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A host of new Nikon technologies have been implemented in the Nikon D300 including; a newly developed 12.3 effective megapixel DX-format CMOS image sensor with up to 3200 ISO sensitivity (+ Hi1 6400), a new precision Multi-CAM 3500DX 51-point AF system, a large 3.0-inch high resolution 920,000 pixel LCD information display with Live View Mode, 6 frames per sec continuous shooting (up to 8 fps with new MB-D10 power grip), new Nikon Scene Recognition System and EXPEED image processing concept including "Picture Control" settings, an integrated self cleaning sensor unit, in camera Retouch Menu (like on the D80), HDMI output and support for the new Wi-Fi transmitter WT-4 . The Nikon D300 also differs from the Nikon D200 in terms of general ergonomic design and the layout of some of the control buttons. We will look at these enhancements in more detail, however we begin by looking at the major new D300 features. Nikon D300 Digital SLR: Major new features
Leveraging data provided by their 1,005-pixel RGB Matrix Meter, Nikon’s new SRS provides more precise subject identification, optimizing autofocus, exposure and white balance detection. The system uses data from the 1,005-segment RGB sensor to track a moving subject along the plane of direction within the frame. Complementing the AF sensor data with the subject tracking data calculated from the RGB sensor makes it possible for the Nikon D300 to select focus with great speed and precision. Improved subject identification performance: information from the 1,005-segment RGB sensor is used to identify the background and any human subjects, and contributes to sharp focus by detecting where the subject's face is positioned. Human subjects are given higher priority when using Auto Area A.Enhanced Color Matrix Metering II algorithms: metering data from the 1,005-segment RGB sensor is used to detect the areas of highlights. The range of brightness to be reproduced is calculated from the results of highlight analysis and more precise exposure control can be acheived. The Nikon D300 features light source inference employing subject distance information and integrated pattern recognition to optimize auto white balance.
durable shutter mechanism tested to 150,000 cycles
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Specifications |
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Effective Pixels |
12.3 million |
10.2 million |
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Image Sensor |
CMOS, DX Format; total pixels: 13.1 million |
RGB CCD, DX Format; total pixels: 10.92 million |
| Pixel Pitch | 5.49µm (same as the Nikon D2Xs) | 6.05µm |
| Viewfinder Blackout | 100ms | 105ms |
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Shutter lag |
45ms |
50ms |
| Shutter Unit Rating | 150,000 cycles | 100,000 cycles |
| Start Up | 0.13 sec | 0.15 sec |
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LCD Monitor |
3.0-in., 920,000-dot (VGA), 170-degree wide viewing angle, brightness adjustment |
2.5-in., 230,000-dot, brightness adjustment |
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Sensitivity |
ISO
200 to 3200 equivalent ) in steps of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV plus Lo
1 (ISO 100) and HI 1 (ISO 6400 equivalent) |
100 to 1600 in steps of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV with additional settings up to 1 EV over 1600 (HI 1 is ISO 3200 equivalent) |
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Viewfinder Frame Coverage |
Approx. 100% |
Approx. 95% |
| Nikon Scene Recognition System |
• Scene Recognition System: (Subject tracking and identification, highlight analysis, light source inference) • Improved subject tracking performance realizes more rapid and accurate focus point selection. • Improved subject identification contributes to more accurate focus lock. • The results of highlight analysis improves exposure control accuracy. • Light source inference uses characteristics extraction and pattern recognition to achieve optimal white balance. |
Not available |
| Metering Type |
1005-segment RGB metering sensor improved with new diffraction grating system (directs RGB wavelengths to a finer point for enhanced colour accuracy) |
1005-segment RGB Matrix Metering |
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Exposure Metering System |
New Scene Recognition System Three-mode through-the-lens (TTL) exposure metering 1) 3D Color Matrix Metering II improved with SRS 2) Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 6, 8, 10, or 13 mm dia. circle in center of frame or weighting based on average of entire frame 3) Spot: Meters approx. 3 mm dia. circle (about 2.0% of frame) centered on active focus area |
Three-mode through-the-lens (TTL) exposure metering 1) 3D Color Matrix Metering II 2) Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 6, 8, 10, or 13 mm dia. circle in center of frame or weighting based on average of entire frame 3) Spot: Meters approx. 3 mm dia. circle (about 2.0% of frame) centered on active focus area |
