Nikon D300 vs Nikon D5000

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D300 and Nikon D5000. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Nikon DX") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Neither of the cameras has a Full frame sensor which means that you will get a "crop factor" where the camera's sensor size affect the focal length with a multiplier.

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Both these cameras have the exact same resolution. Nikon D300 has a 12,3 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D5000 has 12,3 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

ISO range

Both of these cameras offer the exact same ISO range. They both have 200 to 6400.

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Nikon D300 has a built-in autofocus motor but Nikon D5000 does not. If you want to be able to use autofocus on Nikon D5000 there is a need for having an autofocus motor inside the lens. We really encourage you to look closely at our lens compatibility charts at the links below.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D300
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D5000

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D300 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds and Nikon D5000 can shoot up to 4 pictures per seconds.

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

It is only one of these two cameras that support recording movies and movie clips and that is Nikon D5000. Sadly, the Nikon D300 does not support this.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Nikon D300 weighs 925 gr (equal to 2.04 lb) which is 57% heavier than Nikon D5000 and its 590 gr (or 1.3 lb).

Nikon D300 vs Nikon D5000 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D300 and Nikon D5000, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product	Nikon D300	Nikon D5000
Name	Nikon D300	Nikon D5000
Manufacturer	Nikon	Nikon
Release Date and Price	Nikon D300	Nikon D5000
Release Year	2006	2009
Release Date	2007-08-23	2009-04-14
MSRP	1799 USD	849 USD
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Camera Type	Nikon D300	Nikon D5000
Camera Type	DSLR	DSLR
Sensor	Nikon D300	Nikon D5000
Sensor Size	APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm) Also known as "DX"	APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm) Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type	CMOS	CMOS
Resolution	4288 x 2848 pixels	4288 x 2848 pixels
Megapixels	12,3 MP	12,3 MP
Image Processor	EXPEED	EXPEED
Image	Nikon D300	Nikon D5000
ISO Range	200 - 6400	200 - 6400
White Balance Presets	12	12
Custom White Balance	Yes	Yes
Image Stabilization	No	No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating	0 stops	0 stops
Uncompressed format	RAW + TIFF	RAW
Optics & Focus	Nikon D300	Nikon D5000
Autofocus Motor	Yes	No
Autofocus	Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView	Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView
Focus Points	51	11
Lens Mount	Nikon F See Compatible Lenses	Nikon F See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier	DX / APS-C (1.5x) 1.5x multiplier Example: 24 mm becomes 36 mm 50 mm becomes 75 mm 100 mm becomes 150 mm 200 mm becomes 300 mm	DX / APS-C (1.5x) 1.5x multiplier Example: 24 mm becomes 36 mm 50 mm becomes 75 mm 100 mm becomes 150 mm 200 mm becomes 300 mm
Screen & Viewfinder	Nikon D300	Nikon D5000
Articulated LCD	Fixed	Fully articulated
Screen size	3”	2,7”
Screen dots	922000	230000
Touch screen	No	No
Screen type	Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle	N/A
Live view	Yes	Yes
Viewfinder Type	Optical (pentaprism)	Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage	100%	95%
Viewfinder Magnification	0.94× (0.63× 35mm equiv.)	0.78× (0.52× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution	N/A	N/A
Photography features	Nikon D300	Nikon D5000
Frames per second	6 fps	4 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed	30 seconds	30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed	1/8000 seconds	1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash	Yes	Yes
Built-in Flash Range	12 meters	17 meters
External Flash	Yes	Yes
Self-Timer	Yes	Yes
Time-lapse	Yes	Yes
Metering modes	Multi Center Weighted Average	Multi Center Weighted Spot
Exposure Compensation	+/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)	+/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features	Nikon D300	Nikon D5000
Video recording	No	Yes
Video format	N/A	MPEG4
Video resolution	N/A	1280 x 720
Built-in Microphone	No	Yes
Built-in Speakers	No	Yes
Storage	Nikon D300	Nikon D5000
Memory Card	Compact Flash	SD/SDHC
Connectivity	Nikon D300	Nikon D5000
HDMI Output	Yes	Yes
Microphone Port	No	No
Headphone Port	No	No
Wireless	No	Yes Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control	Yes (Optional)	Yes (Optional (ML-L3))
GPS	Yes Optional through GP-1	Yes Optional
Body & Dimensions	Nikon D300	Nikon D5000
Enviromentally sealed	Yes	No
Battery	Battery Pack	Battery Pack
Battery Details	Lithium-Ion EN-EL3e rechargeable battery & charger	Nikon EN-EL9a Lithium-Ion battery
Battery Life (CIPA)	1000 shots	510 shots
Width	147 mm	127 mm
Height	114 mm	104 mm
Depth	74 mm	80 mm
Weight	925 gram	590 gram