D300... or D90?

[Jack Blag]

A while back I asked whether the photograPHers on here (notably Simpo Two!) would recommend a D700 over a D300. After all the welcome advice I decided I would get a D300 as soon as funds allowed. This now being the case, I am very happy to buy a D300... however I just want to make sure that I wouldn't be better off with the newer D90 and putting the difference towards a new lens.

Is the D300 noticeably better? I would prefer answers from people who have actually tried both rather than opinions based on reviews.

My current DSLR is a D70, other cameras include an old F90 and a very old F601.

All comments welcome!

[andy-xr]

Yes, and I say that having had a D80 then trying out both a D90 and a D300

[VxDuncan]

I went from D80 to D300 - never tried a D90 I'm afraid, but would say:

The D300 aint' a good camera for a beginner - it's lacking the scene modes for a start, but if you're upto speed with the Nikon "thing" on the D70 then there's no reason why it won't totally and utterly blow you away. Absolute revolation compared to the D80, so moreso the D70.

If light weight is important, get a D90. The D300's built like a tank. But in a good way!

I believe the D90 has the same sensor as the D90? If that's the case then it's a very good thing, however for me the D300's AF system is worth the extra, it really is a step up from the old CAM1100 (?) system. And don't even get me started AF Fine-tune! The control layout is also much better than the consumer level models - I find myself adjusting AF and metering modes far more often now they are so easy to access.

I'd say go D300, and get yourself a fast std. zoom - something like a Sigma 18-50 F2.8.

[Simpo Two]

'Notable' eh?

D300 or D90. Well, I haven't tried a D90 but I guess the thing to do is compare the features and see which set is more likely to be useful to you. For example, I have no desire to take video with a stills camera, but others have. ATBE good glass will make more difference to the results than the body.

One thing is certain though - both cameras are generations ahead of the D70 so I'm sure you'll be delighted with either.

VxDuncan said:

I believe the D90 has the same sensor as the D90?

Probably

Edited by Simpo Two on Friday 27th February 10:04

[Jack Blag]

Thanks guys... D300 it is. Jessops have it for £999.00 - does anyone know a better (cheaper!) place to go?

[andy-xr]

I bought mine from Jessops too. Park Cameras had a lower price but I wanted to play with the camera in store, and the only place I could do that was Jessops. Was quite happy to pay the extra £50 for the service.

If you're not bothered about that, check out Camerabox. I've bought a flashgun from them before and they did next day delivery on a Saturday for £3 extra. You've got 10 mins to get your order in

Warehouse Express couldnt get the stock but would match the Park price.

[Ravell]

Jack Blag said:

Thanks guys... D300 it is. Jessops have it for £999.00 - does anyone know a better (cheaper!) place to go?

http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/index.html

Argos aparently, but not by much.

[trackdemon]

VxDuncan said:

The D300's built like a tank. But in a good way!

D300 vs BMW M6 = D300 win. Brilliant camera

[beano500]

trackdemon said:

D300 vs BMW M6 = D300 win.

Pictures?

[Olivero]

Good choice going for the D300, I love using mine and am very happy with the results. Ok so I am selling it and getting the D3 but that shouldn't put you off. BTW I highly recommend buying the grip, it really transforms the camera. Make sure you have the latest software update and check out http://www.nikonians.org/ for the rather good settings spreadsheet - it will save you a huge amount of time.

[ian in lancs]

I have a D80 and Nikon/Sigma lenses and have agonized over the same decision! I spent ages at focus looking at both and taking pictures on cards I had taken with me.

I really like the D300 but...

D300 and D90 have the same sensor and image processing; so Nikon say there is nowt between them in quality
D300 uses CF Cards so add that cost over the SD Cards used in D80/90
D300 feels more chunky (better) any yes heavier
D300 focus system is much better than the D90 - many more sensors
D300 has PASM settings but not scene modes
D300 allows file naming to be changed

However, is a D400 round the corner?! 15M or so Pixels? There were no D300 brochures and there are stories on the i-net and Nikon, of course, wouldn't be drawn. But Photokina is imminent....?!

