Deniseg7

Hi, I have a Nikon D300 purchased in 2007. The camera still works fine, but with so many upgrades in the past 11 years, I’m wondering what others would suggest as my next camera? I would like something with more MP, faster speed, but what is enough? Do I really need 34MP or is 20 enough? I’m am amateur getting back into photography after about 3 years of too much work and not enough attention to my favorite hobby.

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

What lenses do you have and what do you like to photograph? Are you interested in video? Also what is your budget? My experience is MP don't matter much. I have gotten as good or better pics with my Nikon D200 and my 10MP Nikon 1 J1 as my Nikon D7000.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Pixel count isn't all that important. Keep in mind that both Nikon's (the D5) and Canon's (the 1D X Mark II) pro level cameras have 20mp sensors. What is more important is advancements in the processor and Autofocus system. If you're happy with your D300, there really is no reason to change.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

Since the Nikon D300 is a DX body, to be able to use lenses made for Nikon DX only, stick with a Nikon DX body. If the Nikon D300 makes pictures good enough for now, and is easy to use, keep it!

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

This wiki page shows the Nikon product tiers, scroll to the bottom for the graphical representation. Your D300 grew into the D500 after a break in this DX line.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_Nikon_DSLR_cameras

CO

The D500 replaced the D300/D300s. 20 megapixels is more than enough resolution. I have a D500 and a D7000. I've noticed that my lenses focus faster on my D500 than on the D7000. The D5, D500, and D850 are the first Nikon DSLR cameras to have a processor dedicated to just the autofocus. On previous cameras, the main processor carried out both image processing and focusing duties.

(Download)

Acountry330 Loc: Dothan,Ala USA

If you are happy with your D-300 keep it around until you feel the need for more. If money is just burning a hole in your pocket get the D-500 ; D-5 or D-850. Happy shooting.

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

That's a nice link! Thanks!

Andy

jeffhacker Loc: Dallas, Texas

I upgraded a few months ago from a D7200 to a D500. The D500 is obviously a more advanced and updated camera, but the pictures are not noticeably better. If you want to upgrade, go with the D500; but if you’re happy with your results with the D300, stay with it and save a bunch of money! Either way you can’t lose.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Pixel count is an important consideration. Some high end full frame cameras have 16-20mp, which gives them fast frame per second rates >10fps, and excellent ISO/low light performance - qualities important for sports, and other kinds of photography where this is helpful.

People who shoot wildlife and landscape with good lenses often want the highest number of pixels, and though for birds, a high frame rate is helpful, you can get outstanding images with a camera that only does 5 fps. But being able to crop a 36mp or 46mp image without a serious loss of image quality has it's merits.

Then there are the smaller APS-C, M4/3 and smaller sensor cameras. In each of these you will find compromise - the first would be low light performance. The second would be loss of sharpness due to diffraction. The third would be differences in depth of field. As the sensors get smaller you need to use wider lenses for similar angles of view, and that will negatively impact your ability to get really shallow depth of field. The M4/3 cameras have extremely fast lenses available, with maximum apertures between F.95 and F1.2 to mitigate the depth of field issue. On the plus side, M4/3 lenses are typically high acuity, contrasty lenses yielding excellent image quality in a small, lightweight package.

Some cameras, like Pentax and Olympus, offer a "super resolution mode" that shoots multiple images with a very slight sensor shift to enable processing in camera of a super resolution image. A 20mp camera is then capable of a 40 or 80 mp image. This is not magic as it can be done in post processing with images from any camera, but it's nice that it is internal. The downside is that it is useless for images of moving subjects.

If you like the D300, the obvious choice would be the D500. It will feel familiar in your hands, and with a 20 mp sensor, you have a nice balance of speed (10 fps) and good high ISO performance. If you want better quality and more cropping options, a D810 or a D850 would not have many compromises. Canon has similar offerings, being very competitive. I think Canon's lens standards are higher than Nikon's on the whole, but this would be splitting hairs because often the differences exist on paper and not in the field.

Jerrin1 Loc: Wolverhampton, England

Depends on your budget and what genres you shoot. I shoot wildlife almost exclusively and have a Nikon D500 and it is brilliant: though not quite as brilliant overall as my Olympus EM1 mark II. If you intend to stay with Nikon you might care to check out a D500. If your budget is greater then try a Nikon D850.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Since was enough enough?

Yes, cameras have improved in the last eleven years. First, decide on crop or FF. Then decide on a price range. Then decide if you want new or refurbished. Last step, look at reviews and comparisons. I think the D750 is a great camera.

Read comparisons and specs, and decide what features are important to you.
(Reviews) https://www.youtube.com/user/TheCameraStoreTV/videos
http://www.cameradecision.com/
http://cameras.reviewed.com/
http://camerasize.com/
http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM
http://snapsort.com/compare
http://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/cameras?utm_campaign=internal-link&utm_source=mainmenu&utm_medium=text&ref=mainmenu

DAN Phillips Loc: Graysville, GA

For what it's worth, I still prefer the D200. Money is not the problem, I'm just an OLD GEEZER that thought there would never be a camera better than the Nikon F3 HP. There are so many whistles and bells on the newer cameras that I don't need. If and when I decide to 'step up', I will probably go with the D4.

TSHDGTL

Sony A99II shoots 42mp stills @ 12fps and can use bargain Minolta AF glass.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

In the beginning, I took some great pictures with my Mamiya SLR. Now I can make great pictures, at least in my opinion, with my D7000. I can't imagine where my imagination would lead me with more technology than I can imagine exists. 😜😜