Camera Labs

Hi all !
I am thinking about selling my D 200 and buy the D 300 ?
How much is better the D300 than D200 ? Is it worth buying the D300 just for a couple of more pixels ?
What is the really difference ?

Thank you !

I dunno, it's plain that the D200 is still one of the best cameras on the market, so ask yourself if you really want or need those 2 MPs or the D300 extra features (Live view, dust reduction, high res screen, higher frame rate in continous mode, more AF points...), you can read Gordon's preview to get an idea of what you can expect of the D300. The new features are all very desirable of course, the question is if you are going to take advantage of them as to make it worth the effort.

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Nikon D90 | AF-S 18-200 VR II | AF-S 35mm f/1.8 | Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 | SB-600 | Gorillapod + Manfrotto 484RC2

There are quite a few differences:

Live View, Lower noise, 12.3mp vs 10.2, 51 point AF!!!, new image processor, 6 fps boostable to 8 fps, 3 inch VGA res screen, dust reduction, 14 bit compression, faster start up, 100% viewfinder coverage, scene recognition, better weather and dust sealing, better battery life, HDMI and there are probably a few more that i didnt include so yea there is a bit of difference, but in the end the question remains, do you really need all of these features?

-my answer: HEL YEA (if only I wasnt a poor student)

Stu

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Nikon D80 w/ Nikkor 18-135mm/ Nikkor 70-300mm VR/ Nikkor 50mm 1.8/ Nikon SB-25
Tamrac Digital 3 bag, Tamrac adventure 9
BR-2A reversing ring

My flickr page

hey beren23, you beat me to it, i guess you can type faster than me

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Nikon D80 w/ Nikkor 18-135mm/ Nikkor 70-300mm VR/ Nikkor 50mm 1.8/ Nikon SB-25
Tamrac Digital 3 bag, Tamrac adventure 9
BR-2A reversing ring

My flickr page

The point is: The D300 is a better camera.

No questions asked!

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Assistant News Photojournalist
Nikon and Canon Systems
A variety of f/2.8 lenses from 10.5 to 400mm
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Hi Bulls, welcome back - it's been a long time since you've posted here!

As I recall, the D200 was either your first DSLR, or one of your first. Have you really outgrown it? I understand the desire to have the latest and best kit, but is there any aspect where you're finding the D200 is limiting?

Do you really want 2 more megapixels, Live View and the VGA screen for instance?

If not and you have money burning a hole in your pocket, I'd recommend buying a new lens instead...

It's also hard to know when they'll actually be in the shops - could be New Year!

I agree with that.

12 or 10 MP doesn't make much difference;
Less noise??? Maybe. Let's wait and see.
Better weather sealing? Your D200 is still OK, so do you need it?
Life view is nice.
More AF-points? More is not the same as better. The D200 has plenty.

Of course the D300 is a better camera and if you wouldn't have a D200 already, you could buy it. The price difference is huge though.

Hans

I agree,

If I were you, I'd spend it on a Pro Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 or something, my point is, buy stuff that goes with the camera, not replace it (unless you do it for a living or something).

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Assistant News Photojournalist
Nikon and Canon Systems
A variety of f/2.8 lenses from 10.5 to 400mm
Support Cameralabs!

Just a personal opinion: at the mo I would either go for the D80 or the D300. If I have the choice between a 800€, 1200€ or 1600€ investment, I wouldn't want to be stuck in the middle
Studini is completely right, not to mention perhaps higher sensitivity/lower noise.
And you will certainly be tempted faster to upgrade from the D200 than from the D300, so the additional 400€ is money well invested

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Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses

Over here it's 819, 1389 and 1949 euro.

Where is "here", Hans?

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Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses

I just added my country to my data, so now you can see where "here" is.

Ah, from the Netherlands, Hans. So it should be easy to buy from Germany/Austria where a lot of good deals are on offer...

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Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses

I dont think UPGRADING for the sake of it is a smart move. As Gordon said its great to have the latest and greatest but only if you are buying a new camera.

The D300 is a better camera no doubt but does it justify the price. I would stick with the D200 if you wanted the live view and dust removal you could go with the E3 for less?

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Canon 40D - EFS 17-85mm IS - EF 50mm 1.8 II - EF 70-200mm f.4 L - Speedlite 580EX II - GF Lightsphere Cloud - S.I.L.K 300DX PRO Tripod - Manfrotto 679 monopod - LOWEPRO Trekkar Backback - Adobe CS3 -

Have a look at that post: http://www.cameralabs.com/forum/viewtop ... 2085#12085
Contains link to D200/D300 comparison shots at various ISOs

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Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses