Upgrade Guide

Nikon D300S→Nikon D5300

Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.

You own

Nikon

D300S

£145

2009

→

Upgrade to

Nikon

D5300

£195 (+£50)

2013

✅

Worthwhile

Clear improvements over the D300S. Whether it justifies the cost depends on which upgrades matter most to your shooting.

What's new in the D5300

Unchanged or similar

Suitability by genre

Base scores — computed from verified specs for an enthusiast shooting photo and video. The Upgrade Checker adjusts them for your skill level.

Full spec comparison

Spec	D300S	D5300
Price	£145	£195
Released	2009	2013	↑
Sensor	12.3MP APS-C CMOS	24.2MP APS-C CMOS
Resolution	12MP	24MP	↑
Video	720p/24	Full HD 1080p/60
Autofocus	51-point phase-detect (15 cross-type) via viewfinder; contrast AF in live view (tripod mode)	39-point phase-detect (9 cross-type) via viewfinder; contrast AF with face priority in live view
Stabilisation	No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only)	No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only)
Burst Rate	7fps	5fps	↓
Battery Life	~950 shots (CIPA)	~600 shots (CIPA)	↓
Weight	920g (with battery)	530g (with battery)	↑
Weather Sealed	Yes	Not weather sealed	↓
Viewfinder	Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.94x	Optical pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.82x
Screen	3.0" fixed LCD, 920k dots	3.2" vari-angle LCD, 1.04M dots
Mount	Nikon F-mount (DX)	Nikon F-mount (DX)
Memory Cards	Dual slots: CompactFlash + SD	Single SD slot

Compare side-by-side

See D300S and D5300 next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.

Get a personalised upgrade score

Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the D5300 against your specific genres — not just specs.

Other upgrades from the D300S

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