- Conclusion Get the lowdown
- Features How it compares
- Performance Real world benchmarks
- Differences Technical showdown
- Reviews Word on the street
- Competition Others to consider
- Discussion Answers and opinions
Nikon D300S
- 12.2 MP
- APS-C CMOS
- 3" LCD
#1 in cheapest Nikon pro DSLRs
Released July, 2009
Rated 82% by by DPReview (Nov, 2009)A relatively minor upgrade to one of the defining cameras of the semi-pro sector adds a useful HD video mode and a wealth of minor improvements that improve the already excellent handling.
Conclusion Check out the Nikon D300S
First reviewed December, 2011
Features Key features of the Nikon D300S
12.2 MP
APS-C
Rated 82% by by c|net (Sep, 2009)You can use the Picture Controls to adjust the tone and color in movie mode, which is nice if you want to shoot black and white videos.
megapixels
| 0 MP | 24.2 MP    | 30 MP |
D300S by DPReview (Nov, 2009)As we've already seen, still better results are possible from Nikon's own software, so anyone worried that a 12 megapixel camera can't quite cut it can allay much of this fear by processing from RAW.
D300S by R.-Frew (Dec, 2009)I was very happy with the D70s however I needed a larger pixel count for the large prints I prefer to make (13x19).
sensor size
D300S by Robert-Cozzi (Apr, 2010)Recommendation: You will love this camera if DX sensors are the size you prefer.
D300S by Thomas-B.-Wright--Blair-Wright (Mar, 2010)I HIGHLY recommend this body as a DX (APS-C) platform, the only advise I can give you is to read the manual cover to cover.
viewfinder size
D300S by DPReview (Nov, 2009)One figure hidden away in every SLR's spec is the size of the viewfinder (often in a format that makes comparison between competing models impossible).
D300S by DPReview (Nov, 2009)The size of the viewfinder is a key factor in the usability of an SLR - the bigger it is, the easier it is to frame and focus your shots, and the more enjoyable and involving process it is.
body size
147 x 114 x 74 mm
124 x 69 x 52 mm
125 x 96 x 77 mm
D300S by Robert-Aberegg (Feb, 2011)It is a bit heavy, but with the addition of a Black Rapid strap the weight becomes an afterthought.
D300S by Photography Blog (Oct, 2009)Based on the published specs, I expected the camera to be quite heavy – but in real use, it didn't weigh me down at all.
focus points
| 0 | 11  | 60 |
D300S by Daniel-Neve--Photo-ProIf you understand f-stops, DOF, aperture, shutter speed, ISO, focus points, light metering and other technical jargon and really want to experiment with all of these then a D300s is the camera for you.
D300S by DPReview (Nov, 2009)Although the competing models from Olympus, Pentax and Sony come close to matching the Canon's 19 cross-type AF points (if not quite the Nikon's 51 points, of which 15 are cross-type), none comes close to offering its level of sophistication of AF-point selection.
Performance Real world tests of Nikon D300S
DxOMark image quality
D300S by Roberto-Pedraza--Chivizcoyo (Oct, 2009)Its a very fast and accurate machine in all its functions, wonderful image quality and small learning curve, I can see a difference in the image quality.
D300S by Photography Blog (Oct, 2009)Image quality is about as good as it gets for a DX-sized sensor, in terms of detail, dynamic range and noise handling alike.
DxOMark low light performance
D300S by Brian-E.-Page (Jan, 2010)As well, the 18 to 200mm VR lens is excellent and produces great handheld images under difficult conditions such as speed and low light level.
shutter lag
| 0 ms | 273 ms | 300 ms |
D300S by GX67 (Jun, 2011)Best part, if you feel like taking a picture at any moment, press the shutter and you can take a photo.
D300S by Photography Blog (Oct, 2009)There is an optional long-exposure noise reduction function that can be activated to filter out any hot pixels that may appear when extremely slow shutter speeds are used, though I found no need for this when taking the photograph below at a shutter speed of 30 seconds, aperture of f/11 at the L1.0 (ISO 100) sensitivity setting.
continuous shooting
D300S by Photography Blog (Oct, 2009)8 fps (CH)* * With a battery other than Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL4a, the continuous shooting speed may be slower than 8 fps in continuous high-speed mode.
D300S by DPReview (Nov, 2009)Using either AAs or an EN-EL4a allows the camera to shoot at a slightly improved continuous shooting rate of 8 fps.
battery life
950 photos
450 photos
540 photos
D300S by mainiac1 (Sep, 2010)The nikon battery supplied with the camera took many pictures, so much so that when I finally tried the supplied spare batteries everything was out of warrantee.
D300S by DPReview (Nov, 2009)For speed-freaks the frame rate can be pushed to eight frames per second by using the optional Battery Pack MB-D10 and EN-EL4a batteries.
Our analysis How does it stack up against its top 10 competitors
pros
-
HD video -
Generic -
Gives you more flexibility when framing your shot -
Opaque -
51 -
300 ms -
Built in flash -
74 mm -
147 x 114 x 74 mm -
1/8000 s
cons
-
APS-C -
70.0 -
Jul, 2009 -
22.5 bits -
3" -
920 k dots -
787 ISO -
0.62x -
12.2 MP -
6,400 ISO -
HD video -
No automatic HDR -
12.2 ev -
None -
The screen is fixed in place -
No geotagging included -
86.83% -
No automatic stitching
Reviews Word on the street
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 | Rated by 128 users at amazon.com Rated 80% by by Glenn-Carpenter (Mar, 2010) Rated 80% by by Glenn-Carpenter (Mar, 2010) Rated 100% by by M.-Herpers (Mar, 2010) |
Video
Nikon D300S | Rated 100% by by Daniel-Neve--Photo-ProTHIS IS NOT A VIDEO CAMERA video is pretty good and the utilization of lenses is a great feature however if you want good video spend the money on a video camera.
