Nikon D300S vs Canon 70D

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Nikon D300S vs Canon 70D

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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 337.5mm²
20.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Canon 70D Review.
How does it shoot? Canon 70D in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the 70D.
Compare Canon 70D image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon 70D conclusion.

Succeeded by the Nikon D500
Compare D300S vs D500

Succeeded by the Canon 80D
Compare 70D vs 80D

Compare NIKON D500 vs CANON 80D

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Differences

Nikon D300S advantages over Canon 70D

Larger sensor
APS-C vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 5.50 vs 4.11 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.30 vs 0.7 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
More AF points
51 vs 19
More AF points improve autofocus

Canon 70D advantages over Nikon D300S

Less expensive
$999 vs $1697*
Save money for lenses or accessories
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.
70D test data on DxO Mark D300S test data on DxO Mark

926 vs 787 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
Less shutter lag
0.07 vs 0.23 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
20.2 vs 12.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Bigger JPEG buffer
65 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
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
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D300S User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read 70D User Reviews

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Buy the Nikon D300S

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Body Only
Kit with 18-200mm Lens

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Buy the Canon 70D

Body Only

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

All 70D 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

Dual Pixel CMOS AF delivers full-time continuous autofocus (with phase detect at every pixel in framing area) for video and Live View still shooting; Full HD (1080p) video recording with pro-level features and quality; Improved resolution and good high ISO performance; Excellent Wi-Fi remote shooting with full exposure controls; 3-inch articulating LCD touchscreen.
Image quality only improved slightly over 60D; Dynamic range still lags behind competing models; May not feature enough upgrades to convince people to step up from 60D.
Read our Canon 70D Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7100

Nikon D300S

Nikon D7100

$1697
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Has anti-aliasing filter

$745
APS-C

Less expensive
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D300S vs Nikon D7100

Canon 70D

Nikon D7100

$1149
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$745
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Canon 70D vs Nikon D7100

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

Canon 70D

Nikon D90

$1149
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$1300
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 70D 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

Canon 70D

Canon 50D

$1149
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$1000
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

Compare Canon 70D 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

Canon 70D

Sony DSLR-A550

$1149
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$859
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 70D 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

Canon 70D

Sony A77 II

$1149
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$1198
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 70D vs Sony A77 II

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