Nikon D3000 vs Nikon D300S

      Nikon D3000

      Nikon D300S
      55
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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 Nikon D3000 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.

      Nikon D3000 was introduced in December 2009 and Nikon D300S was introduced in November 2009. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Nikon D3000 Highlights

      • 10.2 MP APS-C CCD Sensor
      • 100 - 1,600 Native ISO
      • 11 Focus Points
      • 3.0" 230k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentamirror) Viewfinder
      • 3.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 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 Nikon D3000
      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 Nikon D3000 and Nikon D300S.

      PROS

      Nikon D3000

      Nikon D300S

      •   Built-in Flash
      •   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

      Nikon D3000

      Nikon D300S

      •   No Video Capture
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10.2 Megapixel
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   No 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
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 500 shots
      •   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

      Nikon D3000

      Nikon D300S

      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
      •   DxO Overall Score - 62
      •   Weight - 536 g (1.18 lb / 18.91 oz)
      •   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 Nikon D3000

      Nikon D3000
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon D3000 over Nikon D300S.

      Nikon D3000 vs Nikon D300S
      Lower Native ISO 100 vs 200
      Lighter 536 g (1.18 lb / 18.91 oz) vs 938 g (2.07 lb / 33.09 oz)

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Nikon D3000.

      Nikon D40
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      APS-C

      6.1 MP

      Nikon D3200
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Nikon D3100
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      14 MP

      Nikon D3500
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Nikon D3400
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Nikon D3300
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Olympus E-500
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      8 MP

      Nikon Z6 II
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      24.5 MP

      Olympus PEN E-PL1s
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      Micro Four Thirds

      12 MP

      Sony a7S
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      Full Frame

      12.2 MP

      Nikon Z6
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      24.5 MP

      Sony a7R II
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      Full Frame

      42.4 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 Nikon D3000.

      Nikon D3000 vs Nikon D300S
      Video Capture vs
      Higher Sensor Resolution 10.2 Megapixel vs 12.3 Megapixel
      Higher Native ISO 1,600 vs 3,200
      Higher Boosted ISO 3,200 vs 6,400
      Max Image Resolution 3872 x 2592 vs 4288 x 2848
      Timelapse Recording vs
      More Focus Points 11 vs 51
      Tracking Autofocus vs
      Face Detection vs
      Live View Autofocus vs
      Higher Resolution Screen 230k dot vs 920k dot
      Top LCD Screen vs
      Live View vs
      Higher Viewfinder Coverage 95% vs 100%
      Higher Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent) 0.53x 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
      Higher DxO Low Light ISO 563 vs 787
      Higher DxO Color Depth 22.3 vs 22.5
      Higher DxO Dynamic Range 11.1 vs 12.2
      Higher DxO Overall Score 62 vs 70
      HDMI Output vs Mini Type C
      Built-in Microphone vs Stereo
      Microphone Input vs
      Environmental Sealing vs
      Longer Battery Life 500 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
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      APS-C

      20.9 MP

      Nikon D3200
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      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
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      Micro Four Thirds

      25.2 MP

      Sony FX30
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      APS-C

      26 MP

      Nikon Z30
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      APS-C

      20.9 MP

      Canon Rebel T3
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      APS-C

      12.2 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 Nikon D3000 Nikon D300S
        Built-in Flash
        Orientation Sensor
      WEAKNESSES Nikon D3000 Nikon D300S
        Low Resolution Sensor10.2 Megapixel12.3 Megapixel
        Low Native ISO1,6003,200
        No Image Stabilization
        Screen TypeFixedFixed
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi via Eye-Fi via Eye-Fi
        No Built-In Bluetooth

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Nikon D3000 and Nikon D300S have 3.0" Fixed screens with 230k dot and 920k dot resolutions respectively.


      Viewfinder

      Nikon D3000 has a built-in Optical (pentamirror) viewfinderNikon D300S has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. Nikon D3000 has 95% coverage with 0.80x (0.53x 35mm equivalent) magnification and Nikon D300S has 100% coverage with 0.94x (0.63x 35mm equivalent) magnification.

      Sensor

      Nikon D3000 features a 10.2 megapixel APS-C CCD sensor with dimensions of 23.6 x 15.8 mm and a total area of 372.9 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 1,600 and expands to 100 - 3,200 in boosted mode. 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

      Cameras are equipped with EXPEED processor.


      Lens Mount

      Cameras have Nikon F lens mount. Due to their APS-C sensor their crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is equal to 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.


      No Image Stabilization

      The cameras do not have image stabilization. On Nikon D3000 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 Nikon D3000 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 D3000 comes with EN-EL9a battery pack with battery life of 500 shots and Nikon D300S comes with EN-EL3e battery pack with battery life of 950 shots.


      External Storage Slots

      Nikon D3000 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 D3000 and Nikon D300S have Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane. shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Nikon D3000, and up to 1/8000 sec on Nikon D300S. Nikon D3000 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 12.00 m at ISO 100.. 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 Nikon D3000 and 1/250 sec on Nikon D300S.

      Physical Parameters

      Nikon D3000 body has dimensions of 126 x 97 x 64 mm (4.96 x 3.82 x 2.52") and Nikon D300S body has dimensions of 147 x 114 x 74 mm (5.79 x 4.49 x 2.91"). Nikon D3000 weighs 536 g (1.18 lb / 18.91 oz) and Nikon D300S weighs 938 g (2.07 lb / 33.09 oz).

      Nikon D3000

      Nikon D300S

      126 mm

      97 mm

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      147 mm

      114 mm

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      97 mm

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      114 mm

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      64 mm

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      74 mm

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      Size comparisons of Nikon D3000 and Nikon D300S

      Nikon D3000 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

      Nikon D3000

      Nikon D300S

      AVERAGE
      63
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      GOOD
      80
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Nikon D3000

      Nikon D300S

      POOR
      53
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 500 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

      Nikon D3000

      Nikon D300S

      POOR
      52
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 500 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

      Nikon D3000

      Nikon D300S

      GOOD
      71
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   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

      Nikon D3000

      Nikon D300S

      GOOD
      77
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 536 g (1.18 lb / 18.91 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

      Nikon D3000

      Nikon D300S

      GOOD
      79
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 536 g (1.18 lb / 18.91 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 500 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 Nikon D3000 and Nikon D300S and give them scores of 55 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.


      Nikon D3000

      Nikon D300S

      OVERALL
      55
      OVERALL
      68

      Sensor

      Nikon D3000

      Nikon D300S

      AVERAGE
      67
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10.2 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 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

      Nikon D3000

      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

      Nikon D3000

      Nikon D300S

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

      Focusing

      Nikon D3000

      Nikon D300S

      GOOD
      76
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      GOOD
      82
      •   51 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Nikon D3000

      Nikon D300S

      AVERAGE
      66
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      GOOD
      73
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot

      Connectivity

      Nikon D3000

      Nikon D300S

      POOR
      40
      •   No 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
      GOOD
      78
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Nikon D3000

      Nikon D300S

      POOR
      42
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 536 g (1.18 lb / 18.91 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 500 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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