Nikon D300 vs Nikon D5100

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D300 and Nikon D5100. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon D300 were released 2006 and Nikon D5100 was released 2011. That is a 5 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D300 2006
Nikon D5100 2011

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Nikon DX") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Neither of the cameras has a Full frame sensor which means that you will get a "crop factor" where the camera's sensor size affect the focal length with a multiplier.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Nikon D300 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Nikon D5100 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 (Nikon)

Resolution

Nikon D300 has a 12,3 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D5100 has 16,2 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon D300 12,3 MP
12212224 pixels
4288 x 2848
Nikon D5100 16,2 MP
16084992 pixels
4928 x 3264

Nikon D5100 has a 32 % 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 D5100 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D300. Nikon D5100 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 6400 while Nikon D300 has 200 to 6400.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D300 200-6400
Nikon D5100 100-6400

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Nikon D300 has a built-in autofocus motor but Nikon D5100 does not. If you want to be able to use autofocus on Nikon D5100 there is a need for having an autofocus motor inside the lens. We really encourage you to look closely at our lens compatibility charts at the links below.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D300
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D5100

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D300 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds and Nikon D5100 can shoot up to 4 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D300 6
Nikon D5100 4

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 D5100. Sadly, the Nikon D300 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 D300 weighs 925 gr (equal to 2.04 lb) which is 51% heavier than Nikon D5100 and its 611 gr (or 1.35 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D300 925 gr
2.04 lb
Nikon D5100 611 gr
1.35 lb

Nikon D300 vs Nikon D5100 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D300 and Nikon D5100, 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
Nikon D300
Nikon D5100
Name Nikon D300 Nikon D5100
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D300
Nikon D5100
Release Year 2006 2011
Release Date 2007-08-23 2011-04-05
MSRP 1799 USD 359 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D300
Nikon D5100
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D300
Nikon D5100
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4288 x 2848 pixels 4928 x 3264 pixels
Megapixels 12,3 MP 16,2 MP
Image Processor EXPEED EXPEED 2
Image
Nikon D300
Nikon D5100
ISO Range 200 - 6400 100 - 6400
White Balance Presets 12 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW + TIFF RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon D300
Nikon D5100
Autofocus Motor Yes No
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 51 11
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier 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
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
Nikon D300
Nikon D5100
Articulated LCD Fixed Fully articulated
Screen size 3” 3#
Screen dots 922000 921000
Touch screen No No
Screen type Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT LCD monitor
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.94× (0.63× 35mm equiv.) 0.78× (0.52× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Nikon D300
Nikon D5100
Frames per second 6 fps 4 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 12 meters 12 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Average
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D300
Nikon D5100
Video recording No Yes
Video format N/A MPEG4
Video resolution N/A 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone No Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Nikon D300
Nikon D5100
Memory Card Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon D300
Nikon D5100
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Yes (Optional) Yes (Optional ML-L3)
GPS Yes
Optional through GP-1
Yes
Optional with GP-1
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D300
Nikon D5100
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion EN-EL3e rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL14 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 1000 shots N/A
Width 147 mm 128 mm
Height 114 mm 97 mm
Depth 74 mm 79 mm
Weight 925 gram 611 gram