nikon d300 or d5200 for wildlife ?

avatar12m · 2 Jan 2014 at 09:57

i'm after replacing my d5100 with a used d300 or d5200 or d7000 i cannot afford to goto d7100, regarding printing i usually print in a4 but would print the odd one at a3 and just wondering overall which would be the one to get.

do i go for more dpi (24mp ) of the d5200 , or do i go for speed of the d300 so i can get more keepers. or any other cameras in the NIKON range.

i usually have issues with auto focus not fast enough, using a 18-200mm nikon lens until again i can afford a prime lens.

and was wondering at 12mp would it be good enough for printing at a3

if anyone has any suggestions i'd greatly appreciate it

Columbo · 2 Jan 2014 at 11:02

I've printed a3 fine from my old 12mp D90 so the d300 would be fine.

In terms of body I would go for the D300 or D7000 personally becuase of the weather sealing and pro level features.

ShakenNstirred · 2 Jan 2014 at 12:18

out of those i'd get the D7000

avatar12m · 2 Jan 2014 at 15:20

thanks guys after reading up on comparisons on them all i just ordered a
d7000 used for £380 with a 1 warranty from mpb.

D.P. · 2 Jan 2014 at 16:59

D7000, the higher pixel density and better IQ cf. the D300 will win out.

The only real exception is BIF (bird in flight) when it is tempting to machine gun away and hope to get the best capture. That can work and is sometimes the best option but you get excellent and sometimes better result by strategically planning when you shoot.

Ultimately the D300 is just too long in the tooth to be a strong recommendation unless you shoot sport. Why Nikon and Canon are waiting so long to update the D300 and 7D I don't know.