Help me choose between 2 N1kons

[mmiller3475]

I finally realised it's time to update my D2x, and I'm considering the N1kon D300 or the N1kon D7000. The D7000 seems to be the most recent but it hasn't been released yet. The D300 seems to have a good track record, but is priced $400 (more or less) more than the D7000.

Both cameras offer great features, but is there one or two that would make that camera stand out from the other?

I have a "general" interest in photograpy and I have no burning interest in the "movie" aspects of either camera. So what should I be considering?

Thanks for the help!

 

[Bugadifino]

I'm not a NlKON guy but I would start be reading the NlKON 7000 preview here: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/

 

[Telecaster52]

ftfy http://tinyurl.com/nkonbnb

 

[mmiller3475]

I'm not a NlKON guy but I would start be reading the NlKON 7000 preview here: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/

Thanks for the link. I have been looking for something exactly like that. Now it makes me wonder just where I've been looking!?

Thanks again!

 

[AdrianR]

I'm a N1kon guy...my preferred 'weapon' being an F2 - loaded with Ektachrome - and a 50mm Nikkor lens.

For the digital work, a basic D40 works perfectly for me. The ability to use any N1kon F mount lens ever made, a full manual capability and an adventurous streak mean I get great pics every time.

 

[Rei]

TLDR: Buy the D7000

You are looking at two very comparable cameras, and when it comes down to opinions on the internet, you are going to find people that will say one or the other because of some insignificant measure, like how much metal is in the body, which media it takes, etc. These are not going to make much of a difference in the final image. Your choice of lens will go further to that end. The thing that is really different between the two cameras is that the D7000 has U1 and U2 mode on the dial, and the D300 does not. This feature alone is worth getting the D7000 over the D300.

 

[mmiller3475]

I'm a N1kon guy...my preferred 'weapon' being an F2 - loaded with Ektachrome - and a 50mm Nikkor lens.

For the digital work, a basic D40 works perfectly for me. The ability to use any N1kon F mount lens ever made, a full manual capability and an adventurous streak mean I get great pics every time.

An F2! Now that goes back a ways. I still have a F5, but the days of developing and printing have passed us by...sigh.

 

[mmiller3475]

TLDR: Buy the D7000

You are looking at two very comparable cameras, and when it comes down to opinions on the internet, you are going to find people that will say one or the other because of some insignificant measure, like how much metal is in the body, which media it takes, etc. These are not going to make much of a difference in the final image. Your choice of lens will go further to that end. The thing that is really different between the two cameras is that the D7000 has U1 and U2 mode on the dial, and the D300 does not. This feature alone is worth getting the D7000 over the D300.

I could be very happy with either camera. No one is going to confuse me with a professional photographer so both cameras fill my needs. The D300 has 51 focus points vs. the D7000's 39 points, but as a practical matter either would be fine.

I suppose the bottom line comes down to cost and there the D7000 wins by about $400. I just hope there are no "undocumented features" to be found in the D7000 because it's a new camera.

 

[mdex]

You will find both cameras better then your D2x. It will most likely come down to your personal preference in using each camera. I would suggest going to the store and taking a bunch of photos with each camera on you memory card and then reviewing the shots at home.

My personal take is that the D7000 is aimed more at a point and shoot user moving up to a more serious camera, and the D300s is a pro's camera. Coming from the D2x you may be more comfortable with the D300s layout of controls etc.

Marc

 

[TXDE]

Not to hijack the thread here, but what about the D5000 or D3100? I am considering these for my wife for christmas.

 

[malocchio]

I was aiming at the canon d60,but it proved to be little more than a rebel type camera,the canon 7d is a fine camera but I finally switched brands after 40 years and bought the nxxxn D7000 ,the shop near my house actually had the body "in stock" !! I am waiting now for my 18-55 vr and 35mm f1.8 lenses,along with a remote and the 400 flash...I compared it to the canon 7d,and the d7000 seems to be it's equal,far surpassing the 60d,and it was $300 less than the 7d !!

