Product Reviews (27)
D300, another winner from Nikon
Strengths: 51-point AF focus, Auto Focus Fine-tuning, High Resolution LCD, Low noise at High ISO
Weakness: None so far. Maybe price? But with all the new features I won't complain
Had D300 for about 10 days. Just love it.
I had Nikon D70, D80, and D200 before. This is definitely the best.
First Impression: solid build, but not too heavy. Almost the same size and weight as D200, much bigger and heavier than D80 and D70.
If you used any Nikon DSLR before, you will feel right at home with all the controls. Except the magnify button, which positioned differently from both the D80/D70 and D200, I often push the wrong button for the first couple of days. Other controls are quite similar to D200.
The most impressive thing comparing with D200 and D80 side by side is the big LCD screen, very sharp and clear; sometimes I suspect that it may mislead you. With the magnify button, you may easily zoom in to view the sharpness.
I haven’t got enough time to tweak all the settings, but the jpeg coming out from the default settings is much better than D200. But for the raw files, you need latest Nikon Captures NX to edit the files, right now D300 comes with only an activation key code, you may download Captures NX from Nikon website.
ISO started from 200 (native ISO), but you could go lower without gaining any picture quality improvement.
The high ISO photos have much better noise control comparing with D200 and D80. In a theater, I took some pictures at ISO 1600, and the print out of 8x10 shows very little noise.
A new feature is called Live View: you may use the LCD screen for composition and focus, taking pictures just like a point and shoot camera. But not exactly, since there is a mirror in the way. You need to click the shutter first to get the mirror up after you set the camera in Live View mode, then you click again to take picture. In theater, I wanted to take picture without raising the camera to my eye level, so I won’t attract too much attention. That was one the situation the Live View could be useful, but I wasn’t very successful. I had hard time to focus. Maybe for macro work or some other better lighting situations, Live View could work better.
One thing I like most about the D300 is the new focus system. It has 51 focus points. In the view finder you only see one, which is the current focus point, but you can manually change to any one of the 51 focus point, you feel that you may move it to any point within a large area. The focus is fast, and accurate. When testing again D200, the D300 could lock focus on objects with less contrast, while D200 couldn’t.
Other thing I like very much is the auto focus Fine-Tuning function. The camera can fine-tuning for up to 12 different lenses. One of my lenses back focus badly, all pictures from it are soft. After some simple steps from D300 Fine-Tuning menu, now the lens becomes one of my sharpest lenses.
By jnpn - Dec 11, 2007
Great camera, absolutely worth the money
Strengths: 3 inch high resolution LCD; Great High ISO IQ
Weakness: None so far
I had a Nikon D70 used for 3 years, then bought D300 just before last Christmas and took a lot pictures during holidays. I love this camera so much! The biggest improvement is the noise control at high ISO. Compared to D70, D300 provides a very smooth and even noise at 800 ISO and above. I was very hesitate to use 800 ISO with my D70 but now even 1000 ISO is very pleasant. The 3" high pixel LCD is really exciting also! It shows a lot more details and reviewing pictures becomes a joy.
By sinpa - Jan 24, 2008
Nikon D300 -- Very Pleased!
Strengths: Handling; 12.3 megapixel sensor; 3" color monitor; LiveView; 51-point auto-focus; Scene Recognition System; D-Lighting feature; sensor cleaner; build quality; compatibility with most Nikkor lenses
Weakness: None so far
I love this camera! I recently purchased the Nikon D300 as my first digital camera. I also own two Nikon 35mm film cameras -- a Nikon F100 that I purchased five years ago and a Nikkormat FTn that I purchased in the late sixties. Although I am still learning its multitude of features, I am very pleased with the performance of my D300 so far, and am glad I made the purchase. The following is a summary of my impressions relating to some of the D300's features. Of course, a brief review cannot cover all of its great capabilities.
Handling: The D300 is similar in size and weight to my other Nikon cameras and feels "just right" in my hands. It is by no means a lightweight when compared with other cameras, but I feel that the camera's extra heft contributes towards more stability when shooting. The features and control layout are similar to my F100, so my learning curve is not as steep as it might otherwise be. The viewfinder provides a large, beautiful optical image, and works together with the information panel on top of the camera to provide all the needed shooting information. Shutter release response is instantaneous, as you would expect from a quality DSLR.
