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.

Canon EOS 500D

Nikon D300

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