Digital camera report: Nikon D300
By Arnold Zafra
The Nikon D300 is a digital SLR camera designed for professional photographers and advanced photo hobbyists.
Priced at US$1,799 (Body only) the D300 boasts a new 12.3-megapixel DX-Format CMOS Sensor combined with Nikon’s digital image processing system, which is said to advance DX-format image quality to “all new levels”.
According to Nikon, the D300 is its most advanced DX-format digital SLR camera engineered with pro-level features and performance that combines new technologies with advanced features inherited from Nikon D3.
Key features include:
- 12.3 Megapixels, CMOS sensor
- Macro allows photography from G cm
- Nikon F mount with AF coupling and AF contacts
- Single point from 51 or 11 focus points
- 200 to 3200 ISO (sensitivity)
- 3.0 ” TFT LCD (922,000 pixels)
- Takes Compact Flash Type I or II MEDIA
- DESCRIPTION OF BODY
- 825 grams
- Dimensions of 147 x 114 x 74 mm (W x H x D)
- 3.0-inch super density 920,000-dot VGA color monitor with 170-degree wide-angle viewing and tempered-glass protection makes critical image review possible; Dynamic Integrated Dust Reduction System with self-cleaning ultrasonic sensor unit minimizes degradation of image quality due to dust particles
What the manufacturer says:
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 auto focus 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.
What punters are saying:
“Overall, this looks like a very nice follow up for both D2h and D2x users. It gives the D2h user the megapixels they asked for, it gives the D2x user the noise handling they asked for.”-Thom Hogan
“The first thing I noticed was how smooth the camera operated and especially the 51 point focus system is killer.”-Terry White
“Not only is the D300 a worthy successor to the D200 but it also improves on the old flagship model, the D2Xs and it carries Nikon’s DX format (1.5x crop factor) into the future.”- Photozine
Our comment:
Nikon might have produced one of the best pro DSLR so far. With almost nothing but praises from early adopters and impressive features as outlined in official papers, it would be interesting to see more reviews from prosumers who have used the Nikon D300 for a longer period of time.
Related:
December 8th, 2007
Can’t wait to upgrade to the Nikon D300. I am impressed that they continue to evolve their models while keeping the price affordable. Nikon continues to push the envelope with it’s superior image processing and enhanced autofocusing algorithms.