Nikon D300 Review

Nikon's D3 and D300 cameras are currently the hottest products at the mid and top end of DSLR photography. The buzz surrounding the D3 is understandable - it's the first direct competition for the Canon 1DS and its 35mm-sized sensor in years and puts Nikon right back on the radar for news and sports photographers once again. On the face of it, the Nikon D300 is much less of a draw, as it could be seen as a series of incremental upgrades on the D200. In fact, it's much, much more.

The camera is a 12.1 megapixel semi-pro DSLR. This essentially means it has the same DX-sized sensor resolution as the pro-grade Nikon D2X camera (the predecessor to the D3) and is built on a solid alloy chassis, but does not feature the full-sized body with a second shutter release. It also uses the smaller EN-EL3e lithium ion battery, similar to the ones found in everything else Nikon from the D40 to the D200. There is an optional battery pack and grip, which can also take the bigger battery from the D2X and D3 if needed.

Having the same sensor size and battery as the D2X is impressive, but does not make the Nikon D300 a groundbreaking camera. What does make the D300 groundbreaking is the way it draws together most of the best functions seen in cameras across the board for the last few years and mix them together into one exceptionally well specified body. So, this is the first Nikon with an ultrasonic dust-shaker in front of the sensor; it's one of the first to sport a wider, more user-friendly series of colour modes, it's one of the few non-press cameras that can cope with six frames per second (eight with the grip). It has 14-bit RAW picture handling, 51-point CAM3500 autofocus, two live modes, ISO 200-3200 (realistically ISO 100-6400) and that gorgeous three inch, 930k pixel LCD screen. Taken individually, each of these is a handy ace up the D300's sleeve. As a group of improvements, it hits the rivals for six. Only in-body image stabilisation (unlikely, given Nikons love of in-lens VR instead) and the funky Virtual Horizon system (originally said to be on the D399, but not there on production samples) separate it from an absolutely perfect spec sheet for the money. Even so, as it stands, the Nikon D300 is still stands head and shoulders above the rest of its current peers.


Alan Sircom


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