Sensor: The D300 uses a DX-format 12.3 megapixel CMOS sensor with an ISO range of 200 to 3200. (According to the manual, you can go as low as ISO 100 or as high as ISO 6400, but the results may show degradation of picture quality.) Several different combinations of file types, file sizes and image qualities are available through the D300's easy-to-navigate menu system. The DX-format sensor size results in approximately a 1.5X focal length multiplication factor compared to 35mm film cameras. Thus, my 28-105mm lens that I bought for my F100 now provides the equivalent performance of a 42-158mm lens when mounted on the D300.
Monitor: I've found the D300's large 3" color monitor to be bright and clear, making image review, in-camera editing and menu navigation a pleasure. The monitor can also be used as a "LiveView" display in two modes, Hand-Held and Tripod. Hand-Held mode is intended for moving subjects, while Tripod mode provides greater focusing precision for static subjects. I've not yet explored the LiveView capability.
Autofocus: The D300's 51-point autofocus system makes focusing operations quick, accurate and flexible. You can manually select a single point or groups of points. There is also a mode where all 51 focus points are used and the camera selects the ones most relevant to the scene, such as recognizing and homing in on a human face. There is also a 3D tracking capability with automatic focus point switching to lock onto and track a moving subject.
Built-In Intelligence: The Scene Recognition System evaluates subject and scene conditions prior to shooting to provide more accurate exposures. D-Lighting brings out details in otherwise over-exposed areas of the frame. This can be applied while taking the image ("active" D-Lighting), or after the fact in the image editing mode. So far I've used only the edit version, and it seems to work well. The "active" D-Lighting should work even better.
Sensor Cleaner: The D300 is the first Nikon "pro-sumer" camera to provide a built-in sensor-cleaning capability. I've not had to use this feature yet, but it is reassuring to know it is there.
Build Quality: The D300 is ruggedly built, with magnesium-alloy construction and added dust and moisture sealing. It is designed to withstand the rigors of professional use. As such, I expect to get many years of enjoyment out of it.
Lens Compatibility: The D300 is compatible with Nikkor F-mount autofocus lenses, including ones made specifically for DX-format DSLR's as well as those designed for 35mm film cameras. The D300 also works with non-CPU AI Nikkor lenses. This should be helpful for those who already have an array of autofocus and manual Nikon lenses.
Cost/Benefit: At $1800 (U.S.) the D300 is more costly than other consumer-oriented Nikon DSLR's, all of which are reported to deliver excellent image-making performance. The D300 features a higher level of capabilities and ruggedness than these other cameras. It is up to the purchaser to decide whether these are worth the added cost. For me, they were.
Hope this helps.
By photomaestro - Feb 14, 2008
Love My D300 !!
Strengths: 3" LCD, Live View, Great Feeling Camera, Customization of Controls, etc.
Weakness: None so far.
I originally shot with 35mm cameras in college and moved to digital with the D80, which I
kept, even after switching to the D300 a few days ago. The difference in technology
from even a great camera like the D80 is incredible. I'm sure D200 users won't be as shocked as I was, but I was definitely impressed.
The D300 is incredibly well built, rugged and solid feeling.
Ergonomically it feels perfect in my hand and the dials and
functions are very easy to use. There’s a lot to learn as you can
customize this camera quite a bit, but like anything else, once
you've practiced it a few times, it's pretty simple.
The viewfinder is big, bright and makes composing shots a
snap. The 3” LCD is truly remarkable and is huge, crystal clear
and better than anything I've seen. The Live
View is really cool, too. It allows you to use the LCD to frame or compose shots
without looking through the viewfinder, although I imagine the majority of my photos
will be taken using the viewfinder. It’s also especially useful for macro shots.
The autofocus is very fast and accurate, and the metering on the
D300 is absolutely perfect. I've never had a camera take
photos in extremely low lighting so effortlessly. Aberration is REALLY
cut down with this camera, as is noise. You really have to make
an effort to get any noise even at higher ISO levels.
I also have several Nikon lenses, but the 18-200mm with VR works flawlessly
with the D300. Overall, this is perfect for someone that wants to expand their capabilities
with equipment that can do just that !! Good job, Nikon !!
By topcat84 - Dec 5, 2007
Nikon d300 with 18-200mm vr and 70-200 f.28 vr.
Strengths: fast, accurate, handles color and CA quite well. 3d Tracking is awesome! in some instances I love how the saturation is handled and how it can be overblown to really make the colors pop.
Weakness: i'd get rid of live view. doesn't belong on a dslr in my opinion. also I don't like the fact the you HAVE to use the ac adapter or the battery grip AND the new EN-el4a (or 8 AA's) to achieve the 8 FPS
I am not going to repeat all the previous reviewers info, but i will say this. if this isn't gods gift to photographers, then it is really close! Highly Recommended camera for those who really want to learn how to use a camera!
