Nikon D3s vs Nikon D5300

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D3s and Nikon D5300. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon D3s were released 2009 and Nikon D5300 was released 2013. That is a 4 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D3s 2009
Nikon D5300 2013

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D3s has a "Nikon FX"-sensor while Nikon D5300 has a "Nikon DX"-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 D3s 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Nikon D5300 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 D3s has a 12,1 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D5300 has 24 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon D3s 12,1 MP
12052992 pixels
4256 x 2832
Nikon D5300 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000

Nikon D5300 has a 99 % larger resolution than Nikon D3s. 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 D3s has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D5300. Nikon D3s has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 102400 while Nikon D5300 has 100 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D3s 200-102400
Nikon D5300 100-12800

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Nikon D3s has a built-in autofocus motor but Nikon D5300 does not. If you want to be able to use autofocus on Nikon D5300 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 D3s
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D5300

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D3s can shoot up to 11 pictures per seconds and Nikon D5300 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D3s 11
Nikon D5300 5

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Nikon D3s and Nikon D5300 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 D3s weighs 1240 gr (equal to 2.73 lb) which is 158% heavier than Nikon D5300 and its 480 gr (or 1.06 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D3s 1240 gr
2.73 lb
Nikon D5300 480 gr
1.06 lb

Nikon D3s vs Nikon D5300 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D3s and Nikon D5300, 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 D3s
Nikon D5300
Name Nikon D3s Nikon D5300
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D3s
Nikon D5300
Release Year 2009 2013
Release Date 2009-10-14 2013-10-17
MSRP 5199 USD 729 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D3s
Nikon D5300
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D3s
Nikon D5300
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4256 x 2832 pixels 6000 x 4000 pixels
Megapixels 12,1 MP 24 MP
Image Processor EXPEED EXPEED 4
Image
Nikon D3s
Nikon D5300
ISO Range 200 - 102400 100 - 12800
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 D3s
Nikon D5300
Autofocus Motor Yes No
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 51 39
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier 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
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 D3s
Nikon D5300
Articulated LCD Fixed Fully articulated
Screen size 3” 3,2”
Screen dots 921000 1037000
Touch screen No No
Screen type Low-temperature polysilicon TFT color LCD TFT LCD monitor
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.7× 0.82× (0.55× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Nikon D3s
Nikon D5300
Frames per second 11 fps 5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash No Yes
Built-in Flash Range N/A 12 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D3s
Nikon D5300
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format Motion JPEG
MPEG4
H.264
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 D3s
Nikon D5300
Memory Card Compact Flash
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Nikon D3s
Nikon D5300
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Optional
Yes
Built-In
Remote Control Yes Optional with ML-L3 or WR-R10
GPS Yes
Optional with GP-1
Yes
Built-in
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D3s
Nikon D5300
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion EN-EL4a rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL14a or EN-EL14 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 4200 shots 600 shots
Width 160 mm 125 mm
Height 157 mm 98 mm
Depth 88 mm 76 mm
Weight 1240 gram 480 gram