Nikon D300 vs Canon 80D

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Nikon D300 vs Canon 80D

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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 337.5mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 16,000

Go in depth with our full Canon 80D Review.
How does it shoot? Canon 80D in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the 80D.
Compare Canon 80D image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon 80D conclusion.

Succeeded by the Nikon D300S
Compare D300 vs D300S

Succeeded by the Canon 90D
Compare 80D vs 90D

Compare NIKON D300S vs CANON 90D

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Differences

Nikon D300 advantages over Canon 80D

Larger sensor
APS-C vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 5.50 vs 3.75 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.30 vs 0.5 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment

Canon 80D advantages over Nikon D300

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
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.
80D test data on DxO Mark D300 test data on DxO Mark

1,135 vs 679 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Newer
9 years vs 17 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
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
Less shutter lag
0.08 vs 0.23 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
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
Faster JPEG shooting
6.8 fps vs 6.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (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
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
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Adorama
Read D300 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read 80D User Reviews

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Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm Lens
Kit with 18-55mm Lens

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Review Excerpt

Read our Nikon D300 Full Review

Very good image quality; Better RAW high ISO performance than predecessor; Improved buffer depth; Very fast AF; Dual Pixel CMOS AF is excellent; f/8 AF support; 1080/60p video; Headphone jack; Very good battery life.
New kit lens isn't very sharp; No 4K video; No clean HDMI out; 29:59 minute video recording limit; Phase detect AF not as sensitive in low-light as expected (Dual Pixel AF is better in low-light).
Read our Canon 80D Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony A77 II

Nikon D300

Sony A77 II

$1800
APS-C

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

$1198
APS-C

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D300 vs Sony A77 II

Canon 80D

Sony A77 II

$935
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$1198
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 80D vs Sony A77 II

Compared to Canon 7D Mark II

Nikon D300

Canon 7D Mark II

$1800
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1597
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Built-in GPS

Compare Nikon D300 vs Canon 7D Mark II

Canon 80D

Canon 7D Mark II

$935
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1597
APS-C

Built-in GPS
More cross-type AF points

Compare Canon 80D vs Canon 7D Mark II

Compared to Canon T6s

Nikon D300

Canon T6s

$1800
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$619
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D300 vs Canon T6s

Canon 80D

Canon T6s

$935
APS-C

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

$619
APS-C

Less expensive
Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Canon 80D vs Canon T6s

Compared to Nikon D7200

Nikon D300

Nikon D7200

$1800
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

$1016
APS-C

Built-in Wi-Fi
Better color depth

Compare Nikon D300 vs Nikon D7200

Canon 80D

Nikon D7200

$935
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1016
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
More dynamic range

Compare Canon 80D vs Nikon D7200

Compared to Nikon D7500

Nikon D300

Nikon D7500

$1800
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Has anti-aliasing filter

$797
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D300 vs Nikon D7500

Canon 80D

Nikon D7500

$935
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
NFC

$797
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Fast startup

Compare Canon 80D vs Nikon D7500

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