Nikon D300s vs Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D300s and Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Nikon D300s is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

Nikon D300s were released 2009 and Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn was released 2005. That is a 4 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D300s 2009
Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn 2005

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D300s has a "Nikon DX"-sensor while Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn has a "Canon APS-H"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Nikon D300s 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn 65 mm
Canon APS-H sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.3

** 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)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Nikon D300s has a 12,3 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn has 8,2 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon D300s 12,3 MP
12212224 pixels
4288 x 2848
Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn 8,2 MP
8185344 pixels
3504 x 2336

Nikon D300s has a 49 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Nikon D300s has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn. Nikon D300s has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 6400 while Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn has 50 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D300s 200-6400
Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn 50-3200

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D300s
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D300s can shoot up to 7 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn can shoot up to 8,5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D300s 7
Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn 8,5

Ability to record movies

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

When comparing these two cameras there is only one of them that can shoot movies and that is Nikon D300s. Unfortunately Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn does not support recording movies and movie clips.

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.

Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn weighs 1565 gr (equal to 3.45 lb) which is 67% heavier than Nikon D300s and its 938 gr (or 2.07 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D300s 938 gr
2.07 lb
Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn 1565 gr
3.45 lb

Nikon D300s vs Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D300s and Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn, 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 D300s
Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn
Name Nikon D300s Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn
Manufacturer Nikon Canon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D300s
Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn
Release Year 2009 2005
Release Date 2009-07-30 2005-08-22
MSRP 1799 USD 3999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D300s
Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D300s
Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
APS-H (approx 27.9 x 18.6 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4288 x 2848 pixels 3504 x 2336 pixels
Megapixels 12,3 MP 8,2 MP
Image Processor EXPEED DIGIC 2
Image
Nikon D300s
Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn
ISO Range 200 - 6400 50 - 3200
White Balance Presets 12 8
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 D300s
Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Focus Points 51 45
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF

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
APS-H Sensor
1.3x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 31 mm
50 mm becomes 65 mm
100 mm becomes 130 mm
200 mm becomes 260 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Nikon D300s
Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3” 2.5”
Screen dots 920000 230000
Touch screen No No
Screen type Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle N/A
Live view Yes No
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.94× (0.63× 35mm equiv.) 0.72× (0.55× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Nikon D300s
Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn
Frames per second 7 fps 8,5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 12 meters N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D300s
Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn
Video recording Yes No
Video format Motion JPEG
N/A
Video resolution 1280 x 720
N/A
Built-in Microphone Yes No
Built-in Speakers No No
Storage
Nikon D300s
Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn
Memory Card Compact Flash
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Nikon D300s
Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn
HDMI Output Yes No
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
No
Remote Control Yes (Optional, wired or wireless) Yes (N3 connector)
GPS Yes
Optional with GP-1
No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D300s
Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion EN-EL3e rechargeable battery & charger
Ni-MH Pack NP-E3
Battery Life (CIPA) 950 shots N/A
Width 147 mm 156 mm
Height 114 mm 158 mm
Depth 74 mm 80 mm
Weight 938 gram 1565 gram