• APS-C 372.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 15.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Detailed specifications
  • Nikon D300
  • Canon EOS 50D
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Nikon D200
D200 vs D300
Canon 40D
40D vs 50D
Successor: Nikon D300S
D300 vs D300S
Canon 60D
50D vs 60D
General
Model Number: D300 50D
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Pro SLR Pro SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $1799.95 $1399.00
Street Price:   $999.95
Date Available: 2007-11-15 2008-10-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 29.1 oz (825 g) 29.0 oz (822 g)
includes batteries
Size: 5.8 x 4.5 x 2.9 in.
(147 x 114 x 74 mm)
5.7 x 4.2 x 2.9 in.
(146 x 108 x 74 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:   Canon
Effective Megapixels: 12.3 15.1
Sensor Format: APS-C APS-C
Sensor size: 372.88mm2 (23.60mm x 15.80mm) 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.50 microns 4.99 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x 1.6x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 67 63
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 22.1 21.8
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.0 11.4
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 679 696
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4288 x 2848 (12.2 MP, Other),
3216 x 2136 (6.9 MP, Other),
2144 x 1424 (3.1 MP, Other)
4752 x 3168 (15.1 MP, 3:2),
3456 x 2304 (8.0 MP, 3:2),
2352 x 1568 (3.7 MP, 3:2)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.21), NEF (RAW), 12 or 14-bit JPEG, 14-bit RAW, sRAW1, sRAW2
Continuous-mode frames/second: 6.1 6.3
Video Capture
Can take movies: No No
Movie Resolution:
Movie File Format:    
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: Yes Yes
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Nikon F Canon EF/EF-S
Lens: n/a Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):   45 - 216mm
Focal Length (actual):   28 - 135mm
Zoom Ratio:   4.82x
Aperture Range:   f/3.5-22 (W), f/5.6-36 (T)
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:   50 cm to Infinity
19.7 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: n/a 72.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No Yes
Digital Zoom:
Digital Zoom Values:    
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 51 point (15 cross-type sensors) TTL phase detection with 3D focus tracking by Nikon Multi-CAM 3500DX AF-dedicated CMOS Sensor, 9 cross-type AF points, f/2.8 rotated cross center point
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentaprism, 100%, 0.94x, 19.5mm eyepoint, -2.0 to +1.0 diopter SLR type; eye-level pentaprism, 95% coverage, 0.95x mag., 22mm eyepoint. -3 to +1 diopter
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.63x 0.59x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.94x 0.95x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots 920,000 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 27.0x 10.0x
Top Deck Display: Yes Yes
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 3200 3200
Minimum ISO (native): 200 100
ISO Settings: 200-3200, Lo-1=100, Hi-1=6400 Auto, 100 - 3200 in 1/3 or 1EV steps, H1=6400, H2=12800
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, 7 manual modes with fine tuning, color temperature Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom, Kelvin 2800K - 10,000K
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/8000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 3D Color Matrix Metering II, Center-weighted, Spot 35-zone Evaluative, Center-weighted, Partial (9%), Spot (3.8%)
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes:   Creative Auto, Green Zone, Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Action, Night Portrait, Flash Off, User1, User2
Self Timer: 2 to 20 seconds 10 or 2 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer): Yes  
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Front-Curtain Sync, Red-Eye Reduction, Red-Eye Reduction with Slow Sync, Slow Sync, and Rear-Curtain Sync; supports Advanced Wireless Lighting system E-TTL II
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. 13.0 m / 42.7 ft.
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent Lens aperture dependent
Max Flash Sync: 1/250 1/250
Flash Exposure Compensation: -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe, Sync Terminal Hot Shoe, PC Sync
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 / CF2 / Microdrive CF1 / CF2
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: NEF (RAW), 12 or 14-bit 14-bit RAW, sRAW1, sRAW2
Movie File Format:    
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional wired Optional
Connections (extended): HDMI Out, DC In, PC Sync, 10-pin Expansion Terminal N3-type push-in terminal, HDMI mini out
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.39 <0.3
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.39 <0.3
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): Unlimited Unlimited
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 6.1 6.3
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 37 43
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.23 seconds 0.13 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.054 seconds 0.120 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.28 seconds 0.24 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.057 seconds 0.063 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):   Live View: Full AF, Quick Mode: 0.85s Prefocus, Quick Mode: 0.108s Full AF, Face Detect: 1.97s Full AF, Live Mode: 2.06s
Startup Time: 0.3 seconds 0.3 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.1 seconds 0.5 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 3.2 seconds 1.9 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):    
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 1000 shots 640 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary EN-EL3e, optional MB-D10 battery pack Proprietary BP-511/A, BP-512; BG-E2N Battery Grip
Usable Battery Types: Lithium Ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeble
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary EN-EL3e Lithium Ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary BP-511A Lithium-ion rechargeble
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: PictureProject CD-ROM Digital Photo Professional, EOS Utility, ZoomBrowser EX and ImageBrowser
OS Compatibility: Windows Windows XP/Vista, Mac OS X.
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: 15.1-megapixel upgrade to 40D: APS-C, DIGIC IV, 920K LCD, HDMI Out, Vignetting Correction, AF Microadjustment for up to 20 lenses, new Creative Auto exposure mode, 4-step adjustable high-ISO NR, 4-step adjustable ALO, 6.3 fps, Face Detection in LV mode. Native ISO range, 1/3 stop adjustable up to 3,200. H1 is 6,400, H2 is 12,800. Variable RAW (15.1MP (L), 7.1MP(M), 3.8MP(S) in RAW).