D300 sharpness issues

[WD]

• If you're looking at 100% crops from both cameras, you need to

remember that since the D300 has twice the number of pixels, you're
seeing things at 41% greater magnification when you peep at 100%.
That means, for example, that in your hand-held shots you're better
able to see the effects of camera shake. You need to compare images
sized to the same physical size on your screen.

Ray

Something I've not ever seen mentioned, but is evident on my LCD monitors, is that pictures of the same subject taken with the same lens on cameras of different pixel count, i.e., 4mp, 6mp, 8, 10, or 12mp as an example, will look dramatically sharper at different magnifications. It's quite possible to size a photo from a 6mp camera equal to a 12mp one side-by-side on an LCD screen and have the 6mp image appear sharper at certain magnifications. I believe it is due to interpolation of the image's pixels to those of the LCD screen.

In any case, I found this true in comparing shots from a Pentax 6mp vs. a D200. On screen the Pentax looked decidedly more detailed which was disconcerting. However, when printed, the opposite was true.

When pixel peeping, I always let a print give me the final word.
--
Warren