Updated (September, 2010): Compare the Nikon D300 vs Nikon D7000

Nikon D90
Winner
Nikon D90

61

vs
Nikon D300

57

Nikon D300
Runner-up
 
 
 
 

Reasons to buy the Nikon D90

Viewfinder size
 Large viewfinder
0.63x
Live view
 Has live view
Preview your photos
Shutter lag
 Barely any delay taking photos
208 ms shutter lag
Sensor type
 CMOS Sensor
Better in low light
 

Reasons to buy the Nikon D300

Live view
 Has live view
Preview your photos
Weather sealed
 Weather sealed
Shoot in extreme weather
Battery life
 Great battery life
1000 shots
Focus points
 Many focus points
51
 
Differences | Recommendations | Similarities | Competitors | Appearance | Discussion

differences

Advantages of the Nikon D300
Weather sealed Weather sealed Yes vs No
Help
 Sealed to shoot in the rain
Focus points Significantly more focus points 51 vs 11
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 Set focus accurately within the frame
Cross type focus points More cross-type focus points 15 vs 1
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 Grab focus in difficult situations
Viewfinder coverage Significantly better viewfinder coverage 100% vs 96%
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 Almost the same
Continuous shooting Shoots faster 6 fps vs 4.5 fps
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 More than 30% faster continuous shooting
Battery life Longer battery life 1000 shots vs 850 shots
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 Around 20% more shots per battery charge
Fastest shutter speed Much faster max shutter speed 1/8000s vs 1/4000s
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 2x faster max shutter speed
Thickness Thinner 2.9" vs 3"
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 Almost the same
Nikon D300 Learn more about
the Nikon D300

Advantages of the Nikon D90
Overall image quality Better image quality 73.0 vs 67.0
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 Around 10% better image quality
Movie format Shoots movies 720p @ 24fps vs None
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 Shoots HD (720p) video as well as still pictures
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO 977 ISO vs 679 ISO
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 The D90 has a slight edge (0.5 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Color depth Better color depth 22.7 bits vs 22.1 bits
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 Distinguishes 0.6 more bits of color
Dynamic range More dynamic range 12.5 EV vs 12 EV
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 0.5 f-stops more dynamic range
Size Smaller 132x103x77 mm vs 147x114x74 mm
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 Around 20% smaller
Shutter lag Slightly less shutter lag 208 ms vs 227 ms
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 Around 10% less delay when taking photos
Viewfinder size Slightly larger viewfinder 0.63x vs 0.62x
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 Almost the same
Weight Lighter 703 g vs 925 g
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 More than 20% lighter
Lowest price Cheaper $600.00 vs $1,823.08
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 The best price we've seen is $1,223 cheaper (3x less)
Nikon D90 Learn more about
the Nikon D90
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent DSLRs, and ignoring price

Nikon D300 Nikon D300
57 vs 61
Explain scores
Nikon D90 Nikon D90
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Nikon D90. This recommendation, however, should be taken with a grain of salt since it doesn't always make sense to compare a pro DSLR with a entry-level DSLR.

similarities

Compared to recent DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Lens availability Many lenses available Help
169 lenses
Startup delay Minimal startup delay Help
300 ms startup delay
Viewfinder Both have pentaprism viewfinders Help
Pentaprism
Built-in flash Each has a built-in flash Help
External flash not needed
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
12.2 MP
Light sensitivity (boost) Poor boost ISO Help
6,400 ISO
Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
3,200 ISO
Screen flips out No flip-out screens Help
Less flexible
Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur
3D Neither camera can take 3D photos Help
No 3d support
Movie format One shoots movies Help
D300:None
D90:720p @ 24fps

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon D7000

Nikon D7000

Entry-level DSLR

$897 body only

$997 with 18-105mm lens
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Movie format Records higher quality movies
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the D7000 vs the D300
Compare the D7000 vs the D90
Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$497 body only

$595 - $805 with 18-55mm lens
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Movie format Records higher quality movies
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the D5100 vs the D300
Compare the D5100 vs the D90
Nikon D5200

Nikon D5200

Entry-level DSLR

$697 body only

$797 with 18-55mm lens
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Movie format Records higher quality movies
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the D5200 vs the D300
Compare the D5200 vs the D90
Canon EOS 60D

Canon EOS 60D

Pro DSLR

$649 - $968 body only

$949 - $1,182 with 18-135mm lens
Movie format Records higher quality movies
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Thickness Is thicker
Shutter lag Has slightly more shutter lag
Compare the EOS 60D vs the D300
Compare the EOS 60D vs the D90
Nikon D3200

Nikon D3200

Entry-level DSLR

$547 with 18-55mm lens
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Movie format Records higher quality movies
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the D3200 vs the D300
Compare the D3200 vs the D90
Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$447 - $740 with 18-55mm lens
Movie format Records higher quality movies
Movie continuous focus Can focus continuously while recording movies
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Lens focus motor Doesn't have a built-in focus motor
Compare the D3100 vs the D300
Compare the D3100 vs the D90
Nikon D7100

Nikon D7100

Entry-level DSLR

$1,197 body only

$1,497 with 18-105mm lens
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Movie format Records higher quality movies
Shutter lag Has slightly more shutter lag
Compare the D7100 vs the D300
Compare the D7100 vs the D90

Nikon D300 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

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

Nikon D90 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Nikon D90.