Nikon D300S | Rated 100% by by GX67 (Jun, 2011)If you have the gear to get stable video and the right lenses, you can make amazing videos.
Nikon D300S | Rated 100% by by Mateo--PhotoFanIn my opinion, the video recorded with this camera needs a lot of editing, and I don't really have much practice editing videos.
Sensor
Nikon D300S | Rated 100% by by R.-Morgan (May, 2010)The high ISO sensitivity is quite impressive and is even surprisingly good at ISO 3200!
Nikon D300S | Rated 100% by by Thomas-B.-Wright--Blair-Wright (Mar, 2010)I would say that the only downfall is the high ISO performance, although for an APS-C sensor it does very well it is still an APS-C sensor and thus has limitations at higher ISO.
Nikon D300S | Rated 80% by by Sachin-D.-Bansal--sachindevji (Sep, 2009)hence you will have to convert RAW (NEF) pictures to JPEG to crop in third party software.
Lens
Nikon D300S | Rated 100% by by John-Finster (Apr, 2011)The D300s isn't as nice as the newer D7000, however at a reasonable price - around $1800, even kitted with the 70-300mm VR II lens - it's a way better deal than it was new and at such a reasonable price with the 18-200mm or 70-300mm VR II lenses, one could justify the step up from a D90 with an 18-105mm kit lens, even if you never take one crappy video or shoot one football game.
Nikon D300S | Rated 80% by by Glenn-Carpenter (Mar, 2010)The heart of the matter is that it really is much easier to make a great DX lens than it is to make a great FX lens.
Nikon D300S | Rated 80% by by What-the-heck (Mar, 2010)The lens was very expensive but if you could only get one lens, it's definitely a great all around lens.
Focus
Nikon D300S | Rated 80% by by Anthony-Loh (Dec, 2009)While the 15 cross AF points are fast very accurate, the line AF points aren't, especially if the subject has pattern going the same direction as the line AF points.
Nikon D300S | Rated 100% by by Robert-Cozzi (Apr, 2010)The camera is extremely accurate and fast in autofocus mode and shoots a fast 6 fps.
Nikon D300S | Rated 100% by by T.-Viken (Aug, 2010)I also craved the faster AF (51 AF-points a BIG plus for moving targets) as well as a shutter speed 1/8000 sec which let me use larger aperture at bright days.
Image quality
Nikon D300S | Rated 100% by by Ira-Edelman (Jun, 2010)the image quality is phenomenal, with no noise, amazing dynamic range, and great ability to restore shadows and highlights in RAW files.
Nikon D300S | Rated 80% by by Glenn-Carpenter (Mar, 2010)As far as I'm concerned, image quality from Nikon DSLRs has really been quite excellent at least since the introduction of the D70.
Nikon D300S | Rated 82% by by DPReview (Nov, 2009)We found that you got no additional information beyond around -1.25 EV, and even at this point the color accuracy of the recovered areas is imperfect.
Competition What else you should consider
 | 1 | Nikon D700 Largest sensor D700 vs D300S |
 | 2 | Nikon D600 Best image quality as rated by DXOMark D600 vs D300S |
 | 3 | Nikon D7000 Most shots per battery charge D7000 vs D300S |
 | 4 | Nikon D5100 Has a flip out screen D5100 vs D300S |
 | 5 | Nikon D3200 5-way tie: Can autofocus while shooting video D3200 vs D300S |
 | 6 | Nikon D7100 Highest resolution screen D7100 vs D300S |
 | 7 | Nikon D300 Rated the best by consumers D300 vs D300S |
 | 8 | Leica X2 More contrast-detection focus points Leica X2 vs Nikon D300S |
New duel?
Let the battle continue or dare to compare.
Popular Questions
April 12, 2012
Wildlife photography
I'm an advanced amateur and the most important features in the camera are ease of use and very sharp photographs
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I am birdwatcher so please suggest me what type of camera more useful.
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Portraits and general photography
Been using nikon cameras since 1976 have a d300s and wondering if I need to take a jump and buy a d800?
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June 21, 2012
Need advice on a good camera please!
I like to take sports, close ups, nature...I am looking at the D7000 vs the D300s...HELP! I think I have it figured out then...I don't. The Video is mentioned a lot on the D7000 BUT is it better...
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Photographing fireworks with my d300s
The books is a novel of blurr to me. It says a lot of technical jargon, but does not give simple setting suggestions. I've had it for months now, but always fall back on my Fuji 30x zoom slr. are...
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Nikon D700
- 12.1 MP
- Full frame CMOS
- 3" LCD
It's a tie. Cast the deciding vote!
View all discussions | View comparison 
Intermediate III
3
votes Go for the D300s and spend some extra money on lenses. To get great wildlife shots you'll need a long lens, at least 300mm. The D700 has many advantages, the main being that it is full frame will...
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