By AffectivePhotography - Jan 20, 2008
Nikon D300 - The Killer DSLR
Strengths: High mega pixel image, sealed body, fast shutter speed, excellent battery life, high resolution screen, "live view", built in flash, manual options galore.
Weakness: Here are a few things that might concern average users - No auto pop up of the flash and no auto image settings.
Ok, this camera is a huge upgrade from my previous D70. It offers a 12 MP image processor, sensitivity up to 6400 ISO, a 3.0 screen with high resolution and "Live View" which enables the framing of the picture without using the viewfinder. Combined with my 70-200 VR, it's a hard camera to beat. It uses a 51 point focusing system which is far more powerful than most other cameras at this price point today. The body is sealed so it can be used in bad conditions without fear. A few things to keep in mind if you are moving up from one of Nikon's lower end DSLRs. The flash will not pop up automatically, so you'll have to remember to do this manually. Not a big deal as most photographers using this camera will probably have an SB-800 attached most of the time. Also, no "scene" or auto modes, but you can program these as needed. Overall, an excellent camera that produces images that are amazing.
By howyoudoing - May 2, 2008
Nikon D300
Strengths: Rugged body,51 point AF, Great ISO capability,Fast 6-8 fps,Active D-Lighting, Hi.Res.LCD, Interval time shooting, Lots and lots of customization, Great battery life,
Weakness: None so far.
I migrated from 40D and from the moment I grabbed my D300 I realized I have no regrets, specially when I saw my first shots: the results were amazing: Great colors, excellent quality, Gorgeous LCD and lots of in camera retouch options.Very fast auto-focus in low light is incredible. I recommend this camera with no hesitation.
By ebshots - Sep 29, 2008
Amazing Camera!
Strengths: Incredible auto focus performance, especially in low light. Very solid construction. Excellent speed and high iso image quality.
Weakness: Does not support IR remote from earlier D50/D80 dSLRs. Have to switch to CF from SD when moving up from D50/D80.
This is the camera I've been waiting for! I started with Nikon with the d50 two years ago, moved to the d80, and now to the d300. I'm amazed most by the auto focus accuracy, it simply finds what I want to be my subject at least 90% of the time. It is not fooled by objects closer to the camera like previous models were. The active D-Lighting feature really improves the dynamic range in challenging lighting conditions. The burst mode is phenomenal compared to my previous cameras at 6fps, even in low light it actually focuses frame to frame at that speed! This is quite simply the camera that is now the standard for the advanced amateur, easily the best camera anywhere near it's price range.
By outre - Dec 29, 2007
Great DSLR to recommend
Strengths: Low light auto focusing and overall capability, Tremendous improvement over the D200 in overall noise, 3" LCD, Build quality
Weakness: None so far
The D300 is a remarkable improvement over the D200. Is it worth the price? For $1,799, I don't think the D300 has any competition. Is it worth upgrading from to the D300 from the D200? To me, the blazing quick auto focus and outstanding low light capability alone are worth the price. The LCD screen and 100% viewfinder are icing on the cake. This is very likely the best DX format SLR available today.
I highly recommend this camera, it is better than my more expensive D2X or D2Xs, performance and price wise!!! In fact you could buy 2 DX300s for the cost of one D2Xs!
By icminor - Jan 7, 2008
warranty
Strengths: USA and Nikon repairs
Weakness: No USA and only a non-Nikon repair shop does work
Nikon will never do repair work on non-USA warranty. You take it to a camera repair shop. My D300 is 4 monthes old and has been to Nikon for a major repair, shutter replacement. It is a good camera, but stuff happens and you need this "insurance' on your investment. A used D300 with a USA warranty for $200 under retail is a better deal than a "gray market" camera that Nikon will NEVER work on for any reason.
By Stanley1946 - Aug 30, 2008
Nikon D300
Strengths: Great in-camera processing, amazing LCD, better AF, Live view, much improved noise, active D-lighting works well
Weakness: none so far
Ordered the D300 in August and received it just 10 days ago. It is a significant upgrade from my D200. LCD is sharp and of high resolution. Focus is better. Live view is fun, probably particularly useful when asking a third person to take a picture. Noise level is improved from the D200, with much less colour fringing. Colour saturation can be tweaked up in-camera to a level much higher than D200--needed to use post-processing software to tweak colour before, but now it's possible just with the camera. Active D-lighting helps reduce lost details in shadow and highlight. So far it works very well.
