Nikon D300 vs Canon 60D

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Nikon D300 vs Canon 60D

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APS-C 372.9mm²
12.3 megapixels
ISO 200 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Nikon D300 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D300.

APS-C 332.3mm²
18.0 megapixels
ISO 100 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Canon 60D Review.
See real-world photos taken with the 60D.

Succeeded by the Nikon D300S
Compare D300 vs D300S

Succeeded by the Canon 70D
Compare 60D vs 70D

Compare NIKON D300S vs CANON 70D

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Differences

Nikon D300 advantages over Canon 60D

Larger sensor
APS-C vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 5.50 vs 4.30 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
Faster JPEG shooting
6.1 fps vs 5.3 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Canon 60D advantages over Nikon D300

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
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.
60D test data on DxO Mark D300 test data on DxO Mark

813 vs 679 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
More pixels
18.0 vs 12.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Higher extended ISO
12800 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
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
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

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
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
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
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Read D300 User Reviews

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Adorama
Read 60D User Reviews

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Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm Lens
Kit with 18-200mm Lens

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Review Excerpt

Read our Nikon D300 Full Review

Excellent 18-megapixel sensor with superb detail; Very good high ISO performance, especially for 18-megapixel subframe sensor; 3.0-inch, 1,040K-dot Vari-angle LCD is very useful for video and Live View; Sharp 18-135 kit lens with above average zoom range and I.S.; Full HD (1920x1080) movies at 30/25/24p, 60/50p at 1280x720.
Body not as rugged as mag-alloy 50D; AF assist only works when flash is up, though flash can be forced off; Auto-exposure not reliable in very low light; No continuous autofocus in Movie mode.
Read our Canon 60D Full Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 7D

Nikon D300

Canon 7D

$1800
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1499
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
External Mic Jack

Compare Nikon D300 vs Canon 7D

Canon 60D

Canon 7D

$889
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1499
APS-C

More cross-type AF points
Less shutter lag

Compare Canon 60D vs Canon 7D

Compared to Nikon D7000

Nikon D300

Nikon D7000

$1800
APS-C

Fast startup
Bigger JPEG buffer

$699
APS-C

Less expensive
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D300 vs Nikon D7000

Canon 60D

Nikon D7000

$889
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
More telephoto lens reach

$699
APS-C

Larger sensor
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 60D vs Nikon D7000

Compared to Pentax K-5

Nikon D300

Pentax K-5

$1800
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

$800
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-5

Canon 60D

Pentax K-5

$889
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Fast startup

$800
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 60D vs Pentax K-5

Compared to Canon T3i

Nikon D300

Canon T3i

$1800
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D300 vs Canon T3i

Canon 60D

Canon T3i

$889
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

$549
APS-C

Compare Canon 60D vs Canon T3i

Compared to Canon T4i

Nikon D300

Canon T4i

$1800
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$579
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D300 vs Canon T4i

Canon 60D

Canon T4i

$889
APS-C

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

$579
APS-C

Less expensive
Touchscreen

Compare Canon 60D vs Canon T4i

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