Nikon Z50 vs Nikon D300s

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon Z50 and Nikon D300s. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon Z50 were released 2019 and Nikon D300s was released 2009. That is a 10 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon Z50 2019
Nikon D300s 2009

Type of camera

Nikon Z50 is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D300s is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

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 Z50 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 Z50 has a 21 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 Z50 21 MP
20668416 pixels
5568 x 3712
Nikon D300s 12,3 MP
12212224 pixels
4288 x 2848

Nikon Z50 has a 69 % 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 Z50 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D300s. Nikon Z50 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Nikon D300s has 200 to 6400.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon Z50 100-51200
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 Z50
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 Z50 can shoot up to 11 pictures per seconds and Nikon D300s can shoot up to 7 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon Z50 11
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 Z50 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 108% heavier than Nikon Z50 and its 450 gr (or 0.99 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon Z50 450 gr
0.99 lb
Nikon D300s 938 gr
2.07 lb

Nikon Z50 vs Nikon D300s Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon Z50 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 Z50
Nikon D300s
Name Nikon Z50 Nikon D300s
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Nikon Z50
Nikon D300s
Release Year 2019 2009
Release Date 2019-10-10 2009-07-30
MSRP 859 USD 1799 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon Z50
Nikon D300s
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Nikon Z50
Nikon D300s
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 6 EXPEED
Image
Nikon Z50
Nikon D300s
ISO Range 100 - 51200 200 - 6400
White Balance Presets 12 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW + TIFF
Optics & Focus
Nikon Z50
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 209 51
Lens Mount Nikon Z

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 Z50
Nikon D300s
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3.2” 3”
Screen dots 1040000 920000
Touch screen Yes No
Screen type TFT LCD Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 1.02× (0.68× 35mm equiv.) 0.94× (0.63× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution 2360000 N/A
Photography features
Nikon Z50
Nikon D300s
Frames per second 11 fps 7 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 7 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
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon Z50
Nikon D300s
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
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 Z50
Nikon D300s
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Nikon Z50
Nikon D300s
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11ac + Bluetooth)
Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Yes (via smartphone) Yes (Optional, wired or wireless)
GPS No Yes
Optional with GP-1
Body & Dimensions
Nikon Z50
Nikon D300s
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details EN-EL25 lithium-ion battery & charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL3e rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 320 shots 950 shots
Width 127 mm 147 mm
Height 94 mm 114 mm
Depth 60 mm 74 mm
Weight 450 gram 938 gram