Fujifilm X-M1 vs Nikon D300

This is a full comparison between the cameras Fujifilm X-M1 and Nikon D300. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Fujifilm X-M1 is manufacturered by Fujifilm but Nikon D300 is from Nikon. Both Fujifilm and Nikon are well known brands though.

Fujifilm X-M1 were released 2013 and Nikon D300 was released 2006. That is a 7 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Fujifilm X-M1 2013
Nikon D300 2006

Type of camera

Fujifilm X-M1 is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D300 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Fujifilm X-M1 has a "Fujifilm 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 **
Fujifilm X-M1 75 mm
Fujifilm sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
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:

Resolution

Fujifilm X-M1 has a 16 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
Fujifilm X-M1 16 MP
15980544 pixels
4896 x 3264
Nikon D300 12,3 MP
12212224 pixels
4288 x 2848

Fujifilm X-M1 has a 31 % 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

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

Camera ISO Range
Fujifilm X-M1 200-6400
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 Fujifilm X-M1
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. Fujifilm X-M1 can shoot up to 5,6 pictures per seconds and Nikon D300 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Fujifilm X-M1 5,6
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 Fujifilm X-M1. 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 180% heavier than Fujifilm X-M1 and its 330 gr (or 0.73 lb).

Camera Weight
Fujifilm X-M1 330 gr
0.73 lb
Nikon D300 925 gr
2.04 lb

Fujifilm X-M1 vs Nikon D300 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Fujifilm X-M1 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
Fujifilm X-M1
Nikon D300
Name Fujifilm X-M1 Nikon D300
Manufacturer Fujifilm Nikon
Release Date and Price
Fujifilm X-M1
Nikon D300
Release Year 2013 2006
Release Date 2013-06-25 2007-08-23
MSRP 699 USD 1799 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Fujifilm X-M1
Nikon D300
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Fujifilm X-M1
Nikon D300
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 Processor II EXPEED
Image
Fujifilm X-M1
Nikon D300
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-M1
Nikon D300
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Multi Area
Center
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 49 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-M1
Nikon D300
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 920000 922000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT LCD Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type No Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.94× (0.63× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Fujifilm X-M1
Nikon D300
Frames per second 5,6 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 7 meters 12 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Spot
Average
Multi
Center Weighted
Average
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Fujifilm X-M1
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 Yes No
Storage
Fujifilm X-M1
Nikon D300
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Fujifilm X-M1
Nikon D300
HDMI Output No Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Built-in (Geotagging setup, Image transfer (Individual image / Selected multiple images), View & Obt
No
Remote Control Optional through RR-90 (sold separately)
Yes (Optional)
GPS No Yes
Optional through GP-1
Body & Dimensions
Fujifilm X-M1
Nikon D300
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-W126 battery and BC-W126 charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL3e rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 350 shots 1000 shots
Width 117 mm 147 mm
Height 67 mm 114 mm
Depth 39 mm 74 mm
Weight 330 gram 925 gram