Nikon D300

I started with a Nikon D 70 then updated to Nikon D 70s further updated to Nikon D80. I still have the Nokon D 80 - just bought the Nikon D 300 >am really impressed & enjoying the Camera after the D70s.Buy this camera if you have passion for Photography other wise you shoudl go for point & shoot. Dont see the date of manufacture when you by this camera. Look at the features and what it can do - Till date the best. I also use a Canon 50D but still this one continues to impress me.

very fast speed - absolute superb pictures.Built like a tank.

If you knit pick then there are so many flaws other wise superb no major ones to talk about.

Canon D 50 D

still did not need to use customer service

Nikon D300 - Great camera with good quality both jpeg and RAW / Good focus and back screen. In fact there is a lot to learn !

12 meg pix

None yet !

I will make this as short and brief as I can, all the tech stuff is on the net. I still own and use my D200. The 51 point AF system is great, however, I hardly use it. Image quality may be a little better than the D200, maybe, 1500-1700 dollars better, doubt it. I bought the camera with the battery grip and the 18-200mm lens. I like the menu set up and menu banks in the D200 better, I have used both bodies with my Nikon 80-400mm lens and the D200 takes better photographs with that lens IMO. I thought at first it was just because I was used to the D200 but over time and using very similar settings the D200 still looks better with that lens. The 18-200mm lens produced great images with both bodies. The battery grip cost almot 250 dollars, a little high in my book. The continous shooting does smoke, it flames through them and sport photographers should love this as long as they have a fast lens to go along with that speed, like the 70-200mm f2.8.

I am not really going to waste time with boring details as u can read pro reviews and form your own opinion about this. I am writing this for people who are considering the upgrade. I bought this camera and it is a great camera, it has some minor issues, mine seems to shoot hot in bright sunlight, an easy fix with exposure comp. It took a little getting used to after using the D200 for so long, not an issue, more time with it and just like the D200 you get used to it.

However, that said, if I could do it again, nope, would not have bought it, the 2500 dollars was not worth it to replace my D200, which I decided to keep. Get a D90 instead, some glass and wait for the next generation D400 or whatever it is going to be, I was one of those guys that bought the next gen everytime it was released, no more, the marekting gurus are good, they throw some new bells and whistles out there and I trip over my feet to get to the shop,,,,,then I use it...mmmm, my old rig was doing a fine job.

IMO, if you can find a D200 and find it at a great price, get one, save the coin and get some decent glass, I have found the investment in the glass outweighs any other investment you can make, in the long run it does not matter, soon the D300 will be old school and and there will be another in the spotlight stealing the thunder, the glass will be there waiting to attach itself to whatever you buy and make some great images................save the cash,,,get the glass.

51 point AF, frame speed, live view(though not as handy as on the D90) 12mp(?)
Alloy body with seals, Customizable menu settings and save options.

Price, Batter grip, price and design, 12mp(?), my D200 10mp was just fine for my work, made prints 16x20, no problems

D70,D80,D90,D300,Fuji S3

NA

This camera is one of the best values on the market today.It is hard to find a camera with the image quality and features for the money. I have found this camera to be very flexible because of the many custom functions available to you. The build quality is outstanding, this camera can abuse. I have found that the auto focus to be fast, flexible and accurate. The image quality, especially when you shoot raw and use capture NX2 is great at just about every iso from 200 - 1600.IT is worth the extra price especially with discounts available. I know you have to pay for it, but no other manufacturer is including software as good as this with their cameras (especially in this price range). The nikon lens system, although not perfect, is very good. The speedlight system is very good especially if you use the wireless options available to you. The handling is very easy to get along with, this is very subjective, try and hold one and decide for yourself.

autofocus
build quality
metering system
speedlight system
Image quality
value
custom functions
handling
lens system - although there are some holes, check to see if these are a negative
capture NX2 is a great way to get results

you have to pay extra for capture NX2

nikon dx2s
nikon f100
nikon f6
nikon d700
canon 20d

have had no need for it

Sorry D200 users. I think it IS worthwhile to make the upgrade to the D300. It does everything just a little better.
When I first bought the D300 I put my big Pro lenses on it and carried on using the D200 with the 18-200. I like the D200, I was at home with it. After about 4 months I realsed I'd hardly used the D300 at all so I forced myself to use it - by putting the 18-200 on it.

First thing to master is the focussing system. There are 51 focussing points all over the viewfinder. My camera is set up so that the camera chooses what it thinks is the best focussing point and displays all the points that are in focus. This sounds easy but it took me a while to trust it. I can always switch back to a single-oint focus like I have on my D200.

The rest is easy. The exposure is even more accurate than on the D200, so is the flash exposure, I have set up Active D-lighting on a custom menu for high-contrast situations. I haven't noticed any noise yet (I have auto-ISO enabled, and I use 3200 ISO more often than I was expecting.

I just got back from holiday with the D70, which has allowed me to measure the progress made in only 4 years. Shooting RAW on the D70 and correcting the image in NX afterwards, I can get the results. But I have to spend time over it. The D200 was a leap in advance and the D300 is another step forwards. I feel I have a camera that makes a lot of good choices and that finally improves my chances of getting the shot right.

Viewfinder. Focussing system. Exposure. Flash exposure. Noise. Active D-lighting. Custom menus.
Feels like the camera is on my side and is helping me.

It's rather heavy. This is fine for serious shoots but for wandering about I prefer something lighter
No true 100 ISO setting. For studio shoots I use the D200.

Nikon D200
Nikon D70
Nikon F100

Haven't used it