| White Balance and Fine Tuning | •
Improvements with new Scene Recognition System: Light source inference
uses characteristics extraction and pattern recognition. • A color cast (G-M) option has been added on the Nikon D300 for adjustment on 2 axes • Fine-tuning steps are now equivalent to 5 mired each (same with bracketing) |
10 mired each fine-tune step |
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Autofocus |
•
TTL phase detection / Focal plane contrast (in Liveview tripod
shooting mode) |
•
TTL phase detection 11 focus points (one cross-type sensor) by
Nikon Multi-CAM 1000 autofocus module with AF-assist illuminator
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| 3D Focus Tracking | Uses new Scene Recognition System and analysis colour and brightness from data provided by the 1005-segment RGB sensor | Not available |
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Focus Points |
•
AF51 mode: 51 focus points from which a single area can be selected
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•
Normal: 11 areas; single area or group can be selected |
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AF Area Mode |
1)
Single point AF Auto Area AF now with primary subject priority |
1)
Single Area AF |
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Dust-reduction System |
• Mechanical image sensor cleaning unit. • Enhanced weather dust protection and seals (covers have added protection versus D200) |
Weather dust seals |
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Image Quality Settings |
•
12-bit NEF (RAW):uncompressed or compressed RAW |
•
Compressed NEF (RAW): 12-bit compression |
| Image Size | •
4,288 x 2,848 [L] • 3,216 x 2,136 [M] • 2,144 x 1,424 [S] |
3,872
x 2,592 [L] 2,896 x 1,944 [M] 1,936 x 1,296 [S] |
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Storage Media |
CompactFlash (CF) Card (Type I and II), High Speed UDMA compliant, Microdrive |
CompactFlash (CF) Card (Type I and II) and Microdrive |
| Image Processing |
EXPEED
Image Processing |
Does not support the faster new generation UDMA Compact Flash (CF) memory cards |
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Active D-Lighting |
Yes. Preserves details in shadows and highlights while also maintaining the right level of contrast across the image. Set before taking the picture. |
Not available |
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Liveview Mode (Preview image on rear LCD live) |
•
Hand-held shooting mode |
Not available |
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HDMI Output |
HDMI 1.3a compliant Type A HDMI connector |
Not available |
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In Camera Editing with Retouch Menu |
Yes (like Nikon D80, D40x, D40) •
D-Lighting |
Not available |
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Auto Exposure Bracketing |
2 to 9 exposures in 1/3, 2/3, 3/4 or 1 EV steps |
2 to 9 exposures in 1/3, 2/3 or 1 EV steps |
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Picture Control System |
Select
and adjust from Picture Control settings: |
Three Optimize Image Colour Modes I, II, III Mode I - For portraits, renders natural looking skin tones. Bias towards the reds. Can be used with sRGB or Adobe RGB color profiles. Mode II - Provides wider color reproduction range and a wider color gamut. Only with Adobe RGB Mode III - More vivid. Applies to landscapes and scenery. sRGB or Adobe RGB color profiles can be used |
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Shooting Modes |
1)
Single frame [S] shooting mode |
1)
Single frame shooting mode |
| Custom settings | 48 custom settings | 45 custom settings |
| Maximum number of continuous shots (JPEG Large-Fine or NEF/RAW) |
•
Up to 99 shots at 6 frames per sec with 14-bit
processing (Jpeg) |
•
Around 37 shots at 5 fps (JPEG-Large, Fine) • Around 22 images at 5 fps in NEF/RAW |
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Flash Compensation |
-3 to +1 EV in increments of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV |
-3 to +1 EV in increments of 1/3 or ½ EV |
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Power Source |
One Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3e, Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D10 (optional) with one rechargeable Nikon EN-EL4a, EN-EL4 or EN-EL3e Li-ion battery or eight A6/AA-size alkaline (LR6), Ni-MH (HR6), lithium (FR6) batteries, or nickel-manganese ZR6 batteries, AC Adapter EH-5a (optional) |
One Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3e, MB-D200 battery pack (optional) with one or two rechargeable Nikon EN-EL3e Li-ion batteries or six AA alkaline (LR6), NiMH (HR6), lithium (FR6) batteries, or ZR6 nickel-manganese AA batteries, AC Adapter EH-6 (optional) |
