Now or wait...

[DanielLane]

Ok, I need a new body. My D90 is on it's last legs, my D300 is dead and will cost more than it's worth to get it repaired.

Do I buy another D300, or go with the newer technology in the D7000, or wait in hopes that the D400 will eventually come out?

I have used the D7000 and know it captures a great clear image. Great color and everything. I also know the D300 is a fantastic camera, but the actual image size is smaller on the D300 and the camera has less megapixels and all that. The images I have shot with both are very comparable and the differences are so slight, it's not worth mentioning, other than I can actually go to a larger sized image with the D7000 with out distortion (due to it's larger number of pixels and intelligence of the camera computer)

The D300 has more focus points than the D7000, but since I also shoot with the D90, I can make it work (the D90 has WAY less focus points)

Then there is the possibility of the D400. Yes, it is just a possibility. Nikon has recently said they are delaying any releases due to flooding in the plants in Thailand. And the rumors of the D400 etc have been going on for years. Who knows if and when they will ever release it. Yes, the rumors put it at a much higher Mp range and all that, but does it really matter that much? And yes, it is RUMORED to shoot more frames per second and all that as well. but is it worth it?

I can buy the D7000 or the D300s fro just about the same price, but rumor has it the D400 will jump in price to around the $2k range for just the body. Possibly more since they are in such a mess and will want to make up for losses...

So the question is, D300s, D7000 or hope the D400 comes out before my last camera dies?

[mishu01]

D7000. It will be the perfect backup for your next D400.

P.S. I just placed an order for a D7000 to replace my "old" D300 just sold last night. Guess who will be very happy Tuesday morning?

[SwissJon]

Ok.. Well I wouldn't swap my D7000 for a D300s..

I don't think the D400 will come out for a year or two. the D300s was released only 2 years ago, the D7000 was released last year, and it sit's very close to the D300s in their line up. They need to upgrade the D700 and the D3 range first.. The D700 is supposedly getting released next week, delayed by about 6 months.. But if that happens then I wouldn't expect the D400 to come out for a year or so.

So my recommendation is for a D7000.. It's a really nice camera.. When (Eventually) the D400 comes out, you can keep the D7000 as a replacement to the D90

[scootermcq]

Personally, I went through the D300 D7000 debate. I don't see enough improvement in the high ISO performance on the D7000 to off set things like metering on non cpu lenses, full magnesium body, button controls vs menu driven & frame rate to make sense. The 4mp are really just not an issue for me, as I do not regularly print above 20 x 24 and the extra MP just steal space and exemplify errors in focusing etc.

[sk66]

I bought the D7000.....But I'm kind of thinking I made a bit of a mistake. It misses focus a lot more for fast action shots like flying birds. But I got the D7000 after owning a D3 and I honestly can't recall if there is a significant difference in the results I got when I owned the D300.

So, overall I say the D7000 is the "better camera". But I also think the D300 is better handling and, if you do sports/action, the AF system might be well worth giving up the other minor improvements for.

[OsmosisStudios]

Hard one to guess. If there wasnt all the flooding in thailand, I'd definitely vote to wait till the D400. No doubt. Rumors HAD it coming out early 2012, or at least being announced early 2012. Now? Notsomuch.

Frankly, I have no need for anything higher than a D300s, and even if I were doing more paid work than I am now, it's plenty. I'd never dip below that "level": pro series DX. Its just that much better to use.

[DanielLane]

well, I hear what you are saying about the D300S. But mine is deader than a doornail. I have a shoot tomorrow and a wedding on monday. And all that was here was an old D90. I really like my 300S and all, but it is now older technology than the 7000. I have shot with both of them before and there was no discernible difference in the images. The 7000's images were even comparable to the images off of a D700 I borrowed and to a friends D3s. Seems they really amped it up a lot with the processor and all that in the guts.

I went down to the camera shop to have a look. Well, they had an instant $350 rebate on the D7000, and nothing on the D300s. So I bought the D7000. And to boot, they had misplaced the kit lens that was supposed to come with it (AF-S DX Nikkor 18-200 f3.5) so they gave me a different lens instead. I got me a nice new 50mm prime! =]

[Bruce A]

Congrats Daniel - hope you enjoy the D7000 as much as I am and that it lives up to your expectations. Nice pick up with the lens.