Fujifilm X-E1 vs Nikon D300s

This is a full comparison between the cameras Fujifilm X-E1 and Nikon D300s. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Fujifilm X-E1 is manufacturered by Fujifilm but Nikon D300s is from Nikon. Both Fujifilm and Nikon are well known brands though.

Fujifilm X-E1 were released 2012 and Nikon D300s was released 2009. That is a 3 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Fujifilm X-E1 2012
Nikon D300s 2009

Type of camera

Fujifilm X-E1 is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D300s is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Fujifilm X-E1 has a "Fujifilm 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 **
Fujifilm X-E1 75 mm
Fujifilm sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
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:

Resolution

Fujifilm X-E1 has a 16 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
Fujifilm X-E1 16 MP
15980544 pixels
4896 x 3264
Nikon D300s 12,3 MP
12212224 pixels
4288 x 2848

Fujifilm X-E1 has a 31 % 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

Both of these cameras offer the exact same ISO range. They both have 200 to 6400.

Camera ISO Range
Fujifilm X-E1 200-6400
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 Fujifilm X-E1
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. Fujifilm X-E1 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds and Nikon D300s can shoot up to 7 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Fujifilm X-E1 6
Nikon D300s 7

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Fujifilm X-E1 and Nikon D300s can shoot movies.

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 168% heavier than Fujifilm X-E1 and its 350 gr (or 0.77 lb).

Camera Weight
Fujifilm X-E1 350 gr
0.77 lb
Nikon D300s 938 gr
2.07 lb

Fujifilm X-E1 vs Nikon D300s Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Fujifilm X-E1 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
Fujifilm X-E1
Nikon D300s
Name Fujifilm X-E1 Nikon D300s
Manufacturer Fujifilm Nikon
Release Date and Price
Fujifilm X-E1
Nikon D300s
Release Year 2012 2009
Release Date 2012-09-06 2009-07-30
MSRP 999 USD 1799 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Fujifilm X-E1
Nikon D300s
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Fujifilm X-E1
Nikon D300s
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4896 x 3264 pixels 4288 x 2848 pixels
Megapixels 16 MP 12,3 MP
Image Processor EXR Pro EXPEED
Image
Fujifilm X-E1
Nikon D300s
ISO Range 200 - 6400 200 - 6400
White Balance Presets 7 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
Fujifilm X-E1
Nikon D300s
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Multi Area
Center
Single
Continuous
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points N/A 51
Lens Mount Fujifilm X

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor (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
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
Fujifilm X-E1
Nikon D300s
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 2.8” 3”
Screen dots 460000 920000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT color LCD monitor Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.94× (0.63× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Fujifilm X-E1
Nikon D300s
Frames per second 6 fps 7 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 N/A 12 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Spot
Average
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Fujifilm X-E1
Nikon D300s
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format H.264
Motion JPEG
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
1280 x 720
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Fujifilm X-E1
Nikon D300s
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Fujifilm X-E1
Nikon D300s
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Optional through RR-80
Yes (Optional, wired or wireless)
GPS No Yes
Optional with GP-1
Body & Dimensions
Fujifilm X-E1
Nikon D300s
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion NP-W126 rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL3e rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 350 shots 950 shots
Width 129 mm 147 mm
Height 75 mm 114 mm
Depth 38 mm 74 mm
Weight 350 gram 938 gram