Nikon d90 or d300?

Darran

Darran

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Darran
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I am sure this has been asked before but I am new need to get my post count up:D.
At the moment I am using a Nikon d50 but will be looking at upgrading in the next couple of months,but what do I get?
The d90 looks good and I have looked at reviews and images taken with the camera,the price seems more wife freindly;) but it seems a bit gimmiky with the movie mode that I cant see me using,and will I be left wanting this time next year?
The d300 looks a bit to much for me as in complicated and I will have to change my memory cards,but the reviews are good and it seems a good step up in camera and learning is all part of the fun.
So what do you guys think?
cheers
 
Forget the movies (am sure they are good, but they are a bonus really) - the camera is extremely competent and shoots very good quality for the money, especially at higher ISO and in low light situations. You will notice the difference from the D50.

I tried the D300. It's slightly older, but has more focus points and a more robust body. For me, I couldn't justify the extra, but i'm sure some D300 owners will point out some more merits from their actual ownership.
 
imo ignore the fact that the d90 has video and see if you still like the spec/look/feel of it

the fact it does video should be a plus

go to jessops and have a play with them both

i have a D90 btw its a really big improvment from my d40
 
Well i was in the same position a few months ago and had the cash in my hand for the D300.

I was steered away from the D300 by both friends and the guy in Jessops due to the fact it is was to advanced for me. The guy in Jessops also pointed out to me that there may come a time when i am not to sure what setting to use and i dont want to mess the photo up that the D300 does not have an Auto mode.

This is my thoughts anyway.


Kev.
 
GlasgowGunner said:
The guy in Jessops also pointed out to me that there may come a time when i am not to sure what setting to use and i dont want to mess the photo up that the D300 does not have an Auto mode.
Click to expand...

Kev,

You were told wrong I'm afraid. The D200/D300/D700/D3/D3x do not have scene modes however do have the P (Auto), A, S and M modes just like all the other bodies. :)
 
The D300 has the better focus system, metal chassis and better weather sealing, it will not have the "shooting modes" (Landscape, Sports, Night, Portrait etc) on the top dial.

It will be heavier, and I think slightly bigger.

Image wise I doubt that there is anything in it.
 
sdb123 said:
Kev,

You were told wrong I'm afraid. The D200/D300/D700/D3/D3x do not have scene modes however do have the P, A (Auto), S and M modes just like all the other bodies. :)
Click to expand...

:plusone:

Yes Kev ... the P stands for Program, which is an automatic mode.
 
Darran - as advised, forget about the movie mode...it is/was the Unique Selling Point of the D90 at the time...it is a nice to have rather than a reason to get it IMHO.

The camera itself is excellent, based on the D80 (which was one of Nikon's best selling D-SLR's) and has built on it by including an improved sensor (the same as or very similar to the one from the D300) and a much improved ISO capability.

Go and have a feel of both camera's - if you don't have a need for the extra fps, AF points, etc. then the D90 will be more than enough for you. :)
 
sdb123 said:
Kev,

You were told wrong I'm afraid. The D200/D300/D700/D3/D3x do not have scene modes however do have the P (Auto), A, S and M modes just like all the other bodies. :)
Click to expand...

Corrected to put the 'Auto' in the right place. :bonk:
 
sdb123 said:
Corrected to put the 'Auto' in the right place. :bonk:
Click to expand...

Less haste more speed ... now go and stand in the corner :D

Darran, to me the D300 is less complicated...front dial sets aperture, real dial sets shutter speed ... simples, all the other buttons are just to impress the ladies :D

There is little difference between the two, the wife friendly priced D90 will probably be all you need, and just because it has a feature (video) does not mean that you have to use it.
 
I had a wee shot of a D90 today, feels like a pared down D300 in a D80 body. If you're not confident that you'll need/want the advantages that the D300 offers in the way of weather sealing etc, then get the D90, image quality wise there will be very little in it.
 
Hi all
I have been offered a nikon d200 for £500.So my question now is should I get the d200 over the d90?
My budget will not streach to the d300 at the moment.
I have had a look at the threads on here and my only concern with the d90 is the shutter noise(I will be using it for nature pics).
cheers.
 
I wouldn't get a D200 over a D90. D90 handles noise better and better battery life and more.

I know my way around a camera quite well and know all the settings, but its nice to have the '?' button on the D90, (im not sure whether the D*** has this) it's really handy and it exlplains exactly what every feature in the menus does. I found it useful for the bracketing options.

Don't see the movie mode as a 'I want use it' feature, see it as a + and if you don't want it don't use it! Although it's quite handy :)
 
I had a similar choice a while ago, i chose the D90 as it seemed to answer all my hobbiest needs. I've yet to use the movie mode and probrably wont, movies give too much away and prohibit imagination unless directed properly.

The D90 takes great shots and i find it extremely user friendly, in my opinion, get the D90, and put the rest of the money towards another lens
 
clud17 said:
I had a similar choice a while ago, i chose the D90 as it seemed to answer all my hobbiest needs. I've yet to use the movie mode and probrably wont, movies give too much away and prohibit imagination unless directed properly.

The D90 takes great shots and i find it extremely user friendly, in my opinion, get the D90, and put the rest of the money towards another lens
Click to expand...

This was the way I was thinking,only a tripod instead of a lens,I have a Nikon 18-55.nikon 70-300 and a sigma 50-500(with a monopod),but no decent tripod,mmm bank holiday weekend,wife at work,I feel a spend coming on:)
 
As a D300 owner I'd lean towards getting a D90. Thy're both great cameras, but the D90 packs more punch for your pound IMVHO and the low ISO performance is reputed to be better.
 
Before I give my humble advise, these are the dSLRs I have owned in order:

D50
D70 (briefly had a second had one while the D50 was away at Nikon)
D80
D300

They all handled pretty similar accept the lack of a front dial on the D50 started to get on my nerves after a while.
The two big differences between the D80 and the D300 are:

1. Size and weight. Some describe the D*00 series as being slightly bigger and heavier than the D*0 series. Believe me the difference is VERY noticeable when you're out and about actually using them. The size of your hands and muscles should be a factor in your decision. My right shoulder actually ached the day after I 1st used my D300 for length of time. (I still prefer the size and weight of the D300 though).

2. High ISO abilities and quality. Now you're comparing a D90 to a D200, your choice is the opposite of my case. The difference in image quality is staggeringly better at ISO1600 on the D300 compared to the D80. In your case this is the other way round. The D90 will be much better at high ISOs than the D200.

Ignore 'Scene Modes', if you're considering buying either of these superb cameras, you should have grown out of them by now (if you ever used them). You will only ever use the video mode of the D90 once out of curiosity (don't forget, the D90 won't autofocus in video mode).

Buy the D200 if you prefer a larger, heavier, better built camera but don't shoot at high ISOs much. (£500 sounds a bit much BTW, depending on the lens and bundled goodies).

Buy the D90 if you prefer a smaller, lighter camera and want the better ISO capabilities.

Either way, I'm guessing in 12 months time you'll be asking whether you should buy a used D300 or splash out on a D400! :bang:
 
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