• APS-C 372.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • APS-C 364.3mm2
  • 19.6 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400

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Differences

Nikon D300S advantages over Sigma sd Quattro

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.50 vs 4.33 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • 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
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Faster RAW shooting
    7.1 fps vs 3.6 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Sigma sd Quattro advantages over Nikon D300S

  • Less expensive
    $899 vs $1697*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Newer
    8 years vs 15 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Lighter weight
    625g vs 951g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    1620k vs 922k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.73x vs 0.63x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    19.6 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
    Yes vs No
    A unique sensor design provides sharp photos without moiré

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D300S
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 18-200mm Lens
All D300S Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sigma sd Quattro
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 30mm f/1.4 Art Lens
All sd Quattro 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

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

Sigma sd Quattro
Nikon D90
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sigma sd Quattro 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

Sigma sd Quattro
Canon 50D
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sigma sd Quattro 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

Sigma sd Quattro
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sigma sd Quattro vs Sony DSLR-A550

Compared to Sony A3000

Nikon D300S
Sony A3000
  • $1697
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon D300S vs Sony A3000

Sigma sd Quattro
Sony A3000
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • HDMI out
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Sigma sd Quattro vs Sony A3000

Compared to Fujifilm X-H1

Nikon D300S
Fujifilm X-H1
  • $1697
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1199
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive

Compare Nikon D300S vs Fujifilm X-H1

Sigma sd Quattro
Fujifilm X-H1
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • More dots on screen
  • $1199
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sigma sd Quattro vs Fujifilm X-H1

Compare Other Cameras?