(Used) D300 in 2025

[Parry Johnson]

I had a D300 new in 2009, then lost it due to theft, then recovered the camera, and finally sold it around 2015. Now, ten years later, I found a near-mint copy (under 8K shots) for a good deal ($150 CAD). I had already bought a used D700 (my second one) and an after-market DSTE MD-D10 grip; and since I also had a D3 with the bigger battery, I decided to buy this camera again.

A bit of history: I had used the Fuji Finpix S1, S2 and S5 cameras as well as the Nikon D200 previously, but never really liked any of those until I bought my first D300. Finally, I was happy with the image quality, colours, dynamic range, ergonomics and durability that my previous cameras didn't have (except the Fuji S5), plus the speed of use.

Fast-forward to 2025: This is now a fairly low-resolution camera; however, the files it produces produce a lot of leeway for manipulation, upsizing, and AI sharpening to the point that I'd be happy if this were my only camera for still photography. Of course, my newer cameras can do a better job in most situations, but most people probably couldn't tell the difference. One might need to slow down a bit to get the best results, but that's not necessarily bad -- in fact, it can improve technique. That's why I'm still enjoying using this camera today (October, 2025). So for today's price and bang for the buck, few cameras can match it, and why I'm rating it a solid 4 stars.

 

[Jon in Thailand]

I had a D300 new in 2009, then lost it due to theft, then recovered the camera, and finally sold it around 2015. Now, ten years later, I found a near-mint copy (under 8K shots) for a good deal ($150 CAD). I had already bought a used D700 (my second one) and an after-market DSTE MD-D10 grip; and since I also had a D3 with the bigger battery, I decided to buy this camera again.

A bit of history: I had used the Fuji Finpix S1, S2 and S5 cameras as well as the Nikon D200 previously, but never really liked any of those until I bought my first D300. Finally, I was happy with the image quality, colours, dynamic range, ergonomics and durability that my previous cameras didn't have (except the Fuji S5), plus the speed of use.

Fast-forward to 2025: This is now a fairly low-resolution camera; however, the files it produces produce a lot of leeway for manipulation, upsizing, and AI sharpening to the point that I'd be happy if this were my only camera for still photography. Of course, my newer cameras can do a better job in most situations, but most people probably couldn't tell the difference. One might need to slow down a bit to get the best results, but that's not necessarily bad -- in fact, it can improve technique. That's why I'm still enjoying using this camera today (October, 2025). So for today's price and bang for the buck, few cameras can match it, and why I'm rating it a solid 4 stars.

.

Many on here already know my history with the D300.

Sense it was released I've been using it in a brutal jungle

environment photographing wild crazed primates & snakes.

In fact I have 3 of them all doing the same thing in the jungle.

As far as giving them a star, well I'd feel better giving a 10 star!

On several occasions, the D300 has been used as a defensive-

weapon against wild animals, once against 2 street thugs ;-0---

I did not notice any column asking questions in regards to that!

Other people may get different results, but this is my opinion due

to years of real time experience in a real time brutal jungle setting.

While we are giving out awards, I give the Nikkor 17-55 2.8 a 10 Star.

Why you ask ? Because sense 2005 it has never ever failed me either.

This is my opinion, yours may differ, or not -

Jon&Crew.





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...

 

[Parry Johnson]

Great photos as usual, Jon! Yes, there's no doubt the D300 is fully professional in quality. It's just that it's lacking some modern features. DPReview only uses a 5-star rating in their gear settings, so I'm stuck with that. Besides, I rated all my other cameras at 4 or 4.5 stars -- even my D810 and Z7ii, and those are better cameras (to me). I've only rated the D4 at 5 stars.

(Besides, if there were a "use as a defensive weapon" sub-rating, the D4 wins! ;-) )

 

[Jon in Thailand]

Great photos as usual, Jon! Yes, there's no doubt the D300 is fully professional in quality. It's just that it's lacking some modern features. DPReview only uses a 5-star rating in their gear settings, so I'm stuck with that. Besides, I rated all my other cameras at 4 or 4.5 stars -- even my D810 and Z7ii, and those are better cameras (to me). I've only rated the D4 at 5 stars.

(Besides, if there were a "use as a defensive weapon" sub-rating, the D4 wins! ;-) )

.

"It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog,"

Nikon D300, Nikkor 17-55 2.8 went down his throat 4 a happy meal !

 

[Parry Johnson]

Great photos as usual, Jon! Yes, there's no doubt the D300 is fully professional in quality. It's just that it's lacking some modern features. DPReview only uses a 5-star rating in their gear settings, so I'm stuck with that. Besides, I rated all my other cameras at 4 or 4.5 stars -- even my D810 and Z7ii, and those are better cameras (to me). I've only rated the D4 at 5 stars.

(Besides, if there were a "use as a defensive weapon" sub-rating, the D4 wins! ;-) )

.

"It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog,"

Nikon D300, Nikkor 17-55 2.8 went down his throat 4 a happy meal !

I think I'd rather take my chances with a bear or badger here in Canada!

 

[Paul Pasco]

I have a D300 but I haven't seen it in almost a year; I lent it to my daughter's boyfriend, a 27 year old multi media artist that recently discovered real cameras. I myself bought a nice D500 a year or so ago and I love it, but if the D300 was my only camera I would survive just fine.