Nikon D700 with 24-70 f/2.8 ~ Vs ~ D300 with 17-55 f/2.8
July 16th, 2009
What a great challenge. Warehouse Express asked me to check out the differences between the Nikon rivals and report back. Well I already own a Nikon D700 with the 24-70mm f/2.8 lens so Nikon lent me the D300 and the 17-55mm lens combo to do the evaluating. There were less surprises than I thought but here are some of my findings.
The D300 has more pixels than the D700, and the D700 has bigger pixels than the D300. So does size matter? or is pixel count king?
Well, my findings revealed that although both cameras were capable of delivering extremely good results up to ISO 800 it is the lenses that make the biggest difference to picture quality. I found that the FX 24mm-70mm f/2.8 lens has a higher resolution, contrast and clarity than the DX equivalent 17mm-55mm f/2.8 optic. At ISO 800 and above the D700 streaks ahead in all respects as can be seen in the comparison shots below:
The full frame on the Nikon D300 with the 17-55mm lens. Shot at 1/80th, f/4 and at 55mm lens setting.
100% crop from the Nikon D300 image above.
The 100% crop from the Nikon D700 image below.
The full frame on the Nikon D700 with the 70-200mm lens. Shot at 1/80th, f/4 and at 110mm lens setting.
There are two points to note in the pictures above. The ISO and exposure settings are the same for both shots but for the D700 image I chose to use my 70-200mm f/2.8 image stabilised lens. It’s not until you get the D300 & 17-55mm f/2.8 image side by side with Nikon’s best does it start to look a bit ropey both in terms of clarity and noise. I know it is not a true side by side comparison, I’ll leave those shots and results for my Warehouse Express review as they are copyrighted to them, but you can begin to see why it could be worth shelling out the extra money for the D700.
In a one make challenge there are no winners or losers. Perhaps the consolation for Nikon is that the most expensive system is the best one by far.
I’ve been out shooting on location and in the studio with my D700 & 24-70mm today alongside another pro shooting identical frames with a D300 & 17-55mm system and I have to say the D700 is definitely the better of the two. My Warehouse Express test findings were certainly corroborated today. I’ll post today’s pictures as soon as they are processed.
My full comparison report will be on the Warehouse Express website soon, once it’s passed scrutineering 
10 Comments Add your own
1. jean Dawkins | July 16th, 2009 at 9:34 pm
The difference between the D300 and D700 is blinding and stunning. Can’t wait for the nikon D900!
2. damien | July 16th, 2009 at 10:25 pm
Ooh I know nothing of a D900. I hope it’s more sensitive than the D3x. It will need to at least equal the 5DMK2 for resolution and sensitivity if Nikon are to regain the lead.
3. Frederik | July 17th, 2009 at 10:37 am
It would be interesting to hear you opinion on the differences between the 5DmkII and the 50D
4. damien | July 17th, 2009 at 1:38 pm
Hi Frederik,
The 5DMK11 is way over twice the price, has twice the size of sensor, is more sensitive and is aimed at a completely different market to the 50D.
Yes the 50D is a great camera for the price but unlike the D300/D700 the 50D is not just a small sensor equivalent of the 5Dmk11.
Canon have a lot of cameras on the market but the jump in quality between the 50D and the 5D mk11 is one of the biggest in the range and the 2 cameras are not competing with each other for the same market as is the case with the Nikons.
Damien.
5. Paul Gallagher | July 18th, 2009 at 9:48 pm
Damien, it would have been interesting to see the images from the D300 with the Nikon 24-70mm lens fitted and com pared to the D700 for image sharpness.
I look forward to reading the full review when its up.
Paul
6. karl | July 20th, 2009 at 10:35 am
With regards to the sensitivity of the d3x, although not up to d3 standards or 5dmk2 it still is excellent, when exposure and White balance are good it is very clean upto iso3200, my studio runs both canon and nikon and hands down the d3x is the ultimate studio dslr and have the results to back this up. The D3 and D3x are a perfect partnership so why would we need a D900 or is it just to fuel the corpoate engine. There are no leaders in the photographic equipment war only losers, us the consumer.
7. damien | July 21st, 2009 at 3:24 pm
Hi Karl,
I assume Nikon might consider a D900 for studio shooters who don’t want or need the bulk of the D3x but want the fantastic image quality. Like the D700 to the D3 I suppose. I have a D700 because I don’t need or want the bulk of the D3. I have the 5D mk11 because I don’t need or want the bulk of the 1Ds mk111 but I want the quality of image.
I don’t know how well the D700 is selling but it wouldn’t surprise me if it is outselling the D3.
I would welcome another offering from Nikon. I think as consumers we now have the best tools ever for picture making and I just hope Nikon, Canon and Sony continue to thrive and develop cameras and lenses for some time to come.
Damien.
8. abby | July 23rd, 2009 at 10:27 am
Ditto on wishing to see the same 24-70 2.8 lens used on each camera. I have a d300 but don’t use DX lenses.
Coming from Canon, I love how the d300 behaves but the image quality is only so/so. Am hoping an upgrade to the D700 will kick the IQ up, even at low ISO. Your review gives me hope!
9. Karl | July 23rd, 2009 at 9:57 pm
Hi Damien, it would be my and many others opinion that the manufacturers are producing great cameras which far surpasses film, these are coming thick and fast far faster than the lenses needed to resolve this sort of resolution, i also think we need to ask where will it end. most pro’s change up cameras before they have got the best out of what they are currently using just because the latest one is better, im as guilty as most i run a D3 and a D3X not because i need them but because i can. keep well and keep rockin, hope you are all well.
Karl (if you get chance check out my blog http://www.ilifephotoblog.com)
10. Rob | August 6th, 2009 at 10:31 am
Really interesting to see the comparison Damien as I tried to run a d300/d700 combo for weddings but found the image quality difference saw me leaving the d300 in my camera bag all the time so I swapped for a 2nd d700 and have never looked back.
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