Canon 40D: Brilliant image quality, speedy burst mode, robust construction, dust reduction solution
Nikon D300: Brilliant detail, good colour balance, low noise, great detail in shadows, LCD looks wonderful
ISO Performance
Canon 40D: Colour was excellent with bright vivid hues and no over saturation to speak of. Similarly, noise was kept well under control. Everything captured up to ISO 400 is flawless and both ISO 800 and ISO 1600 are perfectly usable for small and medium print sizes.
Nikon D300: Image noise was kept well under control. The D300 produced clean, usable shots right up to ISO 1600. There was no loss of clarity from noise reduction and what noise was visible had an extremely fine grain that lessens its impact. Even ISO 3200 is suitable if you’re only making small prints.
Live View
Canon 40D: The other new feature is live review, which allows you to use the LCD to frame your shot, rather than the viewfinder. This is nifty in some situations, particularly when shooting at difficult angles; however, you should note that this disables the autofocus mechanism. We don’t see too many professionals using this option, but it is a nice touch nonetheless.
Nikon D300: What did impress us was the live view implementation on the D300, which manages to focus a little more speedily than its competitors.
Final Word
Canon 40D: For at least a little while it appears the Canon 40D is king of the hill. While the Nikon D80 and D200 both provide reasonable alternatives for enthusiasts, and the Nikon D40x and Canon EOS 400D are both more suitable options for amateurs, the 40D’s blend of great pictures, rugged construction and speedy operation make it a great purchase.
The speedy performance doesn’t end with the burst mode however. There is no shutter lag to speak of and both power up and shot to shot times are basically instant. The autofocus generally operated well, although it did struggle a little at times in low light.
Nikon D300: Simply put, Nikon’s D300 is one of the finest cameras on the market. Its image quality matches competing models, and while you pay a premium, you get such features as live view, dust reduction, D-Lighting and a bevy of others in return. Perfect for enthusiasts and professionals.
The body itself is rock solid; this camera is built like a tank. Constructed entirely of magnesium alloy it is a hefty unit and should prove sturdy enough for even the most intrepid of photographers. It also has the noteworthy feature of including HDMI for easy connection to a high-definition television display.
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