Canon EOS 50D vs Nikon D300 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 15.1 MP · APS-C
Canon EOS 50D
48
SCORE
|
Nikon · DSLR · 12.3 MP · APS-C
Nikon D300
49
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS 50D and the Nikon D300 are APS-C CMOS DSLRs with pentaprism optical viewfinders, so each gives a direct through-the-lens view for framing and tracking subjects. Weather sealing on both bodies supports shooting in dusty or damp conditions. The 50D is the lighter carry at 822 g against 925 g for the D300, and its 108 mm height sits below the D300's 114 mm. Canon announced the 50D in August 2008, a year after the D300 arrived in August 2007. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2008 | 2007 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
August 26, 2008 | August 23, 2007 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 146 x 108 x 74 mm | 147 x 114 x 74 mm |
| Camera weight | 822 g | 925 g |
| Optics | 47/100 | 47/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe EOS 50D is the stronger choice for heavy cropping, with 15.1 megapixels against the D300's 12.3, leaving more detail when you trim a distant bird from its frame. Both share a standard ISO ceiling of 3200, while expansion differs, with the 50D reaching 12800 and the D300 6400. For action the D300 is the clear winner for focus coverage, with 51 autofocus points against the 50D's 9, helping a runner or bird stay sharp while off-centre. The 50D fires at 6.3 fps against the D300's 6 fps, a marginal edge in sequences. Native lens systems divide them, with the 50D using Canon EF-S and the D300 Nikon F DX, so existing glass may settle the matter. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
15.1 MP050 | 12.3 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4752 x 3168 | 4288 x 2848 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
14.9 x 22.3 | 15.8 x 23.6 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
6.3 fps045 | 6 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Canon EF-S | Nikon F DX |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Digic 4 | Expeed |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 20030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
32003003280000 | 32003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
128003003280000 | 64003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
800080032000 | 800080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
90300 | 510300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
✗ | ✗ |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe Nikon D300 offers the only motion feature here, a built-in intervalometer for timelapse that lets you set an interval sequence for a sunset or construction project without an external remote. The Canon EOS 50D has no built-in timelapse. Neither camera records video, so motion clips still require a separate device. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
N/A | N/A |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
No |  Yes |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
N/A | N/A |
| Features | 54/100 | 54/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesLive view on both cameras supports precise tripod framing for macro or landscape work, and each pairs a built-in pop-up flash with an external hot shoe. Both rear screens measure 3 inches, with 920,000 dots on the 50D and 922,000 on the D300 for checking fine focus. Neither offers GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, touch control or a tilting screen, so geotagging travel shots and wireless transfer both need external accessories. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen type | TFT LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
9200001150001500000 | 9220001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
✗ | ✗ |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 35/100 | 43/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryBoth take Compact Flash Type I or II cards in a single slot, so a shared card collection works on either body. The 50D adds UDMA support for faster card writes. Battery ratings favour the D300, whose EN-EL3e is rated for 1000 shots against 800 for the 50D's BP-511A, and neither charges over USB. | ||
| Memory card | Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA | Compact Flash (Type I or II) |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | BP-511A | EN-EL3e |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
800 shots1505000 | 1000 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Nikon D300 if action leads your photography. Its 51 autofocus points give far denser focus coverage for an off-centre athlete or bird than the 50D's 9. The 1000-shot battery rating exceeds the 50D's 800, and the built-in intervalometer covers timelapse work without extra gear.
Choose the Canon EOS 50D for landscapes, portraits and detail work, where its 15.1 megapixels against the D300's 12.3 leave more room to crop and print larger. UDMA support also speeds card writes when clearing bursts. If you already own Canon EF-S or Nikon F DX lenses, that existing collection may settle the choice on its own.