Hands-on with Nikon's semi-pro D300 DSLR

While we might not spend as much time geeking out over ISOs and shutter speeds as the true photography faithful, even we couldn't help but shiver at the feel of the "click" in Nikon's new D300 DSLR. You have to be pretty serious about your hobby to pick this thing up, or perhaps going pro on a "budget," but there's certainly plenty of quality under the hood and photo-geek sexy on the outside to make it worth your hard-earned Euro.

Gallery: Hands-on with Nikon's semi-pro D300 DSLR

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[Josh @ Aug 31st 2007 10:40AM]

Crap! I just bought a D200 a little over two months ago and now this comes out. It actaully dosen't look any different, aside from the added mega pixels (which you honestly don't need) is there anything else different about the D300?

[I.E @ Aug 31st 2007 10:44AM]

If you think the only difference is the megapixels, you know absolutely nothing about this camera.

[Tehrab @ Aug 31st 2007 10:48AM]

What the D300 brings over the D200:

New DX sensor
Self cleaning sensor
More AF points
Larger LCD
Live View in the LCD

Those five points alone register the unit as a significant upgrade

[Kurtis @ Aug 31st 2007 10:50AM]

Josh, to be a little more helpful than I.E, one of the biggest differences is the move from a CCD sensor to a CMOS sensor. The CMOS sensors have historically been better at color reproduction as well as low light situations. In fact, the main reasons a good number of people went with Canon cameras was due to their low light performance which was boosted by the use of CMOS.

[jg @ Aug 31st 2007 11:18AM]

Actually it has a whole new AF system not just more points. That alone is a huge upgrade. However the new image sensor, new image processor, new AF, better viewfinder, better LCD. Really their is very little this camera has in common with the older D200. This camera is better than even the D2X from a tech comparison standpoint. Yet to see anyone compare image output though so keep that in mind.

[ekwmin @ Aug 31st 2007 12:54PM]

This is an awesome camera. But don't kill yourself the D200 is a nice camera as well. Just let it roll off your shoulders. I don't know what type of photography you do, but do you really think those features are going to make you that much better of a photographer? Just make sure you get a set of nice lenses. I would gladly skip a generation of the camera body to build up my lens salvo.

[billy bob thorton @ Aug 31st 2007 11:55PM]

It's a completely different camera. It uses a CMOS sensor, 14bit, better light sensitivity, and UDMA support for those new CF cards among the other points listed. Just sell the d200. There are plenty of people that want one.

[Silverfrog @ Aug 31st 2007 10:49AM]

dpreview.com has a full-featured article about it for you Josh. It has quite a few differences worth mentioning.

[binary visions @ Aug 31st 2007 11:16AM]

The D300 looks like a really superb piece of equipment.

However, I guarantee the D200 takes better pictures than you do, so don't stress about it. Enjoy your D200.

I appreciate that Engadget wanted to put something up about the new cameras, but this is an effing terrible set of pictures and there's absolutely no commentary about them. Considering there are great pictures of both the D3 and the D300 on other websites, I was hoping for a little more content.

[Ryan @ Aug 31st 2007 12:33PM]

Sweet Nikon is really stepping up to Canon now!! I wont be ditching my L lenses or 5D anytime soon but this is great to see.

[Dan @ Aug 31st 2007 1:37PM]

Do want. I could keep my (well used) D80 as a secondary camera... Yeah! Now, time to sell this idea to the significant other.

[BiffLoman @ Aug 31st 2007 3:55PM]

So you guys had D300 in your hands and you couldn't grace the web with some sample shots at high ISO setting while the whole community is speculating its low light performance? I'm thankful for every bit of information I can get but still...

[Cunthor @ Sep 1st 2007 1:57AM]

D300 is a D2X in a D200 body. But better.

[Michael Meade @ Oct 14th 2007 11:06AM]

Can anyone out there compare the D300 with the Canon Mark11n or the Canon Mark111 ? I am a Nikon user and love the way that they shoot everyday images... landscape, people,etc,etc. but I also do sport photography and most of the time in low lighting. I have problems with the speed of the D200's and the auto focusing... seems like the Mark 11n focuses faster than the Nikons do. FYI sports I use a D200 with a 70x200 2.8 and a D200 with a 400mm 2.8.... been thinking about switching to the Canon.... One last question.... Is it the lens that gives Canon the edge on auto focusing or the cameras? Thank you