced in 2009 and is an APS-C (23.6 x 15.8 mm) DSLR camera with 12.3 Megapixel CMOS sensor. Its native ISO ranges from 200 to 3,200 and expands to 100 - 6,400 in boosted mode. The camera has a Fixed 3.0" screen with 920k dot resolution and built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder.
Nikon D300S can capture video up to 1280 x 720 resolution.
In this section we present pros and cons of Nikon D300S.
And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:
Here we are comparing Nikon D300S to its predecessor D300 and displaying the major changes.
| UPGRADES | Nikon D300S | vs | Nikon D300 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video Capture | vs | ||
| Face Detection | vs | ||
| Higher Max Continuous Shooting | 7.0 fps | vs | 6.0 fps |
| Higher DxO Low Light ISO | 787 | vs | 679 |
| Higher DxO Color Depth | 22.5 | vs | 22.1 |
| Higher DxO Dynamic Range | 12.2 | vs | 12.0 |
| Higher DxO Overall Score | 70 | vs | 67 |
| Built-in Microphone | Stereo | vs | |
| Microphone Input | vs | ||
| More Storage Slots | 2 | vs | 1 |
| DOWNGRADES | Nikon D300S | vs | Nikon D300 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower Resolution Screen | 920k dot | vs | 922k dot |
| Average Metering | vs | ||
| Heavier | 938 g (2.07 lb / 33.09 oz) | vs | 925 g (2.04 lb / 32.63 oz) |
| Shorter Battery Life | 950 shots | vs | 1000 shots |
For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Nikon D300S vs D300.
In 2016 Nikon D300S was replaced by Nikon D500. Let us now have a look at some important differences between Nikon D300S and its successor.
| UPGRADES | Nikon D500 | vs | Nikon D300S |
|---|---|---|---|
| Higher Sensor Resolution | 20.9 Megapixel | vs | 12.3 Megapixel |
| Lower Native ISO | 100 | vs | 200 |
| Higher Native ISO | 51,200 | vs | 3,200 |
| Lower Boosted ISO | 50 | vs | 100 |
| Higher Boosted ISO | 1,640,000 | vs | 6,400 |
| More Powerful Processor | EXPEED 5 | vs | EXPEED |
| Max Image Resolution | 5568 x 3712 | vs | 4288 x 2848 |
| More Focus Points | 153 | vs | 51 |
| Touch-to-Focus | vs | ||
| Center Autofocus | vs | ||
| Screen Type | Tilting | vs | Fixed |
| Touch Screen | vs | ||
| Larger Screen | 3.2" | vs | 3.0" |
| Higher Resolution Screen | 2,359k dot | vs | 920k dot |
| Higher Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent) | 0.67x | vs | 0.63x |
| Higher Max Continuous Shooting | 10.0 fps | vs | 7.0 fps |
| Average Metering | vs | ||
| Partial Metering | vs | ||
| Higher DxO Low Light ISO | 1324 | vs | 787 |
| Higher DxO Color Depth | 24.1 | vs | 22.5 |
| Higher DxO Dynamic Range | 14.0 | vs | 12.2 |
| Higher DxO Overall Score | 84 | vs | 70 |
| Higher Video Resolution | 3840 x 2160 | vs | 1280 x 720 |
| Higher USB Speed | USB 3.2 Gen 1x1 (5 GBit/sec) | vs | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| Speaker | Mono | vs | |
| Headphone Output | vs | ||
| Built-In Wi-Fi | vs | via Eye-Fi | |
| Built-In Bluetooth | vs | ||
| Dust Proof | vs | ||
| Lighter | 860 g (1.90 lb / 30.34 oz) | vs | 938 g (2.07 lb / 33.09 oz) |
| Longer Battery Life | 1240 shots | vs | 950 shots |
| DOWNGRADES | Nikon D500 | vs | Nikon D300S |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in Flash | vs |
For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Nikon D300S vs D500.
Nikon D300S has a 3.0" Fixed screen with 920k dot resolution.
