Compared to...

Studio scene comparison (JPEG)

This is our standard studio scene comparison shot taken from exactly the same tripod position. Lighting: daylight simulation, >98% CRI. Crops are 100%. Ambient temperature was approximately 22°C (~72°F).

Nikon D700 vs Nikon D300

Camera settings:

• Nikon D700: Nikkor 85 mm F1.8 lens, Aperture Priority, ISO 200 (default base)
  JPEG Large/Fine, Manual WB, Default Parameters (Normal), Self-Timer, Exposure delay
   
  
• Nikon D300: Nikkor 50 mm F1.8 lens, Aperture Priority, ISO 200 (default base)
  JPEG Large/Fine, Manual WB, Default Parameters (Normal), Self-Timer (with exposure delay)
  

Nikon D700	Nikon D300
3.7 MB JPEG (4256 x 2382)	4.4 MB JPEG (4288 x 2848)

It doesn't come as a surprise that under controlled conditions and at low ISO the differences between these cameras are only marginal. Any minor differences are likely to be caused by the lenses used (and depth of field). As we've seen in previous reviews Nikon is standardizing processing defaults across its 'serious' DSLR range. The default sharpening is a little conservative (which gives you some leeway for additional sharpening) and both cameras produce clean, detailed JPEG output with little to choose between them.