| Battery Consumption | Approximately twice the number of images can be captured with an EN-EL3e battery compared to the Nikon D200. Improved and better than the Nikon D70s. | About 340 shots under normal shooting conditions without using an active VR lens |
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Dimensions (W x H x D) |
Approx. 147 x 114 x 74 mm (5.8 x 4.5 x 2.9 in.) |
Approx. 147 x 113 x 74mm (5.8 x 4.4 x 2.9 in.) |
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Weight |
Approx. 825 g (1.82 lbs.) without battery, memory card, body cap, or monitor cover |
Approx. 830g (1 lb 13 oz) without battery, memory card, body cap, or monitor cover |
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Optional Accessories |
Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D10 (stand alone wired), Wireless Transmitter WT-4, DK-21M Magnifying Eyepiece, AC Adapter EH-5a, |
Multi-Power Battery pack MB-D200, Wireless Transmitter WT-3 (grip and battery function), Semi-soft case D200, AC Adapter EH-6, |
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See Related Products:
When comparing the Nikon D300 to the Nikon D200 one of the most obvious
visible differences between the two cameras is the new large 3.0-inch
LCD screen on the Nikon D300 versus the 2.5-inch screen on the Nikon
D200.
The Nikon D300 features a more sculpted body design than the D200. The Mode button and the +/- Exposure Compensation button located on the front grip above the shutter release are now round and raised making them even more accessible compared to the oblong shape of the same two function buttons on the Nikon D200.
The PC sync connection socket (for studio lights) that is found on the side of the Nikon D200 has been moved on the Nikon D300 to the front right side of the camera above the 10-pin remote socket. The little plastic threaded protective connection covers (which always get lost) are gone on the D300, and have been replaced with new hinged covers that are attached by the strap eyelet to the camera body .
Other than from an ergonomic and visual design point of view there is
not much that has changed in terms of the top layout of the Nikon D300
versus the Nikon D200. The new Liveview mode on the D300 is activated
by turning the continuous shooting dial to the Liveview "Lv"
position.
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On the control buttons on the back of the Nikon D300 the icons and text are now white making them stand out more compared to the gold/dark yellow colour of the similar buttons on the D200. The Playback button on the Nikon D300 has been moved to a more convenient position on the top left corner of the camera, replacing the location of the bracketing (BKT) button on the D200. Changes to bracketing settings on the D300 is done by using the Function (Fn) button located on the front of the camera (default Custom setting f4), or can be be assigned to the depth-of-field preview button (Custom setting f5), or the AE-L/AF-L button (Custom Setting f6) The "Enter" confirmation button found towards the bottom on the Nikon D200 has been replaced with the renamed "OK" button on the Nikon D300. |
As shown below, the edge on the back thumb rest grip portion of the Nikon D300 has been raised up further towards the rear control dial making for a more comfortable feel and hold when using the dial to scroll settings.
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One of the new features incorporated in the Nikon D300 is the ability
to preview your image on the camera's large 3.0-inch LCD display. The
Nikon D300 (and the D3) offer two LiveView modes:
| The
Hand-held mode allows recomposing of the frame in the LCD prior
to actual shooting, using the camera’s standard phase-detection
autofocus system.
The second mode, called Tripod mode, is designed for precise focus accuracy with still subjects, while the camera is mounted on a tripod. The Tripod mode uses focal plane contrast autofocus. The camera normally uses phase-detection autofocus, in which the sensor splits the image from the camera lens into two using a separator lens and adjusts focus based on the separation between the two images. |
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With contrast-detect autofocus, the camera analyses the data from the image sensor and then adjusts focus for the greatest contrast, on the assumption that the sharpest focus is associated with the highest level of contrast. This is similar to the auto focus method used in Coolpix compact digital cameras. Contrast-detect autofocus takes longer than phase-detection autofocus.
In tripod mode, the
focus point for contrast-detect autofocus can be moved to any point
in the frame using the multi selector. To focus using contrast-detect
autofocus, you press the AF button on the back of the D300. The focus
point will blink green and the monitor may brighten while the camera
focuses. Once focus is achieved, the focus point will be displayed in
green; if the camera is unable to focus, the focus point will
blink red.
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