Canon EOS 50D vs Nikon D300s
This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 50D and Nikon D300s. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Canon EOS 50D is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon D300s is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.
Canon EOS 50D were released 2008 and Nikon D300s was released 2009. That is a 1 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Canon EOS 50D | 2008 |
Nikon D300s | 2009 |
Type of camera
Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.
Sensors / crop factor
These cameras have different sensors. Canon EOS 50D has a "Canon APS-C"-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 ** |
Canon EOS 50D | 80 mm Canon APS-C sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6 |
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 (Canon)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)
Resolution
Canon EOS 50D has a 15,1 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 |
Canon EOS 50D |
15,1 MP
15054336 pixels 4752 x 3168 |
Nikon D300s |
12,3 MP
12212224 pixels 4288 x 2848 |
Canon EOS 50D has a 23 % 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
Canon EOS 50D has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D300s. Canon EOS 50D has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 12800 while Nikon D300s has 200 to 6400.
Camera | ISO Range |
Canon EOS 50D | 100-12800 |
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 Canon EOS 50D
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. Canon EOS 50D can shoot up to 6,3 pictures per seconds and Nikon D300s can shoot up to 7 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Canon EOS 50D | 6,3 |
Nikon D300s | 7 |
Ability to record movies
It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.
It is only one of these two cameras that support recording movies and movie clips and that is Nikon D300s. Sadly, the Canon EOS 50D does not support this.
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 D300s weighs 938 gr (equal to 2.07 lb) which is 14% heavier than Canon EOS 50D and its 822 gr (or 1.81 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Canon EOS 50D | 822 gr 1.81 lb |
Nikon D300s | 938 gr 2.07 lb |
Canon EOS 50D vs Nikon D300s Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 50D 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 |
Canon EOS 50D |
Nikon D300s |
Name | Canon EOS 50D | Nikon D300s |
Manufacturer | Canon | Nikon |
Release Date and Price |
Canon EOS 50D |
Nikon D300s |
Release Year | 2008 | 2009 |
Release Date | 2008-08-26 | 2009-07-30 |
MSRP | 1399 USD | 1799 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Canon EOS 50D |
Nikon D300s |
Camera Type | DSLR | DSLR |
Sensor |
Canon EOS 50D |
Nikon D300s |
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 50D |
Nikon D300s |
ISO Range | 100 - 12800 | 200 - 6400 |
White Balance Presets | 6 | 12 |
Custom White Balance | Yes | Yes |
Image Stabilization | No | No |
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating | 0 stops | 0 stops |
Uncompressed format | RAW | RAW + TIFF |
Optics & Focus |
Canon EOS 50D |
Nikon D300s |
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 50D |
Nikon D300s |
Articulated LCD | Fixed | Fixed |
Screen size | 3” | 3” |
Screen dots | 920000 | 920000 |
Touch screen | No | No |
Screen type | TFT liquid-crystal color LCD | Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle |
Live view | Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder Coverage | 95% | 100% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.95× (0.59× 35mm equiv.) | 0.94× (0.63× 35mm equiv.) |
Viewfinder Resolution | N/A | N/A |
Photography features |
Canon EOS 50D |
Nikon D300s |
Frames per second | 6,3 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 | 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 Spot |
Exposure Compensation | +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Canon EOS 50D |
Nikon D300s |
Video recording | No | Yes |
Video format | N/A |
Motion JPEG |
Video resolution | N/A |
1280 x 720 |
Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
Built-in Speakers | No | No |
Storage |
Canon EOS 50D |
Nikon D300s |
Memory Card |
Compact Flash |
Compact Flash |
Connectivity |
Canon EOS 50D |
Nikon D300s |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | No | No |
Headphone Port | No | No |
Wireless | No |
Yes Eye-Fi Connected |
Remote Control | Yes (N3 connector) | Yes (Optional, wired or wireless) |
GPS | No |
Yes Optional with GP-1 |
Body & Dimensions |
Canon EOS 50D |
Nikon D300s |
Enviromentally sealed | Yes | Yes |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
Lithium-Ion BP-511A rechargeable battery & charger
|
Lithium-Ion EN-EL3e rechargeable battery & charger
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 800 shots | 950 shots |
Width | 146 mm | 147 mm |
Height | 108 mm | 114 mm |
Depth | 74 mm | 74 mm |
Weight | 822 gram | 938 gram |