Nikon D300

Remarkable response, handling efficiency and image quality masterfully blended to deliver the ultimate in Nikon DX-format D-SLR camera performance

Nikon's most advanced DX-format digital SLR camera, the new D300. Engineered with pro-level features and performance, the 12.3-effective megapixel D300 combines new technologies with advanced features inherited from Nikon’s newly announced D3 professional digital SLR camera to offer serious photographers remarkable performance and image quality.

Similar to the new D3, the D300 features Nikon’s new exclusive EXPEED Image Processing System, central to driving the speed and processing power needed for many of the camera’s new features. The D300 features a new 51-point autofocus system with Nikon’s 3D Focus Tracking feature and two new Live View shooting modes that allow photographers to frame a photograph using the camera’s high-resolution LCD monitor. The D300 shares a similar Scene Recognition System to the one found in the new D3 that promises to greatly enhance the accuracy of autofocus, auto exposure and auto white balance by recognizing and analyzing the subject or scene being photographed and applying the information to the calculations for these three functions.

The D300 reacts with lightning speed, powering-up in a mere 0.13 seconds, and firing with an incredible 45 millisecond shutter release lag time. The D300 is capable of shooting at a rapid 6 frames-per-second and capable of up to 8 frames-per-second when using the optional MB-D10 Multi-Power Battery Pack. In continuous bursts, the D300 can shoot up to 100 shots* at full 12.3 megapixel resolution.

The D300 incorporates Nikon’s new Multi-CAM 3500DX autofocus module that features an intelligent array of 15 cross-type sensors and 36 horizontal sensors. These sensors can either be used individually or in groups, with the option for Single Area AF mode and Dynamic AF modes using groups of either 9, 21 or all 51 focus points. The system also features 3D tracking with automatic focus point switching that takes advantage of all 51 AF points as it uses colour and light information to accurately track the subject. Nikon's new Scene Recognition System and improved focus algorithms also contribute to the impressive performance of the new 51-point AF system.

Nikon's new Picture Control System makes it easy for users to select and apply desired adjustments and create optimized settings to suit their individual image appearance preferences. These settings can be used to fine-tune multiple D300 bodies, assuring consistent rendering from camera to camera. Nikon’s Picture Control System offers four basic setting options – Standard, Neutral, Vivid and Monochrome. These can be directly modified for easy adjustment and customization of image parameters, (sharpening, tone compensation, brightness, tone and saturation).

The D300’s new Active D-Lighting control provides remarkable real-time highlight and shadow correction with optimized image contrast. Active D-Lighting produces broader tone reproduction in both shadows and highlights by controlling highlights and exposure compensation while applying localized tone control technology to achieve a more pleasing level of contrast across the entire image. Since the advantages of Active D-Lighting are applied as images are captured, image editing time can be shortened.

The D300’s Live View feature offers two modes for confirming subjects and composition on the 920,000-dot, ultra high-resolution 3-inch LCD monitor. 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 with all 51 AF points activated. The Tripod mode, is designed for precise focus accuracy with still subjects, when the camera is mounted on a tripod. The Tripod mode uses focal plane contrast autofocus to achieve pinpoint focus on a desired point. The D300 also offers the capability with the optional Camera Control Pro 2 software to remotely control the camera while in LiveView mode, allowing focusing and shooting from a computer either over a wired or wireless connection.

The D300 also employs a new self-cleaning sensor unit. Four different resonance frequencies vibrate the optical low pass filter in front of the image sensor to shake particles free and reduce the appearance of dust.

Refined Ergonomics and Usability
The D300 inherits one of Nikon’s most streamlined, functional and aesthetically pleasing layouts in a digital SLR camera, designed to enable photographers to take pictures with less fatigue, greater accuracy and comfort.

The camera’s viewfinder provides virtually 100 per cent frame coverage so pictures can be framed accurately, while an ultra-high definition, 920,000 dot resolution VGA LCD screen on the rear of the camera displays images with vivid colour and clarity. And with its 170-degree wide viewing angle, it’s easy to compose shots using the LCD screen in LiveView mode.

The D300 features a rugged magnesium alloy construction and the camera’s shutter mechanism is tested up to 150,000-cycle. The 3.0-inch LCD is strengthened with tempered glass and rubber gaskets and seals to protect vulnerable entry points from dust and moisture.

*NORMAL – LARGE image setting, using a SanDisk Extreme IV CompactFlash 1GB card

Features

New DX-format CMOS image sensor with 12.3 effective megapixels
The D300 features a new 12.3 effective megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor that produces high quality images with fine detail and sharp resolution throughout its sensitivity range of ISO 200 to 3200. The camera’s ISO range can be extended using its built-in options of Lo-1 and Hi-1 for the equivalent of ISO 100 and ISO 6400 respectively. The CMOS sensor’s integrated A/D converter features the ability to select between 12-bit and 14-bit conversion, making it possible to shoot 14-bit NEF (RAW) format images.

High-speed performance
The D300 offers professional level high-speed performance with a shutter release time lag of only 45 milliseconds, camera start-up time of 0.13 second, and continuous shooting speed of approximately six frames per second. This speed can also be boosted to eight frames per second when using Nikon’s optional Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D10*. The D300 can sustain continuous high-speed shooting for bursts of up to 100 shots** at full 12.3 megapixel resolution, and it supports next generation UDMA high speed memory cards.

