Nikon D300 (body only)

Manufacturer: Nikon Inc. Part number: 25432

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CNET Editor rating:
4.0 stars Excellent
Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 24 reviews

Jan 2008

More product information:: Editors' review; User reviews; Specifications; Product series; Manufacturer info

Bottom Line:: Visibly better photo quality and slightly improved performance make the Nikon D300 a significant upgrade over the D200 and an excellent all-around choice.

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CNET editors' review

Nikon D300 (body only)

price range: $1,334.73 - $2,229.00

Reviewed by: Lori Grunin
Reviewed on: 01/28/2008
Released on: 11/28/2007

The good: Excellent performance and photo quality; solidly built; extremely flexible custom settings architecture; onboard wireless flash controller.

The bad: A bit too expensive, given the competition.

The bottom line: Visibly better photo quality and slightly improved performance make the Nikon D300 a significant upgrade over the D200 and an excellent all-around choice.

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Nikon D300

When you build the follow-up to a hot camera, how do you turn up the heat? When Nikon shipped the D200 a couple of years ago, its combination of speed and photo quality blew away the limited competition, and provided a powerful, relatively inexpensive alternative to Nikon's then top-of-the-line D2X. The D300 faces a far more crowded field. Not only does it take on its venerable and now lower-priced predecessor, but also a cluster of far-from-shabby dSLRs just at or below its price: the Canon EOS 40D, the Sony Alpha DSLR-A700, the Olympus E-3, and the Pentax K20D.

Nikon's offering a body-only box of the D300 as well as two kits: one with a DX 18mm-135mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF lens (27mm-202.5mm equivalent with the camera's 1.5x crop factor) and one with a DX 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens (27mm-300mm equivalent). I tested the latter kit, and also used the camera with two non-DX lenses: a preproduction version of the 14-24mm 2.8G ED and the 24-70mm f/2.8G ED IF.

For the most part, Nikon sticks with the tried-and-true body design and interface of the D200, with its intelligently laid out controls. The dust- and weatherproof body weighs a hair over 2 pounds, and feels as solid as a little tank. The viewfinder is bigger and brighter, with 100 percent coverage. There are a few behaviors I'm not fond of, like the hard to manipulate metering dial (discussed in my more-detailed analysis of the design) and occasionally problematic AF-mode navigation (discussed below), but find the camera's operation comfortable and fluid. Nikon carries over the ultraflexible user-settings menus, which consists of two banks--shooting settings and custom settings--with four nameable slots each.

Though the DX-format (23.6x15.8 mm), 12-megapixel CMOS sensor is new, the D300 otherwise retains the raft of features that made the D200 so powerful, plus some high-profile enhancements. Most notably, the D300 increases to 51 AF points with 15 cross-type sensors, which contributes to the camera's new 3D-tracking 51-point Dynamic Area AF mode, and replaces the Group Dynamic AF of its predecessor. Essentially, the D300's 1,005-point 3D color matrix meter does double duty, feeding a low-resolution digitized version of the scene to the new Multi-Cam 3500DX AF module for tracking analysis. (You can see an interesting video simulation of it on YouTube.)

Based on the description (and the suggested use in the manual), the 3D tracking mode seems like an optimal solution for shooting well-defined subjects--those with strong color contrast relative to the background and which occupy a large percentage of the scene--that remain within the frame. And in shoots at a local dog run, it worked best for portrait-type situations, where it tracked the dogs' wildly moving heads while they themselves remained relatively stationary within the frame. However, for shots where the subject moves too quickly to keep in the viewfinder--as happens with most of the other dog-run shots--Nikon suggests using the 51-point dynamic AF without the 3D tracking. That works relatively well. (You can also choose 21-point or nine-point without 3D.) However, I miss the AF-group visual feedback provided by the D200. (Editor's note: The original version of this review had an erroneous complaint about not being able to assign these to custom buttons; in fact, you can assign swapping between the different multipoint AF modes to a custom button and dial combination.)

Like the 40D, the D300's Live View mode supports autofocus, but the D300 uses the typical too-many-mirror-flips implementation that makes it far less useful than it could be. There's actually a flow chart in the manual explaining the series of steps it takes to shoot in Live View--with a tripod it can use contrast AF, which doesn't require the constant mirror flippage. It is neither complicated, nor the shooting experience one should expect.

