Nikon D300 Review

Nikon introduced its Editors' Choice�winning D200 D-SLR in 2005, and ever since we've been waiting patiently to see how the next generation could top it. I can honestly say that the follow-up, the 12.3-megapixel D300, is a worthy successor in so many ways that you may never want to put it down. With a ton of features and terrific image quality, the D300 stands out as one of the best D-SLRs you can buy. Among the new features are a big 3-inch LCD, a 51-point autofocus system with 3D tracking, two live view modes, and enough manual settings to fill a 421-page user manual. Although the D300 is still a little expensive for this category, the image quality alone is well worth the cost. Regardless of price, with everything the D300 offers, it easily replaces the D200 as our Editors' Choice D-SLR.

Nikon offers two lens kits for the D300, or you can purchase the body alone for about $1,800. For my testing I used the DX 18mm-to-200mm (equivalent to a 35mm lens with a 27mm-to-300mm zoom) f/3.5-to-f/5.6G ED VR lens ($2,540 for body and lens). There's also a less-expensive DX 18mm-to-135mm f/3.5-to-f/5.6G ED AF lens. The former may be seriously pricey, but unless you're a professional photographer, it's likely to be the only lens you'll need.
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No question, the D300 is hefty, and carrying it around for long periods of time with the lens attached is no picnic. The weight and feel, however, are indicative of the camera's quality construction. The body itself measures 4.5 by 5.8 by 2.9 inches (HWD) and weighs 2.1 pounds with battery and CompactFlash (CF) card. Essentially, it looks a lot like the D200 and shares many of the same physical features. There's a grip on the right side that's comfortable to grab, and the shutter button and on/off switch are easily accessible by your right index finger for quick shooting. Just below, on the back of the camera, are dials that enable access to multiple settings, such as white balance and ISO controls.

David Gussman


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