• APS-C 372.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 18.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Nikon D300S advantages over Canon EOS-1D C

  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Lighter weight
    951g vs 1545g
    Lighter weight

Canon EOS-1D C advantages over Nikon D300S

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.94 vs 5.50 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs 720p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • More cross-type AF points
    41 vs 15
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.76x vs 0.63x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    18.1 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    12.0 fps vs 7.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    204800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Top deck display
    Both provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Both provide
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Dual card slots
    Both provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

  • Rugged construction; 51-point AF system capable of sophisticated AF tracking; Large, bright optical viewfinder; 7 fps JPEG or 12-bit RAW burst mode; HD Video capture.

  • 14-bit RAW mode slows continuous shooting from 7 fps to 2.7 fps; Somewhat slow AF for a camera at this level, especially in 51-point auto-area mode; Video capture tops out at 720p24.

  • Read our Nikon D300S Full Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D90

Nikon D300S
Nikon D90
  • $1697
  • APS-C
  • External Mic Jack
  • More cross-type AF points
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Nikon D300S vs Nikon D90

Canon EOS-1D C
Nikon D90
  • $6989
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compare Canon EOS-1D C vs Nikon D90

Compared to Canon 50D

Nikon D300S
Canon 50D
  • $1697
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Less shutter lag
  • More pixels

Compare Nikon D300S vs Canon 50D

Canon EOS-1D C
Canon 50D
  • $6989
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compare Canon EOS-1D C vs Canon 50D

Compared to Sony DSLR-A550

Nikon D300S
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $1697
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Nikon D300S vs Sony DSLR-A550

Canon EOS-1D C
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $6989
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon EOS-1D C vs Sony DSLR-A550

Compared to Canon 1DX

Nikon D300S
Canon 1DX
  • $1697
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $5299
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D300S vs Canon 1DX

Canon EOS-1D C
Canon 1DX
  • $6989
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Headphone jack
  • $5299
  • 35mm

Compare Canon EOS-1D C vs Canon 1DX

Compared to Nikon D4S

Nikon D300S
Nikon D4S
  • $1697
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $5999
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D300S vs Nikon D4S

Canon EOS-1D C
Nikon D4S
  • $6989
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • More cross-type AF points
  • $5999
  • 35mm
  • Higher extended ISO

Compare Canon EOS-1D C vs Nikon D4S

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