 

[diverdoug]

The D300 has greater pixel density in it's DX format, making it superior for telephoto and macro applications. The 7000 is better for wide angle.

 

[Dandaman]

The D300 has greater pixel density in it's DX format, making it superior for telephoto and macro applications. The 7000 is better for wide angle.

Actually BOTH cameras are DX format, and while the *7000* has more pixels they're packed in almost the same area. Therefore, they're likely smaller pixels too. (It's easier to get low noise performance from larger pixels.) I would not give either a nod over the other for the situations you mentioned. Much more important will be the lenses used and especially the technique of the shooter. I own the D300 and just bought a 7000 for my daughter. Prior to shipping it off, I examined the 7000. It's a good bit smaller than the 300, and while that's probably going to be an advantage to my daughter, I prefer the fit of the 300 to my hands (and my hands are on the medium to small side). Marc is correct in that the 300 is more pro-oriented - which may not matter if you don't intend to get very serious with it. The way the camera handles is pretty important IMO - and you could best appreciate the difference by actually handling each.

 

[diverdoug]

Actually BOTH cameras are DX format, and while the *7000* has more pixels they're packed in almost the same area. Therefore, they're likely smaller pixels too. (It's easier to get low noise performance from larger pixels.) I would not give either a nod over the other for the situations you mentioned. Much more important will be the lenses used and especially the technique of the shooter. I own the D300 and just bought a 7000 for my daughter. Prior to shipping it off, I examined the 7000. It's a good bit smaller than the 300, and while that's probably going to be an advantage to my daughter, I prefer the fit of the 300 to my hands (and my hands are on the medium to small side). Marc is correct in that the 300 is more pro-oriented - which may not matter if you don't intend to get very serious with it. The way the camera handles is pretty important IMO - and you could best appreciate the difference by actually handling each.

Dan, I stand corrected, I was thinking of the d700, thanks

 

[Dandaman]

Dan, I stand corrected, I was thinking of the d700, thanks

No problem. I wondered if you were thinking of the D700. I have both the 300 & the 700 & like both. (Plus a D200 converted to infrared).

 

[SimpleDesign]

TLDR: Buy the D7000

The thing that is really different between the two cameras is that the D7000 has U1 and U2 mode on the dial, and the D300 does not. This feature alone is worth getting the D7000 over the D300.

See that isn't a feature to me as I am the photographer and my assistants are just that.....assistants. I like the D300/700/D3 layout in the fact I don't have to take my eye of the subject to change ISO or EV and I have a dedicated AF button. The D300 also still kills the D7000 in low light autofocus while brightly lit scenes are indistinguishable unless it's a fast moving object.


However....all these are features beyond (generally) the basic hobbyist photographer so I would save the $400 bucks and buy the D7000 and use the extra for a nice lens.

 

[Rei]

See that isn't a feature to me as I am the photographer and my assistants are just that.....assistants.

Why is instant settings recall not a useful feature to you? Please elaborate.

I, personally, love that N!kon has re-implemented that feature. I used it on the N70 extensively, and makes the camera much more efficient to use.

 

[SimpleDesign]

Because I am always adapting to what I am shooting and most people refer to that as being able to hand the camera to someone else to take photos. The user 1 or 2 mode is just a convenience but I can also set that up in a menu an be 3 button presses away from completely changing my settings back to a whole new scene.

To me the dedicated AF button, memory card variety, PC sync, and the Multi-CAM 3500 focus on the D300s is more important since I already know how to change the settings fairly quickly through custom menu set-up.

What I like about the D7000 and would sell me on it more would be better high ISO, the ability to use the cheap IR remote, and the auto-focus while shooting movies.

 

[Rei]

Because I am always adapting to what I am shooting and most people refer to that as being able to hand the camera to someone else to take photos.

I'm not really interested in what 'most people refer' to... rather, how you use it. If you mean that you would use the instant recall modes in that manner, then I see why it is of no use to you.

I like having cameras that add convenience to make them easier to use.