Camera has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. It has a 100% coverage and 0.94x (0.63x 35mm equivalent) magnification.
Nikon D300S features a 12.3 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.6 x 15.8 mm and a total area of 372.9 mm2. Its native ISO range is 200 - 3,200 and expands to 100 - 6,400 in boosted mode.
Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how Nikon D300S's APS-C sensor compares with other types of sensors:
| Sensor | Dimensions | Area | Aspect Ratio | Crop Factor | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Medium Format | 44 x 33 mm | 1452 mm2 | 4:3 | 0.79x |
 | Full Frame | 36 x 24 mm | 864 mm2 | 3:2 | 1x |
 | APS-H | 27 x 18 mm | 486 mm2 | 3:2 | 1.3x |
 | APS-C | 23.6 x 15.8 mm | 372.9 mm2 | 3:2 | 1.5x |
 0.webp) | APS-C (Canon) | 22.3 x 14.9 mm | 332.3 mm2 | 3:2 | 1.6x |
 | Micro Four Thirds | 17.4 x 13 mm | 226.2 mm2 | 4:3 | 2x |
 | 1-inch | 13.2 x 8.8 mm | 116.2 mm2 | 3:2 | 2.7x |
 | 1/1.7-inch | 7.44 x 5.58 mm | 41.5 mm2 | 4:3 | 4.7x |
 | 1/2.3-inch | 6.17 x 4.55 mm | 28.1 mm2 | 4:3 | 5.6x |
Camera is equipped with EXPEED processor and can take pictures up to 4288 x 2848 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolutions like 3216 x 2136, 2144 x 1424 with 3:2 aspect ratios.
Nikon D300S has Nikon F lens mount. Due to APS-C sensor its crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is 1.5x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.5.
The camera does not have in-body image stabilization (IBIS) so it needs lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction.
Nikon D300S has a USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) input for data transfer. There is a Mini Type C HDMI connector for video signal output.
Nikon D300S comes with EN-EL3e battery pack with battery life of 950 shots.
The camera has two card slots - one for SD/SDHC and one for CompactFlash (Type I/II, compliant with UDMA).
Nikon D300S has Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/8000 sec. Camera can shoot continuously up to 7.0 fps.
Nikon D300S has a built-in flash with maximum range of 12.00 m at ISO 100 and also accepts external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe or PC Terminal. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/250 sec. Flash compensation can be set from -3 to +1 EV with 1/3 or 1/2 EV step increments.
Nikon D300S has dimensions of 147 x 114 x 74 mm (5.79 x 4.49 x 2.91"). It weighs 938 g (2.07 lb / 33.09 oz) which is neither heavy nor lightweight.
147 mm (5.79")
114 mm (4.49")
114 mm (4.49")
74 mm (2.91")
Nikon D300S dimensions
We give scores to the camera for different type of photography based on its features and specifications. Let us see how Nikon D300S is suitable for six different types of photography.
Nikon D300S gets a score of 80 and is GOOD choice for Landscape photography.
Nikon D300S gets a score of 70 and is GOOD choice for Sports photography.
Nikon D300S gets a score of 66 and is AVERAGE choice for Wildlife photography.
Nikon D300S gets a score of 79 and is GOOD choice for Portrait photography.
Nikon D300S gets a score of 77 and is GOOD choice for Street photography.
Nikon D300S gets a score of 75 and is GOOD choice for Travel photography.
We evaluate Nikon D300S and give score of 68 out of 100. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.
We give Nikon D300S a score of 66 for Sensor parameters.
We give Nikon D300S a score of 67 for Photo parameters.
We give Nikon D300S a score of 7 for Video parameters.
We give Nikon D300S a score of 82 for Focusing parameters.
We give Nikon D300S a score of 73 for Screen and Viewfinder parameters.
We give Nikon D300S a score of 78 for Connectivity parameters.
We give Nikon D300S a score of 74 for Battery, Storage and Physical parameters.
For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:
