Nikon D90 vs D300 vs D700: Features and Capabilities

This review is just like the D300 vs the D700 review with the exception of the additional D90 information.

I enjoy writing these guides.  I just wonder how many folks enjoy reading them as much as I like writing them.  If this guide is helpful, let me know by clicking "yes" at the bottom.  If it needs improvement, send me an eMail and how I can make the guide more user friendly.

Now, let's talk about the D90, the D300 and the D700:

UPDATE:  The D300 has been out for a bit now and is available at most any photography store or online retailer.  I have had my D300 for 16 months and have enjoyed it fully as I am sure I would have if I were to have purchased a D200.  Being that the D300 has been out for nearly a year now, I will speculate that the Nikon will announce the next generation in another 12 months.  It is not unheard of for Nikon to put out a D300x or D300s model, but I think the D400 will be the subsequent version. 

Will Nikon do away with the DX version cameras?  Or should we be prepared for D700 FX type models from here on out?  I sure hope not.  I was in Yellowstone this weekend shooting with my D300 and my 80-400mm next to a guy with a D200 and the behemoth 400mm 2.8 lens.  I asked him his feelings on the D700.  He said, "It sure is a nice one but I would rather have a D200 or a D300 for shooting wildlife."  I knew what he was talking about right away.  That 400mm lens would have "pulled" his view back by 50% (400mm appears as a 600mm on a DX sensor) if he would have been shooting with a D700.  I though that having a D700 would be great for all situations.  But this Paradigm Shift was so obvious I could not believe it did not happen to me before.  You could set the D700 work like it has a DX sensor but you dramatically loose MP count far below what the D300 or the D200 can offer all the time.  Additionally, why did Nikon go from D300 to D700?  Ah!  I knew that was a trigger to let us know that DX versions will be around for a while to come.  There is still room for the D400, D500 and the D600.  After all, what would Nikon say to all the consumers with DX lenses that were built with Nikon quality and the very nice 5 year warranty?  Heck!  If Nikon sold a DX lens today then they better have a DX camera available for at least the next 5 years.  This is all speculation; I am sure you understand.

However, aside from sports or wildlife photography, the D700 is sure nice, especially for landscapes or portraits.  Another photographer I found myself shooting next to was shooting with the D700 and had only purchased the camera after having his D300 stolen.  He was primarily a Concert and a Landscape photographer.  He explained, “The only differences I can see between the D300 and the D700 when talking image quality and aside from the DX and the FX features is the noise levels at high ISO.  I shoot at the highest it will go (the D700 ISO level) in concert halls and noticed a difference in the D300 images I had taken some time ago and my newer D700 images.  The lighting was the same, I know; I was shooting in the same hall on two different occasions.”  He went on as he pointed at my D300, “But as far as this (we were photographing the fall colors south of Yellowstone near the Tetons), you will not be able to tell the difference between the D300 image to the D700 image.”

On to the review:

Nikon D90

Nikon D300

Nikon D700

I will say right off to you landscape photographers.  I understand the D90 did not come with the MUP (MLU) feature like the D300 has as well as the D700.  The MUP (MLU) or Mirror Lock Up feature allows the photographer to lock up his or her mirror and take the shot which will, in turn, reduce the amount of camera shake that is now so apparent in these days of MEGApixels.  See my guide on the Mirror Lock Up.

Last November I picked up my Brand New D300.  The waiting list was long, but I was on the top of the list at our local camera store when my “inside” person called and gave me the scoop on the tentative release date months earlier.  At around $1800.00 compared to the equally as new but much more camera the D3 at a cool $5000.00, I decided to get the D300 and tack on a nice new lens (Nikon’s 24mm-70mm (SWEET!).  The D3 does have the full frame and a few more bells and whistles, but (if the truth be known), I could not afford the D3 (maybe one day). 

