Updated (February, 2012): Compare the Nikon D300 vs Nikon D800

Nikon D700

88

Winner

Nikon D700

"Fast and accurate 51 point auto-focus even in low light"
dpreview.com | talking about the D700's auto-focus
"Clean, artifact-free low ISO output with good resolution and detail"
dpreview.com | talking about the D700's image-quality

Reasons to buy the Nikon D700

Low light performance
Low noise at high ISO
2,303 ISO
Overall image quality
Great image quality
80.0
Viewfinder size
Large viewfinder
0.72x
Weather sealed
Weather sealed
Shoot in extreme weather
Sensor size
Large sensor
Full frame 36.0x24.0mm
Focus points
Many focus points
51
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
Fastest shutter speed
Fast shutter speed
1/8000 of a second

differences

Advantages of the Nikon D300

Lens availability Significantly more lenses available 169 lenses vs 121 lenses
Help
Around 40% more lenses available
Viewfinder coverage Much better viewfinder coverage 100% vs 95%
Help
Around 10% better viewfinder coverage
Continuous shooting Shoots faster 6 fps vs 5 fps
Help
20% faster continuous shooting
Size Smaller 147x114x74 mm vs 147x123x77 mm
Help
More than 10% smaller
Startup delay Slightly less startup delay 300 ms vs 400 ms
Help
Around 30% less delay when turning on
Weight Lighter 925 g vs 1,074 g
Help
More than 10% lighter
Lowest price Cheaper $1,000.00 vs $2,649.00
Help
The best price we've seen is $1,649 cheaper (2.6x less)
Thickness Thinner 2.9" vs 3"
Help
Almost the same
Nikon D300 Learn more about
the Nikon D300

Advantages of the Nikon D700

Low light performance Much lower noise at high ISO 2,303 ISO vs 679 ISO
Help
The D700 has excellent image quality 1.8 f-stops higher ISO than the D300
Overall image quality Significantly better image quality 80.0 vs 67.0
Help
Around 20% better image quality
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
Viewfinder size Significantly larger viewfinder 0.72x vs 0.62x
Help
Around 40% larger viewfinder
Dynamic range More dynamic range 12.2 EV vs 12 EV
Help
0.2 f-stops more dynamic range
Shutter lag Less shutter lag 197 ms vs 227 ms
Help
More than 10% less delay when taking photos
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 6,400 ISO vs 3,200 ISO
Help
The D700's maximum light sensitivity is 1 f-stop better
Light sensitivity (boost) Better boost ISO 25,600 ISO vs 6,400 ISO
Help
The D700's boost ISO is 2 f-stops better
Nikon D700 Learn more about
the Nikon D700
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent pro DSLRs, and ignoring price

Nikon D300 Nikon D300
68 vs 88
Explain scores
Nikon D700 Nikon D700
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Nikon D700.

advice

Need help deciding?

Ask the community!

I am considering either the D300 or the D700,
For example: Taking photos in low light or great family photos or ability to take great photos underwater

Select aspects that are most important to you: (max 3)

Popular tags:

Are you a camera expert? Share your knowledge!

0
votes
by Petter-Persson last month
Nikon D3S vs Nikon D700

I consider myself more as a professional then a beginner, have taking on some photography jobs wit...

0
votes
by Sherry-McCollum last month
Nikon D300S vs Nikon D700

I'm an advanced amateur and the most important features in the camera are ease of use and very sha...

One person recommends the Nikon D300S:

"Go for the D300s and spend some extra money on lenses. To get great wildlife shots you'll need a l..."

0
votes
by Tom-Robins-Vazhappilly last month
Nikon D700 vs Pentax K-5

I don't think I'm a beginner, cause I have been using a EOS 1000D for the last 4 years and I wan...

1
votes
by Nina-Murray last month
Nikon D700 vs Nikon D7000

I take pictures of my family and nature, and do 4-5 weddings per year as a part time photographe...

2 people recommend the Nikon D700:

" If you can afford it, you'll love the D700. I own one (along with a D70, and D200), and the high..."

" The D700 is a full-frame camera and has much better image quality in low light conditions (accor..."

0
votes
by Claudia-Harpe this month
Nikon D300 vs Nikon D7000

serious enthusiast, primary hobby, take pictures of sports, portraits, nature, indoor functions

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
Fastest shutter speed Fast max shutter speeds Help
1/8000 of a second
Weight Heavy Help
D300:925 g
D700:1,074 g
Storage slots Fewer storage slots Help
1
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
D300:12.2 MP
D700:12.1 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
D300:3,200 ISO
D700:6,400 ISO

Compared to recent pro DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Size Fairly small Help
D300:147x114x74 mm
D700:147x123x77 mm
Supports RAW Supports RAW Help
Better editing
Thickness Thin Help
D300:2.9"
D700:3"
Lowest price Inexpensive Help
D300:$1,000.00
D700:$2,649.00
Built-in flash Each has a built-in flash Help
External flash not needed
Light sensitivity (boost) Poor boost ISO Help
D300:6,400 ISO
D700:25,600 ISO
Battery life Few shots per battery charge Help
1000 shots
Continuous shooting Slow continuous shooting Help
D300:6 fps
D700:5 fps
Cross type focus points Few cross-type focus points Help
15
Shutter lag Significant shutter lag Help
D300:227 ms
D700:197 ms
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 slightly more shutter lag
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
Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Pro DSLR

$2,130 body only

$2,875 - $2,999 with 24-105mm lens

Movie format Records higher quality movies
True resolution Takes significantly higher resolution photos
Built-in flash Doesn't have a built-in flash
Focus points Has much fewer focus points
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 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
Storage slots Has more storage slots
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
Canon EOS 7D

Canon EOS 7D

Pro DSLR

$1,549 - $1,821 body only

$1,620 - $1,849 with 18-135mm lens

Movie format Records higher quality movies
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Focus points Has significantly fewer focus points
Dynamic range Has slightly narrower dynamic range

Nikon D300 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Nikon D300.

Nikon D700 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Nikon D700.

appearance

Nikon D300 Nikon D700
Nikon D300 Nikon D700
Nikon D300 Nikon D700

discussion

Showing 0 comments