Nikon D300 vs Nikon D3100 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · DSLR · 12.3 MP · APS-C
Nikon D300
49
WINNER
|
Nikon · DSLR · 14.8 MP · APS-C
Nikon D3100
41
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon D300 and Nikon D3100 are both APS-C DSLRs sharing the Nikon F DX lens mount, so any F-mount DX lenses you already own fit either body. The D300, announced in 2007, is the larger build at 147 x 114 x 74 mm and 925 g. The D3100, announced in 2010, is the compact option at 124 x 96 x 75 mm and 505 g, which is 420 g lighter on the scale. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2007 | 2010 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
August 23, 2007 | October 1, 2010 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 147 x 114 x 74 mm | 124 x 96 x 75 mm |
| Camera weight | 925 g | 505 g |
| Optics | 47/100 | 41/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe D300 is the stronger choice for action and wildlife. Its 51 autofocus points give far more placement options across the frame than the D3100's 11, and its 6 fps burst doubles the D3100's 3 fps. A 1/8000 second top shutter also gives shorter exposures than the D3100's 1/4000 for wide apertures in bright light. The viewfinder is a pentaprism design, while the D3100 uses a pentamirror. The D3100 answers with 14.8 megapixels against 12.3, which means more pixels for cropping a distant subject. Its expanded ISO range reaches 12800 against the D300's 6400, while native maximum ISO is the same 3200 on both. Neither camera offers in-body stabilisation, so steady handheld results depend on lens or technique. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
12.3 MP050 | 14.8 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4288 x 2848 | 4608 x 3072 |
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. |
15.8 x 23.6 | 15.4 x 23.1 |
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 fps045 | 3 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. |
Nikon F DX | 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. |
Expeed | Expeed 2 |
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. |
20030200 | 10030200 |
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. |
64003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
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 | 400080032000 |
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. |
510300 | 110300 |
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 (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe D300 has built-in timelapse support, so you can capture interval sequences such as drifting clouds or a day-to-night transition entirely in camera, a function the D3100 does not offer. Neither camera records video, so both are stills-only bodies for anyone who also needs movie footage. | ||
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. |
 Yes | No |
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 | 36/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe D300 offers weather sealing for shooting in rain or dust, which the D3100 lacks. Its 922,000-dot screen also shows finer detail when checking focus after a shot than the D3100's 230,000-dot display. Both use fixed 3-inch LCDs without touch control. Shared conveniences cover lighting and framing: both cameras offer a built-in flash, an external flash option and live view. Neither has GPS, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, so geotagging and wireless transfer are not part of this choice. | ||
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 | No |
| Screen type | 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. |
9220001150001500000 | 2300001150001500000 |
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 | 43/100 | 53/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryCard format shapes the buying choice. The D300 takes Compact Flash Type I or II cards, while the D3100 takes SD, SDHC and SDXC, and each camera has a single slot. For power, the D3100's EN-EL14 battery is rated at 4500 shots against 1000 for the D300's EN-EL3e under their respective rating conditions, giving the D3100 the larger rated reserve. Neither charges over USB. | ||
| Memory card | Compact Flash (Type I or II) | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | EN-EL3e | EN-EL14 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
1000 shots1505000 | 4500 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the D300 if you shoot action, wildlife or work outdoors. Its 51-point autofocus, 6 fps burst, 1/8000 second shutter, weather sealing and 922,000-dot screen make it the better tool for sports, birds in flight and changeable weather. Built-in timelapse suits interval projects such as blooming plants or construction progress.
Choose the D3100 for travel and everyday stills. Its 14.8 megapixels give more cropping room than the D300's 12.3, and its expanded ISO range reaches 12800 against the D300's 6400. Convenient SD cards and the larger rated battery reserve complete the case for it as an everyday carry.