D300 Exceptional Agility... Inspired Performance

Exceptional Agility... Inspired Performance

The D300 is a Pro-level D-SLR with a 12.3-MP DX-format CMOS sensor with Nikon EXPEED Image Processing System and large, 3-inch 921,000-dot color LCD.

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Archived Product

Supplied Accessories

  • 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

*Supplied accessories may differ depending on country or area.

Key Features

12.3-megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor: Nikon's exclusive digital image processing system advances DX-format image quality to new levels.

Continuous shooting from 6 frames per second up to 8 frames per second*: The new optional MB-D10 multi-power battery pack makes the D300 a powerful performer for a wide variety of shooting disciplines.

* When using the EH-5a AC adaptor or the MB-D10 multi-power battery pack with batteries other than rechargeable Li-ion En El3e.

Fast, accurate 51-point auto focus with 3D focus tracking and three dynamic AF modes: Exacting auto focus precision at blazing speeds!

Nikon's exclusive EXPEED Image Processing Concept: The foundation of Nikon’s newest Image Processing Systems, EXPEED culminates the concepts, innovations and years of Nikon’s digital image processing technologies at blazing processing speeds.

Dynamic integrated dust reduction system: Self-cleaning ultrasonic sensor unit minimizes degradation of image quality due to dust particles.

New Picture Control settings: Advanced color control with 4 preset options; standard, neutral, vivid and monochrome, as well as 9 customizable settings.

Rugged magnesium-alloy construction: Along with advanced dust and moisture protection and a durable shutter mechanism: The D300 has been tested to 150,000 cycles making it the perfect choice for photographers who demand high performance and agility.

The 3.0-inch super density 921,000-dot VGA color monitor: 170-degree, wide-angle viewing and tempered-glass protection makes critical image review possible.

Low-noise files at ISO from 200-3200; The D300's DX-format CMOS sensor, with a high signal-to-noise ratio, empowers photographers to produce exceptionally clean files from a broad 200-3200 ISO range. Expanded range of options include Lo-1(ISO 100 equivalent) and Hi-1(ISO 6400 equivalent).

Nikon's exclusive Scene Recognition System (SRS): The improved 1,005-pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering II provides even more intelligent auto exposure capabilities, along with smarter auto white balance detection and faster, more accurate AF performance.

Selectable 12-Bit or 14-Bit A/D Conversion: The choice of selecting bit-depths at 12-bit (4,096 tones) or 14-bit (16,384 tones), both yielding incredible image quality through a full 16-bit processing pipeline, enables photographers to choose smaller files at faster operating speeds, as opposed to larger files with smoother tonal gradations at slower operating speeds.

Two Live View shooting modes: Use either hand-held or tripod when shooting in a studio, remote situations or from challenging angles.

Nikon's Active D-Lighting Image enhancement: Provided on the fly while shooting, Active D-lighting produces broader tone reproduction in both shadows and highlights by controlling light intensity and exposure compensation while applying localized tone control technology to achieve the right level of contrast across the entire image for sharp, detailed results.

Experience It

Specifications

  • Lens Mount
    Nikon F bayonet mount
     
  • Picture Angle
    Effective picture angle 1.5x (Approx.) conversion factor (Nikon DX format)
     
  • Effective Pixels
    12.3 million
     
  • Sensor Size
    15.8 x 23.6mm
     
  • Image Sensor Format
    DX
     
  • Image Sensor Type
    CMOS
     
  • Total Pixels
    13.1 million
     
  • Dust-Off Reference Photo
    Yes
     
  • Image Area (pixels)
    DX-format
    (L) 4288 x 2848
    (M) 3216 x 2136
    (S) 2144 x 1424
     
  • File Format
    Uncompressed 12/14-bit NEF (RAW)
    Compressed 12/14-bit NEF (RAW, Lossless compressed): approx. 60-80 percent
    JPEG: JPEG-baseline-compliant; can be selected from Size Priority and Optimal Quality
    TIFF (RGB)
     
