A lot of questions from our readers about differences between the D7100 and the D300s are rolling in, so I decided to do a separate article that compares the specifications of the two cameras. It has now been over three years since Nikon announced the D300s. Since then, both Nikon D7000 and D7100 have been announced with impressive specifications that top the D300s in a number of ways. In this Nikon D7100 vs D300s comparison, I will first go into detailed specifications, then talk about main features that differentiate the two cameras. Please keep in mind that this comparison is purely based on specifications.
First, let’s go over the bare specifications:
Nikon D7100 vs D300s Specification Comparison
| Camera Feature | Nikon D7100 | Nikon D300s |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor Resolution | 24.1 Million | 12.3 Million |
| Sensor Type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor Size | 23.5×15.6mm | 23.6×15.8mm |
| Sensor Pixel Size | 3.9µ | 5.5µ |
| Low Pass Filter | No | Yes |
| Sensor Dust Reduction | Yes | Yes |
| Image Size | 6,000 x 4,000 | 4,288 x 2,848 |
| Image Processor | EXPEED 3 | EXPEED |
| Viewfinder Type | Pentaprism | Pentaprism |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
| Built-in Flash | Yes, with flash commander mode | Yes, with flash commander mode |
| Storage Media | 2x SD | 1x CF, 1x SD |
| Continuous Shooting Speed | 6 FPS, 7 FPS in 1.3x Mode | 7 FPS, 8 FPS with grip |
| Buffer Size (RAW, Lossless 14-bit) | 6 | 30 |
| Buffer Size (RAW, Compressed 12-bit) | 9 | 45 |
| Max Shutter Speed | 1/8000 to 30 sec | 1/8000 to 30 sec |
| Shutter Durability | 150,000 cycles | 150,000 cycles |
| Exposure Metering Sensor | 2,016-pixel RGB sensor 3D Color Matrix Metering II | 1,005-pixel RGB sensor 3D Color Matrix Metering II |
| Base ISO | ISO 100 | ISO 200 |
| Native ISO Sensitivity | ISO 100-6,400 | ISO 200-3,400 |
| Boosted ISO Sensitivity | ISO 12,800-25,600 | ISO 6,400 |
| Autofocus System | Advanced Multi-CAM 3500DX | Multi-CAM 3500DX |
| Focus Points | 51, 15 cross-type | 51, 15 cross-type |
| AF Detection | Up to f/8 | Up to f/5.6 |
| Video Capability | Yes | Yes |
| Video Output | MOV, Compressed | AVI, Compressed |
| Video Maximum Resolution | 1920×1080 (1080p) @ 24p, 25p, 30p, 50i, 60i | 1280×720 (720p) @ 24p |
| Audio Recording | Built-in microphone External stereo microphone (optional) | Built-in microphone External stereo microphone (optional) |
| LCD Size | 3.2″ diagonal TFT-LCD | 3.0″ diagonal TFT-LCD |
| LCD Resolution | 1,228,800 dots dots | 921,000 dots |
| HDR Support | Yes | No |
| Bracketing | 2 to 5 frames | 2 to 9 frames |
| Built-in GPS | No | No |
| Wi-Fi Functionality | Eye-Fi Compatible, WU-1a | Eye-Fi Compatible |
| Battery | EN-EL15 Lithium-ion Battery | EN-EL3e Lithium-ion Battery |
| Battery Life | 950 shots (CIPA) | 950 shots (CIPA) |
| Battery Charger | MH-25 Quick Charger | MH-18a Quick Charger |
| Weather Sealed Body | Yes | Yes |
| Build | Top and Rear Magnesium Alloy | Full Magnesium Alloy |
| USB Version | 2.0 | 2.0 |
| Weight (Body Only) | 675g | 840g |
| Dimensions | 135.5 x 106.5 x 76mm | 147 × 114 × 74mm |
| MSRP Price | $1,199 (as introduced) | $1,799 (as introduced) |
As you can see, there is a lot of catching up to do for the D300s here. The D7100 has much more resolution – 24.1 MP versus 12.3 MP on the D300s. That alone presents bigger cropping opportunities for the D7100, which also happens to have a 1.3x crop mode that creates 15 MP images, more than D300s’ native resolution. The base ISO of the D7100 starts at 100, which as we have seen from the D7000, has superb dynamic range. And it goes all the way to ISO 6400 natively, while the D300s is maxed out at ISO 3200. Boosted, the D7100 can jump up to ISO 12,800 and the D300s hard stops at ISO 6,400. From what we know from the D5200, the new 24.1 MP sensor delivers superb image quality with excellent dynamic range that far surpasses the D300s, so you can assume that the D7100 will have the same quality images.
Lack of an optical low pass filter, also known as “anti-aliasing filter”, also means that the D7100 can deliver sharper images straight out of the camera. The EXPEED 3 image processor is much faster than the original EXPEED processor, which means that the D7100 can handle more image and video throughput (more on video features below). Storage type is obviously different between the two cameras – the D7100 has dual SD card slots, while the D300s has one CF and one SD card slots (like the D800/D800s). Metering is also more advanced on the D7100 – 2,016 pixel RGB sensor versus 1,005 pixel RGB sensor on the D300s. With a more advanced autofocus system, better metering sensor and faster image processor, the D7100 will track subjects better and potentially acquire focus better and more accurately. On top of that, for those that like to use teleconverters, the D7100 will maintain autofocus at f/8, while the D300s cannot handle it beyond f/5.6.
Movie features are obviously very different between the two cameras. The Nikon D7100 can do 1080p video at 30p (max) and 1080i at 60i (max), while the Nikon D300s is limited to mere 720p at 24p. The screen size and resolution are also different – the D7100 has a bigger 3.2 inch screen with 1.2 million dots (3 inch 921K on the D300s). Being a newer camera, the D7100 obviously has a lot more camera options and in-camera processing features (HDR, etc). Lastly, the D7100 is both smaller and lighter than the D300s.
Where the D300s tops off the D7100 is in better camera build (full magnesium alloy vs partial), faster base speed (7 fps vs 6 fps and can go up to 8 fps with the grip), much bigger buffer (keep in mind that the RAW images are also much smaller) and bigger bracketing range. Other than these, the D7100 has a lot more to offer, as you can see from the comparison above.