The Nikon D300 DX has taken a jump on its competition. In trying to compete with Cannon, Nikon always found itself behind the times when is came to delivering crisp images because of mega pixel jumps.
Cannon was always one step ahead, but with the Nikon D300 and the new chroma based noise reduction. Now the Nikon delivers a picture with grain that is far more like film instead of color blotching. Nikon has now taken the high ground on this issue.
Great Resolution
The Nikon D300 has top notch resolution with good detail all the way up to ISO 1600. And that is just one leap this camera has made. Nikon has improved every aspect of this camera across the board.
With 12.3 mega pixel you will be able to capture enough detail that will give you quality prints at poster size. Never miss a shot in burst mode that allows you to shoot 100 shots at the full 12.30 mega pixel resolution.
Fast Power Up
You will waste no time powering up in the .13 seconds it takes and start shooting your best photographs with its awesome 45 – millisecond shutter release lag time. The Nikon D300 uses some very innovative technology that allows you to have unparalleled accuracy and control that professional photographers expect.
The below video is a few minutes long but has some great information on the D300
The new Scene Recognition System advances the use of Nikon’s acclaimed 1,005-segment sensor to recognize colors and light patterns that help the camera determine the subject and the type of scene being photographed before a picture is taken.
This information is used to improve the accuracy of auto focus, auto exposure, and auto white balance functions in the D300.
This means you will track moving subjects better and once identified the camera will automatically select focus points quicker with more precise accuracy. It can also analyze highlights to better determine exposure, as well as infer light sources and will give you more accurate white balance detection.
There is a fantastic high resolution three inch LCD monitor that will allow you to get great detail without having to magnify as much. And you have what is arguably the best application of live view that has both contrast detection and passive auto-focus options.
Nikon D300 Reviews
First impression? The D300 is anything but evolutionary–it’s a full-scale revolution for Nikon, and it’s forever banished thoughts of Canon from my mind.
Just shooting around the house, I find that the D300 can render colors, even true-looking, vibrant reds, like nothing short of Fuji‘s super-best Velvia film. Soon I’l turn it loose at Garden of the Gods and we’ll see what it can really do. Best of all, the D300 can produce wild colors *and* natural skin tones–in the same shot! I don’t understand how that’s possible, since jacking up a camera’s color vibrancy usually ruins people’s skin. But Nikon has done it. Review by Stephen Green Amazon.com
I couldn’t resist the temptation to purchase the D300 as a upgrade for my D200. However, I told myself that I would return the D300 if I felt it wasn’t a huge improvement over the D200. I was able to make that determination within minutes of opening the box. As soon as the D300 arrived I opened the box and inserted a freshly charged battery, a high speed CF card, and screwed on my Sigma 10-20 mm lens. Since this is a relatively slow lens (F4 to F5.6) I cranked up the ISO to 1600 and started shooting indoors. My impressions within 5 minutes of using the D300:
1. Low light auto focusing and overall capability is a significant improvement over the D200. With ISO at 1600 and using no flash, my Sigma 10-20 mm lens focused very quickly. My D200 would often hunt in low light, resulting in blurry shots. The contrast between light and dark areas is stunning!
2. Tremendous improvement over the D200 in overall noise. ISO 1600 is usable. I viewed images on my 20″ Imac at full screen and noise was very minimal. My D200 maxes out at a noisy 800. I can now take usable flash free pics indoors and not have to worry about using flash
3. 3″ LCD- Finally, an LCD lens that actually big enough and clear enough to display pics.
4. Viewfinder- A definite improvement over the D200. I love having a 100% viewfinder
5. Colors- Even without messing with any of the custom controls, colors are more vivid. The D200 is a bit washed out in comparison.
6. Build quality- I had no complaints w/ my D200 and it is nice to see that Nikon did not skimp with the D300.
Conclusion: The D300 is a remarkable improvement over the D200. Is it worth the price? For $1,799, I don’t think the D300 has any competition. Is it worth upgrading from to the D300 from the D200? To me, the blazing quick auto focus and outstanding low light capability alone are worth the price. The LCD screen and 100% viewfinder are icing on the cake. This is very likely the best DX format SLR available today. Review by LA Gadget Guy Amazon.com
(D-SLR) Rating (out of 10)
- Build quality 9.5
- Ergonomics & handling 8.5
- Features 9.5
- Image quality 9.0
- Performance (speed) 9.5
- Value 9.0
The Nikon D300 DX is a great leap forward in DSLR camera technology. If you are serious about your photography then this camera is worth a special look.