  • Picture Control
    Standard
    Neutral
    Vivid
    Monochrome
    Nine User-customizable Settings
     
  • Storage Media
    CompactFlash© (Type I/II, compliant with UDMA)
    MicroDrive© memory cards
     
  • File System
    Compliant with DCF (Design Rule for Camera File System) 2.0
    DPOF (Digital Print Order Format)
    EXIF 2.21 (Exchangeable Image File Format for Digital Still Cameras
     
  • Viewfinder
    -2.0 to +1.0 m¯¹
     
  • Viewfinder Frame Coverage
    100% Approx.
     
  • Viewfinder Magnification
    0.94x Approx.
     
  • Viewfinder Eyepoint
    19.5mm
     
  • Focusing Screen
    Type B BriteView Clear Matte Mark II with AF area brackets (grid lines can be displayed)
     
  • Interchangeable Focusing Screens
    No
     
  • Reflex Mirror
    Quick-return type
     
  • Depth-of-field Control
    Yes
     
  • Compatible Lenses
    D-/G-type AF NIKKOR (excluding IX NIKKOR lenses): All functions possible (excluding PC Micro- NIKKOR)
    AF NIKKOR other than D-/G-type (excluding lenses for F3AF): All functions except 3D-Color Matrix Metering II possible
    AI-P NIKKOR: All functions supported except autofocus and 3D Color Matrix Metering II
    Non-CPU AI NIKKOR: Can be used in exposure modes A and M; electronic rangefinder can be used if maximum aperture is f/5.6 or faster; Color Matrix Metering and aperture value display supported if user provides lens data
    DX AF NIKKOR: All functions possible
     
  • Shutter type
    Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane
     
  • Fastest Shutter Speed
    1/8000 sec. in steps of 1/3
    1/2
    1 EV
     
  • Slowest Shutter Speed
    30 sec. in steps of 1/3
    1/2
    1 EV
     
  • Flash Sync Speed
    Up to 1/250 sec.
    Flash synchronization up to 1/320s (FP) adjustable with Built-in Speedlight or optional Speedlight (will reduce GN)
     
  • Bulb Shutter Setting
    Yes
     
  • Shutter Release Modes
    Single-frame [S] mode
    Continuous low-speed [CL] mode; 1-7 frames per second
    Continuous high-speed [CH] mode; 8 frames per second
    Live View [LV] mode
    Self-timer mode
    Mirror-up [Mup] mode
     
  • Continuous Shooting Options
    DX-format
    CH: Up to 6 frames per second
    CL: Up to 5 frames per second
     
  • Top Continuous Shooting Speed at full resolution
    6 frames per second
     
  • Self-timer
    2, 5, 10, 20 sec.Timer duration electronically controlled
     
  • Exposure Metering System
    1,005-pixel RGB sensor 3D Color Matrix Metering II
    Variable Center-weighted
    Spot
    Spot AF
     
  • Metering Range
    0 to 20 EV (3D color matrix or center-weighted metering)
    2 to 20 EV (Spot metering at ISO 100 equivalent, f/1.4 lens at 20°C/68°F)
     
  • Exposure Meter Coupling
    CPU
    AI
     
  • Exposure Modes
    Programmed Auto with flexible Program (P)
    Shutter-Priority Auto (S)
    Aperture-Priority Auto (A)
    Manual (M)
     
  • Exposure Compensation
    ±5 EV in increments of 1/3
    1/2
    1
     
  • Exposure Bracketing
    Yes
     
  • Exposure Lock
    Yes
     
  • Mirror Lock Up
    Yes
     
  • Lowest Standard ISO Sensitivity
    200 in steps of 1/3
    1/2
    1 EV
     
  • Highest Standard ISO Sensitivity
    3200in steps of 1/3
    1/2
    1EV
     
  • Lowest Expanded ISO Sensitivity
    Lo-1 (ISO 100 equivalent)
     
  • Highest Expanded ISO Sensitivity
    HI-1 (ISO 6400 equivalent)
     
  • Expanded ISO Sensitivity Options
    Lo-1 (ISO 100 equivalent) in steps of 1/3, 1/2, 1 EV
    Hi-1 (ISO 6400 equivalent) in steps of 1/3, 1/2, 1 EV
     
  • Long Exposure Noise Reduction
    Yes
     
  • High ISO Noise Reduction
    Yes
     
  • Single-point AF Mode
    Yes
     
  • Dynamic AF Mode
    Yes
     
  • Auto-area AF Mode
    Yes
     
  • Autofocus System
    TTL phase detection
    Nikon Multi-CAM 3500DX autofocus module
    Detection range: EV -1 to EV +19 (ISO 100 equivalent, at normal temperature: 20°C/68°F)
    51 focus points (15 cross-type sensors)
    AF fine adjustment possible
    Focal-plane contrast [in LiveView (Tripod) mode]
     
  • Focus Lock
    AE-L/AF-L button
    Half press of shutter-release button (single-point AF in AF-S)
     
  • Focus Modes
    Single-servo AF (S)
    Continuous-servo (C)
    Manual (M) with electronic rangefinder
     
  • Maximum Autofocus Areas/Points
    51
     
  • Autofocus Sensitivity
    -1 to +19 EV (ISO 100, 20°C/68°F)
     
  • Autofocus Fine Tune
    Yes
     
  • Built-in Flash
    Yes
     
  • Flash Bracketing
    2 to 9 exposures in increments of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1 EV
     
  • X-Sync Speed
    1/250
     
  • FP High Speed Sync
    Up to 1/8000
     
  • Flash Control
    SB-R1C1/SB-R200 triggered by SU-800: i-TTL, AA, Manual, RPT, AutoFP High Speed Sync (D200/D80 only), FV Lock, AF-Assist for multi area AF, Rear Curtain Sync
    SB-R1, SB-R200 triggered by camera's built in flash: i-TTL, M, Rear Curtain Sync, AutoFP High Speed Sync ( D700, D300 only because of built in flash)
    SB-900: CLS cameras: i-TTL, AA, Non-TTL Auto, GN, M, RPT, AutoFP High Speed Sync (D3-series, D2-series, D700, D300s, D300, D200, D80 only), FV Lock, AF-Assist for mulit-area AF, Flash Color Info. Comm., Rear Curtain Sync, Red-Eye Reduction, Auto Zoom
    SB-800: i-TTL, AA, Non-TTL Auto, GN, M, RPT, AutoFP High Speed Sync, FV Lock, AF-Assist for multi-area AF, Flash Color Informaiton Communication, Rear Curtain Sync, Red-Eye Reduction, Auto Zoom
    SB-600: i-TTL, AA, M, AutoFP High Speed Sync, FV Lock, AF-Assist for multi-area AF, Flash Color Informaiton Communication, Rear Curtain Sync, Red-Eye Reduction, Auto Zoom
    SB-400: i-TTL, AA, M*, AutoFP High Speed Sync, FV Lock, Flash Color Informaiton Communication, Rear Curtain Sync, Red-Eye Reduction
    SB-80DX: Non-TTL Auto, M, RPT, Rear Curtain Sync
    SB-50DX: M, Rear Curtain Syn
    SB-28DX: Non-TTL Auto, M, RPT, Rear Curtain Sync
    SB-24: Non-TTL Auto, M, RPT, Rear Curtain Sync
    SB-25: Non-TTL Auto, M, RPT, Rear Curtain Sync
    SB-26: Non-TTL Auto, M, RPT, Rear Curtain Sync
    SB-28: Non-TTL Auto, M, RPT, Rear Curtain Sync
    SB-30: Non-TTL Auto, M, Rear Curtain Sync
    SB-20, SB-16B, SB-15: Non-TTL Auto, M, Rear Curtain Sync
    SB-29s: M, Rear Curtain Sync
    SB-27: Non-TTL Auto, M, Rear Curtain Sync
    SB-23: M, Rear Curtain Sync
    SB-22s: Non-TTL Auto, M, Rear Curtain Sync
     
  • Flash Sync Modes
    Front-curtain sync (normal)
    Slow sync
    Rear-curtain sync
    Red-eye reduction
    Red-eye reduction with slow sync
     
  • Flash Compensation
    -3 to +1 EV in increments of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV
     
  • Accessory Shoe
    Yes
     
  • Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS)
    Yes
    Built-in Commander Mode 2 Groups: A and B
    4 Channels: 1-4 TTL, Non-TTL Auto and Manual mode
     
  • Flash Sync Terminal
    Yes
     
  • White Balance
    Incandescent
    Fluorescent
    Flash
    Sun
    Shade
    Preset
    Fine Tune by Kelvin color temperature setting
    Auto (TTL control with 1,005-pixel CCD)
    Manual
     
  • White Balance Bracketing
    2 to 9 exposures in increments of 1, 2 or 3
     
  • Live View Shooting
    Handheld mode
    Tripod mode
     
  • Monitor Size
    3 in. diagonal
     
  • Monitor Resolution
    921,000 Dots
     
  • Monitor Type
    Super Density
     
  • Monitor Angle of View
    170-degree wide-viewing angle
     
  • Monitor Adjustments
    Brightness, 7 levels
     
  • Playback Functions
    Full frame
    Thumbnail (4, 9 or 16 segments)
    Zoom
    Slideshow
    Histogram display
    Auto image rotation
    Pictmotion
    Shooting data
    Highlight point display
     
  • In-Camera Image Editing
    Trim
    D-Lighting
    Color Balance
    Image Overlay
    Side-by-Side Comparison
    Filter Effects
    Monochrome
    Color Balance
    Red-eye Correction
     
  • Image Comment
    Yes
     
  • Interface
    Hi-speed USB
    NTSC
    PAL
    HDMI
    10-pin Terminal
     
  • WiFi Functionality
    WT-4A
     
  • GPS
    GP-1 GPS unit
    MC-35 with optional compatible GPS Adapter
     
  • Save/Load Camera settings
    Yes
     
  • Total custom Settings
    48
     
  • My Menu
    Yes
     
  • Recent Settings
    Yes
     
  • Supported Languages
    Chinese (Simplified and Traditional)
    Dutch
    English
    Spanish
    Finnish
    French
    Italian
    German
    Japanese
    Korean
    Polish
    Portuguese
    Russian
    Swedish
     
  • Date, Time and Daylight Savings Time Settings
    Yes
     
  • World Time Setting
    Yes
     
  • Battery Type
    Rechargeable
     
  • Battery / Batteries
    EN-EL3e Lithium-ion Battery
     
  • Battery Life (shots per charge)
    1,000 shots (CIPA) 3,000 shots (Nikon Standard)
     
  • AC Adapter
    EH-5a AC Adapter
     
  • Battery Charger
    MH-18a Quick Charger
     
  • Tripod Socket
    ¼ inch 20
     
  • Approx. Dimensions
    Width 5.8 in. (147mm)
    Height 4.5 in. (114mm)
    Depth 2.9 in. (74mm)
     
  • Approx. Weight
    29.3 oz. (825g)
     
  • Supplied Software
    Software Suite CD-ROM
     
  • Optional Accessories
    MB-D10 Multi-Power Battery Pack
    EH-5A AC Adapter
    DK-21M Magnifying Eyepiece
    Camera Control Pro 2
    Nikon Capture NX
    WT-4A Wireless Transmitter
     
  • Supplied Accessories
    • 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

    *Supplied accessories may differ depending on country or area.

     

**Specifications and equipment are subject to change without any notice or obligation on the part of the manufacturer.

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Manual

Resources

Award Winner

March 2008, D300 Review & Editors’ Choice Award

PC Magazine’s David Gussman praised the D300 in his recent glowing review, bestowing not only an unheard of four-and-a-half stars, but also a coveted Editors’ Choice award! Gussman raved about the D300’s exceptional image quality, expansive 3-inch LCD and myriad new features, saying it stands out as “one of the best D-SLRs you can buy.”


Award Winner

Camera of the Year 2007

Popular Photography & Imaging bestowed a great honor upon the D300 D-SLR, granting it the “2007 Camera of the Year Award”. The magazine’s editors swooned over the D300’s design and performance, touting that it “refines and redefines digital photography,” and ultimately “raises the benchmark for every camera maker”. The editors praised the D300 for its incredible lowlight performance, “sophisticated” 51-point autofocus, and lightning quick burst mode. What’s more, Popular Photography & Imaging’s editorial staff applauded the D300’s “astoundingly sharp” LCD display and live view focus modes. The D300 was chosen over seven other cameras from various manufacturers as the recipient of this prestigious award.


Review

July/August 2008, Nikon D300, Top Cameras

by Russell Hart and Jonathan Barkey

Praised by editors, the Nikon D300 was named one of American PHOTO’s top cameras. Editors applauded many of its features including its high ISO output and its weather-resistant magnesium-alloy body. They also featured the D300’s self-cleaning sensor and wireless Live View remote shooting capabilities.

Review

March 2008, D300 In-depth Review

by Phil Askey

DPReview.com's Phil Askey gave the D300 a celebrated nod of approval in his recent review, claiming there was “no better” non-professional camera on the market. Amazed by the D300’s lightning-quick response and impeccable performance in low light, Askey reveled in the D300’s innovative technology and high quality results.

Review

February 2008, Nikon D300

by Mike McNamara

The D300 was also crowned Camera of the Year by Popular Photography & Imaging in 2007. Popular Photography & Imaging’s Mike McNamara pushed the D300 to new limits setting new performance records for the Pop Photo lab in the process. Among its successes, the D300 touted the fastest autofocus and was the first DSLR to earn Pop Photo’s “Excellent image quality” rating from ISO 200 to ISO 3200.

Review

February 2008, Nikon D300

by Laurie Excell

Photoshop User’s Laurie Excell delved into the D300 and quickly learned that the D300 was a professional camera in every sense of the word. The D300’s agility in high-speed shooting situations, Picture Control Settings, and ability to shoot at high ISO's spoke volumes while capturing birds in flight at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico.

Review

October 7, 2007, Nikon D300 Review

by Joey Arak

Joey Arak from the New York Post said that the D300 was the perfect camera for users trying to catch the perfect shot of their favorite celebrities. Praising the instant start-up and lightning-quick shooting abilities, Arak noted the D300 will make capturing those moments a whole lot easier. Additionally, Arak assured users that focusing on their favorite features of their subjects would not be a problem, thanks to the camera's 51-point autofocus system.

Review

November 25, 2007, Nikon D300 Review

by Dave Etchells

Imaging-Resource's Dave Etchells raved about Nikon's D300, applauding the D300's advanced autofocus system and noting the Scene Recognition System's contribution to enhanced focus tracking. Additionally, Etchells favored the ergonomic design and reconfiguration over control buttons. Etchells was also impressed by the D300's options in Live View concerning autofocus, giving photographers more control over competitors, thanks to contrast-based autofocusing in Tripod Live View mode.

Review

November/December 2007, Nikon D300 Review

by Jonathan Barkey

American Photo's Jonathan Barkey bestowed great honors upon the D300 for all its power and capability. Applauding the D300's low-noise, self-cleaning, 12.3-megapixel CMOS sensor and ability to shoot at up to 6 or 8 fps, Barkey praised the D300 for having professional performance in a non-professional body.

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