Updated (January, 2012): Compare the Nikon D4 vs Nikon D300

Nikon D3

87

Winner

Nikon D3

Reasons to buy the Nikon D3

Low light performance
Low noise at high ISO
2,290 ISO
Overall image quality
Great image quality
81.0
Viewfinder size
Large viewfinder
0.70x
Weather sealed
Weather sealed
Shoot in extreme weather
Continuous shooting
Rapid fire
9 fps
Sensor size
Large sensor
Full frame 36.0x24.0mm
Nikon D300

68

Runner-up

Nikon D300

"Very good resolution and detail without looking over-processed"
dpreview.com | talking about the D300's image-quality
"You really have to pick up the D300 to appreciate how nicely it fits into your hand, the ergonomics are great and the soft rubber used on the grip ensures holding the camera steady is an easy task."
dpreview.com | talking about the D300's feel

Reasons to buy the Nikon D300

Weather sealed
Weather sealed
Shoot in extreme weather
Focus points
Many focus points
51
Viewfinder coverage
Great viewfinder coverage
100%
Badge
Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses
Thickness
Thin
2.9"
Fastest shutter speed
Fast shutter speed
1/8000 of a second

differences

Advantages of the Nikon D3

Low light performance Much lower noise at high ISO 2,290 ISO vs 679 ISO
Help
The D3 has excellent image quality 1.8 f-stops higher ISO than the D300
Overall image quality Significantly better image quality 81.0 vs 67.0
Help
More than 20% better image quality
Battery life Much longer battery life 4300 shots vs 1000 shots
Help
Around 4.5x more shots per battery charge
Color depth Better color depth 23.5 bits vs 22.1 bits
Help
Distinguishes 1.4 more bits of color
Sensor size Much larger sensor Full frame 36.0x24.0mm vs APS-C 23.6x15.8mm
Help
Around 2.5x larger sensor
Shutter lag Significantly less shutter lag 88 ms vs 227 ms
Help
2.6x less delay when taking photos
Viewfinder size Larger viewfinder 0.70x vs 0.62x
Help
Around 30% larger viewfinder
Continuous shooting Shoots faster 9 fps vs 6 fps
Help
50% faster continuous shooting
Storage slots Has more storage slots 2 vs 1
Help
More slots allows storing more images without switching memory cards
Dynamic range More dynamic range 12.2 EV vs 12 EV
Help
0.2 f-stops more dynamic range
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 6,400 ISO vs 3,200 ISO
Help
The D3's maximum light sensitivity is 1 f-stop better
Light sensitivity (boost) Better boost ISO 25,600 ISO vs 6,400 ISO
Help
The D3's boost ISO is 2 f-stops better
Nikon D3 Learn more about
the Nikon D3

Advantages of the Nikon D300

Sensor cleaning Has a self cleaning sensor Yes vs No
Help
Removes dust from the sensor automatically, avoiding spots in photos
Lens availability Significantly more lenses available 169 lenses vs 121 lenses
Help
Around 40% more lenses available
Size Much smaller 147x114x74 mm vs 160x157x88 mm
Help
More than 40% smaller
Thickness Much thinner 2.9" vs 3.5"
Help
Around 20% thinner
Weight Significantly lighter 925 g vs 1,300 g
Help
Around 30% lighter
Built-in flash Built-in flash Yes vs No
Help
A built-in flash is useful for taking indoor shots where there is little light
Nikon D300 Learn more about
the Nikon D300
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent pro DSLRs, and ignoring price

Nikon D3 Nikon D3
87 vs 68
Explain scores
Nikon D300 Nikon D300
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Nikon D3.

advice

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1
votes
by motoservo last month
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0
votes
by Claudia-Harpe this month
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serious enthusiast, primary hobby, take pictures of sports, portraits, nature, indoor functions

0
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1
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by Michele-McCormick last month
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I'm intermediate, aspiring to do editorial photography. I shoot travel, portraits, dogs in competi...

