Nikon D300s vs Nikon D800e

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D300s and Nikon D800e. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon D300s were released 2009 and Nikon D800e was released 2012. That is a 3 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D300s 2009
Nikon D800e 2012

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 Nikon D800e has a "Nikon FX"-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
Nikon D800e 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length 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

Nikon D300s has a 12,3 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D800e has 36,3 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
Nikon D800e 36,3 MP
36152320 pixels
7360 x 4912

Nikon D800e has a 196 % larger resolution than Nikon D300s. 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 D800e has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D300s. Nikon D800e has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Nikon D300s has 200 to 6400.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D300s 200-6400
Nikon D800e 100-25600

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 Nikon D800e

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 Nikon D800e can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D300s 7
Nikon D800e 6

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Nikon D300s and Nikon D800e can shoot movies.

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 D300s weighs 938 gr (equal to 2.07 lb) which is 4% heavier than Nikon D800e and its 900 gr (or 1.98 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D300s 938 gr
2.07 lb
Nikon D800e 900 gr
1.98 lb

Nikon D300s vs Nikon D800e Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D300s and Nikon D800e, 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
Nikon D800e
Name Nikon D300s Nikon D800e
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D300s
Nikon D800e
Release Year 2009 2012
Release Date 2009-07-30 2012-02-07
MSRP 1799 USD 3299 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D300s
Nikon D800e
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D300s
Nikon D800e
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4288 x 2848 pixels 7360 x 4912 pixels
Megapixels 12,3 MP 36,3 MP
Image Processor EXPEED EXPEED 3
Image
Nikon D300s
Nikon D800e
ISO Range 200 - 6400 100 - 25600
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 D300s
Nikon D800e
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
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 51 51
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
FX (Full frame)
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Nikon D300s
Nikon D800e
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3” 3,2”
Screen dots 920000 921000
Touch screen No No
Screen type Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT Color LCD with 170 degrees wide-viewing angle
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.94× (0.63× 35mm equiv.) 0.7×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Nikon D300s
Nikon D800e
Frames per second 7 fps 6 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 12 meters 12 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Average
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D300s
Nikon D800e
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format Motion JPEG
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Nikon D300s
Nikon D800e
Memory Card Compact Flash
Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon D300s
Nikon D800e
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
No
Remote Control Yes (Optional, wired or wireless) Yes (Optional, wired or wireless)
GPS Yes
Optional with GP-1
Yes
Optional with GP-1
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D300s
Nikon D800e
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion EN-EL3e rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL15 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 950 shots 900 shots
Width 147 mm 146 mm
Height 114 mm 123 mm
Depth 74 mm 82 mm
Weight 938 gram 900 gram