Like Canon, Nikon has a lot invested in lens-based optical-image stabilization technology, so the D300 lacks the in-body sensor-shift stabilization that Sony, Pentax, Olympus, and Panasonic offer. That's not a big deal if you already have an investment in Nikon's VR lenses or don't really use/care about stabilization. But if you do care about it and making your first dSLR purchase, or contemplating shifting from another brand, then don't discount its importance; the fact that the two kits require a choice between VR and non-VR lenses foreshadows future lens choices you'll have to make.

Other boosts over the D200 include an upgrade to a 3-inch LCD with a 170-degree viewing angle, a stop higher on the sensitivity scale to an effective ISO 100-6,400, the addition of a 14-bit raw mode, and an HDMI connector for optimal HDTV output. Before going into production, Nikon dropped the Virtual Horizon capability (which did make it into the D3). Nice features carried over from the D200 include built-in wireless flash control; selectable 6mm, 8mm, 10mm, or 13mm center-spot for center-weighted metering; and a shutter-speed range of 1/8,000 to 30 seconds. (For a complete list of the D300's features and capabilities, check out the PDF manual.)

There's nothing to complain about with the D300's shooting speed--though it delivers average performance for its class, the D300 does belong to a pretty zippy class of cameras, and it outpaces the D200 on a few tasks. CNET Labs' tests indicate that it wakes up and shoots near instantly, in about 0.1 second. Under good, high-contrast lighting, it focuses and shoots in just under half a second, rising to 0.9 second in dimmer conditions. Typically, it captures consecutive frames in the same half second, edging up to 0.6 second with the built-in flash enabled. And it delivers a quick 5.8 frames per second for high-speed burst shooting. (We tested without the optional battery grip, which brings the speed closer to 8fps.) Nikon traditionally delivers excellent low-light focus performance in its dSLRs, and the D300 is no exception. Even shooting a black cat sitting in the shadows of a dimly lit apartment proved no problem.

As for photo quality, the D300 delivers great results, with a visibly superior noise profile to the D200 as well as to the Sony DSLR-A700 (which uses the same sensor). At their best, photos are sharp, with excellent exposures, accurate colors, and broad tonal ranges. Flash with the SB-800 Speedlight unit especially showed off how well the metering system works, with none of the harsh, overexposed look that I frequently get on the most difficult shots. (For more details on the photo quality, click through the slide show.)

Although the lack of in-body stabilization can be a big liability for certain users, and its interface not quite as streamlined as I'd like, these negatives are more than offset by the great performance and class-leading photo quality delivered by the Nikon D300--earning it an Editors' Choice.

Shooting speed (in seconds)
(Shorter bars indicate better performance)

Time to first shot

Raw shot-to-shot time

Shutter lag (dim light)

Shutter lag (typical)

Canon EOS 40D

0.3

0.4

0.9

0.5

Nikon D300

0.1

0.5

0.9

0.5

Nikon D200*

0.2

0.5

Sony Alpha DSLR-A700

0.5

0.6

1.2

0.5

Note: * Note: We retested the D200 using our currently methodology in December 2007, so these numbers differ from earlier reports.

Typical continuous-shooting speed (in frames per second)
(Longer bars indicate better performance)

Canon EOS 40D

6.3

Nikon D300

5.8

Nikon D200*

Sony Alpha DSLR-A700

4.8

Note: * Note: We retested the D200 using our currently methodology in December 2007, so these numbers differ from earlier reports.

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User reviews

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Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 24 reviews
My rating: 0 stars

Showing opinion 1 to 10 out of 24

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10 stars

Best Camera Ever Upgraded from D200

by McKenzie1 on December 16, 2007

Pros: Low light and high ISO

Cons: Non so far Taken over 1,000 picts in 4 days

Summary: I upgraded from a D200, because I was looking for a camera that can be set to auto and shoot in a dark theatre with stage lighting for our community ...

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Summary: I upgraded from a D200, because I was looking for a camera that can be set to auto and shoot in a dark theatre with stage lighting for our community theatre's Christmas Show. This camera is amazing. I was shooting from 60' back, and getting great shots with no flash with either my 2.8 70-200 lense or my 24-120 4.0+/-. With ISO set at 3200, I took some shots and printed them out on 11x17 with no noise. This camera is just amazing,and is worth every penny.

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10 out of 10 users found this user opinion helpful.
10 stars

Amazing Low light ability, superior resolution, great feature set.

by pixeleyz on December 6, 2007

Pros: 3200 ISO looks like 400 ISO. Stunning high res LCD, no shutter lag.

Cons: live view still clumsy to use.

