Nikon D5100 vs Nikon D300s

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D5100 and Nikon D300s. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Nikon D5100

Nikon D300s

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon D5100 were released 2011 and Nikon D300s was released 2009. That is a 2 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera	Released
Nikon D5100	2011
Nikon D300s	2009

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 D5100	75 mm Nikon DX 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:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Nikon D5100 has a 16,2 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
Nikon D5100	16,2 MP 16084992 pixels 4928 x 3264
Nikon D300s	12,3 MP 12212224 pixels 4288 x 2848

Nikon D5100 has a 32 % 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

Nikon D5100 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D300s. Nikon D5100 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 6400 while Nikon D300s has 200 to 6400.

Camera	ISO Range
Nikon D5100	100-6400
Nikon D300s	200-6400

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Nikon D300s 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 D5100
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. Nikon D5100 can shoot up to 4 pictures per seconds and Nikon D300s can shoot up to 7 pictures per seconds.

Camera	FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D5100	4
Nikon D300s	7

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Nikon D5100 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 54% heavier than Nikon D5100 and its 611 gr (or 1.35 lb).

Camera	Weight
Nikon D5100	611 gr 1.35 lb
Nikon D300s	938 gr 2.07 lb