No weakness so far. No sure if it's a worthwhile upgrade from the D200, but it is a modest, if not significant improvement from its predecessor.
By cowfunone - Dec 12, 2007
A great camera for its price
Strengths: Ergonomic, fast FPS, great high ISO noise
Weakness: Expensive Availability
Now that I own this cam - it's amazing. Coming from D2X it's everything you want in a camera for the right price. Much better camera than the 40D.
MB-D10 battery grip is highly recommended for everyone.
By enyaa - Nov 28, 2007
not bad, but not perfect either
Strengths: has a TON of features, and of course supports Nikon glass, the 51p AF system shows real strength
Weakness: a few bugs in this rev of the firmware
I got the last D300 in a Ritz camera in Tysons Corner...they had sold 9 before me that day, and I got the 10th. They literally are flying off the shelves. Well, one thing is that the D300 at least with the firmware in the one I have now, has some bugs.
I got it with the 18-200 VRII which seems to be a decent lens.
I have an A700 with the SAl18-250 that I am comparing it to.
The good thing is that the D300 has a lot more fine-detail in the raw files. There is no "NR even in the raw files" issue like there is with the a700.
But I can't turn off the 51 point AF, for one thing. You're supposed to be able to set it to 9 (11?) points. That option is there but doesn't change the way the AF works. The 51point AF system covers a huge amount of the viewfinder but it is not "fault-free".
Second is that the multiselector is supposed to allow you to select the center AF point, and that doesn't work if you are in wide-area mode. You need to be able to hit a button and get the center AF point quickly and I can't get it to do that in wide mode.
Plus it wants to give me way too much ISO in ISO-auto mode. If you can prioritize shooting speed vs ISO, I need it to keep the ISO low, not the shooting speed high.
So, so far, the d300 has a *slightly* better image, and certainly a bunch-more features, but the a700 is winning on ease of use. It's a very simple, straightfoward DSLR with a good sensor (if not the cleanest), all the controls make sense and they are in sensible places, and it certainly allows me to take good shots in a wide range of ISO conditions. I'm still fighting the D300 a little, and eve with all those focus points it is not like it is just "throw it up and get a good focus". Unless...maybe I had it set to 11pAF and the 51p zones were flashing but they weren't in use. So anyway it's not like *if* they flash then you will get a good focus.
By touristguy87 - Dec 30, 2007
D300
Strengths: Excellent quality
Weakness: none
It is nice to see nikon taking back the photo slr market if this is the start the sky is the limit.
The images are excellent the build quality is superb..
By ghamden - Dec 8, 2007
D300 Nikon
Strengths: LIve View Build
Weakness: As always with Nikon, price weight
I've always been a Nikon fan.
Had purchased a D200 a couple years ago and was disappointed with no live view type feature now i have it.
I like the self cleaning sensor.
3" LCD screen is beautiful faster auto focus.
High ISO with little noise.
overall great camera.
Live view is a must when you cant get your eye to the view finder !
By jershu - Feb 1, 2008
solid, in and out
Strengths: d200 body taken up a notch, the screen!, the 'info' button (from the d40), live view
Weakness: should have more/better indicators in the viewfinder, drop in 14-bit raw continuous shooting
the camera i was waiting for after learning with a d50 and toying with a canon 20d. very good iso/noise characteristics; advanced af and metering; a gorgeous screen that is great for reviewing shots and live view focusing; sturdy, balanced body; takes older ai lenses; better battery life than its d200 sibling.
there are a few things that would make it better though - using the exposure meter in the viewfinder to fine tune manual focus (it's in the new d60, why not here? especially since using manual lenses is listed as a major feature). an focus type indicator (single/continuous/manual) in the vf - in case you accidentally knock the lever by the lens mount into a different mode than intended. the info screen should tell what shooting mode (single/mirror lockup/timer/live view) you're in, rather than just single/continuous - it's hard to see the control pod of the camera in the dark and it's a pain to try to memorize and count each click to switch modes. should have a seperate center button in the control pad - as the 'ok' button and because it's tricky to hit the center in a rush. and lastly (though not a huge point for my needs) is the lack of histogram in live view.
it's an expensive body, but worth the investment (unless you have the extra $3k to buy a d3). the camera delivers everything that it promises, which for its level is more than anyone else. also, be prepared to invest more in cf cards and hard drive space - 14bit raw is a space eater.
By jme1223 - Mar 23, 2008
Nikon D300
Strengths: A pro camera in DX format for the price of an amerature camera.