Now, Nikon pulled a fast one on me (those rascals).  The introduction of the D700 threw me off big time as did the (earlier that two years ago) introduction of the D90.  The D700’s price tag runs right at $3000.00 or $1200.00 more than the D300.  The D90 however, will run about $800 less than the D300.  Knowing what I know, I am pretty happy with what I got and have no regrets.  The D300 will serve me fine until November 2009 or 2010 and we will see what’s what at that time.  My D80 will be a nice back up in a pinch.

However, if you have been looking to upgrade from your D200, D70 or your D80 (I went from the D80 (now serves as my back up rig) to the D300) or looking for another camera, I hope this guide will help.  I did consider going back and picking up the D700 and using my D300 for a back up, but will wait after doing the research for this guide.  That’s me.  You have to decide for yourself.

Here are the difference and similarities that I found:

Effective pixels
D90: 12.3 million
D700: 12.1 million
D300: 12.3 million
 
Image sensor: This is a big difference.  DX means digital sensor and FX means full frame sensor.  Notice that the sensor size does not have anything to do with Pixels.  The D700 actually produces an image a little smaller than the D300 (a miniscule difference, but a difference none-the-less).

D90: CMOS sensor, 23.6 x 15.8 mm; total pixels: 12.9 million; Nikon DX format
D700: CMOS sensor, 36.0 x 23.9 mm; total pixels: 12.87 million; Nikon FX format
D300 CMOS sensor, 23.6 x 15.8 mm; total pixels: 13.1 million; Nikon DX format
 
Image size (pixels):

The D700 does have the capability of shooting with DX lenses BUT will shoot at less than the equivalent of the D40’s capability which is still very nice (the Megapixel race is sorta a bunch of hype if you ask me).  The D40 shoots at: (3,008 x 2,000) [L], (2,256 x 1,496) [M], (1,504 x 1,000) [S]

Like the similarities of the D200 and the D80, the sensor in the D90 is nearly identical to the D300.

D90: DX Format 4,288 x 2,848 [L], 3,216 x 2,136 [M], 2,144 x 1,424 [S]
D700: FX format: 4,256 x 2,832 [L], 3,184 x 2,120 [M], 2,128 x 1,416 [S]
DX format: 2,784 x 1,848 [L], 2,080 x 1,384 [M], 1,392 x 920 [S] 
D300: DX format 4,288 x 2,848 [L], 3,216 x 2,136 [M], 2,144 x 1,424 [S]
 
Sensitivity

D90: ISO 200 to 3200 in steps of 1/3 EV, can also be set to approx. 0.3, 0.7 or 1 EV
D700: ISO 200 to 6400 in steps of 1/3, 1/2, or 1 EV
D300: ISO 200 to 3200 in steps of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV

I shoot a lot of landscapes and wish the D300 (and the D700) would go as low as my D80 at 100 ISO.  However, these cameras, even though only about 2 years apart are nearly a “next generation” breed when compared to the D80 and will probably shoot just as crisp at 200 ISO as the D80 does at 100 ISO.

Storage media
 
D90: SD memory cards, (Will accept SDHC)
D700: CompactFlash (Will accept UDMA)
D300: CompactFlash (Will accept UDMA)

I was a bit disappointed when I found out the D300 was going to use CF instead of SD.  I have an extensive collection of SD cards with my D80 and had to scrape up a bit more moo-la for the CF cards (for more info on memory cards, see my guides on memory cards).  It looks as if Nikon has made a differentiation or a separation between their cameras now in reference to the type of memory cards the camera uses.  In the future there may not be any more D300 type cameras with DX sensors or the D300 types will be the middle breed separating the SD using D80 and D90 types from the FX D700 and D3 types (the D70 used CD cards…who knows.  Nikon will keep us guessing.  As long as they keep making good stuff…)

Monitor
 
D90: 3-in., approx. 920,00-dot (VGA), 170-degree viewing angle, approximately. 100% frame coverage
D700: 3-in., approx. 920,000-dot (VGA), 170-degree wide-viewing-angle, 100% frame coverage
D300: 3-in., approx. 920,000-dot (VGA), 170-degree wide viewing angle, 100% frame coverage

Exposure metering
 
D90: 3D Color Matrix Metering II, Center-Weighted and Spot Metering
D700: 3D Color Matrix Metering II, Center-Weighted and Spot Metering
D300: 3D Color Matrix Metering II, Center-Weighted and Spot Metering
 
Exposure modes
 
D90: Auto modes (auto, auto [flash off]), Advanced Scene Modes (Portrait, Landscape, Sports, Close-up, Night Portrait), programmed auto with flexible program (P), shutter-priority auto (S), aperture-priority auto (A), manual (M)
D700:
1) Programmed Auto (P) with flexible program
2) Shutter-Priority Auto (S)
3) Aperture-Priority Auto (A)
4) Manual (M) 
D300:
1) Programmed Auto (P) with flexible program
2) Shutter-Priority Auto (S)
3) Aperture-Priority Auto (A)
4) Manual (M) 

Power sources

D90: One Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3e
D700: One Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3e
D300: One Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3e
 
Dimensions (W x H x D)
 
D90: Approx. 132 x 103 x 77 mm (5.2 x 4.1 x 3.0 in.)
D700: Approx. 147 x 123 x 77 mm (5.8 x 4.8 x 3.0 in.)
D300: Approx. 147 x 114 x 74 mm (5.8 x 4.5 x 2.9 in.)
 
Weight
 
D90: Approx. 620 g
D700: Approx. 995 g
D300: Approx. 825 g

Here’s the bottom line:  Get what you can afford and like.  If I had a D700 right now on a tripod with the same glass mounted and a D300 both set equally shooting the same scene, I doubt seriously that the D700 would give me any better a shot.  I would get a full frame shot mind ya, but no better quality.  Remember, cameras don’t take pictures, photographers do.

I hope this guide was helpful and that you have a better understanding the differences between Nikon’s D90, D300 and the D700.  If it was helpful, let me know by clicking the “YES” down below.  If you would like to provide your input, I will be happy to add the information to this guide.

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Dear sulaearts,

Thanks so much for the review about the differences between the Nikon D90 and the D300. I have been saving for a Nikon camera for a long time and since it will be my first, I want it to be the right one. Do you know anything about the difference between their capabilities when shooting digital movie clips? Thanks again.

F__X

When the D70s and the D200 were out, I debated heavily between the two until the D80 came out and (I thought) the decision was a no-brain-er.  I still regret not buying the D200.  None-the-less, I have the D80 that is a wonderful camera.  I have the D300 now as well and am SUPER happy with it.  The D300 doesn't shoot video in contrast to the D90 that does.  However, you have to ask your self what kind of photography you plan on doing.  If you are doing mainly family and events, get the D90, it will be a WONDERFUL camera.  But, if you plan to do some out-and-about creative photography, action photography and (especially) landscape photography, the D300 is one to consider.  I know I have rattled and rattled here and would like to make one more comment in contrast to the entire message so far regarding lenses.  If buying the D300 is going to spend you down to where you will have to sacrifice lens quality, go with the D90.  Remember, once that shutter fires, the camera is done; there is nothing between the sensor and the back of that lens but air.  Put a low or lower end lens on your D300 and you might as well be shooting with a CoolPix.  As a matter of fact, my wife shoots with the D40 and the Nikkor 18-200mm; the lens is worth almost twice what the camera is.  Thanks a million for writing.  It's nice to know someone is reading.  Feel free to write anytime.  Shoot well, SULAE--

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Another member wrote in and clarified a few issues for me:

Dear sulaearts,

The D300 and D200 are 1.5 sensor, this allow you to take a 400 and make it a 600 lens. I shoot with the Nikon D3 and D300 and the D3 gives you the actual lens size stated because the lens sizes are set to the 35mm standard. The cameras with the 1.5 sensor you times the local length of the lens to .5 and add this on to the local length and the total between the two is the focal legth for your sensor. I.E. 200x.5=100+200=300mm. The nice part is it doesn't change your F stop, so you still maintain the origal F stop.
- m___p

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