D300 or 300s

[Rick Helmke]

<p>Evening all,<br>

I've about decided to add one more digital body to the camera bag. I had planned on skipping the D300 but it is apparent now that Nikon will not release the D400 until I have purchased a 300. They did the same thing when I bought my first 200, released the 300 about 15 minutes after I got home from the camera store. I know the 300s has dual card slots and shoots video but I don't care about either of those. Are there any other noteworthy differences in the two? I don't want a 7100, too small and AF is not a primary concern. KEH has some pretty decent prices on the 300. I may upgrade to something newer next year but for now it's either a D300 or an RB67. Thanks.<br /><br />Rick H.</p>

[michael_bradtke]

<p>I have them both. The video is not all that great it is motion jpg and that is a PITA to work with. The 300s may and I only say may have very slightly better IQ.</p>

<p>If you do not need the extra card slot and you can find a D300 in good shape for a good price that would be the way I would go.</p>

[owen_omeara]

<p>I used the d300 for years and I loved everything about it. It was a war horse in every sense of the word.. I never went for the 300s and that could have been a mistake. It would seem that the 300s was a bit better than the 300 in low light. and there is no question that the dual card feature is more than a little important.</p>

<p>I did to for the 7100 and I have never looked back. It is far superior in low light and the new sensor is wonderful. </p>

<p>The video aspect ahas never been a big deal to me but the few times I have used it I have liked it.</p>

<p>The d7100 is a bit smaller as you have noted but I adjusted very quickly. Bear in mind that I used to use a f3 HP with a drive and an f4.</p>

<p>I fear that the quest for a d400 will bear little if any fruit. I have been waiting for it as well and finally went to the d7100. It has turned out to be much more camera than I expected.</p>

<p>-Cheers</p>

[mike_halliwell]

<p>I believe the D300S goes a bit quicker in fps than the D300, but they're the same with a MB-D10 (on AAs or an EN-EL4)</p>

<p>I like my D300 and if I'm going 'rough', I leave my D5100 at home.</p>

[rodeo_joe1]

<p>Well, good luck in getting your Nikon lenses to cover the frame of an RB67 Rick. And stuffing 120 film into a card reader doesn't work too well either!</p>

[michael_darnton2]

<p>I've got a D300, and I think my next move will be the D7100, also. Small is good, I think, at least for me, and the performance gain seems definite. Either that, or a D610 (glad I waited out that one!).</p>

[Rick Helmke]

<p>Joe I've discovered that if I hold my mouth just right and use enough duct tape I can make anything work.</p>

<p>Rick H.</p>

[joseph_smith3]

<p>I use my D 300s with the battery pack, all the time mainly because of it fast frames per second and adequate buffer. The added card slot has saved my life a couple of times. Only you can decide if the D 300s is better than the D 300. See comparisons here:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.bythom.com/nikond300s.htm">http://www.bythom.com/nikond300s.htm</a></p>

<p>Joe Smith</p>

[Two23]

<p>If the dual slot makes you sleep better, it might be worth it. Otherwise, I'd just go with a D300 for a bit less money.</p>

<p>Kent in SD</p>

[dennis_brabender]

Dual SD slots are a plus on my d7000 it allows me to put an eye-fi card in one and

send small jpegs to that and raw files to the other slot.that way I can wirelessly

send images to my tablet in the field.much easier to review picture composition etc

on a larger screen.

[Peter_in_PA]

<p>No way would I buy one of those now. Too old. D7100 for sure.</p>

[dave_petley2]

<p>No way would I buy one those now. Too old LOL </p>

[eric_arnold]

<p>i still use my d300s a lot. it's worth it for the two card slots, also used d300 bodies are likely to have seen more use.</p>

[dave_petley2]

<p>O Yes I have ( 2) D300s and D300 with grips too used them all the time love them for Dx and I have my D800e for FX </p>

[ShunCheung]

<p>The so called HD video on the D300S is fairly useless in today's standards. Therefore, the main difference between the two is dual CF and SD card slots on the D300S, plus a few minor improvements such as silent mode, 7 fps instead of 6 fps without any additional battery besides the EN-EL3e. Otherwise, the two are 95% or so the same.</p>

<p>If you can, I would get the D300S for the dual cards and generally a newer camera, hopefully with less "mileage" on it.</p>