Canon EOS Rebel T3 vs Nikon D300S

      Canon EOS Rebel T3

      Nikon D300S
      60
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      68
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      Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Canon EOS Rebel T3 and the Nikon D300S, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Canon EOS Rebel T3 was introduced in April 2011 and Nikon D300S was introduced in November 2009. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Canon EOS Rebel T3 Highlights

      • 12.2 MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 6,400 Native ISO
      • 9 Focus Points (9 Cross-type)
      • 2.7" 230k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentamirror) Viewfinder
      • 3.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1280 x 720 Video Shooting
      • 30 min Video Recording Limit
      • Built-in Flash

      Nikon D300S Highlights

      • 12.3 MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
      • 200 - 3,200 Native ISO
      • 51 Focus Points
      • 3.0" 920k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
      • 7.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1280 x 720 Video Shooting
      • Built-in Flash
      • Wheather Sealed Body
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Canon EOS Rebel T3
      4. Advantage of Nikon D300S
      5. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      6. Screen and Viewfinder
      7. Sensor
      8. Photography Features
      9. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
      10. Other Features
      11. Physical Parameters
      12. For Different Types of Photography
      13. Evaluations
      14. Specifications  

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Canon EOS Rebel T3 and Nikon D300S.

      PROS

      Canon EOS Rebel T3

      Nikon D300S

      •   Video Capture
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Light - 495 g (1.09 lb / 17.46 oz)
      •   Orientation Sensor
      •   Video Capture
      •   51 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      CONS

      Canon EOS Rebel T3

      Nikon D300S

      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12.2 Megapixel
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   1 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12.3 Megapixel
      •   200 Lowest Native ISO
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Canon EOS Rebel T3

      Nikon D300S

      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   Screen Size - 2.7"
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
      •   DxO Overall Score - 62
      •   Battery Life - 700 shots
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 7.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
      •   DxO Overall Score - 70
      •   Weight - 938 g (2.07 lb / 33.09 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 950 shots

      Advantage of Canon EOS Rebel T3

      Canon Rebel T3
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Canon EOS Rebel T3 over Nikon D300S.

      Canon EOS Rebel T3 vs Nikon D300S
      Lower Native ISO 100 vs 200
      Higher Native ISO 6,400 vs 3,200
      Partial Metering vs
      Lighter 495 g (1.09 lb / 17.46 oz) vs 938 g (2.07 lb / 33.09 oz)

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Canon EOS Rebel T3.

      Canon Rebel T7
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      APS-C

      24.1 MP

      Canon Rebel T2i
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      18.0 MP

      Canon Rebel T6s
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Canon Rebel T1i
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      15.1 MP

      Canon Rebel T8i
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.1 MP

      Nikon D300
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      12.3 MP

      Canon Rebel T7i
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Canon Rebel T6i
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Canon Rebel T3i
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      18.0 MP

      Canon Rebel T5i
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      18.0 MP

      Canon Rebel T5
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      18.0 MP

      Canon Rebel T4i
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      APS-C

      18.0 MP

      Advantage of Nikon D300S

      Nikon D300S
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon D300S over Canon EOS Rebel T3.

      Canon EOS Rebel T3 vs Nikon D300S
      Higher Sensor Resolution 12.2 Megapixel vs 12.3 Megapixel
      Max Image Resolution 4272 x 2848 vs 4288 x 2848
      Timelapse Recording vs
      More Focus Points 9 vs 51
      Tracking Autofocus vs
      Larger Screen 2.7" vs 3.0"
      Higher Resolution Screen 230k dot vs 920k dot
      Top LCD Screen vs
      Higher Viewfinder Coverage 95% vs 100%
      Higher Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent) 0.50x vs 0.63x
      Higher Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) 1/4000 sec vs 1/8000 sec
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 3.0 fps vs 7.0 fps
      Higher Flash Sync Speed 1/200 sec vs 1/250 sec
      Spot Metering vs
      Higher DxO Low Light ISO 755 vs 787
      Higher DxO Color Depth 21.9 vs 22.5
      Higher DxO Dynamic Range 11.0 vs 12.2
      Higher DxO Overall Score 62 vs 70
      Microphone Input vs
      Environmental Sealing vs
      Longer Battery Life 700 shots vs 950 shots
      More Storage Slots 1 vs 2

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Nikon D300S.

      Nikon D300
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      APS-C

      12.3 MP

      Nikon D500
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      20.9 MP

      Nikon D3200
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Nikon D70
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      APS-C

      6.1 MP

      Nikon D600
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      Full Frame

      24.3 MP

      Panasonic GH6
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      25.2 MP

      Sony FX30
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      26 MP

      Nikon D3000
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      APS-C

      10.2 MP

      Nikon Z30
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      20.9 MP

      Fujifilm S4500
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      1/2.3-inch

      14.0 MP

      Epson R-D1x
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      APS-C

      6 MP

      Nikon D7100
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      APS-C

      24.1 MP

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Canon EOS Rebel T3 Nikon D300S
        Video Capture
        Face Detection
        Live View Autofocus
        Built-in Flash
        HDMI Output Mini Mini Type C
        Orientation Sensor
      WEAKNESSES Canon EOS Rebel T3 Nikon D300S
        Low Resolution Sensor12.2 Megapixel12.3 Megapixel
        No Image Stabilization
        Screen TypeFixedFixed
        Low Video Resolution1280 x 7201280 x 720
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi Eye-Fi Connection possible via Eye-Fi
        No Built-In Bluetooth

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Canon EOS Rebel T3 has a 2.7" screen with 230k dot resolution and Nikon D300S has a 3.0" screen with 920k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens.


