Engineered with pro-level features and performance, the 12.3-effective-megapixel D300 combines brand new technologies with advanced features inherited from Nikon's newly announced D3 professional digital SLR camera to offer serious photographers remarkable performance combined with agility. Similar to the D3, the D300 features Nikon's exclusive EXPEED Image Processing System that is central to driving the speed and processing power needed for many of the camera's new features. The D300 features a new 51-point autofocus system with Nikon's 3D Focus Tracking feature and two new LiveView shooting modes that allow users to frame a photograph using the camera's high-resolution LCD monitor. The D300 shares a similar Scene Recognition System as is found in the D3; it promises to greatly enhance the accuracy of autofocus, autoexposure, and auto white balance by recognizing the subject or scene being photographed and applying this information to the calculations for the three functions. The D300 reacts with lightning speed, powering up in a mere 0.13 seconds and shooting with an imperceptible 45-millisecond shutter release lag time. The D300 is capable of shooting at a rapid six frames per second and can go as fast as eight frames per second when using the optional MB-D10 multi-power battery pack. In continuous bursts, the D300 can shoot up to 100 shots at full 12.3-megapixel resolution. (NORMAL-LARGE image setting, using a SanDisk Extreme IV 1GB CompactFlash card.) The D300 incorporates a range of innovative technologies and features that will significantly improve the accuracy, control, and performance photographers can get from their equipment. Its new Scene Recognition System advances the use of Nikon's acclaimed 1,005-segment sensor to recognize colors and light patterns that help the camera determine the subject and the type of scene being photographed before a picture is taken. This information is used to improve the accuracy of autofocus, autoexposure, and auto white balance functions in the D300. For example, the camera can track moving subjects better and by identifying them, it can also automatically select focus points faster and with greater accuracy. It can also analyze highlights and more accurately determine exposure, as well as infer light sources to deliver more accurate white balance detection. The D300 incorporates Nikon's new Multi-CAM 3500DX autofocus module that features an intelligent array of 15 cross-type sensors and 36 horizontal sensors. These sensors can either be used individually or in groups, with the option for Single area AF mode and Dynamic AF modes using groups of either nine, 21, or all 51 focus points. The system also features 3D tracking with automatic focus-point switching that takes advantage of all 51 AF points as it uses color and light information to accurately track the subject. Nikon's new Scene Recognition System and improved focus algorithms also contribute to the impressive performance of the new 51-point AF system. Nikon's new Picture Control System makes it easy for users of all experience levels to select and apply adjustments to how their pictures are rendered and create optimized settings to suit their individual preferences. The same settings produce consistent picture tone, even when using different camera bodies. The Picture Control System offers four basic setting options--Standard, Neutral, Vivid, and Monochrome. These can be directly modified for easy adjustment and customization of image parameters, such as sharpening, tone compensation, brightness, and saturation. Photographers can customize and store up to nine customized options in the D300 and export up to 99 to a CF memory card, enabling photographers to share settings among multiple cameras that feature Picture Control System. Taking a cue from the popularity of Nikon's D-Lighting technology, the D300 features a new Active D-Lighting mode that, when enabled, provides remarkable real-time highlight and shadow correction with optimized image contrast. Active D-Lighting produces broader tone reproduction in both shadows and highlights by controlling highlights and exposure compensation while applying localized tone control technology to achieve a more pleasing level of contrast across the entire image. And because the advantages of Active D-Lighting are applied as images are captured, image editing time can be shortened. The D300's LiveView feature offers two modes for confirming subjects and composition on the new 920,000-dot, high-resolution 3-inch LCD monitor while shooting. The Tripod mode is designed for precise focus and accuracy when the camera is on a stable platform and the subject is not moving. In this mode, the camera focuses on the subject using focal-plane contrast and any point on the LCD screen can be selected as the focus point for the picture. The second mode, called Handheld mode, allows photographers to use the camera's conventional TTL focusing system with all 51-points and 15 cross-type points available. When using this mode, the camera activates focusing immediately when the shutter button is pressed to ensure accurate focus. The D300 also employs a new self-cleaning sensor unit. Four different resonance frequencies vibrate the optical low-pass filter in front of the image sensor to shake particles free and reduce the appearance of dust. Refined Ergonomics and Usability
The D300 inherits one of Nikon's most streamlined, functional, and aesthetically pleasing layouts in a digital SLR camera, designed to enable photographers to take pictures with less fatigue, greater accuracy, and comfort. The camera's viewfinder provides virtually 100 percent coverage so pictures can be framed accurately, while an ultra-high definition 920,000 dot VGA LCD screen on the rear of the camera displays images with vivid color and clarity. Its 170-degree wide viewing angle makes it easy to compose shots using the LCD screen in LiveView mode. The D300 features rugged magnesium alloy construction and the camera's shutter mechanism is tested up to 150,000 cycles. The 3.0-inch LCD is strengthened with tempered glass and the D300's rubber gaskets and seals protect vulnerable entry points from dust and moisture. What's in the box
Nikon D300 digital SLR body, EN-EL3e rechargeable li-ion battery, MH-18a quick charger, UC-E4 USB cable, EG-D100 video cable, AN-D300 strap, BM-8 LCD monitor cover, body cap, DK-5 eyepiece cap, DK-23 rubber eyecup, Software Suite CD-ROM |
Average Customer Review:
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
 Great Camera. I love it!! Jul 24, 2010
The quality of the pictures and the sturdiness of the construction is great - in typical Nikon fashion. I actually traded "down" from a D2XS to the D300 because the D2 was just too heavy and bulky. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the d300 had so many more features than the d2. The only issue I did not like is that the software for the d300 did not read the RAW pictures from my d2, so I was kind of forced into buying Lightroom and a plugin to be able to read them both in RAW, which is my favorite format. I don't know if anyone else has had this issue, but it seemed the easiest fix at the time.
