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- Nikon D3 VS Nikon D300
Nikon D3 VS Nikon D300
- By sanny sanny
- Published 07/18/2008
- Sample Category
- Unrated
Nikon D3 VS Nikon D300
The D300 and D3 were announced on the same day.HTML clipboard digital camera
The D300 is a very similar camera to the D3. They have almost exactly
the same features and image quality for most purposes, but the D300 is
about 1/3 of the D3’s cost. Why the D3 is much expensive and is it
worth it? Here is the comparison between Nikon D3 and D300 and you can
consider before choosing to buy which one.
The same that both cameras share:
1.Autofocus- Both cameras use the same AF sensors and have 51 focus points and can also use contrast detection focus when in Live View tripod mode. But the D3 has more processing power to interpret the output from the 51 sensors more quickly, and the D3 has bigger motors to focus the lenses faster.
2.The same number of pixels. Pretty much - actually the D300 has more pixels than the D3 - 12.3 million vs 12.1. Not that you’d notice.
3.Colors. They both have the same color palette. Both of them are gorgeous with rich, vibrant colors and faithful skin tones.
4.Dynamic range. Turn on Adaptive Dynamic Range (ADR) in the menu and you simply get better exposed images in contrasty scenes.
5.Operating menus, firmware, bit modes, 3-inch VGA live view LCD, new EXPEED image processor and even instruction manuals are exact the same and work the same.
D3 advantages over D300:
1. Huge sensor. For the first time Nikon has brought out a “full frame” sensor and it’s just stunning. The larger pixels in the D3's full frame sensor really make a difference and allow settings of up to ISO 25600, and a cleanness of images at lower sensitivity settings that has to be seen to be appreciated.
2. Manual Focus. The D3 has a three-segment null indicator which can indicate perfect, precise, manual focus. The D300 only has one primitive "OK" focus indicator dot meaning that it cannot indicate manual focus with sufficient precision for manual focus with fast lenses.
3. Exceptional high ISO capabilities. The D3 pounds out sharp and usable ISO 6,400 images, with no excuses, all day and all night. The D300 has very soft images at ISO 6,400 from all the noise reduction, while the D3 is still sharp and clear. The D3 also goes to ISO 12,500 and ISO 25,600, which the D300 can't even imagine.
4. Dual card slots. The Nikon D3 allows for two simultaneous CF cards.
5. Frame Rate. The D3 hauls at 9 frames per second, and up to 11 FPS in DX mode if you don't mind losing interframe AF and exposure updates. The D300 runs at 6 FPS, or 8 FPS with the right grip.
Things the D300 does better than the D3:
1. Dust Shake. The latest generation of cameras features sensor vibration to remove dust, and it works extremely well. This is available in the Nikon D300. But it is absent from the Nikon D3.
2. Built-in flash. Like most pop up flash guns it’s of limited power and not in a great place for modeling but it has the amazing i-TTL which gives great exposures. Even better, if you want to use off camera flash then buy an SB600 and shoot in wireless mode using the pop up. To pull off that trick on a D3 you’ll need to buy two flashguns and one of them will have to be the pricey SB800.
3. All your lenses will work perfectly with it. The large sensor on the D3 means that any “DX” lenses will only work at 5 million pixels unless you are prepared to risk sever vignette. You get 12 MP on all compatible lenses with the D300.
4. Smaller size and weight, and much smaller price!
The D300 and D3 were announced on the same day.
The same that both cameras share:
1.Autofocus- Both cameras use the same AF sensors and have 51 focus points and can also use contrast detection focus when in Live View tripod mode. But the D3 has more processing power to interpret the output from the 51 sensors more quickly, and the D3 has bigger motors to focus the lenses faster.
2.The same number of pixels. Pretty much - actually the D300 has more pixels than the D3 - 12.3 million vs 12.1. Not that you’d notice.
3.Colors. They both have the same color palette. Both of them are gorgeous with rich, vibrant colors and faithful skin tones.
4.Dynamic range. Turn on Adaptive Dynamic Range (ADR) in the menu and you simply get better exposed images in contrasty scenes.
5.Operating menus, firmware, bit modes, 3-inch VGA live view LCD, new EXPEED image processor and even instruction manuals are exact the same and work the same.
D3 advantages over D300:
1. Huge sensor. For the first time Nikon has brought out a “full frame” sensor and it’s just stunning. The larger pixels in the D3's full frame sensor really make a difference and allow settings of up to ISO 25600, and a cleanness of images at lower sensitivity settings that has to be seen to be appreciated.
2. Manual Focus. The D3 has a three-segment null indicator which can indicate perfect, precise, manual focus. The D300 only has one primitive "OK" focus indicator dot meaning that it cannot indicate manual focus with sufficient precision for manual focus with fast lenses.
3. Exceptional high ISO capabilities. The D3 pounds out sharp and usable ISO 6,400 images, with no excuses, all day and all night. The D300 has very soft images at ISO 6,400 from all the noise reduction, while the D3 is still sharp and clear. The D3 also goes to ISO 12,500 and ISO 25,600, which the D300 can't even imagine.
4. Dual card slots. The Nikon D3 allows for two simultaneous CF cards.
5. Frame Rate. The D3 hauls at 9 frames per second, and up to 11 FPS in DX mode if you don't mind losing interframe AF and exposure updates. The D300 runs at 6 FPS, or 8 FPS with the right grip.
Things the D300 does better than the D3:
1. Dust Shake. The latest generation of cameras features sensor vibration to remove dust, and it works extremely well. This is available in the Nikon D300. But it is absent from the Nikon D3.
2. Built-in flash. Like most pop up flash guns it’s of limited power and not in a great place for modeling but it has the amazing i-TTL which gives great exposures. Even better, if you want to use off camera flash then buy an SB600 and shoot in wireless mode using the pop up. To pull off that trick on a D3 you’ll need to buy two flashguns and one of them will have to be the pricey SB800.
3. All your lenses will work perfectly with it. The large sensor on the D3 means that any “DX” lenses will only work at 5 million pixels unless you are prepared to risk sever vignette. You get 12 MP on all compatible lenses with the D300.
4. Smaller size and weight, and much smaller price!