New EXPEED Image Processing System
Similar to the Nikon D3, the D300 features the new EXPEED Image Processing System that is central to the speed and processing power of the camera. EXPEED delivers optimized performance for the camera and its features and ensures high-image quality and high-speed image processing.

Versatile new Picture Control System
The D300 features Nikon’s versatile Picture Control System that allows photographers to fine-tune and adjust fundamental rendering options for their pictures so they can define the exact tone, sharpening, brightness and saturation they prefer. They can then port these settings to any other Nikon camera featuring the Picture Control System, such as the recently introduced D3, so that even when shooting with different cameras, they can get consistent tones for all their pictures.

New 51-point auto focus system
The D300 features Nikon’s Multi-CAM 3500DX auto focus sensor module, with 51 AF points, including 15 cross-type sensors that are located in the center of the frame. These cross-type sensors work with all NIKKOR lenses, including those with apertures as small as f/5.6. The D300’s auto focus system is closely linked with the camera’s innovative Scene Recognition System to deliver greater accuracy in subject detection and focus tracking performance.

Revolutionary new Scene Recognition System
Nikon’s D300 features a revolutionary new Scene Recognition System that greatly enhances the accuracy of, auto exposure, auto white balance detection and auto focus in the camera. The Scene Recognition System uses the camera’s built in 1,005-pixel RGB metering sensor to recognize the subject or scene being photographed and detect any movement. This information helps optimize exposure and white balance settings for the recognized subject and also enables the camera to assign appropriate AF points based on any movement of the subject, ensuring highly precise auto focus tracking performance.

Super-density, 3-inch VGA, TFT LCD monitor with 920,000 dot resolution
The D300 features a gorgeous, ultra high-definition 3-inch LCD monitor with 920,000 dot resolution. The monitor provides a 170-degree viewing angle and is very effective in confirming focus on pictures as well as framing a shot using the camera’s new LiveView modes.

LiveView shooting with two optimized modes
Two new LiveView modes in the D300 enable photographers to compose their shot using the camera’s ultra-high resolution LCD monitor. The Tripod mode is designed for precise focus and accuracy when the camera is on a stable platform and the subject is not moving. In this mode, the camera focuses on the subject using focal-plane contrast and any point on the LCD screen can be selected as the focus point for the picture. The second mode, called Handheld mode, allows photographers to use the camera’s conventional TTL focusing system, with all 51-points and 15 cross-type points available. When using this mode, the camera activates focusing immediately when the shutter button is pressed, to ensure accurate focus.

Active D-Lighting
Nikon’s D-Lighting feature in its digital SLR cameras has proved to be a popular way for photographers to quickly compensate for dark areas of a picture after it is taken, without adversely affecting its highlights. The D300 features a new Active D-Lighting mode that, when enabled, provides remarkable real-time highlight and shadow correction with optimized image contrast. Active D-Lighting produces broader tone reproduction in both shadows and highlights by controlling highlights and exposure compensation while applying localized tone control technology to achieve a more pleasing level of contrast across the entire image. And because the advantages of Active D-Lighting are applied as images are captured, image editing time can be shortened.

Self-cleaning Sensor Unit for efficient dust reduction
The D300 is the first Nikon digital SLR camera to employ a Self-cleaning Sensor Unit. Four different resonance frequencies vibrate the optical low pass filter in front of the image sensor to shake particles free and reduce the presence of dust in the camera.

Large, bright viewfinder that achieves 100% frame coverage
The D300’s new eye-level pentaprism viewfinder offers virtually 100 percent frame coverage and 0.94x magnification for comfortable and precise composition.

Fine-tune adjustment for auto focus
Photographers who need to make small adjustments to correct differences in focusing can do so using the D300’s built-in capability to adjust focus specific to a lens. The camera offers the option of either setting compensation for a specific lens so adjustment in focus is only enabled when that particular lens is used, or the camera can apply a uniform level of compensation for any lens used with the camera. Users can store settings for up to 20 different lenses if they prefer to fine-tune the camera’s focusing based on specific lenses.

Reliable and durable
The D300 incorporates several features designed to ensure the camera performs reliably and consistently under demanding conditions. The camera’s chassis is constructed of highly durable magnesium alloy and the body features numerous seals to protect the camera against dust and moisture. The camera’s shutter mechanism is tested to 150,000 cycles, assuring a long life of consistent performance.

Exclusive Wireless Transmitter WT-4A (optional)
The D300 is compatible with Nikon’s new WT-4A wireless transmitter that provides support for wired LAN (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX) and wireless LAN (IEEE 802.11a/b/g,). When using the D300 in LiveView mode, the WT-4A can transmit a remote view from the camera and also support continuous shooting through a wireless or wired connection using Nikon’s Camera Control Pro 2 software (optional).

Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D10 (optional)
The D300 is also compatible with the optional new Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D10. This battery pack supports three types of batteries and features sequential power supply with auto-switching to the battery installed inside the camera body. When used, the battery pack can boost the D300’s high-speed continuous shooting to eight frames per second* for up to 100 consecutive shots**.

* When using batteries other than Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3e

** NORMAL – LARGE image setting, using a SanDisk Extreme IV CompactFlash 1GB card