      Viewfinder

      Canon EOS Rebel T3 has a built-in Optical (pentamirror) viewfinderNikon D300S has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. Canon EOS Rebel T3 has 95% coverage with 0.80x (0.50x 35mm equivalent) magnification and Nikon D300S has 100% coverage with 0.94x (0.63x 35mm equivalent) magnification.

      Sensor

      Canon EOS Rebel T3 features a 12.2 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 22.2 x 14.8 mm and a total area of 328.6 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 6,400. 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 249.6 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 different sensors compare with each other:

      Sensor size chart
      Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
      Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
      Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.6 mm368.2 mm23:21.5x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
      Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
      Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

      Photography Features

      Canon EOS Rebel T3 is equipped with DIGIC 4 processor and can take pictures up to 4272 x 2848 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3088 x 2056, 2256 x 1504, 1920 x 1280, 720 x 480 with 3:2 aspect ratios. Nikon D300S is equipped with EXPEED processor and can take pictures up to 4288 x 2848 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3216 x 2136, 2144 x 1424 with 3:2 aspect ratios.


      Lens Mount

      Canon EOS Rebel T3 has Canon EF/EF-S lens mount and Nikon D300S has Nikon F lens mount. They both have APS-C sensor but because of a small size difference their crop factors (also called lens multiplier) differ from each other. Canon EOS Rebel T3 has the crop factor of 1.6x which means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.6. Nikon D300S has the crop factor of 1.5x which means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.5.


      No Image Stabilization

      The cameras do not have image stabilization. On Canon EOS Rebel T3 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Nikon D300S nothing can be done. On Nikon D300S it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Canon EOS Rebel T3 nothing can be done.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

      Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. Canon EOS Rebel T3 has a Mini HDMI and Nikon D300S has a Mini Type C HDMI connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Canon EOS Rebel T3 comes with LP-E10 battery pack with battery life of 700 shots and Nikon D300S comes with EN-EL3e battery pack with battery life of 950 shots.


      External Storage Slots

      Canon EOS Rebel T3 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot. Nikon D300S has two card slots - one for SD/SDHC and one for CompactFlash (Type I/II, compliant with UDMA).

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Nikon D300S has Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Canon EOS Rebel T3, and up to 1/8000 sec on Nikon D300S. Canon EOS Rebel T3 can shoot continuously up to 3.0 fps. Nikon D300S can shoot continuously up to 7.0 fps.


      Flash

      Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 9.20 m on Canon EOS Rebel T3 and 12.00 m at ISO 100 on Nikon D300S. They also accept external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe or PC Terminal to Nikon D300S. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/200 sec on Canon EOS Rebel T3 and 1/250 sec on Nikon D300S.

      Physical Parameters

      Canon EOS Rebel T3 body has dimensions of 130 x 100 x 78 mm (5.12 x 3.94 x 3.07") and Nikon D300S body has dimensions of 147 x 114 x 74 mm (5.79 x 4.49 x 2.91"). Canon EOS Rebel T3 weighs 495 g (1.09 lb / 17.46 oz) and Nikon D300S weighs 938 g (2.07 lb / 33.09 oz).

      Canon EOS Rebel T3

      Nikon D300S

      130 mm

      100 mm

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      147 mm

      114 mm

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      100 mm

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      114 mm

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      78 mm

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      74 mm

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      Size comparisons of Canon EOS Rebel T3 and Nikon D300S

      Canon EOS Rebel T3 and Nikon D300S for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Canon EOS Rebel T3

      Nikon D300S

      AVERAGE
      68
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      GOOD
      80
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Canon EOS Rebel T3

      Nikon D300S

      AVERAGE
      64
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   1 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Battery Life - 700 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      70
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   51 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 7.0 fps
      •   Battery Life - 950 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Wildlife Photography

      Canon EOS Rebel T3

      Nikon D300S

      AVERAGE
      55
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   1 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Battery Life - 700 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      66
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   51 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 7.0 fps
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Battery Life - 950 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Portrait Photography

      Canon EOS Rebel T3

      Nikon D300S

      GOOD
      77
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   1 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 2.7"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      79
      •   51 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Street Photography

      Canon EOS Rebel T3

      Nikon D300S

      GOOD
      78
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   1 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 495 g (1.09 lb / 17.46 oz)
      GOOD
      77
      •   51 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 938 g (2.07 lb / 33.09 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Canon EOS Rebel T3

      Nikon D300S

      GOOD
      78
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 495 g (1.09 lb / 17.46 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 700 shots
      GOOD
      75
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 938 g (2.07 lb / 33.09 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 950 shots

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Canon EOS Rebel T3 and Nikon D300S and give them scores of 60 and 68 out of 100 recpectively. 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.


      Canon EOS Rebel T3

      Nikon D300S

      OVERALL
      60
      OVERALL
      68

      Sensor

      Canon EOS Rebel T3

      Nikon D300S

      AVERAGE
      68
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12.2 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 62
      AVERAGE
      66
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12.3 Megapixel
      •   200 Lowest Native ISO
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 70

      Photo

      Canon EOS Rebel T3

      Nikon D300S

      POOR
      53
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
      AVERAGE
      67
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 7.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec

      Video

      Canon EOS Rebel T3

      Nikon D300S

      BAD
      9
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      BAD
      7
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720

      Focusing

      Canon EOS Rebel T3

      Nikon D300S

      GOOD
      77
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   1 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      GOOD
      82
      •   51 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Canon EOS Rebel T3

      Nikon D300S

      AVERAGE
      64
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 2.7"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      GOOD
      73
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot

      Connectivity

      Canon EOS Rebel T3

      Nikon D300S

      AVERAGE
      65
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      GOOD
      78
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Canon EOS Rebel T3

      Nikon D300S

      POOR
      45
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 495 g (1.09 lb / 17.46 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 700 shots
      GOOD
      74
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 938 g (2.07 lb / 33.09 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 950 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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