Canon EOS 500D vs Nikon D300

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 500D and Nikon D300. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Canon EOS 500D is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon D300 is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.

Canon EOS 500D were released 2009 and Nikon D300 was released 2006. That is a 3 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS 500D 2009
Nikon D300 2006

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Canon EOS 500D has a "Canon APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D300 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 **
Canon EOS 500D 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6
Nikon D300 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 (Canon)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Canon EOS 500D has a 15,1 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D300 has 12,3 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS 500D 15,1 MP
15054336 pixels
4752 x 3168
Nikon D300 12,3 MP
12212224 pixels
4288 x 2848

Canon EOS 500D has a 23 % larger resolution than Nikon D300. 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

Canon EOS 500D has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D300. Canon EOS 500D has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 12800 while Nikon D300 has 200 to 6400.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS 500D 100-12800
Nikon D300 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 Canon EOS 500D
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D300

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS 500D can shoot up to 3,4 pictures per seconds and Nikon D300 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS 500D 3,4
Nikon D300 6

Ability to record movies

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

When comparing these two cameras there is only one of them that can shoot movies and that is Canon EOS 500D. Unfortunately Nikon D300 does not support recording movies and movie clips.

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 D300 weighs 925 gr (equal to 2.04 lb) which is 78% heavier than Canon EOS 500D and its 520 gr (or 1.15 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS 500D 520 gr
1.15 lb
Nikon D300 925 gr
2.04 lb

Canon EOS 500D vs Nikon D300 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 500D and Nikon D300, 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
Canon EOS 500D
Nikon D300
Name Canon EOS 500D Nikon D300
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS 500D
Nikon D300
Release Year 2009 2006
Release Date 2009-03-25 2007-08-23
MSRP 1599 USD 1799 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS 500D
Nikon D300
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS 500D
Nikon D300
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm) APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4752 x 3168 pixels 4288 x 2848 pixels
Megapixels 15,1 MP 12,3 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 4 EXPEED
Image
Canon EOS 500D
Nikon D300
ISO Range 100 - 12800 200 - 6400
White Balance Presets 6 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW + TIFF
Optics & Focus
Canon EOS 500D
Nikon D300
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 9 51
Lens Mount Canon EF
Canon EF-S

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor
1.6x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 38 mm
50 mm becomes 80 mm
100 mm becomes 160 mm
200 mm becomes 320 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
Canon EOS 500D
Nikon D300
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 920000 922000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT color LCD Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.87× (0.54× 35mm equiv.) 0.94× (0.63× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Canon EOS 500D
Nikon D300
Frames per second 3,4 fps 6 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 13 meters 12 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Average
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS 500D
Nikon D300
Video recording Yes No
Video format H.264
N/A
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
N/A
Built-in Microphone Yes No
Built-in Speakers No No
Storage
Canon EOS 500D
Nikon D300
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Canon EOS 500D
Nikon D300
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
No
Remote Control Yes (E3 connector, InfraRed) Yes (Optional)
GPS No Yes
Optional through GP-1
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS 500D
Nikon D300
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion LP-E5 rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL3e rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 440 shots 1000 shots
Width 129 mm 147 mm
Height 98 mm 114 mm
Depth 62 mm 74 mm
Weight 520 gram 925 gram