• APS-C 372.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 22.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • Detailed specifications
  • Nikon D300S
  • Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Links
Prices: Compare Prices Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Nikon D300
D300 vs D300S
Canon 5D Mark II
5D Mark II vs 5D Mark III
Successor: Nikon D500
D300S vs D500
Canon 5D Mark IV
5D Mark III vs 5D Mark IV
General
Model Number: D300S 5D Mark III
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Pro SLR Pro SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $1799.95 $3500.00
Street Price: $1,696.95 $2,079.48
Date Available: 2009-08-31 2012-03-20
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 33.5 oz (951 g)
includes batteries
33.5 oz (950 g)
includes batteries
Size: 5.8 x 4.5 x 2.9 in.
(147 x 114 x 74 mm)
6.0 x 4.6 x 3.0 in.
(152 x 116 x 76 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony Canon
Effective Megapixels: 12.3 22.3
Sensor Format: APS-C 35mm
Sensor size: 372.88mm2 (23.60mm x 15.80mm) 864mm2 (36.00mm x 24.00mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.50 microns 6.25 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x 1.0x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 70 81
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 22.5 24.0
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.2 11.7
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 787 2,293
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4288 x 2848 (12.2 MP, Other),
3216 x 2136 (6.9 MP, Other),
2144 x 1424 (3.1 MP, Other)
5760 x 3840 (22.1 MP, 3:2),
3840 x 2560 (9.8 MP, 3:2),
2880 x 1920 (5.5 MP, 3:2),
1920 x 1280 (2.5 MP, 3:2),
720 x 480 (0.3 MP, 3:2)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.21), NEF (RAW), 12 or 14 bit, lossless compressed, compressed, or uncompressed; RAW+JPEG, TIFF JPEG (EXIF v2.3), RAW, M-RAW (10.5MP), S-RAW (5.5MP); 14-bit CR2
Continuous-mode frames/second: 7.1 6.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1280x720 (24)
640x424 (24)
320x216 (24)
1920x1080 (30p/​25p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​50p)
640x480 (30p/​25p)
Movie File Format: AVI Motion JPEG .MOV (MPEG-4 AVC / H.264), ALL-I and IPB modes
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: Yes
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Nikon F Canon EF
Lens: n/a n/a
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):    
Focal Length (actual):    
Zoom Ratio:    
Aperture Range:    
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:    
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: n/a n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: No
Digital Zoom Values: n/a  
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 51 point (15 cross-type sensors) TTL phase detection with 3D focus tracking by Nikon Multi-CAM 3500DX Phase Detect : 61-point (up to 41 cross-type points); One to five cross-type AF points at f/2.8, 10 to 20 cross-type AF points at f/4, and 15 to 21 cross-type AF points at f/5.6.
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes No
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type: eye-level pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.94x mag., 19.5mm eyepoint, -2 to +1 diopter SLR type; fixed eye-level pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.71x magnification, 21mm eyepoint, -3 to +1 diopter, fixed focusing screen, on demand grid
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.63x 0.71x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.94x 0.71x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.2
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots 1,044,000 dots (348,000 px)
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 27.0x 10.0x
Top Deck Display: Yes Yes
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 3200 25600
Minimum ISO (native): 200 100
ISO Settings: Auto, ISO 200-3200, Lo-1=100, Hi-1=6400 Auto, 100-25600 in 1/3 or 1 EV steps, expandable to 50 (L), 51200 (H1) and 102400 (H2)
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, 7 manual modes with fine tuning, color temperature Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, White Fluorescent, Flash, Custom, Color Temperature
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/8000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 3D Color Matrix Metering II, Center-weighted, Spot 63-zone Evaluative, Center-weighted, Partial (center, 7.2%), Spot (center, 1.5%)
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: N/A n/a
Self Timer: 2 to 20 seconds 2, 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer): Yes  
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes No
Flash Modes: Front-Curtain Sync, Red-Eye Reduction, Red-Eye Reduction with Slow Sync, Slow Sync, and Rear-Curtain Sync; supports Advanced Wireless Lighting system n/a
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. n/a
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent n/a
Max Flash Sync: 1/250 1/200
Flash Exposure Compensation: -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe, Sync Terminal Hot Shoe, PC Sync
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: Full TTL exposure No
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 / SD / SDHC CF1 / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   No UHS support
Other Memory: Dual slots, CF+SD UDMA7 compliant
Dual Card Slots: Yes Yes
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: NEF (RAW), 12 or 14 bit, lossless compressed, compressed, or uncompressed; RAW+JPEG, TIFF RAW, M-RAW (10.5MP), S-RAW (5.5MP); 14-bit CR2
Movie File Format: AVI Motion JPEG .MOV (MPEG-4 AVC / H.264), ALL-I and IPB modes
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: Yes Yes
Headphone Jack: No Yes
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional wired Optional Wired or Wireless
Connections (extended): Type-C HDMI Out, DC In, PC Sync, 10-pin Remote Terminal Mini HDMI (Type C), Remote Jack, Stereo Mic Jack, Stereo Monitor Jack, PC-Sync Terminal
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.48 <0.3
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.48 <0.3
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): Unlimited Unlimited
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): 0.47 <0.3
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 7.1 6.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 26 63
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 7.1 6.0
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): 17 18
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 7.1 6.0
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): 15 7
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.23 seconds 0.12 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR): 0.47 seconds 0.78 seconds
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR): 0.053 seconds 0.060 seconds
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.150 seconds 0.095 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.27 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.053 seconds 0.061 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Live View lags Hand-held mode Phase-detect AF: 0.473s Hand-held mode Prefocused: 0.053s Tripod mode Contrast-detect AF: 2.5s Tripod mode Prefocused: 0.419s Optical Viewfinder: Full AF shutter lag, wide-area mode: 0.142s Live View: Full AF shutter lag, phase-detect: 0.823s Full AF shutter lag, contrast-detect: 0.780s Prefocused: 0.060
Startup Time: 0.3 seconds 0.5 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.3 seconds 0.2 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 1.7 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   200 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 950 shots 950 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary EN-EL3e, optional MB-D10 battery pack Proprietary LP-E6
Usable Battery Types: Lithium Ion rechargeable Lithium-ion Rechargeable or BG-E11 battery grip
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary EN-EL3e Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary LP-E6 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No No
Software
Included Software: PictureProject CD-ROM Canon EOS Digital Solution Disc
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS X  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Upgrade to D300 adding 720p HD movies, faster burst rate, and other minor improvements. New 22.3-megapixel Full-frame CMOS Sensor, DIGIC 5+ Processor, 61-point AF System, 63-zone iFCL Metering System, 6fps Bursts, Full HD video, 100% OVF, 3.2" 1.04M-dot LCD, Dual Card Slots (SD+CF), HDR Mode, Multiple Exposure Support, Scene Intelligent Auto, Comparative Playback, Dual-Axis Electronic Level, Auto Lighting Optimizer, In-Camera RAW Processing.