Nikon Cameras: Quick Comparison Tables

Searching the Net for photography resources, I often see people asking "Should I get the Nikon D800 or the Nikon D600?", "Is the Nikon D700 still a good option compared to the D600?", or "Should I get the Nikon D7100 or the Nikon D5300?". I bet we'll be soon getting more and more questions (hold your breath for the "Is it worth waiting for the Nikon D2300 or should I just get the Nikon D3300 instead?")

So, in order to help you as much as possible, I decided to put together the tables you can see below. They are not meant to replace my reviews - where you can find much more details about specific things (for instance, if you are a portrait photographer, you might need some features that a landscape photographer does not). Another important disclaimer: unlike my reviews, where products are used enough, often in actual assignment (i.e. pro) conditions, and safe conclusions can be drawn, I have not extensively used all of the products you see in the tables below. But I have at least tried them for a while - the neighborhood camera store is kind enough to let me check their demo products for a few hours at a time with no charge. In any case, the comparison tables offer you just that: a very quick comparison tool - basically I do the hard work of picking out the important specs and, with the help of my experience, giving you a quick comment to help you draw conclusions. Cameras missing from the list are cameras I have not tried at all.

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Note: The results are not comparable across categories. For instance, an "XL-sized" camera is considered as such only in comparison to other cameras of the same category. Notice also how each category has different features that count as 'Important'.

Entry-level DSLR cameras
Camera	Important Features					Comment
	AF Motor	Flash Commander	Sensor Resolution	Size & weight	Ergonomics
D70/D70s	Yes	Yes	Low	XL	Very Good	Skip. Old sensor & tech, small screen. Has AF motor. Dual Control Wheel
D50	Yes	No	Low	L	Average	Skip. Old sensor & tech, small screen. Has AF motor.
D40/D40x/D60/D3000	No	No	Low	S	Average	Probably Skip. Unless if very cheap.
D3100	No	No	Average	S	Average	Still Good. A fine, capable camera (for its class)
D3200/D3300	No	No	High	S	Average	Fine. The smallest Nikon DSLRs with modern sensors.
D5000/D5100	No	No	Average	M	Good	Still Good. Fine, capable cameras. Not as great value as the D3100 though (either get the D3100 on a budget, or the D5200/D5300 if you can afford it)
D5200/D5300	No	No	High	M	Good	Fine. The best entry-level Nikon DSLRs with modern sensors in terms of features (sensor-wise the D3200/D3300 is the same thing really)

Mid-level DSLR cameras
Camera	Important Features					Comment
	AIS Lens Metering?	Flash Commander	Sensor Resolution	Size & weight	Ergonomics
D100	No	No	Low	L	Poor	Definitely Skip. Old sensor & tech, small screen. Obsolete ergonomics. Obsolete flash. Has AF motor.
D80	No	Yes	Average	S	Good	Probably Skip. Nothing wrong with it essentially, but the D90 is far better for not much more money.
D90	No	Yes	Average	S	Very Good	Still Good. A fine, capable camera (for the right price). All the important features are there (except AIS lens metering).
D7000	Yes	Yes	High	M	Very Good	Fine. A great camera, selling (used) for very low prices.
D7100	Yes	Yes	High	M	Very Good	Fine. An even better camera, as it has a newer sensor

Upper-level DSLR cameras
Camera	Important Features					Comment
	FX/DX	Speed (buffer, AF, fps)	Camera aimed mostly for:	Size/ Weight	Body Toughness
D200	DX	OK	General Photography	M	Good	Probably Skip. Unless if very cheap. Still OK, but the D300 is far better for not much more.
D2x	DX	OK fps; Superb AF & buffer	Studio; portraits at base ISO	L	Superb	Still Good if used only below ISO 400. Skip if used above ISO 400
D300	DX	Very Good	General Photography	M	Good	Still Good. Great value. Tough body, with lots of features and control, and an OK sensor (with care >800 ISO)
D700	FX	Very Good buffer & AF, OK fps	General Photography; Superb for low light	M	Very Good	Fine. Tough body, all the features/control  you truly need, and a superb sensor, consistent across the ISO range. Great value (used)
D3 (not including –s or –x models)	FX	Excellent	General Photography; sports; same sensor as D700, superb for low light	L	Superb	Fine. Tougher (and bigger) than the D700, with the same sensor. Great value (used)
D600/D610 (* I haven’t tried the D610, but it’s basically a D600 with a new shutter)	FX	Very Good	Like the D700, only newer, slightly better sensor.	S	Average	Fine. Better sensor than the D700/D3, but inferior body
D800 (not including –E model)	FX	Very Good AF & buffer; poor fps	Landscape, high-resolution scenes.	M	Very Good	Fine. A tough pro body, with lots of features and a huge-resolution sensor (=superb for landscapes, unsuitable for sports). If you're considering such a camera, you ought to look at the new D810 instead.