Nikon Z f vs Nikon D300s

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

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon Z f were released 2023 and Nikon D300s was released 2009. That is a 14 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon Z f 2023
Nikon D300s 2009

Type of camera

Nikon Z f is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D300s is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon Z f has a "Nikon FX"-sensor while Nikon D300s 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 Z f 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
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 Z f has a 25 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 Z f 25 MP
24385536 pixels
6048 x 4032
Nikon D300s 12,3 MP
12212224 pixels
4288 x 2848

Nikon Z f has a 100 % 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 Z f has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D300s. Nikon Z f has an ISO range that stretches from 50 to 204800 while Nikon D300s has 200 to 6400.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon Z f 50-204800
Nikon D300s 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 Z f
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 Z f can shoot up to 14 pictures per seconds and Nikon D300s can shoot up to 7 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon Z f 14
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 Z f 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 32% heavier than Nikon Z f and its 710 gr (or 1.57 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon Z f 710 gr
1.57 lb
Nikon D300s 938 gr
2.07 lb

Nikon Z f vs Nikon D300s Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon Z f and Nikon D300s, 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 Z f
Nikon D300s
Name Nikon Z f Nikon D300s
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Nikon Z f
Nikon D300s
Release Year 2023 2009
Release Date 2023-09-20 2009-07-30
MSRP 1999 USD 1799 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon Z f
Nikon D300s
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Nikon Z f
Nikon D300s
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 6048 x 4032 pixels 4288 x 2848 pixels
Megapixels 25 MP 12,3 MP
Image Processor EXPEED
Image
Nikon Z f
Nikon D300s
ISO Range 50 - 204800 200 - 6400
White Balance Presets 8 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 8 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW + TIFF
Optics & Focus
Nikon Z f
Nikon D300s
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 273 51
Lens Mount Nikon Z

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 Z f
Nikon D300s
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Fixed
Screen size 3.2” 3”
Screen dots 2100000 920000
Touch screen Yes No
Screen type N/A Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8× 0.94× (0.63× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution 3690000 N/A
Photography features
Nikon Z f
Nikon D300s
Frames per second 14 fps 7 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 900 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
Partial
Average
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon Z f
Nikon D300s
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format H.264
H.265
Motion JPEG
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
1280 x 720
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Nikon Z f
Nikon D300s
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Nikon Z f
Nikon D300s
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port Yes No
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11b/g/n/a/ac)
Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control No Yes (Optional, wired or wireless)
GPS No Yes
Optional with GP-1
Body & Dimensions
Nikon Z f
Nikon D300s
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details EN-EL15c
Lithium-Ion EN-EL3e rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 380 shots 950 shots
Width 144 mm 147 mm
Height 103 mm 114 mm
Depth 49 mm 74 mm
Weight 710 gram 938 gram