2 of 5 found the following review helpful:
overpriced Mar 19, 2010
Why buy a D300 for way over $2000 when you can buy the new model (D300s) for $1500?
0 of 4 found the following review helpful:
 excellent camera, but not so reliable Feb 28, 2010
Up until a few days ago I would have given this camera five stars. It's an excellent camera all around, and surpasses the D3 and D700 for use in nature photography, one of the pluses of the non-full-size sensor (greater reach with your lenses.) Since I use this mainly for nature shots, I wouldn't have traded it even for a D3 (unless someone threw in one of Nikon's big telephoto primes.) But, alas, the shutter failed only a few weeks after the one-year warranty expired, and far short of the 150000 shutter clicks the shutter is supposed to be good for. I have no idea whether this failure occurred due to an engineering flaw or random chance. But a fairly pricey prosumer camera that breaks after a year of normal use is unreliable.
The D300s is supposedly more or less identical except in its video capabilities, which will put even more strain on a badly designed shutter, so I would guess that unreliability will be a problem with the D300s as well. That's just a guess. But the D300 camera should have lasted longer without breaking.
Update: I neglected to edit this review to reflect Nikon's response when I complained, which was that they agreed to fix it for less than the original price they gave me for repairs. I don't have the invoice in front of me but I think they reduced the original estimate by about 50%.
1 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Excellent all-around digital body Feb 24, 2010
There have been ample reviews, mostly positive, written for this all-around high-quality body since it was first introduced in 2008. I bought one right away as my first digital camera after hanging on to film well into the digital era.
I want to comment one of the weaker aspects of this body (and lens lineup) and my main use, that is low-light photography. My previous film experience was with cameras well suited for low light, Leica rangefinders and a Rollei twin-lens. Over my first two years with my Nikon D300 I have used it extensively with high-speed prime lenses, mostly the Nikon 50mm f/1.4, often wide open. And I have often been disappointed by the Nikon seeming to miss focus, even when the subject is stationary.
In comparison to the old rangefinders (my main user was a 1948 vintage Leica IIIc) I would say my Nikon misses focus (at wide aperture) more than 50% of the time. While with my older cameras I would put my focusing success at near 100%. With the split image rangefinders or the large and clear screen on the Rollei TLR I rarely missed, even on moving subjects. So I would rate the low-light focusing of the Nikon inferior to the older technology. Nevertheless the lens if very sharp. And for the photos that are in focus the effect is perfect. I can get selective focus and blur the background with f/1.4 and f/2 at close distances.
While I have some nostalgia for the older technology, with more accurate focusing, I am overall quite satisfied with the D300. Of course just being digital gives it considerable advantage. Even when focusing is an issue I take so many more photos that after some selection I can get as many well composed ones from the Nikon as I did with film. And I see the results right away.
I would also comment that for very shallow depth of focus (as you get with a 50 f/1.4 at close distance) the very focusing mechanism in the D300 may not be adequate to focus perfectly all the time. I do not know the internals of the camera. But the issue may be that the gearing of the focusing within the camera body is not fine enough to step precisely enough. The lenses dedicated to the digital format (which Nikon calls "G" lenses) have focusing motors within the lens which may be more precise than the body's own motor. I haven't tried these lenses for intermediate focal lengths.
My final criticism is that these "G" prime lenses and the smaller sensor of the D300 (compared with 35mm film dimensions) leaves odd gaps in the focal length selection. The current prime lens lineup is biased to the telephoto side. Sigma seems to be making up the difference to an extent. But we maybe without a good high-speed wide and ultrawide "G" lineup (such as Leica has long offered with its M cameras).
0 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Great Camara Feb 15, 2010
After 2 years of use, teh conclusion is that the camara is a great tool. But...don't forget that in order to get the best out of it, some practice is requiered!
|
based on 210 reviews
