• APS-C 372.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Nikon D300S advantages over Canon SL3

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.50 vs 3.72 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
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • More cross-type AF points
    15 vs 1
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.63x vs 0.54x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • More AF points
    51 vs 9
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.1 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    7.1 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Canon SL3 advantages over Nikon D300S

  • Less expensive
    $699 vs $1697*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 720p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • 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
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Newer
    6 years vs 15 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.09 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
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 26 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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 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

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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 SL3
Body Only (Black)
  • Body Only (Black)
  • Kit with 18-55mm lens (Black)
  • Kit with 18-55mm lens (White)
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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

The Competition

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 SL3
Nikon D90
  • $624
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SL3 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 SL3
Canon 50D
  • $624
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SL3 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 SL3
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $624
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon SL3 vs Sony DSLR-A550

Compared to Canon SL2

Nikon D300S
Canon SL2
  • $1697
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D300S vs Canon SL2

Canon SL3
Canon SL2
  • $624
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • NFC

Compare Canon SL3 vs Canon SL2

Compared to Nikon D3500

Nikon D300S
Nikon D3500
  • $1697
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup
  • $623
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Nikon D300S vs Nikon D3500

Canon SL3
Nikon D3500
  • $624
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $623
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon SL3 vs Nikon D3500

Compare Other Cameras?