• APS-C 372.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • 28.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Nikon D300S advantages over Ricoh GR III

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.50 vs 3.92 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
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 950 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.1 fps vs 4.3 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    7.1 fps vs 4.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    17 vs 9 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Ricoh GR III advantages over Nikon D300S

  • Less expensive
    $897 vs $1697
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Thinner
    33 mm vs 74 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    6 years vs 15 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Lighter weight
    257g vs 951g
    Lighter weight
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • 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
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
    Optional vs Fixed
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
  • Longer exposure
    1200 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 26 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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

Buy From

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.

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
Ricoh GR III
Nikon D90
  • $1221
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Touchscreen
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

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
Ricoh GR III
Canon 50D
  • $1221
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Touchscreen
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

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
Ricoh GR III
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $1221
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony DSLR-A500

Nikon D300S
Sony DSLR-A500
  • $1697
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
Ricoh GR III
Sony DSLR-A500
  • $1221
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Pentax K-5

Nikon D300S
Pentax K-5
  • $1697
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Ricoh GR III
Pentax K-5
  • $1221
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels
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