Nikon D300 Camera Interactive Review (New Autofocus King for those on a budget?)

Nikon D300 Camera Interactive Review


Before we get started with the review here is a...

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Hi Richard,

VR was off. As was IS on most of the Canon trials. No need to add another variable to the equation. Even though canon claims to be able to sense when it is mounted on a tripod.

For those concerned about the tripod. I shot these on a high end Gitzo stick and head. I also shot on a cheap stick. Haven't looked at all the cheap stick results. But, as expected, it does not appear to affect the results at all due to the very high shutter speeds throughout. Could've been handheld really.

These are medium sized jpegs straight from the camera. If you download the full res file by right clicking you don't see any info? I'll have to have a look into that. Canon files include this by default. I did nothing special to strip out this info.

Interesting test.
On the single point AF test, what did you have the sensor on. If the sensor hit just white shirt, game over...no contrast.
In the custom function menu, AF-C Priority selection (A1), did you use release, focus or release + focus functions?
And lastly what was your Lock-On setting?
Thanks James

Drew,
Have no fear, the Exif data is present in the original-sized photos you've posted.
Regards,
Lenny

Hey Drew, I am new here and find it refreshing to see a review such as this by a Canon user. I am and have been for a long time been a Nikon shooter. Having said that, have come to a place that these days maybe because of the cost of equipment, we all are not focusing on learning the best way to use our equipment but on how it will function an automatic. Don't get me wrong, I love autofocus and auto everything else but as a photographer when we know the limitations of any given piece of equipment then it can in our hands no matter what brand it is learn what we can and can't do.

I see many great image makers here on the site and hope to learn more as I have the time to read and review. This is a great site for that so thanks for the review even if you may have missed some or the things that could have improved the test or over looked things that might have made it less. You have given us all a working idea of what the camera is capable of. Sometimes we have to get out and do that for ourselves. My Camera dealer will let me take out a camera in front of the store and do any test I want. I have sometimes waited for the S version of Nikon cameras because that first run didn't float my boat. Canon and Nikon are wonderful image creators in the hands of someone who knows how they work. It is who is behind the camera that makes the music it can play.

Thanks,
Charles

Hi James,

Thanks for your questions.

All custom functions were factory default.

As regards contrast impacting autofocus performance you are correct in suggesting that contrast impacts autofocus. In fact, it is one of the main things that will determine whether the autofocus system is able to determine the correct focus distance.

Please see the links below for our more in-depth explanation from the 1D MKIII review.

Canon 1D MKIII Autofocus- Interactive Review

Canon 1D MKIII Autofocus- Interactive Review
Canon 1D MKIII Autofocus- Interactive Review


The tests you see here are comparing apples to apples, so the results are entirely valid. In other words the same runner, same shirt, same camera operator, etc, etc were all matched (Except for the 51 pt. vs. 45 pt. condition on the second page). It is quite possible that this second test provided a slightly better contrast situation to the Canon because the sun was to the side and the shirt provided a slightly better contrast target.

This test does not in any way give some overall set number to weight the entire autofocus system. It merely shows you how this camera performs relative to two other current Canon models in similar test conditions.

This test is primarily useful for those who shoot sports or other fast moving subjects. This test has almost no relevance for other non-action shooters.

Thanks, Lenny. Yes. I have also confirmed that all exif data is present in the online files.

Hi Charles,

Good points. Glad you are enjoying the hardware reviews.

My viewpoint is that, unless a new camera feature will allow you to capture more of your creative vision than what has come before, then it is probably not needed.

The fact that this camera has improved the autofocus for action would probably mean nothing to me if I were a wedding photographer (which I used to be). So, for instance, if I were choosing between the Canon 40D and the D300, I would give almost no weight to this part of the review. In fact I would probably rather save the $600 unless I were shown something else that would add to my ability to deliver quality images to my clients in a timely manner.

I trust that most of our members here are pros and are able to pick and choose which parts of any review are relevant to their particular industry and business situation.