Nikon D5000 vs Nikon D300

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Nikon D5000 and the Nikon D300, 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 D5000 was introduced in June 2009 and Nikon D300 was introduced in March 2008. Let us first list highlights of the models.

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.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon D5000 over Nikon D300.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon D300 over Nikon D5000.

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.

Screen

Nikon D5000 has a 2.7" Fully Articulated screen with 230k dot resolution and Nikon D300 has a 3.0" Fixed screen with 922k dot resolution. Fully articulated screen makes Nikon D5000 selfie and vlogger friendly and generally very useful for video shooting.

Viewfinder

Nikon D5000 has a built-in Optical (pentamirror) viewfinderNikon D300 has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. Nikon D5000 has 95% coverage with 0.78x (0.52x 35mm equivalent) magnification and Nikon D300 has 100% coverage with 0.94x (0.63x 35mm equivalent) magnification.

Both models feature 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. Their native ISO range is 200 - 3,200

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
	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 15.6 mm	368.2 mm2	3:2	1.5x
	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

Cameras are equipped with EXPEED processor and can take pictures up to 4288 x 2848 resolution. They can also take pictures with lower resolutions like 3216 x 2136, 2144 x 1424 with 3:2 aspect ratios.

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 D5000 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Nikon D300 nothing can be done. On Nikon D300 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Nikon D5000 nothing can be done.

USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. Nikon D5000 has an HDMI and Nikon D300 has a Mini Type C HDMI connector for video signal output.

Battery

Nikon D5000 comes with EN-EL9a battery pack with battery life of 510 shots and Nikon D300 comes with EN-EL3e battery pack with battery life of 1000 shots.

External Storage Slots

Nikon D5000 has a single SD/SDHC card slot. Nikon D300 has a single CompactFlash (Type I/II, compliant with UDMA), MicroDrive card slot.

Shutter

Nikon D5000 and Nikon D300 have Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane. shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Nikon D5000, and up to 1/8000 sec on Nikon D300. Nikon D5000 can shoot continuously up to 4.0 fps. Nikon D300 can shoot continuously up to 6.0 fps.

Exposure

Both cameras' exposure metering ranges from 0 to +20 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±5 EV range. You can also do exposure lock, exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Nikon D5000 and exposure lock, exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Nikon D300.

Flash

Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 17.00 m at ISO 100 on Nikon D5000 and 12.00 m at ISO 100 on Nikon D300. They also accept external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe to Nikon D5000 and via Hot Shoe or PC Terminal to Nikon D300. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/200 sec on Nikon D5000 and 1/250 sec on Nikon D300.

Nikon D5000 body has dimensions of 127 x 104 x 80 mm (5 x 4.09 x 3.15") and Nikon D300 body has dimensions of 147 x 114 x 74 mm (5.79 x 4.49 x 2.91"). Nikon D5000 weighs 590 g (1.30 lb / 20.81 oz) and Nikon D300 weighs 925 g (2.04 lb / 32.63 oz).

Nikon D5000

Nikon D300

127 mm

104 mm

147 mm

114 mm

104 mm

114 mm

80 mm

74 mm