Nikon D300s vs Nikon Z30

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D300s and Nikon Z30. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Nikon D300s

Nikon Z30

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon D300s were released 2009 and Nikon Z30 was released 2022. That is a 13 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera	Released
Nikon D300s	2009
Nikon Z30	2022

Type of camera

Nikon D300s is a DSLR camera while Nikon Z30 is a Mirrorless camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

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.

Camera	Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Nikon D300s	75 mm Nikon DX sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Nikon Z30	75 mm Nikon DX sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5

** 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 Z30 has 21 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 Z30	21 MP 20668416 pixels 5568 x 3712

Nikon Z30 has a 69 % 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 Z30 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D300s. Nikon Z30 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Nikon D300s has 200 to 6400.

Camera	ISO Range
Nikon D300s	200-6400
Nikon Z30	100-51200

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 Z30

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 Z30 can shoot up to 11 pictures per seconds.

Camera	FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D300s	7
Nikon Z30	11

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 Z30 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 132% heavier than Nikon Z30 and its 405 gr (or 0.89 lb).

Camera	Weight
Nikon D300s	938 gr 2.07 lb
Nikon Z30	405 gr 0.89 lb