Nikon D7500 vs Nikon D300

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D7500 and Nikon D300. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

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.

** 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 D7500 has a 21 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:

Nikon D7500 has a 69 % 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 D7500 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D300. Nikon D7500 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Nikon D300 has 200 to 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 D7500
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. Nikon D7500 can shoot up to 8 pictures per seconds and Nikon D300 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds.

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 Nikon D7500. 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 45% heavier than Nikon D7500 and its 640 gr (or 1.41 lb).

Nikon D7500 vs Nikon D300 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D7500 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	Nikon D7500	Nikon D300
Name	Nikon D7500	Nikon D300
Manufacturer	Nikon	Nikon
Release Date and Price	Nikon D7500	Nikon D300
Release Year	2017	2006
Release Date	2017-04-12	2007-08-23
MSRP	1299 USD	1799 USD
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Camera Type	Nikon D7500	Nikon D300
Camera Type	DSLR	DSLR
Sensor	Nikon D7500	Nikon D300
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	5568 x 3712 pixels	4288 x 2848 pixels
Megapixels	21 MP	12,3 MP
Image Processor	EXPEED 5	EXPEED
Image	Nikon D7500	Nikon D300
ISO Range	100 - 51200	200 - 6400
White Balance Presets	12	12
Custom White Balance	Yes	Yes
Image Stabilization	Yes	No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating	0 stops	0 stops
Uncompressed format	RAW	RAW + TIFF
Optics & Focus	Nikon D7500	Nikon D300
Autofocus Motor	Yes	Yes
Autofocus	Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView	Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView
Focus Points	51	51
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 D7500	Nikon D300
Articulated LCD	Tilting	Fixed
Screen size	3,2”	3”
Screen dots	922000	922000
Touch screen	Yes	No
Screen type	TFT LCD	Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Live view	Yes	Yes
Viewfinder Type	Optical (pentaprism)	Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage	100%	100%
Viewfinder Magnification	0.94× (0.63× 35mm equiv.)	0.94× (0.63× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution	0	N/A
Photography features	Nikon D7500	Nikon D300
Frames per second	8 fps	6 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed	30 seconds	30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed	1/8000 seconds	1/8000 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 Highlight Weighted Spot	Multi Center Weighted Average
Exposure Compensation	+/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)	+/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features	Nikon D7500	Nikon D300
Video recording	Yes	No
Video format	MPEG4 H.264	N/A
Video resolution	1280 x 720 1920 x 1080 3840 x 2160	N/A
Built-in Microphone	Yes	No
Built-in Speakers	Yes	No
Storage	Nikon D7500	Nikon D300
Memory Card	SD/SDHC	Compact Flash
Connectivity	Nikon D7500	Nikon D300
HDMI Output	Yes	Yes
Microphone Port	Yes	No
Headphone Port	Yes	No
Wireless	Yes Built-in, Wi-Fi with low energy Bluetooth	No
Remote Control	Yes (Wired, wireless, smartphone)	Yes (Optional)
GPS	Yes Optional with GP-1A	Yes Optional through GP-1
Body & Dimensions	Nikon D7500	Nikon D300
Enviromentally sealed	Yes	Yes
Battery	Battery Pack	Battery Pack
Battery Details	EN-EL15a lithium-ion rechargeable battery & charger	Lithium-Ion EN-EL3e rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA)	950 shots	1000 shots
Width	136 mm	147 mm
Height	104 mm	114 mm
Depth	73 mm	74 mm
Weight	640 gram	925 gram