Nikon D5100 with Nikon D300 Comparison

Nikon D5100 and Nikon D300 Main Features

  • April, 2011
  • March, 2008
  • 16 MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
  • 12 MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
  • 100 - 6400 ISO
  • 200 - 3200 ISO
  • 3" Articulated Screen
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • Optical (pentamirror) Viewfinder
  • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
  • 4.0 fps continuous shooting
  • 6.0 fps continuous shooting
  • 1920 x 1080 video resolution
  • -
  • Built-In Wireless
  • Built-In Wireless
  • 128 x 97 x 79 mm, 560g.
  • 147 x 114 x 74 mm, 925g.
  • Price Category:
  • Price Category:

Nikon D5100 Scores


Imaging score
57
Features score
68
Value for money score
84
Portability score
78
Overall score
68

Nikon D300 Scores


Imaging score
51
Features score
61
Value for money score
76
Portability score
66
Overall score
60

Nikon D300 with Nikon D5100 Overview


Let's compare D5100 with D300. Both cameras produced Nikon. The first model related to Entry-Level DSLR, the second to Semi-Pro DSLR cameras. Nikon D5100 was released in 2011, and Nikon D300 in 2008. D5100 is newer, which is a plus. D300 3 years older. However 3 years, the difference is not so bad.
The sensor resolution of D5100 is greater than that of D300. However, the difference of 4 MP is not very significant. The more megapixels the camera has, the more detailed and clear the picture will be. The number of megapixels will also affect the maximum size of the photos, which then can be printed without loss of quality.
At the second camera (D300), the minimum ISO value is lower, which gives more opportunities for shooting in daylight. A larger maximum ISO allows you to take good pictures in the dark. At Nikon D5100, the maximum ISO is greater by 3200. Both cameras feature a 3-inch articulated screen.
D5100 has optical (pentamirror) viewfinder, and the D300 doesn’t have. All viewfinders has no electronic viewfinderk dot resolution. Burst mode, also called continuous shooting mode, sports mode or continuous high speed mode, is a shooting mode in still cameras. Nikon D5100 has 6.0 fps continuous shooting. Nikon D5100 has 6.0 fps continuous shooting.

General D5100 D300
Brand Nikon Nikon
Model D5100 D300
Announced April, 2011 March, 2008
Body Type Compact SLR Mid-size SLR
Lens
Lens Mount Nikon F Nikon F
Manual Focus
Focal Lens Multiplier 1.5 1.5
Number of Lenses 305 305
Macro Focus Range n/a n/a
Screen
Screen Size 3" 3"
Screen Type Articulated Fixed
Screen Resolution 921k pixels 922k pixels
Touch Screen
Live View
Viewfinder
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Resolution no electronic viewfinder
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.52 0.63
Autofocus
AF Touch
AF Continuous
AF Single
AF Tracking
AF Selective
AF Center
AF Multi Area
AF Live View
AF Face Detection
AF Contrast Detection
AF Phase Detection
Number of Focus Points 11 51
Number of Cross Focus Points 1 0
Photography Features
RAW Support
Min Shutter Speed 1/30 sec 1/30 sec
Max Shutter Speed 1/4000 sec 1/8000 sec
Continuous Shooting 4.0 fps 6.0 fps
Shutter Priority
Aperture Priority
Manual Exposure Mode
Exposure Compensation
Custom White Balance
Image Stabilization
Built-in Flash
Flash Range 12.00 12.00
Flash Modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain
External Flash
AE Bracketing
AE Bracketing Range ±5 EV ±5 EV
WB Bracketing
Sensor
Sensor Size APS-C APS-C
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Sensor Dimensions 23.6 x 15.6 mm 23.6 x 15.8 mm
Sensor Area 368.2 mm² 372.9 mm²
Sensor Resolution 16 MP 12 MP
Max Image Resolution 4928 x 3264 4288 x 2848
Max Native ISO 6400 3200
Min Native ISO 100 200
Max Boosted ISO 25600 6400
Min Boosted ISO 0 100
Video Features
4K
Max Video Resolution 1920 x 1080 None
Video Formats MPEG-4
Timelapse Recording
Microphone Port
Headphone Port
Exposure Modes
Multi-Segment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF-Area
Center Weighted
Connectivity
GPS Optional Optional
Wireless Connectivity Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
Battery
Battery Life 660 shots 1000 shots
Battery Type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Model EN-EL14 EN-EL3e
Physical
Weight 560 g 925 g
Physical Dimensions 128 x 97 x 79 mm 147 x 114 x 74 mm
Environmental Sealing
Water Proof
Dust Proof
Shock Proof
Crush Proof
Freeze Proof
Shock Proof
Storage
Storage Type SD/SDHC/SDXC Compact Flash (Type I or II)
Storage Slots 1 1
Other Features
Self Timer
Selfie Friendly

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