Nikon D810 vs Nikon D300s

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D810 and Nikon D300s. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon D810 were released 2014 and Nikon D300s was released 2009. That is a 5 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D810 2014
Nikon D300s 2009

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D810 has a "Nikon FX"-sensor while Nikon D300s 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 D810 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Nikon D300s 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 D810 has a 36 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D300s has 12,3 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon D810 36 MP
36152320 pixels
7360 x 4912
Nikon D300s 12,3 MP
12212224 pixels
4288 x 2848

Nikon D810 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 D810 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D300s. Nikon D810 has an ISO range that stretches from 64 to 12800 while Nikon D300s has 200 to 6400.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D810 64-12800
Nikon D300s 200-6400

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 D810
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D300s

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D810 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds and Nikon D300s can shoot up to 7 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D810 5
Nikon D300s 7

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Nikon D810 and Nikon D300s 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 D810 weighs 980 gr (equal to 2.16 lb) which is 4% heavier than Nikon D300s and its 938 gr (or 2.07 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D810 980 gr
2.16 lb
Nikon D300s 938 gr
2.07 lb

Nikon D810 vs Nikon D300s Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D810 and Nikon D300s, 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 D810
Nikon D300s
Name Nikon D810 Nikon D300s
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D810
Nikon D300s
Release Year 2014 2009
Release Date 2014-06-26 2009-07-30
MSRP 3299 USD 1799 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D810
Nikon D300s
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D810
Nikon D300s
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 7360 x 4912 pixels 4288 x 2848 pixels
Megapixels 36 MP 12,3 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 4 EXPEED
Image
Nikon D810
Nikon D300s
ISO Range 64 - 12800 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 + TIFF
Optics & Focus
Nikon D810
Nikon D300s
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 51 51
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 D810
Nikon D300s
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3,2” 3”
Screen dots 1229000 920000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT-LCD (WRGB) Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (tunnel) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.7× 0.94× (0.63× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Nikon D810
Nikon D300s
Frames per second 5 fps 7 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 No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight 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 D810
Nikon D300s
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
Motion JPEG
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
1280 x 720
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Nikon D810
Nikon D300s
Memory Card Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Nikon D810
Nikon D300s
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Optional via WT-5A or Eye-Fi
Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Yes Yes (Optional, wired or wireless)
GPS Yes
Optional with GP-1 or GP-1A
Yes
Optional with GP-1
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D810
Nikon D300s
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details EN-EL15 lithium-ion battery & charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL3e rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 1200 shots 950 shots
Width 146 mm 147 mm
Height 123 mm 114 mm
Depth 82 mm 74 mm
Weight 980 gram 938 gram