D300s vs. D7100

brownie314

It looks like now I can pick up a used, but well care for D300s for around $600. A new D7100 for about $950. For $350 difference is the D300s worth it? In other words - is the Af better than the D7100? Is the IQ significantly lower on the D300s? I would like access to the high frame rate and huge buffer. But I also shoot in low light sometimes - would that be a problem?

PB_PM

The D7100 is a better camera in almost every respect. The smaller buffer the D7100 is a small price to pay for the improved overall performance.

donaldejose

Don't buy the D300s, it's technology is too old now.

spraynpray

I had the older 12Mp cameras and I have the D7000 and D7100. As said above, the D7100 is way better in a lot of ways, but it depends on what you want it for. Because you said low light, you have to go for the D7100 though. Shame though, because it is a great camera in good light.

Photobug

I previously owned the D300 and bought the D7100. The AF system in the D7100 is so much better in bright light or dim light. The D300 was good in dim light but the D7100 is much better. The IQ is so so much better in the D7100. Less noise for sure. I can't believe the differences some times. Low light use is just so much better.

Once in a while I shoot BIF and I switch to JPEG and the buffer doesn't fill on the D7100.

I adapted to the smaller grip and don't miss the larger grip. Suggest you buy the D7100 or drag your feet and order the replacement D7200 in the first qtr of 2015.

Coastalconn

I would agree with the others. The D300 is a great camera and the 8 FPS with grip with a decent buffer is nice, but the IQ of the D7100 easily trumps the D300. The Af system is also quite a bit better. If you get a Sandisk 95 MB/s card and turn off high ISO NR and some other things, in 12 bit lossless you can still get 10 frames, but the camera can continue to shoot at about 3 FPS depending on the scene...

heartyfisher

Don't buy the D300s, it's technology is too old now.

its IQ sensor in DXO mark is the same as the brand new 7Dm2 .. ;-)

spraynpray

I must admit that when I see the old D300s up for sale new, I do get an itch but they are still too expensive considering their age. When they finally realise they won't sell anymore and sell them for £250, I'll have one as a snapshot/knockaround camera.

NSXTypeR

I agree, as a DX user the D300s was pretty cool for what it was, but the D7100 is still a 2 generation gap over the D300s. Save your money and just go for a D7100, or buy refurbished if you want to save some money.

donaldejose

heartyfisher: that shows you how far behind Cannon sensors are.

Msmoto

If one can negotiate a price of less than $500, maybe even $400, the D300s is still a workhorse. But, as pointed out, it is rather old in today's camera technology world and it becomes a matter of choice....... your choice.

heartyfisher

heartyfisher: that shows you how far behind Cannon sensors are.

and still we complain :-) that D7100 High ISO is not good ;-) the D5300 is better.. hope D7200 arrives soon!

donaldejose

Considering the superiority of Nikon's sensors I am surprised there aren't more Cannon shooters switching to Nikon.

manhattanboy

Considering the superiority of Nikon's sensors I am surprised there aren't more Cannon shooters switching to Nikon.

See this post:
http://www.dslrbodies.com/newsviews/its-the-focus-nikon-should.html

The pics from Canon are not that bad, and in some ways the lack of DR in Canon forces one to be a better photographer as you can't rescue pics in post as well as you can with Nikon... you have to get it right the first time LOL. :-))

nukuEX2

Does D7200 even exist? I got exited over D9300 rumor back in spring.but I'm serously contemplating geting either D610 or D750.

Photobug

Does D7200 even exist? I got exited over D9300 rumor back in spring.but I'm serously contemplating geting either D610 or D750.

At CES, Nikon plans to announce a new DX camera. Got that direct from a Nikon representative today. More than likely its the D7200.

DaveyJ

I hope it is the D7200!!

retread

I am hoping for more of a D9300.

ExpensiveHobby

As winter fast approaches here in the US, I personally would wait till spring time to purchase a new dslr since I'm not going to be outside much. If I do much shooting, it will be indoors and I will have control of the lighting. Given the controlled environments, my existing gear will work just fine. If you have a camera currently, why not just consider waiting a few more months?

retread

Waiting until spring/summer is what I plan to do. Hope I can get out some this winter though. I will shoot some sports though and cannot control the lighting.

nukuEX2

I am hoping for more of a D9300.

Same here too, However I'll be more than happy with D7200 that is equip with a "Pro grade" body and specs. 7200 or 9300 I don't really care it's only a model number to me.

DaveyJ

Owning both cameras on this thread it amazes me that there is so much discussion. The older (pro??) model is unused. I would have GIVEN it to a grandson but I gave them better gear. The D7100 is my primary camera. A D7200 is going to be much better! All this hype about "pro" features actually I find EXTREMELY questionable. A D7100 is a very TOUGH camera. Adding "pro" features is so expensive and too me smacks of computer armchair commanders. Expeed 4 processing on a D7200 would jump start already great capability and value. I am EVEN BEGINNING to hope Nikon Inc. doesn't follow this part of Nikon Rumors. To me it is very obvious Nikon will in 2015 introduce a D7200. If a D9300 comes out with more "pro" features the price tag will be unacceptable to our business.

retread

These rumored specs with the D810 button lay out so it would be easy to move from one to the other would be great. A few trickle down features from the D810 would be nice too. I really don't care what it is made of as long as it is tuff enough. Adding this to what the D7100 is now will made it great. It should at least beat the canon rival.

there is just a 30% chance of these sped so far.
http://nikonrumors.com/2014/11/03/nikon-d7200d9300-specifications-maybe.aspx/

spraynpray

Some of those specs seem a little crazy to me.

Sports

Adding "pro" features is so expensive ...

If a D9300 comes out with more "pro" features the price tag will be unacceptable to our business.

The price tag of this segment seems to be $1800, which is fully acceptable to "our business" as well as non-pro enthusiasts like myself. D300 confirmed this. Canon 7D and mk2 confirm this.
Sure, a D7200 will probably be a better deal, but the D300/D400/D9300 crowd is exactly those people willing to pay more to get an even better product.