Nikon Z9 vs Nikon D300s

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon Z9 and Nikon D300s. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Type of camera

Nikon Z9 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 Z9 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.

** 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 Z9 has a 46 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:

Nikon Z9 has a 272 % 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 Z9 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D300s. Nikon Z9 has an ISO range that stretches from 32 to 102400 while Nikon D300s 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 Z9
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 Z9 can shoot up to 30 pictures per seconds and Nikon D300s can shoot up to 7 pictures per seconds.

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Nikon Z9 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 Z9 weighs 1340 gr (equal to 2.95 lb) which is 43% heavier than Nikon D300s and its 938 gr (or 2.07 lb).

Nikon Z9 vs Nikon D300s Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon Z9 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 Z9	Nikon D300s
Name	Nikon Z9	Nikon D300s
Manufacturer	Nikon	Nikon
Release Date and Price	Nikon Z9	Nikon D300s
Release Year	2021	2009
Release Date	2021-10-28	2009-07-30
MSRP	5500 USD	1799 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type	Nikon Z9	Nikon D300s
Camera Type	Mirrorless	DSLR
Sensor	Nikon Z9	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	Full Stacked CMOS	CMOS
Resolution	8256 x 5504 pixels	4288 x 2848 pixels
Megapixels	46 MP	12,3 MP
Image Processor	EXPEED 7	EXPEED
Image	Nikon Z9	Nikon D300s
ISO Range	32 - 102400	200 - 6400
White Balance Presets	9	12
Custom White Balance	Yes	Yes
Image Stabilization	Yes (Sensor Shift (Synchro VR with selected lenses))	No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating	6 stops	0 stops
Uncompressed format	RAW	RAW + TIFF
Optics & Focus	Nikon Z9	Nikon D300s
Autofocus Motor	Yes	Yes
Autofocus	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 Z9	Nikon D300s
Articulated LCD	Tilting	Fixed
Screen size	3.2”	3”
Screen dots	2088960	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	0.8x	0.94× (0.63× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution	3686400	N/A
Photography features	Nikon Z9	Nikon D300s
Frames per second	30 fps	7 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed	900 seconds	30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed	1/32000 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 Spot
Exposure Compensation	+/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)	+/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features	Nikon Z9	Nikon D300s
Video recording	Yes	Yes
Video format	H.264 H.265	Motion JPEG
Video resolution	1920 x 1080 3840 x 2160 7680 x 4320	1280 x 720
Built-in Microphone	Yes	Yes
Built-in Speakers	Yes	No
Storage	Nikon Z9	Nikon D300s
Memory Card	Compact Flash Express XQD	Compact Flash
Connectivity	Nikon Z9	Nikon D300s
HDMI Output	Yes	Yes
Microphone Port	Yes	No
Headphone Port	Yes	No
Wireless	Yes Built-in (IEEE 802.11b/g/n/a/ac/Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Low Energy)	Yes Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control	Yes (Via app)	Yes (Optional, wired or wireless)
GPS	Yes Built-in (GPS, GLONASS, QZSS)	Yes Optional with GP-1
Body & Dimensions	Nikon Z9	Nikon D300s
Enviromentally sealed	Yes	Yes
Battery	Battery Pack	Battery Pack
Battery Details	EN-EL18d (backwards compatible with EN-EL18/a/b/c batteries)	Lithium-Ion EN-EL3e rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA)	740 shots	950 shots
Width	149 mm	147 mm
Height	150 mm	114 mm
Depth	91 mm	74 mm
Weight	1340 gram	938 gram