Nikon D300S vs Nikon D7200

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Nikon D300S vs Nikon D7200

APS-C 372.9mm²
12.3 megapixels
ISO 200 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Nikon D300S Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D300S.

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Nikon D7200 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D7200 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D7200.
Compare Nikon D7200 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D7200 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Nikon D500
Compare D300S vs D500

Succeeded by the Nikon D7500
Compare D7200 vs D7500

Compare NIKON D500 vs NIKON D7500

Buy From

Differences

Nikon D300S advantages over Nikon D7200

Bigger pixels
~ 5.50 vs 3.92 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.30 vs 0.4 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Faster JPEG shooting
7.1 fps vs 5.8 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
7.1 fps vs 4.9 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Nikon D7200 advantages over Nikon D300S

Less expensive
$1280 vs $1697*
Save money for lenses or accessories
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
D7200 test data on DxO Mark D300S test data on DxO Mark

1,333 vs 787 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
D7200 test data on DxO Mark D300S test data on DxO Mark

14.6 vs 12.2 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
Newer
9 years vs 15 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More dots on screen
1229k vs 922k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
More pixels
24.2 vs 12.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
56 vs 26 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 6400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Top deck display
Both provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Pentaprism viewfinder
Both provide
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Dual card slots
Both provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D300S User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D7200 User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D300S

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-200mm Lens

All D300S Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D7200

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-140mm lens

All D7200 Deals

Review Excerpt

Rugged construction; 51-point AF system capable of sophisticated AF tracking; Large, bright optical viewfinder; 7 fps JPEG or 12-bit RAW burst mode; HD Video capture.
14-bit RAW mode slows continuous shooting from 7 fps to 2.7 fps; Somewhat slow AF for a camera at this level, especially in 51-point auto-area mode; Video capture tops out at 720p24.
Read our Nikon D300S Full Review

Rugged, weather-sealed body; Great ergonomics and loads of controls; Accurate optical viewfinder; Excellent image quality; Decent burst speed; Swift autofocus; Generous buffer depths; Superb battery life
Mixes plastic and magnesium-alloy panels on exterior; LCD monitor can't be tilted or swiveled; Presents a steep learning curve; No focus peaking in live view; Video mode feels a bit of an afterthought; New Wi-Fi features are rough around the edges
Read our Nikon D7200 Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7500

Nikon D300S

Nikon D7500

$1697
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Dual card slots

$930
APS-C

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

Compare Nikon D300S vs Nikon D7500

Nikon D7200

Nikon D7500

$1043
APS-C

NFC
More telephoto lens reach

$930
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D7200 vs Nikon D7500

Compared to Nikon D90

Nikon D300S

Nikon D90

$1697
APS-C

External Mic Jack
More cross-type AF points

$1300
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Nikon D300S vs Nikon D90

Nikon D7200

Nikon D90

$1043
APS-C

Built-in Wi-Fi
NFC

$1300
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

Compare Nikon D7200 vs Nikon D90

Compared to Canon 50D

Nikon D300S

Canon 50D

$1697
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Longer stills battery life

$1000
APS-C

Less shutter lag
More pixels

Compare Nikon D300S vs Canon 50D

Nikon D7200

Canon 50D

$1043
APS-C

Built-in Wi-Fi
NFC

$1000
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

Compare Nikon D7200 vs Canon 50D

Compared to Sony DSLR-A550

Nikon D300S

Sony DSLR-A550

$1697
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$859
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Tiltable Screen

Compare Nikon D300S vs Sony DSLR-A550

Nikon D7200

Sony DSLR-A550

$1043
APS-C

Lens selection
Built-in Wi-Fi

$859
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D7200 vs Sony DSLR-A550

Compared to Sony A77 II

Nikon D300S

Sony A77 II

$1697
APS-C

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

$1198
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D300S vs Sony A77 II

Nikon D7200

Sony A77 II

$1043
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$1198
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D7200 vs Sony A77 II

Compare Other Cameras?