In the end I decided to wait & see if the D400 comes out and then if cost / benefit is right get that if not it might depress prices for the D300.

[Jack Blag]

What's that you say... a D400? Does anyone know when that might be coming out... is it weeks, months or years away?

[Olivero]

Jack Blag said:

What's that you say... a D400? Does anyone know when that might be coming out... is it weeks, months or years away?

Most likely posted on http://nikonrumors.com/ A funny site but really of no use for information or views. To give you an idea this was posted a few days ago.

Today I got another confirmation form a source that has never been wrong before: the Nikon D5000 is real - it has a swivel display that rotates in all directions; 12.3 Mpx sensor. That’s all I got for now. I would say 90% chance it will be released at PMA next week.

Just buy what you want and take photos, there will always be a better camera next year and the year after no matter what.

[beano500]

Olivero said:

Today I got another confirmation form a source that has never been wrong before: the Nikon D5000 is real

I put my deposit down last week on the D666 due for release later that month. The kit version comes with a free miniature Ken Rockwell clone that keeps screaming that it's the only camera you'll ever need and an extra-vicious function to kick D3/D300/D700 users in the shins and tell them they'd wasted their money......

[ian in lancs]

Olivero said:

Jack Blag said:

What's that you say... a D400? Does anyone know when that might be coming out... is it weeks, months or years away?

Most likely posted on http://nikonrumors.com/ A funny site but really of no use for information or views. To give you an idea this was posted a few days ago.

Today I got another confirmation form a source that has never been wrong before: the Nikon D5000 is real - it has a swivel display that rotates in all directions; 12.3 Mpx sensor. That’s all I got for now. I would say 90% chance it will be released at PMA next week.

Just buy what you want and take photos, there will always be a better camera next year and the year after no matter what.

yes it's there but plenty of other sites too. Some are blatent mischief making some not so. Either way the 90 and 300 are so close and for a semi-pro camera the 300 needs more megapixels

[beano500]

ian in lancs said:

... and for a semi-pro camera the 300 needs more megapixels

Pourquoi?

Are you thinking "D300x"? I suppose it's a possibility but you lose the higher ISO qualities and seem to get a huge price hike to the more-densely-packed sensor at the moment - maybe £2.5k more if the D3=>D3X is anything to go by....

[Olivero]

The first thing you should do is go out and buy the Nikon 50mm f/1.8 lens. Cheap, sharp and one of my most used lenses.

[Simpo Two]

ian in lancs said:

for a semi-pro camera the 300 needs more megapixels

Depends what do you plan to do with them - 12Mp is more than enough for me.

[Olivero]

Simpo Two said:

ian in lancs said:

for a semi-pro camera the 300 needs more megapixels

Depends what do you plan to do with them - 12Mp is more than enough for me.

Me too. You would need to be printing something really huge before you notice any difference.

[ian in lancs]

Olivero said:

Simpo Two said:

ian in lancs said:

for a semi-pro camera the 300 needs more megapixels

Depends what do you plan to do with them - 12Mp is more than enough for me.

Me too. You would need to be printing something really huge before you notice any difference.

Good point but if I bought a 90 or more likely a 300 at £1k with 12Megapixels and a month or two later the D400 comes out with say 15 with a better chip and processing I wouldn't be very happy. That's my point. I'd rather my £1k went to state of the art not a year old model with the same innards as one at £650. That's the dilemma that the OP faces too. The 90 is overlapping the 300 and an upspec 400 would recreate the differential the 300 had over the 80. With cars its possible to make an informed model choice 'cos replacements are well signposted. Unfortunately Nikon etal keep quiet.

I was also puzzled why retailers at Focus were overstocking 300's and sold out of 90 kits. Was Nikon trying to get rid of stock?