I just received a new D300, and here is my four-word concise review: "It's the sensor, stupid."

Don't get me wrong; the other features are great! But the high-ISO performance of the CMOS sensor is much better than I anticipated. The sensor is the heart of any digital SLR, and the CMOS sensor in the D300 is a big improvement over the CCD sensor in the D200.

Before buying, I read literally dozens of D300 reviews on the internet and in print. After using the D300, I find that my impressions are quite similar to those of John Caz in his Nikon Glass blog, and I encourage you to read his four part review of the D300: http://nikonglass.blogspot.com/2008/01/im-currently-residing-in-remote-v....

Bill Rogers
http://ishootmusicians.com

Addendum: Here is a sample photo taken with the D300 at ISO3200. This is an available light photo taken at 1/40 second at f/1.8 using a Sigma 30mm f/1.4 lens. It was shot raw with an incandescent WB, and processed in Photoshop CS3 and Noise Ninja. http://br-digiphoto.com/images/Mandy.jpg

Here is another sample taken at ISO1600, f/1.8, 1/160, incandescent WB. I used an off-camera SB-800 speedlight with a full CTO gel to place a small amount of illumination on Darrell's face and shoulders. http://br-digiphoto.com/images/Darrell.jpg