Nikon D850 vs Nikon D300

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D850 and Nikon D300. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon D850 were released 2017 and Nikon D300 was released 2006. That is a 11 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D850 2017
Nikon D300 2006

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D850 has a "Nikon FX"-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 **
Nikon D850 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
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:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Nikon D850 has a 46 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
Nikon D850 46 MP
45441024 pixels
8256 x 5504
Nikon D300 12,3 MP
12212224 pixels
4288 x 2848

Nikon D850 has a 272 % 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 D850 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D300. Nikon D850 has an ISO range that stretches from 64 to 25600 while Nikon D300 has 200 to 6400.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D850 64-25600
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 Nikon D850
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 D850 can shoot up to 9 pictures per seconds and Nikon D300 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D850 9
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 Nikon D850. 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 D850 weighs 1005 gr (equal to 2.22 lb) which is 9% heavier than Nikon D300 and its 925 gr (or 2.04 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D850 1005 gr
2.22 lb
Nikon D300 925 gr
2.04 lb

Nikon D850 vs Nikon D300 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D850 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 D850
Nikon D300
Name Nikon D850 Nikon D300
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D850
Nikon D300
Release Year 2017 2006
Release Date 2017-07-25 2007-08-23
MSRP 3299 USD 1799 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D850
Nikon D300
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D850
Nikon D300
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Resolution 8256 x 5504 pixels 4288 x 2848 pixels
Megapixels 46 MP 12,3 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 5 EXPEED
Image
Nikon D850
Nikon D300
ISO Range 64 - 25600 200 - 6400
White Balance Presets 14 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW + TIFF RAW + TIFF
Optics & Focus
Nikon D850
Nikon D300
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 151 51
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier FX (Full frame)
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 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 D850
Nikon D300
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3.2” 3”
Screen dots 2359000 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 0.75× 0.94× (0.63× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution 0 N/A
Photography features
Nikon D850
Nikon D300
Frames per second 9 fps 6 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash No Yes
Built-in Flash Range N/A 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, 1 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D850
Nikon D300
Video recording Yes No
Video format MPEG4
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 D850
Nikon D300
Memory Card SD/SDHC
XQD
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Nikon D850
Nikon D300
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port Yes No
Wireless Yes
Built-In ( 802.11b/g + NFC + Bluetooth 4.1 LE)
No
Remote Control Yes (wired, wireless, smartphone) Yes (Optional)
GPS No Yes
Optional through GP-1
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D850
Nikon D300
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details EN-EL15a lithium-ion battery & charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL3e rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 1840 shots 1000 shots
Width 146 mm 147 mm
Height 124 mm 114 mm
Depth 79 mm 74 mm
Weight 1005 gram 925 gram