These are shots take with different Picture Control modes in my new D300. The first one is from my D200 as a comparison.

All shots were taken on a tripod with the 28-70 f/2.8 lens. Shot in manual at 1/1600 sec at f/4. White Balance was set to 5600k on the D200 and 5560k on the D300. ISO was set to 200 on both cameras. There is nothing scientific about these shots. These are informational only.

This is bright sunlight with dark shade in the background. Active D Lighting was turned off.