2 people recommend the Nikon D800:

"Image quality, low light... definitely go D800. You know I've shot Canon for years but a few of yo..."

"The D800 is better is almost every regard (notably, better low light performance and less shutter ..."

similarities

Compared to recent DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Focus points Lots of focus points Help
51
Weather sealed Weather sealed Help
Shoot in extreme weather
Viewfinder Both have pentaprism viewfinders Help
Pentaprism
Startup delay Minimal startup delay Help
300 ms startup delay
Viewfinder coverage Above average viewfinder coverage Help
100%
Fastest shutter speed Fast max shutter speeds Help
1/8000 of a second
Weight Heavy Help
D3:1,300 g
D300:925 g
Autofocus No video autofocus Help
Manual focus only
HDR Neither has in-camera HDR Help
You could do HDR manually
True resolution Capture low resolution images Help
D3:12.1 MP
D300:12.2 MP
Screen flips out No flip-out screens Help
Less flexible
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur
Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
3D Neither camera can take 3D photos Help
No 3d support
Movie format Do not shoot movies Help
No movies
Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
D3:6,400 ISO
D300:3,200 ISO

Compared to recent pro DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Supports RAW Supports RAW Help
Better editing
Light sensitivity (boost) Poor boost ISO Help
D3:25,600 ISO
D300:6,400 ISO
Cross type focus points Few cross-type focus points Help
15
Screen size Very small screens Help
3.0"

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Nikon D7000

Nikon D7000

Entry-level DSLR

$1,000 body only

$1,100 with 55-200mm lens

Movie format Records higher quality movies
Dynamic range Has slightly wider dynamic range
Thickness Is thicker
Shutter lag Has significantly more shutter lag
Nikon D90

Nikon D90

Entry-level DSLR

$897 body only

$1,047 with 55-200mm lens

Movie format Records lower quality movies
Weight Is slightly lighter
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker
Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $597 body only

$600 - $697 with 18-55mm lens

Movie format Records higher quality movies
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker
Nikon D300S

Nikon D300S

Pro DSLR

$1,690 - $1,700 body only

$2,547 - $4,295 with 18-200mm lens

Movie format Records lower quality movies
Shutter lag Has significantly more shutter lag
Nikon D700

Nikon D700

Pro DSLR

$2,649 body only

Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Thickness Is thicker
Nikon D800

Nikon D800

Pro DSLR

$2,999 - $3,000 body only

Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has significantly better image quality
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Thickness Is thicker
Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $547 with 18-55mm lens

Movie format Records higher quality movies
Autofocus Focuses automatically while shootting video
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Lens focus motor Doesn't have a built-in focus motor

Nikon D3 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Nikon D3S

Nikon D3S

Pro DSLR

$5,197 body only

Low light performance Significantly lower noise at high ISO
Sensor cleaning Has a self cleaning sensor
Shutter lag Significantly more shutter lag
Dynamic range Less dynamic range
Nikon D4

Nikon D4

Pro DSLR

$5,999 - $6,000 body only

Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO
Movie format Shoots movies
Battery life Much shorter battery life
Shutter lag Significantly more shutter lag
Canon EOS 5D Mark III

Canon EOS 5D Mark III

Pro DSLR

$3,499 - $3,500 body only

$4,299 - $4,300 with 24-105mm lens

Movie format Shoots movies
Screen size Significantly larger screen
Battery life Much shorter battery life
Dynamic range Less dynamic range

Nikon D300 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Canon EOS 60D

Canon EOS 60D

Pro DSLR

$848 - $1,304 body only

$1,177 - $1,342 with 18-135mm lens

Movie format Shoots movies
Screen flips out Has a flip-out screen
Dynamic range Less dynamic range
Focus points Many fewer focus points

appearance

Nikon D3 Nikon D300
Nikon D3 Nikon D300
Nikon D3 Nikon D300

discussion

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