Canon EOS 5D vs Nikon D300
This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 5D and Nikon D300. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Canon EOS 5D is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon D300 is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.
Canon EOS 5D were released 2005 and Nikon D300 was released 2006. That is a 1 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Canon EOS 5D | 2005 |
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 5D has a "Canon Full Frame"-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 5D | 50 mm Full-frame sensor No crop factor/focal length multiplier |
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 5D has a 12,7 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 5D |
12,7 MP
12719616 pixels 4368 x 2912 |
Nikon D300 |
12,3 MP
12212224 pixels 4288 x 2848 |
Canon EOS 5D has a 4 % 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
Nikon D300 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 5D. Nikon D300 has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 6400 while Canon EOS 5D has 50 to 3200.
Camera | ISO Range |
Canon EOS 5D | 50-3200 |
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 5D
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 5D can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds and Nikon D300 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Canon EOS 5D | 3 |
Nikon D300 | 6 |
Ability to record movies
It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.
Though, neither Canon EOS 5D or Nikon D300 can shoot movies so if that is a functionality that you are really looking for you should look elsewhere.
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 3% heavier than Canon EOS 5D and its 895 gr (or 1.97 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Canon EOS 5D | 895 gr 1.97 lb |
Nikon D300 | 925 gr 2.04 lb |
Canon EOS 5D vs Nikon D300 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 5D 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 5D |
Nikon D300 |
Name | Canon EOS 5D | Nikon D300 |
Manufacturer | Canon | Nikon |
Release Date and Price |
Canon EOS 5D |
Nikon D300 |
Release Year | 2005 | 2006 |
Release Date | 2005-08-22 | 2007-08-23 |
MSRP | 3299 USD | 1799 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Canon EOS 5D |
Nikon D300 |
Camera Type | DSLR | DSLR |
Sensor |
Canon EOS 5D |
Nikon D300 |
Sensor Size | Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) |
APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm) Also known as "DX" |
Sensor Type | CMOS | CMOS |
Resolution | 4368 x 2912 pixels | 4288 x 2848 pixels |
Megapixels | 12,7 MP | 12,3 MP |
Image Processor | DIGIC 2 | EXPEED |
Image |
Canon EOS 5D |
Nikon D300 |
ISO Range | 50 - 3200 | 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 5D |
Nikon D300 |
Autofocus Motor | Yes | Yes |
Autofocus |
Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView |
Focus Points | 9 | 51 |
Lens Mount |
Canon EF See Compatible Lenses |
Nikon F See Compatible Lenses |
Focal Length Multiplier |
Full frame No multiplier Example: 24 mm remains 24 mm 50 mm remains 50 mm 100 mm remains 100 mm 200 mm remains 200 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 5D |
Nikon D300 |
Articulated LCD | Fixed | Fixed |
Screen size | 2,5” | 3” |
Screen dots | 230000 | 922000 |
Touch screen | No | No |
Screen type | TFT liquid-crystal color LCD | Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle |
Live view | No | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder Coverage | 96% | 100% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.71× | 0.94× (0.63× 35mm equiv.) |
Viewfinder Resolution | N/A | N/A |
Photography features |
Canon EOS 5D |
Nikon D300 |
Frames per second | 3 fps | 6 fps |
Minimum Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
Built-in Flash | No | Yes |
Built-in Flash Range | N/A | 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 5D |
Nikon D300 |
Video recording | No | No |
Video format | N/A | N/A |
Video resolution | N/A | N/A |
Built-in Microphone | No | No |
Built-in Speakers | No | No |
Storage |
Canon EOS 5D |
Nikon D300 |
Memory Card |
Compact Flash |
Compact Flash |
Connectivity |
Canon EOS 5D |
Nikon D300 |
HDMI Output | No | Yes |
Microphone Port | No | No |
Headphone Port | No | No |
Wireless | No | No |
Remote Control | Yes (N3 connector) | Yes (Optional) |
GPS | No |
Yes Optional through GP-1 |
Body & Dimensions |
Canon EOS 5D |
Nikon D300 |
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) | 400 shots | 1000 shots |
Width | 152 mm | 147 mm |
Height | 113 mm | 114 mm |
Depth | 75 mm | 74 mm |
Weight | 895 gram | 925 gram |