Weakness: Missing live histogram in live view mode but it is only minor.
Nikon D300 is packed with lots of features from a pro camera. It has the most advanced AF, exposure and white balance techniques offered by Nikon. Image quality is excellent and it is greatly improved from all previous Nikon cameras in DX format at high ISO. The build quality is excellent. The camera feels very well in my hand. As an added bonus, this camera can calibrate prime lenses for back or front focus and yield sharp pictures. It competes very well with the $4000 D2x pro camera. For $1800, D300 is a steal.
By schsv - Jan 29, 2008
Nikon D300 | Body Only
On August 23rd, 2007, Nikon announced their upcoming release of their consumer DSLR Nikon D300, the big brother of the Nikon D200. The D300 has a 12.3 MP DX format CMOS sensor measuring 24mm x 16mm. It features a very large 3" LCD with 920,000 pixels. The D300 offers upgrades over the D200, however, also announced was the upcoming Nikon D3 that boasts superior specifications over the D300....
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By productwiki.com - Feb 28, 2011
Best Nikon Digital Camera For Kids
Image is Good according to 32 Digital Camera experts. -- "Sharp images overall, with excellent detail."-imaging-resource.com -- "signal/noise ratio is impressive, also colour reproduction and white balance are perfect."-letsgodigital.org -- "excellent resolution"-dcresource.com Read more to find expert opinions on more features like Video, Optics, Interface, Battery, etc.
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By reviewgist.com - Jan 2, 2010
Nikon D300
TestSeek.com has collected 87 expert reviews for Nikon D300 and the average expert rating is 88 of 100. The average score reflects the expert community’s view on this product. Click below and use TestSeek.com to find all ratings, product awards and conclusions.
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By testseek.com - Sep 13, 2008
Nikon D300
If you were to ask me what I found the most important camera of 2007 I would definitely place the Nikon D300 at the top, without a single doubt. A spot that the camera could possibly only share with the Nikon D3. The new Nikon D300 is a beautiful work-horse and meets the requirements of the professional photographer. It is an ideal camera for those who find the D3 too big or just too expensive,...
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By letsgodigital.org - Aug 25, 2008
Nikon D300 Digital Camera Review
The 12.3-megapixel Nikon D300 updates the older D200 with more resolution on a new CMOS sensor that promises improved noise control. The D300 is the first DSLR in Nikon’s line to include dust reduction, and sits between the $999 D80 and the $3,499 D2Hs. It has an awesome 3-inch live view LCD screen, as does the pro model D3, with some of the best resolution on the market - 921,000 pixels....
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By Digitalcamerainfo.com - Apr 21, 2008
Nikon D300 Review
Nikon's D300 is easily one of the finest digital SLR cameras on the market. Its 12.3-megapixel sensor delivers stunning images up to ISO 6,400, and its 14-bit A/D conversion means you can get better quality in your JPEG and RAW images with the Nikon D300. Out-of-the-box, the Nikon D300 will shoot six frames-per-second, and track a moving subject by combining data from its AF system with...
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By Imaging Resource - Feb 6, 2008
Nikon D300 Review
The mid-range digital SLR camera market has never been so competitive, with new models recently announced by virtually all the major manufacturers. The Nikon D300 is the latest prosumer model to pass through our review lab. With the highest price-tag of any of the main contenders, it has a lot to live up to, but a quick glance at the spec sheet reveals some impressive features. A new 12.3 APS-C...
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By photographyblog.com - Jan 21, 2008
DCRP Review: Nikon D300
When Nikon announced the D300, the digital photography world stood up and took notice. When people call the D300 a "baby D3", they're no kidding. The D300 has nearly the exact same feature set, but with an APS-C / DX-format sensor instead of a full-frame one. That means you get the super-fast performance of the EXPEED image processor, live view on a brilliant 3-inch LCD display, a 51-point...
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By DCResource - Dec 14, 2007
Camera Labs – Nikon D300 review
There’s no denying the Nikon D300 is a highly capable DSLR which will delight enthusiasts and satisfy the demands of pros looking for a backup or ‘budget’ body. Certainly no-one does ergonomics like Nikon and despite a handful of annoyances, it’s also the most feature-packed DSLR of its class. But there’s also no denying it’s comfortably more expensive than many rivals while not...
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By cameralabs.com - Dec 6, 2007
Nikon D300
If you can afford it, Nikon’s high-end DSLR offers superior image quality and speed.
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By laptopmag.com - Nov 30, -0001