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Nikon D300

Nikon D300Nikon D300 In-depth Review,Phil Askey, March 2008

Review based on a production Nikon D300Just under two years since the D200 Nikon reveals the D300, the range of changes is so significant that it wouldnt be inappropriate to call it a compact D3 (less the full-frame sensor of course). From the top theres a new CMOS sensor with twelve megapixels, a new auto-focus sensor with 51-points (15 of which are cross-type sensitive), theres focus tracking by color, scene recognition, Picture Control presets, six frames per second continuous shooting (or eight frames per second with a battery pack), Compact Flash UDMA support, Live View (with contrast detect AF) and the mighty impressive 3.0" 922,000 pixel LCD monitor (oh and HDMI video output). Its an impressive list, the D200 was a fair step up from the D100, the D300 can be seen as just as big a step, certainly more than enough to make the competition sweat.Model line historyModelAnnouncedEffective pixelsAuto focusContinuous highest (JPEG)LCD monitor

D100	Feb 2002	6.0 mp	5 point	3.0 fps, 6 frames	1.8", 120K pixels
D200	Nov 2005	10.2 mp	11 point	5.0 fps, 37 frames	2.5" 230K pixels
D300	Aug 2007	12.3 mp	51 point	6.0/8.0 fps, 100 frames	3.0" 922K pixels + Live View

Nikon D300 Key Features12.3 megapixel DX format CMOS sensorSelf-cleaning sensor unit (low-pass filter vibration)ISO 200 - 3200 (6400 with boost)14-bit A/D conversionNikon EXPEED image processor (Capture NX processing and NR algorithms, lower power)Super fast operation (power-up 13 ms, shutter lag 45 ms, black-out 100 ms)Shutter life 150,000 exposuresNew Multi-CAM3500DX Auto Focus sensor (51-point, 15 cross-type, more vertical coverage)Auto-focus tracking by color (using information from 1005-pixel AE sensor)Auto-focus calibration (fine-tuning) now available (fixed body or up to 20 separate lens settings)Scene Recognition System (uses AE sensor, AF sensor)Picture Control image parameter presets (replace Color Modes I, II and III)Custom image parameters now support brightness as well as contrastSix frames per second continuous shooting (eight frames per second with battery pack)Compact Flash UDMA support3.0" 922,000 pixel LCD monitorLive View with either phase detect (mirror up/down) or contrast detect Auto FocusHDMI HD video outputActive D-Lighting (adjusts metering as well as applying D-Lighting curve)Detailed Control Panel type display on LCD monitor, changes color in darknessNew MB-D10 vertical grip fully integrates into body, multi battery type compatibleButtons sealed against moisture12.3 megapixel DX format CMOS sensorViewfinder pentaprismMain board with EXPEED processorEXPEED processor51-point Multi-CAM 3500DX AF sensor module51 AF point locations in frame (approx.)1005-pixel metering sensorShutter

Nikon D300 vs. D200 feature and specification differences

Nikon D300

Nikon D200

SensorA/D converterImage processorImage sizesRAW filesTIFF filesDust reductionAuto focusFocus tracking by colorAF area modeSensitivityContinuous shootingImage ParametersActive D-LightingViewfinderLCD monitorLCD Live ViewCompact FlashVertical gripVideo outputMenu languagesDimensionsWeight (no batt)

• 12.3 million effective pixel CMOS• DX format	• 10.2 million effective pixel CCD• DX format
14-bit	12-bit
Nikon EXPEED	Unspecified
• 4288 x 2848• 3216 x 2136• 2144 x 1424	• 3872 x 2592• 2896 x 1944• 1936 x 1296
NEF / Compressed NEF 14-bit	NEF 12-bit
Yes	No
Self-cleaning sensor unit	No
• 51-point Multi-CAM 3500DX• 15 cross-type sensors• Contrast detect in Live View mode	• 11-point Multi-CAM 1000
Yes	No
	• Single Area AF• Dynamic AF with Focus Tracking and Lock-on• GroupDynamic AF• Closest Subject Priority Dynamic AF

• With built-in battery: up to 6 fps• With AC adapter or MB-D10 pack andbatteries other than EN-EL3e: up to 8 fps	5 fps
• Picture Control (4 presets)• Sharpening• Contrast• Brightness• Saturation• Hue	• Presets (6 presets)• Sharpening• Tone• Color mode• Saturation• Hue
Yes (also adjusts exposure)	No
100% frame coverage	95% frame coverage
• 3.0 " TFT LCD• 922,000 pixels	• 2.5 " TFT LCD• 230,000 pixels
• Handheld mode (phase detect AF)• Tripod mode (contrast detect AF)	No
Type I / II (UDMA support)	Type I / II
MB-D10	MB-D200
HDMI (HD)	Composite (SD)
14	13
147 x 114 x 74 mm (5.8 x 4.5 x 2.9 in)	147 x 113 x 74 mm (5.8 x 4.4 x 2.9 in)
825 g (1.82 lb)	830 g (1.8 lb)