Nikon D300 vs Canon PowerShot A2500

      Nikon D300

      Canon PowerShot A2500
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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 Nikon D300 and the Canon PowerShot A2500, 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.

      Nikon D300 was introduced in March 2008 and Canon PowerShot A2500 was introduced in January 2013. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Nikon D300 Highlights

      • 12.3 MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
      • 200 - 3,200 Native ISO
      • 51 Focus Points
      • 3.0" 922k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
      • 6.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • Built-in Flash
      • Wheather Sealed Body

      Canon PowerShot A2500 Highlights

      • 16.0 MP 1/2.3-inch CCD Sensor
      • 100 - 1,600 Native ISO
      • 9 Focus Points (9 Cross-type)
      • 3.0" 230k dot Fixed Screen
      • 0.8 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1280 x 720 Video Shooting
      • Built-in Flash
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Nikon D300
      4. Advantage of Canon PowerShot A2500
      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 Nikon D300 and Canon PowerShot A2500.

      PROS

      Nikon D300

      Canon PowerShot A2500

      •   51 Focus Points
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Long Battery Life - 1000 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      •   Video Capture
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   Face Detection
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   Light - 135 g (0.30 lb / 4.76 oz)
      •   Orientation Sensor

      CONS

      Nikon D300

      Canon PowerShot A2500

      •   No Video Capture
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12.3 Megapixel
      •   200 Lowest Native ISO
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/2000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 0.8 fps
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 220 shots


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

      AVERAGE

      Nikon D300

      Canon PowerShot A2500

      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 6.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
      •   DxO Overall Score - 67
      •   Weight - 925 g (2.04 lb / 32.63 oz)
      •   Sensor Resolution - 16.0 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"

      Advantage of Nikon D300

      Nikon D300
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon D300 over Canon PowerShot A2500.

      Nikon D300 vs Canon PowerShot A2500
      Larger Sensor APS-C vs 1/2.3-inch
      RAW Support vs
      Timelapse Recording vs
      More Focus Points 51 vs 9
      Selective Autofocus vs
      Live View Autofocus vs
      Phase Detection for Autofocus vs
      Higher Resolution Screen 922k dot vs 230k dot
      Top LCD Screen vs
      Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) vs
      Lower Min Shutter Speed 30 sec vs 15 sec
      Higher Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) 1/8000 sec vs 1/2000 sec
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 6.0 fps vs 0.8 fps
      External Flash Connectivity vs
      Manual Exposure Mode vs
      Aperture Priority vs
      Shutter Priority vs
      Average Metering vs
      HDMI Output Mini Type C vs
      Environmental Sealing vs
      Longer Battery Life 1000 shots vs 220 shots

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Nikon D300.

      Nikon D300S
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      APS-C

      12.3 MP

      Canon Rebel T3
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      APS-C

      12.2 MP

      Nikon D200
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      10.2 MP

      Sony a9 III
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      24.6 MP

      Nikon Z8
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      45.7 MP

      Nikon D1X
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      5.3 MP

      Canon Rebel T5
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      18.0 MP

      Nikon Z9
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      45.7 MP

      Panasonic FP2
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      1/2.33-inch

      14 MP

      Canon 5DS
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      Full Frame

      50.6 MP

      Canon 70D
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      APS-C

      20.2 MP

      Canon M6
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      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Advantage of Canon PowerShot A2500

      Canon A2500
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Canon PowerShot A2500 over Nikon D300.

      Nikon D300 vs Canon PowerShot A2500
      Video Capture vs
      Higher Sensor Resolution 12.3 Megapixel vs 16.0 Megapixel
      Lower Native ISO 200 vs 100
      Higher Native ISO 3,200 vs 1,600
      Max Image Resolution 4288 x 2848 vs 4608 x 3456
      Center Autofocus vs
      Face Detection vs
      Built-in Microphone vs Mono
      Lighter 925 g (2.04 lb / 32.63 oz) vs 135 g (0.30 lb / 4.76 oz)

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Canon PowerShot A2500.

      Canon A2400 IS
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      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Canon A2300
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      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Canon A2200
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      1/2.3-inch

      14.1 MP

      Canon A2100 IS
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      1/2.3-inch

      12.1 MP

      Sony W810
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      1/2.3-inch

      20.1 MP

      Olympus SZ-11
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      1/2.3-inch

      14 MP

      Canon R7
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      APS-C

      32.5 MP

      Canon R10
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      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Canon R100
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      APS-C

      24.1 MP

      Canon R6 II
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      Full Frame

      24.2 MP

      Panasonic FP8
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      1/2.33-inch

      12.1 MP

      Canon 7D II
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      APS-C

      20.2 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 Nikon D300 Canon PowerShot A2500
        Built-in Flash
        Orientation Sensor
      WEAKNESSES Nikon D300 Canon PowerShot A2500
        No Image Stabilization
        Screen TypeFixedFixed
        No Microphone Input
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi
        No Built-In Bluetooth

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Nikon D300 and Canon PowerShot A2500 have 3.0" Fixed screens with 922k dot and 230k dot resolutions respectively.


      Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder on Nikon D300

      Nikon D300 has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. It has a 100% coverage and 0.94x (0.63x 35mm equivalent) magnification. There is no built-in or optional viewfinder available on Canon PowerShot A2500.

      Sensor

      Nikon D300 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. Canon PowerShot A2500 features a 16.0 megapixel 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor with dimensions of 6.17 x 4.55 mm and a total area of 20.7 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 1,600.

      Photography Features

      Nikon D300 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. Canon PowerShot A2500 can take pictures up to 4608 x 3456 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4608 x 2592, 3264 x 2448, 1600 x 1200, 640 x 480 with 4:3, 16:9 aspect ratios.


      No Image Stabilization

      The cameras do not have image stabilization. On Nikon D300 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Canon PowerShot A2500 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. connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Nikon D300 comes with EN-EL3e battery pack with battery life of 1000 shots and Canon PowerShot A2500 comes with NB-11L battery pack with battery life of 220 shots.


      External Storage Slots

      Nikon D300 has a single CompactFlash (Type I/II, compliant with UDMA), MicroDrive card slot. Canon PowerShot A2500 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Nikon D300 has Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/8000 sec on Nikon D300, and up to 1/2000 sec on Canon PowerShot A2500. Nikon D300 can shoot continuously up to 6.0 fps. Canon PowerShot A2500 can shoot continuously up to 0.8 fps.


      Exposure

      Exposure meterings of Nikon D300 ranges from 0 to +20 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±5 EV range on Nikon D300 and ±2 range on Canon PowerShot A2500. You can also do exposure lock and exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Nikon D300 and exposure bracketing on Canon PowerShot A2500.


      Flash

      Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 12.00 m at ISO 100 on Nikon D300 and 3.00 m on Canon PowerShot A2500. Nikon D300 also accepts external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe or PC Terminal. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/250 sec on Nikon D300.

      Physical Parameters

      Nikon D300 body has dimensions of 147 x 114 x 74 mm (5.79 x 4.49 x 2.91") and Canon PowerShot A2500 body has dimensions of 98 x 56 x 20 mm (3.86 x 2.2 x 0.79"). Nikon D300 weighs 925 g (2.04 lb / 32.63 oz) and Canon PowerShot A2500 weighs 135 g (0.30 lb / 4.76 oz).

      Nikon D300

      Canon PowerShot A2500

      147 mm

      114 mm

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      98 mm

      56 mm

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      114 mm

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      56 mm

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      Size comparisons of Nikon D300 and Canon PowerShot A2500

      Nikon D300 and Canon PowerShot A2500 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

      Nikon D300

      Canon PowerShot A2500

      GOOD
      80
      •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      POOR
      48
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Nikon D300

      Canon PowerShot A2500

      AVERAGE
      62
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   51 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 6.0 fps
      •   Long Battery Life - 1000 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      64
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 0.8 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 220 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Wildlife Photography

      Nikon D300

      Canon PowerShot A2500

      AVERAGE
      64
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   51 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 6.0 fps
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Long Battery Life - 1000 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      63
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 0.8 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 220 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Portrait Photography

      Nikon D300

      Canon PowerShot A2500

      GOOD
      74
      •   51 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      64
      •   Small Sensor
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Street Photography

      Nikon D300

      Canon PowerShot A2500

      GOOD
      77
      •   51 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 925 g (2.04 lb / 32.63 oz)
      GOOD
      79
      •   Small Sensor
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 135 g (0.30 lb / 4.76 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Nikon D300

      Canon PowerShot A2500

      GOOD
      77
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 925 g (2.04 lb / 32.63 oz)
      •   Long Battery Life - 1000 shots
      EXCELLENT
      85
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 135 g (0.30 lb / 4.76 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 220 shots

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Nikon D300 and Canon PowerShot A2500 and give them scores of 63 and 43 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.


      Nikon D300

      Canon PowerShot A2500

      OVERALL
      63
      OVERALL
      43

      Sensor

      Nikon D300

      Canon PowerShot A2500

      AVERAGE
      66
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12.3 Megapixel
      •   200 Lowest Native ISO
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 67
      POOR
      46
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Sensor Resolution - 16.0 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO

      Photo

      Nikon D300

      Canon PowerShot A2500

      GOOD
      70
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 6.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
      BAD
      31
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/2000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 0.8 fps
      •   No External Flash Connectivity

      Video

      Nikon D300

      Canon PowerShot A2500

      BAD
      0
      •   No Image Stabilization
      BAD
      7
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720

      Focusing

      Nikon D300

      Canon PowerShot A2500

      GOOD
      79
      •   51 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      AVERAGE
      66
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Nikon D300

      Canon PowerShot A2500

      GOOD
      73
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
      POOR
      52
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder

      Connectivity

      Nikon D300

      Canon PowerShot A2500

      AVERAGE
      57
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      BAD
      36
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Nikon D300

      Canon PowerShot A2500

      AVERAGE
      69
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 925 g (2.04 lb / 32.63 oz)
      •   Long Battery Life - 1000 shots
      POOR
      45
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 135 g (0.30 lb / 4.76 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 220 shots


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

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