• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.5 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • APS-C 372.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200

Buy From

Differences

Nikon D3X advantages over Nikon D300S

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,992 vs 787 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.7 vs 12.2 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 4400 vs 950 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.70x vs 0.63x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    24.5 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

Nikon D300S advantages over Nikon D3X

  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Lighter weight
    951g vs 1392g
    Lighter weight
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.1 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

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
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

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.

The Competition

Compared to Sony A900

Nikon D3X
Sony A900
  • $2500
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Nikon D300S
Sony A900
  • $1697
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Canon 50D

Nikon D3X
Canon 50D
  • $2500
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
Nikon D300S
Canon 50D
  • $1697
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Less shutter lag
  • More pixels

Compared to Sony DSLR-A550

Nikon D3X
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $2500
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Nikon D300S
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $1697
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Nikon D3S

Nikon D3X
Nikon D3S
  • $2500
  • 35mm
  • More dynamic range
  • External Mic Jack
  • $5200
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
Nikon D300S
Nikon D3S
  • $1697
  • APS-C
  • Internal flash
  • External Mic Jack
  • $5200
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Nikon D4

Nikon D3X
Nikon D4
  • $2500
  • 35mm
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More pixels
  • $4500
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
Nikon D300S
Nikon D4
  • $1697
  • APS-C
  • Internal flash
  • Lighter weight
  • $4500
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Compare Other Cameras?