appearance

Nikon D300 Nikon D90
Nikon D300 Nikon D90
Nikon D300 Nikon D90

discussion

Showing 7 comments

alwyn (7:45 AM, September 24, 2012)
Shiva, I have owned both the D300 and the D90. The D90 is a stellar camera, which explains why it is still on the market today (well here in South Africa at least). Although the D300 has more AF points I did not find the D90 to be lacking. I worked around this by pressing the shutter in halfway and refocussing with the desired AF point to place it where I want it. The D300 in all of it's majestic powers could not improve the speed of AF when I was shooting birds in flight. The D300 only has a higher per second frame rate (which drops by the way when you select RAW 14 bit) and a tougher body with weather sealing. When I had both I still found myself using the D90 most of the time especially when I knew the light would be poor. The D300 was reserved for days when the weather looked suspect. So, go for the D90 and save for better glass. That is the only thing along with practice that got me better results with my birds in flight shots. I now have a D7000 (which carries a 5 year warranty in SA) and still fondly remember my D90.
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (2:05 AM, August 31, 2010)
You could be right that having a lower f-stop helps with focusing, I think camera's have the lens wide open for focusing, and definitely more light helps. That lines up with the 'depth of field preview' button, which stops the lens down to the desired f-stop (say f/5.6 or whatever) so you can see the actual depth of field.

I haven't used that Sigma lens, nor have I read about it. I do own three Sigma lenses myself, 1 of which I don't like at all (a cheap 70-300), I have a 30mm f/1.4 which is ok, and a 28mm f/1.8 which I like.

Glad you like the site!
 
shiva (0:20 AM, August 31, 2010)
Hi,

In my reading of reviews of various lenses I often found reviewers stating that "....Lens was slow in focusing.." specially for lens which higher f-Stop. It made me infer that may be less light leading to focus issues.

The SIGMA lens I referred to is being sold at AMAZON ( http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001PGXEGA/ref=cm_rdp_product ), I believe when you say that you are not familiar you meant you have not used or ?

Snapsort rocks, its now in my fav's list. Thanks a LOT.
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (10:16 PM, August 30, 2010)
Hi Shiva, glad I could help. To answer your questions:

1. No, having a lower f-stop does not improve the focus or quality. A lower f-stop does two things: it lets in more light, allowing you to attain a faster shutter speed (to avoid blur for example), and it narrows the depth of field enabling you to blur the background for example. See Snapsort's article on wide aperture lenses.

2. Yes, I think 3rd party lenses are great value.

3. I've never heard of a 3rd party lens damaging a camera.

4. I'm not familiar with that lens, but having a range like that in one lens would be very convenient and would be a great all around lens, I'd definitely recommend that type of focal length range to a new amateur DSLR user.

5. I'm not sure which of those macro lenses will help you focus better, sorry. Typically the main attribute people look for in a macro lens how large the subject will be in the image compared to real life (which is determined by how close you can focus and the magnification of the lens).
 
shiva (10:04 PM, August 30, 2010)
Thanks a lot for the precise reply. I was confused because for now I believed DSLR is a one time buy.
However with you answer at least I am now clear that D90 will be the body for me.

Few more questions pertaining to lens
-Does having a lens with lower f-stop (2.8,..) improve the focus and quality?
-Should I consider 3rd party lens SIGMA/TAMRON for the same focal length and fstop?
-Are there any chances that 3rd party lens can damage Camera ?
-Would you recommend Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM IF Lens? it kinda gives me a range to start with!

As I told before that I have interest in Macro and macro of flying Bees/Insects intrigues me and hence made me start thinking about Autofocus capabilities. which of the macro lens you have mentioned will help me focus better.

I know its too many questions in a single frame.
Appreciate you for the time and response.


) Shiva
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (4:48 PM, August 30, 2010)
Hi Shiva,

Overall I think the D90 would be a great camera for you.

The D300 (and D300s) are basically the same camera as the D90 but for Pros, and have some subtle advantages including focus points as you mentioned. Yes, the D300(s) will have much better focusing than the D90, partly due to more focus points (allowing you to be more precise about where to focus), and due to having a more advanced focusing system (CAM3500 vs CAM1000). In fact I think the D300(s) have the same focus system as the D700 and D3(s).

I think the more advanced focus system would be important if you are photographing fast action (say animals, cars, or sports events), or photographing moving subjects in low light (say weddings). You mentioned macro and landscape, which makes me think the D90's focusing might be more than good enough.

For landscape lenses, I'd suggest a good start would be the Nikon 18-55mm AF-S lens, or if you want a bit wider, consider the Nikon 16-35mm f/4G AF-S or Nikon 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S.

For macro, both the Nikon 60mm f/2.8D and the Nikon 105mm f/2.8G are well regarded.
 
Shiva (4:09 PM, August 30, 2010)
Hi,

I will be new entry into the DSLR segment. I have been trying to learn photography using knowledge from internet/Books and my A620 camera.
However recently have been facing limitations in my camera hence planning for a DSLR.
Interest: Macro and Landscape.
Budget: 1500$(Max) on body.

I have read your comparision of cameras and seems D90 is recommeded for my budget.
While reading details about cameras I believe Autofocus-points are something to be concerned about.

D90 has 11 AF-point(1 cross-type) compared to 51 (15 cross-type). Please let know if having more AF-Points leads to better Auto Focus?
Also request you to recommend the lens for Nikon for my interest.

Thanks
Shiva