Advice me between D300s vs D7000

[pjgoswami]

Dear Sir/Madam,

I need advice from you regarding selection of a Nikon DSLR body.

I introduce myself as a nature photographer. In that versatile field, I am very much interested for Landscape, Flower, Plants, Bird and wildlife.

At the moment,I own a Nikon D5000, Nikkor DX 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6 VR, Nikkor AF-S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR II .Nikkor AF-S 300mm f/4D IF-ED and a TC-14E-II.

I am planning to upgrade either to a D300s or D7000. If I go for the D300s then its technology is older whereas in D7000 it is the latest.

D7000 is 16MP, better IQ, having better ISO, more powerful battery, (movie continuous focus) but i do not get full magnesium alloy body.

D300s is 51 AF points with 15 cross type, 7FPS with better buffer then D7000, but with 12MP sensor.

In bird photography, as one needs to crop the image after shooting,I am a bit confused which model to choose.

I shall appreciate if you would help me to take a decision.

Thanking you
With Regards
Pranab

[Danylu]

I don't see how "better IQ" is a function of the camera body.

You sound like a pretty dedicated bird photographer. I'd say the D7000 offers better cropping capabilities but if you do more BIM (Birds in Motion) then you'll probably appreciate the D300s' focusing capabilities more.

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by Danylu

I don't see how "better IQ" is a function of the camera body.

You're joking right? Different cameras = different sensors. Different sensors = different image quality. You cant honestly tell me that a D3x gives similar image quality to a D40. You can try, but I'll slap you with a herring.

The D7000 has significantly better high-iso performance, and for birding (especially with f/4+1.4TC and fast shutter speeds) that may be important.

[Almond.Butterscotch]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

You cant honestly tell me that a D3x gives similar image quality to a D40. You can try, but I'll slap you with a herring.

err... My D40... umm... has better image quality... uhh... thanaD3x*runsaway*

[candleman]

I don't do birding.. so i don't really know..

D300s focus system is a demon.. its pretty darn good.
could that help you qith birding? maybe

the D7000.. well there you have a few more pixels to crop out if you don't have enough zoom to fill the frame to your liking... but ot all that much though.

[Footski]

The only way to make the right choice is to go and handle both cameras. they are both excellent so choose the one that feels better to you in your hands..

[scootermcq]

Originally Posted by candleman

the D7000.. well there you have a few more pixels to crop out if you don't have enough zoom to fill the frame to your liking... but ot all that much though.

Here is something I looked at when I was deciding bodies. Sure, there are 4 MEGApixels difference, sounds HUGE, thats around 30% more pixels to work with WOW!!

D7000 is 4928 x 3264
D300s is 4288 x 2848

Difference 640 x 416

I decided pixels made no difference to me in that case.

I went to a local store, took an image at ISO1600 with my D90, put my lens and my memory in a D7000 and took the same image at ISO1600. This was unscientific, but they both sucked and I was let down with ISO improvements on the D7000. From all the hype, I was expecting the heavens to open and angels sing as I hit the shutter release.

Anyway, lots of people dislike Ken, but look at his image comparisons between the D7000 & D300 in this review. They are so damn close (looking at the background behind the monkey's ear), that I felt there was not enough improvement to warrant giving up the body material, speed & focus

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/comp...-iso/index.htm

[Jo.T]

i have been doing a lot of reading on both and was leaning towards the D7000 due to price but have deceided to wait and see if the rumors about a new D400 are true if that is the case will be able to pick up a d300 at a reduced price or a nice 2nd hand one on ebay.

[candleman]

Originally Posted by scootermcq

From all the hype, I was expecting the heavens to open and angels sing as I hit the shutter release.

EPIC LOL
that made my day.

the D300s AF is awesome..
the alleged 1 stop difference isn't worth losing everthing the D300s offers.
ESPECIALLY the 51Pt AF system, AF-ON button, dual slots(CF), and metering mode switch.....just to name a few.

[LoveDSLR]

I thought about upgrading my D40 to a D7000 but drop the idea after reading a couple of reviews. IMO, I'll recommend waiting until the D300s replacement before the final decision.

Originally Posted by candleman

ESPECIALLY the 51Pt AF system, AF-ON button, dual slots, and metering mode switch.....just to name a few.

Love the way you talk dirty (my kind)!