Nikon Z7 II vs Nikon D300
This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon Z7 II and Nikon D300. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.
Nikon Z7 II were released 2020 and Nikon D300 was released 2006. That is a 14 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Nikon Z7 II | 2020 |
Nikon D300 | 2006 |
Type of camera
Nikon Z7 II is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D300 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.
Sensors / crop factor
These cameras have different sensors. Nikon Z7 II 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 Z7 II | 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 Z7 II 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 Z7 II |
46 MP
45441024 pixels 8256 x 5504 |
Nikon D300 |
12,3 MP
12212224 pixels 4288 x 2848 |
Nikon Z7 II 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 Z7 II has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D300. Nikon Z7 II has an ISO range that stretches from 64 to 25600 while Nikon D300 has 200 to 6400.
Camera | ISO Range |
Nikon Z7 II | 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 Z7 II
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 Z7 II can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds and Nikon D300 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Nikon Z7 II | 10 |
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 Z7 II. 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 31% heavier than Nikon Z7 II and its 705 gr (or 1.55 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Nikon Z7 II | 705 gr 1.55 lb |
Nikon D300 | 925 gr 2.04 lb |
Nikon Z7 II vs Nikon D300 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon Z7 II 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 Z7 II |
Nikon D300 |
Name | Nikon Z7 II | Nikon D300 |
Manufacturer | Nikon | Nikon |
Release Date and Price |
Nikon Z7 II |
Nikon D300 |
Release Year | 2020 | 2006 |
Release Date | 2020-10-14 | 2007-08-23 |
MSRP | 2999 USD | 1799 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Nikon Z7 II |
Nikon D300 |
Camera Type | Mirrorless | DSLR |
Sensor |
Nikon Z7 II |
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 | CMOS | CMOS |
Resolution | 8256 x 5504 pixels | 4288 x 2848 pixels |
Megapixels | 46 MP | 12,3 MP |
Image Processor | DUAL EXPEED 6 | EXPEED |
Image |
Nikon Z7 II |
Nikon D300 |
ISO Range | 64 - 25600 | 200 - 6400 |
White Balance Presets | 12 | 12 |
Custom White Balance | Yes | Yes |
Image Stabilization |
Yes (Sensor Shift (5 axis)) |
No |
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating | 5 stops | 0 stops |
Uncompressed format | RAW | RAW + TIFF |
Optics & Focus |
Nikon Z7 II |
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 | 493 | 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 Z7 II |
Nikon D300 |
Articulated LCD | Tilting | Fixed |
Screen size | 3.2” | 3” |
Screen dots | 2100000 | 922000 |
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 | 0.8x | 0.94× (0.63× 35mm equiv.) |
Viewfinder Resolution | 3690000 | N/A |
Photography features |
Nikon Z7 II |
Nikon D300 |
Frames per second | 10 fps | 6 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 |
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 Z7 II |
Nikon D300 |
Video recording | Yes | No |
Video format |
MPEG4 H.264 |
N/A |
Video resolution |
1920 x 1080 3840 x 2160 |
N/A |
Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
Built-in Speakers | Yes | No |
Storage |
Nikon Z7 II |
Nikon D300 |
Memory Card |
Compact Flash Express SD/SDHC XQD |
Compact Flash |
Connectivity |
Nikon Z7 II |
Nikon D300 |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | Yes | No |
Headphone Port | Yes | No |
Wireless |
Yes Built-in (802.11ac + Bluetooth) |
No |
Remote Control |
Yes (via MC-DC2 or smartphone)
|
Yes (Optional) |
GPS | No |
Yes Optional through GP-1 |
Body & Dimensions |
Nikon Z7 II |
Nikon D300 |
Enviromentally sealed | Yes | Yes |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
EN-EL15c lithium-ion battery & charger
|
Lithium-Ion EN-EL3e rechargeable battery & charger
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 420 shots | 1000 shots |
Width | 134 mm | 147 mm |
Height | 101 mm | 114 mm |
Depth | 70 mm | 74 mm |
Weight | 705 gram | 925 gram |