Nikon D300s vs Canon EOS 1200D

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D300s and Canon EOS 1200D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Nikon D300s is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS 1200D is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

Nikon D300s were released 2009 and Canon EOS 1200D was released 2014. That is a 5 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D300s 2009
Canon EOS 1200D 2014

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D300s has a "Nikon DX"-sensor while Canon EOS 1200D has a "Canon APS-C"-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 **
Nikon D300s 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Canon EOS 1200D 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6

** 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)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Nikon D300s has a 12,3 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 1200D has 18 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon D300s 12,3 MP
12212224 pixels
4288 x 2848
Canon EOS 1200D 18 MP
17915904 pixels
5184 x 3456

Canon EOS 1200D has a 47 % 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 1200D has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D300s. Canon EOS 1200D has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 6400 while Nikon D300s has 200 to 6400.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D300s 200-6400
Canon EOS 1200D 100-6400

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 Nikon D300s
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 1200D

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D300s can shoot up to 7 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 1200D can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D300s 7
Canon EOS 1200D 3

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Nikon D300s and Canon EOS 1200D 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 95% heavier than Canon EOS 1200D and its 480 gr (or 1.06 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D300s 938 gr
2.07 lb
Canon EOS 1200D 480 gr
1.06 lb

Nikon D300s vs Canon EOS 1200D Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D300s and Canon EOS 1200D, 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 D300s
Canon EOS 1200D
Name Nikon D300s Canon EOS 1200D
Manufacturer Nikon Canon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D300s
Canon EOS 1200D
Release Year 2009 2014
Release Date 2009-07-30 2014-02-12
MSRP 1799 USD 549 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D300s
Canon EOS 1200D
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D300s
Canon EOS 1200D
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4288 x 2848 pixels 5184 x 3456 pixels
Megapixels 12,3 MP 18 MP
Image Processor EXPEED DIGIC 4
Image
Nikon D300s
Canon EOS 1200D
ISO Range 200 - 6400 100 - 6400
White Balance Presets 12 6
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 D300s
Canon EOS 1200D
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 51 9
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF
Canon EF-S

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
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
Screen & Viewfinder
Nikon D300s
Canon EOS 1200D
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 920000 460000
Touch screen No No
Screen type Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT color LCD, liquid-crystal monitor
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.94× (0.63× 35mm equiv.) 0.8× (0.5× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Nikon D300s
Canon EOS 1200D
Frames per second 7 fps 3 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 9 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Partial
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D300s
Canon EOS 1200D
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format Motion JPEG
H.264
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Nikon D300s
Canon EOS 1200D
Memory Card Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon D300s
Canon EOS 1200D
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
No
Remote Control Yes (Optional, wired or wireless) Yes (E3 connector)
GPS Yes
Optional with GP-1
No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D300s
Canon EOS 1200D
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion EN-EL3e rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion LP-E10 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 950 shots 500 shots
Width 147 mm 130 mm
Height 114 mm 100 mm
Depth 74 mm 78 mm
Weight 938 gram 480 gram