Tim Stapp Loc: Mid Mitten

Hypothetical question: Used Nikon bodies; D2xs, D300s or D7000? All within $50 price wise.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I'd go for the D7000. After saying that, I took a look at snapsort.

http://snapsort.com/compare/Nikon_D300S-vs-Nikon_D7000

dpreview.com also does camera comparisons.

mtparker Loc: Cape Charles & Springfield, Virginia

What is the question?

Brucej67 Loc: Cary, NC

I don't trust snapshot compare, they use popularity as one of their scoring features, they rate Nikon D750 higher than the D810 based on this.

lukan Loc: Chicago, IL

D7000. Go for the newest technology. :thumbup:

CO

I wouldn't even consider the D2xs. It's ancient history. I have a D7000 and have rented the D300s. The D7000's sensor is superior to the D300s sensor. One of the biggest things is that the D7000 has a wider dynamic range than the D300s. The D300s is nice though. Its all magnesium body is as tough as a tank. It has a great 51-point autofocus system.

frozenhermitphoto

I don't trust snapsort either. When I was trying to decide which of the Sony DSLT cameras to buy I looked at their comparisons and found some of the information they based the comparison on to be faulty. I didn't know about the popularity rating, but they seem to give too much weight to things that seem insignificant. There are more reliable sources out there.

mtparker Loc: Cape Charles & Springfield, Virginia

We'll have to agree to disagree.
The D2Xs is Nikon's 2nd best 12MP camera and an excellent, even exceptional performer if you can live with ISO 400 and below (800 ain't bad), 8 FPS, and magnesium alloy pro body. I carry mine everywhere, along with a D3x, D800, and D800E.

If you need an significant update and want better high ISO then a D7000 is a great candidate.

lukan Loc: Chicago, IL

When would you use the D2X over the others that you have listed, the D800 for example? :|

mtparker Loc: Cape Charles & Springfield, Virginia

The answer is a bit involved but I'll keep it short. If I didn't already own it I wouldn't use or buy any of the three cited by the OP. None of the three in the discussion would be a first choice. I carry my D2Xs solo with 4 older lenses and a tripod so I always have a competent performer with me when my best gear is not available. I split my time among two homes and I do not always have all my gear with me all the time.

As you might imagine, it is a very rare day that I would put all four of the bodies I carry most often into service on the same shoot.

The point of this thread, I think, is to gather opinion about the usability of the D2Xs, D300s, and D7000.

Is the D2Xs still viable as a user? Yes
As an only camera body? Yes, for folks on a budget.
As a second body? Yes, a budget choice and decent frame rate.
Is it "better" than the D300s or D7000? Not generally but the pro body and frame rate are great pluses IMO. I'd pick it over the D300/300s but not the D7000 if buying today. Then there is the cost of a grip and battery(s). I wouldn't own a non-pro body I couldn't put a grip on.

A telling piece of trivia ... I also have, and occasionally use, a D2Hs and a pair of D1x bodies.

lukan Loc: Chicago, IL

Got it! Thanks for responding... You buy quality and hang on to it, and use it for its life span. Nothing wrong with that philosophy and practice! Enjoy. :thumbup: :-D