Worth the upgrade from D200 to D300

[erictan8888]

a D200 user here too.... find that the D300 upgrade is not really a lot for me to plunge in...
moreover, given that the D400 is rumoured to appear in 2009, all the more there is no reason to jump onboard now...
when i considered the upgrade myself a while ago, the 2 points that appealed to me strongly were:

1. 11 cross sensor and a toltal of 51 autofocus pts on D300 compared to only ONE miserable cross sensor and 11 autofocus pts on the D200
2. the usuable ISO of up to iso800 on D300... compared to iso200 on the D200 (i hate the grainy look on D200's ISO400)

after considering and re-considering, still more happy to keep money in pocket...
as i see that the advantage does not outweigh the costs involved...

 

[nirenj]

I think it is better to upgrade to D300, when compared to D200 it has got many new features which outweighs D200. The noise level is much better and metering is more accurate, and the LCD is much bigger/clearer, etc etc in D300. Considering the drop in price for D300, it is better to get one.
If you wait until D400, then you will hear about D500 or so coming soon. Then there is no end in waiting for new models, as the companies are competing to launch new model every year. So if you like something and if you have the enough budget, go get it, then think of upgrading to new model when it arrives. Maybe you dont need to upgrade anymore. Just my 2 cents advice.

 

[alvin]

Why I want a D300
a) Cleaner high iso == can print much bigger.
b) Cleaner high iso == can shoot in more varied light
c) Faster AF == more keepers perhaps?

Why I don't want a D300 yet
a) D200 kick serious arse. ISO1600 is fine for 8x12in prints with raw. I print 8x12s regularly with the occasional A3 print (A3 prints are iso 800 or less, sorry ). It's fine.
b) My d200 is very worn out. (shutter + outer body) Battle scars kick ass
c) Waiting for D300 replacement to be released/announced, after which I can get the D300 el cheap.
d) D300? Come on, there is no X like d3x. d2x. Where's the X factor? Don't bother. Now, D300X. Ah. X is such an important letter. Like X-men, ya know?

Seriously if you got a D200, I'd say go use the D300 money to get glass. Unless you are absolutely certain you need some feature of the D300. I just got a lovely 300mm/4, my god, in good light I'm certain no one can tell if the prints are from a d200 vs d300, but my goodness the thin dof is to die for. Plus, every time I think of the D300, I remind myself that much better pictures have been taken on far less camera. Keeps things in perspective.

Alvin

 

[lunas]

I think it will very much dependent on the importance of the upgrade, if TS has an assignment (low light) that will affect his "rice bowl" then get the D300. If not, since D300 has been released for awhile and rumor of a new model has been speculating...then it will be wise to put on hold for the upgrade until more news of the spec of the new camera. At that point in time, price of D300 will drop. If TS has spare cash, get the new model.

Otherwise for casual shoots, D200 is Good :thumbsup: