Review based on a production Nikon D300
Just under two years since the D200 Nikon reveals the D300, the range of changes is so significant that it wouldn't be inappropriate to call it a 'compact D3' (less the full-frame sensor of course). From the top there's a new CMOS sensor with twelve megapixels, a new auto-focus sensor with 51-points (15 of which are cross-type sensitive), there's focus tracking by color, scene recognition, Picture Control presets, six frames per second continuous shooting (or eight frames per second with a battery pack), Compact Flash UDMA support, Live View (with contrast detect AF) and the mighty impressive 3.0" 922,000 pixel LCD monitor (oh and HDMI video output). It's an impressive list, the D200 was a fair step up from the D100, the D300 can be seen as just as big a step, certainly more than enough to make the competition sweat.
| Model | Announced |
Effective pixels |
Auto focus |
Continuous highest (JPEG) | LCD monitor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D100 | Feb 2002 | 6.0 mp | 5 point | 3.0 fps, 6 frames | 1.8", 120K pixels |
| D200 | Nov 2005 | 10.2 mp | 11 point | 5.0 fps, 37 frames | 2.5" 230K pixels |
| D300 | Aug 2007 | 12.3 mp | 51 point | 6.0/8.0 fps, 100 frames | 3.0" 922K pixels + Live View |
 |
 |
| 12.3 megapixel DX format CMOS sensor | Viewfinder pentaprism |
|---|---|
 |
|
 |
 |
| Main board with EXPEED processor | EXPEED processor |
|
|
 |
 |
| 51-point Multi-CAM 3500DX AF sensor module | 51 AF point locations in frame (approx.) |
|
|
 |
 |
| 1005-pixel metering sensor | Shutter |
 Nikon D300 |
 Nikon D200 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | • 12.3 million effective pixel CMOS • DX format |
• 10.2 million effective pixel CCD • DX format |
| A/D converter | 14-bit | 12-bit |
| Image processor | Nikon EXPEED | Unspecified |
| Image sizes | • 4288 x 2848 • 3216 x 2136 • 2144 x 1424 |
• 3872 x 2592 • 2896 x 1944 • 1936 x 1296 |
| RAW files | NEF / Compressed NEF 14-bit | NEF 12-bit |
| TIFF files | Yes | No |
| Dust reduction | Self-cleaning sensor unit | No |
| Auto focus | • 51-point Multi-CAM 3500DX • 15 cross-type sensors • Contrast detect in Live View mode |
• 11-point Multi-CAM 1000 |
| Focus tracking by color | Yes | No |
| AF area mode | • Single point AF |
• Single Area AF • Dynamic AF with Focus Tracking and Lock-on • Group Dynamic AF • Closest Subject Priority Dynamic AF |
| Sensitivity | • Default: ISO 200 - 3200 |
• Default: ISO 100 - 1600 |
| Continuous shooting | • With built-in battery: up to 6 fps • With AC adapter or MB-D10 pack and batteries other than EN-EL3e: up to 8 fps |
5 fps |
| Image Parameters | • Picture Control (4 presets) • Sharpening • Contrast • Brightness • Saturation • Hue |
• Presets (6 presets) • Sharpening • Tone • Color mode • Saturation • Hue |
| Active D-Lighting | Yes (also adjusts exposure) | No |
| Viewfinder | 100% frame coverage | 95% frame coverage |
| LCD monitor | • 3.0 " TFT LCD • 922,000 pixels |
• 2.5 " TFT LCD • 230,000 pixels |
| LCD Live View | • Handheld mode (phase detect AF) • Tripod mode (contrast detect AF) |
No |
| Compact Flash | Type I / II (UDMA support) | Type I / II |
| Vertical grip | MB-D10 | MB-D200 |
| Video output | HDMI (HD) | Composite (SD) |
| Menu languages | 14 | 13 |
| Dimensions | 147 x 114 x 74 mm (5.8 x 4.5 x 2.9 in) | 147 x 113 x 74 mm (5.8 x 4.4 x 2.9 in) |
| Weight (no batt) | 825 g (1.82 lb) | 830 g (1.8 lb) |
If you're new to digital photography you may wish to read some of our Digital Photography Glossary before diving into this article (it may help you understand some of the terms used).
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Dpreview use calibrated monitors at the PC normal gamma 2.2, this means that on our monitors we can make out the difference between all of the grayscale blocks below. We recommend to make the most of this review you should be able to see the difference (at least) between X,Y and Z and ideally also A, B and C.
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Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) | $1,799.99 |
eForCity EN-EL3e Compatible Li-Ion Battery for Nikon D300 | $5.41 |
Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) | $1,799.99 |
Nikon D300S 12.3MP DX-Format CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD (Body Only) | $1,349.00 |
Nikon D3100 14.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens | $446.95 |
Nikon D5100 16.2MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens | Too low to display |
Nikon 13293 D7100 24.1 MP DX-Format CMOS Digital SLR Camera Bundle with 18-140mm and 55-300mm VR NIKKOR Zoom Lens (Black) | $1,726.95 |
Nikon D7100 24.1 MP DX-Format CMOS Digital SLR (Body Only) | $1,146.95 |
Focus Camera Nikon D5200 24.1 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera (Black) with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR and 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX NIKKOR Zoom Lenses + EN-EL14 Battery + 10pc Bundle 32GB Deluxe Accessory Kit | $1,029.00 |
Focus Camera Nikon D5200 24.1 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera (Black) with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR Lens and Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 SLD DG Macro Lens with built in motor + 10pc Bundle 32GB Deluxe Accessory Kit | $954.00 |
Nikon D7100 Digital SLR Camera Body with 18-300mm Lens + 64GB Card + Battery & Charger + Case + Flash + Filter + Tripod + Accessory Kit | $2,179.95 |
Nikon D3200 24.2 MP CMOS Digital SLR with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR NIKKOR Zoom Lens (Red) | $546.95 |
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