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... Obsolete ...

Adam,

There is much more to the D300 than just the sensor.

Even if the sensors are identical, image processing occurs in different engines, the focus engines are vastly different, as are the buffer sizes and consequently image throughput and fps.

I think the the D5000 has a better UI for a non-technical person, but that would be the only possible advantage that I would see in comparing these two cameras. The D90 is closer to the D300 in terms of what you're suggesting, but then you also need to look at build quality, weather resistance, etc in terms of your feature comparisons.

If this is the only criteria :

"Anyway, I am wondering if a D5000 will produce a similar, if not identical, image that of a D300.
Assuming of course, a controlled test with same settings on the same subject, etc."

Id say yes, it's likely to be very similar if the limitations that Gary rightly mentions are not exceeded.

kiwi wrote:If this is the only criteria :

"Anyway, I am wondering if a D5000 will produce a similar, if not identical, image that of a D300.
Assuming of course, a controlled test with same settings on the same subject, etc."

Id say yes, it's likely to be very similar if the limitations that Gary rightly mentions are not exceeded.

Actually, I don't think so.

The processing engines will have something to say in terms of what the outcomes might be, and of course, if you're saving raw 14 bit on the D300, then all bets are off and the answer is no.

I would even venture to say that in P mode, the algorithms on the two cameras will be set to produce vastly different jpg outcomes due to the very different expected purchaser that each of these models is aimed at.

... Obsolete ...

Close and equal are vastly different

I'll stick with close.

I dount whether they'd be too many that have both these cams.

i've owned the d300, used the d90 alot and recently started using a d5k a bit as friends have these. 12/14 bit stuff aside. i found zero difference between all of them at lower iso. i'm not talking small difference, i'm talking zero difference. i personally found the d90 looked to me to be ever so slightly better than either of the others in hi iso.

as soon as i started using a d5k i fell in love with it. small, cheap, flip screen, video, (even though its very clunky), i only use afs glass and will only buy afs glass, (apart from zeiss), so i have no problem at all with the AF motor thing. however, what i could not cope with on the d5k which is the only reason i havent bought one, is that there are far less single button functions on the body and there is only one command wheel.

from an IQ POV though, my experience is that they produce identical quality images in RAW.