Real world Nikon D300 comparison with D200
This series shows Nikon D300 sample image at ISO 100 to ISO 1600 and comparison with Nikon D200 at ISO 3200 from dpreview forum user atarco. Looks like D300 not only has a less sensor noise, its AA filter is also weaker and its NR algorithm is more advanced. Photographer used Nikon D300 with beta firmware. Good comparison between the D200 and D300 at ISO 3200 , you can clearly see how much better Nikon D300 holds on to detail at high ISO compared to the D200.Nikon D200 has forced NR even when set to OFF, the D300 has a true “OFF” setting by comparison so the first comparison is actually gives the D200 an NR advantage. Also about 1 stop difference in noise levels between the two at ISO 3200 but a world of difference in retained detail and dynamic range.
The Nikon D300 grain is much finer. The D200 grain is more pebbly and blotchy. The only thing I noticed in favor the D200 is the slight apparent advantage in sensitivity. The D300 is underexposed relative to the D200 shot. I’m noticing this conservative exposure in a number of the D300 shots. Looks to me like it will require a bit of +EC to ensure proper exposure in the high ISO situations at least. You can see banding on a couple of the D300 ISO3200 shots It should also be noted these test pictures was taken with beta firmware. Judging of the details in the pictures (sharpening=normal), it really looks like Nikon has finally nailed the JPEG processing with their new Exceed processor. If it’s correct that no exposure compensation is used on these pictures, Nikon has also raised the bar even higher with the new modified version of the Exposure metering system. The high ISO shots comparisons shows that the D300 is better without a doubt, with or without NR. However, it’s also nice to finally see some normal images shot in good light: The out-of-camera JPEGS looks beautiful. Checking out the park picture, I’m impressed with how the highlights are retained in the clouds even though there’s a fair amount of shadow detail captured below the trees.
The real difference in the non-NR files is that the D300 has less Luminance type noise compared to the D200 at the High ISO levels and this allows better detail retention (there is also the fact that the D300 has the extra 2M pixels of course). Comparing the other various Noise-Reduced samples the in-camera NR processing on the D300 is doing a significantly better job at retaining detail in High contrast details. I think noise is even slightly stronger with the D300 but detail is preserved quite a bit better. Very impressive considering it’s ISO 3200. Nikon packed more pixels onto the same area and improved overall image quality. I doubt the D300 has a one stop advantage over the D200 in noise (noise is only slightly worse, detail rendition is a lot better) but it’s definitely a visible improvement. I could take the Canon’s ISO 1600 performance and combine it with the Nikon’s AF, looks like the D300 does that, with potentially better AF.
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Nikon D300 sample and Noise
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Jay Said,
October 17, 2007 @ 6:08 pm
Wow that is some difference. It seems as though an even cheaper camera would be better than the D200!. I wonder what the exact settings were when these pictures were taken?
xpherion Said,
October 17, 2007 @ 6:50 pm
You have to remember that not all the P&S camera can take ISO 3200 shots. High ISO shots are dominated by DSLRs like canon and now nikon.