Nikon
D300S
vs
Nikon
D90
D300S
D90
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recommendations
Relative to the best recent DSLRs, and ignoring price
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Nikon D300S |
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Nikon D90 |  |
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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. |
differences
Reasons to consider the Nikon D300S |
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Shoots significantly faster | 7 fps | vs | 4.5 fps |  |
Around 60% faster continuous shooting | ||||
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Much better viewfinder coverage | 100% | vs | 96% | |
Almost the same | ||||
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Has more storage slots | 2 | vs | 1 | |
More slots allows storing more images without switching memory cards | ||||
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Much faster max shutter speed | 1/8000s | vs | 1/4000s | |
2x faster max shutter speed | ||||
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Thinner | 2.9" | vs | 3" | |
Almost the same | ||||
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Reasons to consider the Nikon D90 |
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Lower noise at high ISO | 977 ISO | vs | 787 ISO | |
The D90 has a slight edge (0.3 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance | ||||
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Better image quality | 73.0 | vs | 70.0 | |
Almost the same | ||||
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More dynamic range | 12.5 EV | vs | 12.2 EV | |
Almost the same | ||||
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Slightly better color depth | 22.7 bits | vs | 22.5 bits | |
Distinguishes more than 10% more colors | ||||
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Smaller | 132x103x77 mm | vs | 147x114x74 mm | |
Around 20% smaller | ||||
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Slightly larger viewfinder | 0.63x | vs | 0.62x | |
Almost the same | ||||
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Lighter | 703 g | vs | 938 g | |
More than 30% lighter | ||||
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Cheaper | $799.00 | vs | $1,489.00 | |
The best price we've seen is $690 cheaper (around 90% less) | ||||
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similarities
Compared to recent DSLRs
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competitors
Shared Competitors |
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
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Canon EOS Rebel T2iEntry-level DSLR $799 - $853 body only $849 - $975 with 18-55mm lens |
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Canon EOS 7DPro DSLR $1,550 - $1,900 body only $1,769 - $1,900 with 28-135mm lens |
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Nikon D5000Entry-level DSLR $630 - $680 body only $750 - $766 with 18-55mm lens |
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Canon EOS 50DPro DSLR $975 - $2,025 body only $1,090 - $1,400 with 28-135mm lens |
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Canon EOS Rebel T1iEntry-level DSLR $579 - $700 body only $695 - $1,069 with 18-55mm lens |
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Nikon D700Pro DSLR $2,379 - $2,700 body only $3,167 - $3,370 with 24-120mm lens |
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Nikon D3000Entry-level DSLR $559 body only $469 - $550 with 18-55mm lens |
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Nikon D300S Competitors |
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
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No significant competitors found that are specific to the Nikon D300S. |
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Nikon D90 Competitors |
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
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No significant competitors found that are specific to the Nikon D90. |
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appearance
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Find similar cameras
Here are some links to help you find other cameras with similar features to both of these:
discussion
Speech is free, but discussion at Snapsort is moderated!
- Please discuss the your opinion of these two cameras here
- Discuss feedback for Snapsort at our support community
Which do you think is better?
Showing 9 comments
Thanks for replying. Have seen the comparision review. Without doubt, significant differences in features / camera level altogether. I heard very soon there is going to be a replacement model for D90.
Perhaps I should wait for the new model to launch and your review. On the other hand, hopefully I can get better price for either D90 or D300s if the new model features review is not much different. Ha!ha!
A friend told me that the 35mm lens which comes with AF motor will focus faster when combine with a camera with built-in motor. Not sure how true & significant is this?
Once again, thank you so much for your view and advise.
Regards
I haven't used the 35mm f/1.8 I'm afraid.
I owned a Nikon D60 and uses a Tamron 18-270 lens. Very versatile & convenience.
Started photography about 2 years ago. Thinking of upgrading my camera. Comtemplating either D90 or D300s. From the review, you recommend D90 considering price and a few less features. Frankly, any difference from D60 to D90 and would you advise to upgrade? Also, differences between 50mm f1.8 compare to 35mm f1.8 ? Thanks.
Here are a few general thoughts:
- I recommended the 50mm f/1.8, the 50mm f/1.4 is also great, I've owned both. I recommend the 50mm f/1.8 because its inexpensive and produces great low light and narrow depth of field shots
- The 24-70 f/2.8 is probably not a good lens for the D90 or D300s, 24mm is not that wide on a crop body. You generally want 18mm on a crop body. I have the 24-70 f/2.8 and use it on my D700.
I think some key things to consider are:
- do you need wide angle? Most people probably need 18mm, 24mm I don't think would cut it for indoor shots (on a DX crop body), or building shots, or large groups
- do you need zoom? For pictures of kids playing sports, or animals on safari, you need zoom, 100mm won't cut it, 200mm at least
- do you need low light/wide aperture? To shoot in low light conditions without a flash, and to get beautiful bokeh, you need prime (non zoom) lenses typically that have aperture better than f/1.8. The 50mm f/1.8 is a great starter option, there are good 35mm and 85mm primes too.
One last thought: do you want one lens that does everything (to save cost, and save hassle of carrying and changing lenses), if so you need something like the 18-200.
Personally I own a lot of lenses, and I love using them, but I end up lugging this huge camera bag around, and because the lenses are so big/heavy my wife can barely hold the camera and lens!
Very useful advise. In a way this is my first SLR. I have been using Sony
CyberShot 505, and have tried Canon Eos Rebel, entry level.
Do I also need a good 35 mm lens? Also how about 50mm f1.4 ?
I also saw on the catalogue a 24~70mm f2.8. Is this versatile enough?
Will appreciate your views on this.
Amol
A lens like the 18-200 would mean you could take a wide variety of shots without changing lenses. Although 105 is decent, its really not that much zoom.
I recommend to anyone interested in photography to buy the Nikon 50mm f/1.8 lens. Its cheap, probably $150, and has no zoom, but takes beautiful shots even in low light. The wide aperture lets you blur the background and get professional looking shots. The 50mm f/1.8 is great for portraits and indoor shots.
Here's a shot I took with my Nikon 50mm f/1.4: http://www.flickr.com/photos/noirs/1430156477/in/set-72157602141799775/ though to be honest, I didn't notice much difference at all upgrading from the f.1/8 to the f1/4.
Here's one with the Nikon 50mm f/1.8: http://www.flickr.com/photos/noirs/147319847/in/set-72057594136168704/
I appreciate your advise. I think I will go for D 90 with 18~105 lense as
standard kit.
Which other lenses will you recommend for day to day normal photography (
Land scape, portraits, grand children's and family pics etc.) ?
Amol Sandil
Go for the D90, and spend the extra $ on some good lenses!
Will D 90 with additional superior lenses be better than d 300s?
Do I wait for a new upgrade of D 90 ?