Summary: I love this camera! 12 megapixels is 50% better than my old 8MP camera, and it looks 100% better. The shutter goes so fast you do not perceive any lag ...

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Summary: I love this camera! 12 megapixels is 50% better than my old 8MP camera, and it looks 100% better. The shutter goes so fast you do not perceive any lag at all, 7 frames per second for real (CNET says 6- wrong), up to 100 frames. The low light capabilities are so amazing they will change the way you shoot! 3200 ISO looks no more grainy than you would expect from 400 ISO. So you will find yourself using 3200 ISO in day light for fast shutter speeds (up to 1/8000). And you will use your flash way less indoors. But when you do use your flash with these high ISOs, the flash will be stronger than you would believe. Other features I like include the ultrasonic CMOS sensor cleaning system(haven't used it yet but glad it is there), the way the 1.5X lens magnification makes my macro lens shoot 50% closer, and the way nikon has kept its controls and buttons recognizable, much like my f100 film camera. Nikon keeps the things that work well so the new camera feels familiar in one's hands. Also, the battery lasts so long! I shot a model in the studio, 120 shots with the review screen on, and the battery was only down 20%! This is an amazingly well thought-through camera with 2008 features!

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7 out of 7 users found this user opinion helpful.
10 stars

Fantastic D300

by yesmate on January 10, 2008

Pros: Colors, Active D lIghting, Fast Frame

Cons: expensive expensive expensive

Summary: The D300 is a greta camera.

Color saturation can be increased to make eye opening (and sometimes over the top)photos.

I like the Active D Lighting for shadows and

...

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Summary: The D300 is a greta camera.

Color saturation can be increased to make eye opening (and sometimes over the top)photos.

I like the Active D Lighting for shadows and highlight correction.

I don't agree with the reveiwer who wrote ISO 3200 is the same as ISO 400. That is simply not true. Not even on a D3. ISO 3200 is much better than on previous Nikons but don't expect to shoot at 3200 and get a crystal clear photo...not happening.

The LCD is fantastic.

You can customize the menus so you have quick access to more important features.. (you can customize the menu to include most features but not all including autofocus point selection; highly needed and a huge ommission).

The flash is great (not so much for indoor; no different from any DSLR camera)

12mp is handy for blowing up larger photos.

Definitely a long learning curve on this...not a amature SLR camera so beware!

All in all, this is a great camera; I would highly recommend.

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6 out of 7 users found this user opinion helpful.
10 stars

Bravo, Nikon!!

by texasags on January 29, 2008

Pros: Autofocus, metering, customization features, LCD, Image quality

Cons: Nothing significant

Summary: This is the best APS-C sensor camera on the market today. The only other camera that comes close is the 40D, and it lacks some of the features. If you ...

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Summary: This is the best APS-C sensor camera on the market today. The only other camera that comes close is the 40D, and it lacks some of the features. If you don't need them, it is an excellent camera for the money.

Having said that, the D300 is worth every penny of the $1800 price. It has accurate metering, the best flash system on the market, the pro-level AF module from the D3, and the ability to customize almost every feature.

The large, high-resolution LCD makes it easy to check focus and exposure, even in bright sunlight.

The picture quality is amazing, especially at high ISO sensitivity. This thing is built like a tank and is a joy to operate as it has superb ergonomics. With the exception of the D3 or the Canon 1D series, I can't imagine a better DSLR. For the price, it is unbeatable.

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2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
9 stars

Probably the best semi-pro dslr you can buy today

by oscarcolorado on April 19, 2008

Pros: Incredible level of customization, image quality, low noise at high ISO levels, 51-points auto-focus, built like a tank

Cons: Pricey, 2.5fps if shooting at 14-bit, there may be a learning curve with such an extreme set of features, live-view somewhat difficult to use

Summary: Although I've been a Canon guy for a good time now, I decided to buy the D300: the experience has been amazing. The level of customization is just breathtaking (...

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Summary: Although I've been a Canon guy for a good time now, I decided to buy the D300: the experience has been amazing. The level of customization is just breathtaking (as well as the 400+ pages manual). Certainly this is not a camera for the newbies. The reward of fully reading the manual and familiarizing with the camera is a big one: total control over the quality of your images.

For a long time I prefered Canon because of a better low-light performance. I've found the Nikon D300's CMOS sensor extremely capable with high detail and well controlled noise levels even at higher ISO levels such as ISO 3200 or even a ISO 6400. Although I won't recommend to use such high sensitivities for every situation, I've found that using ISO800 most of the time is oK and even in many situation the image quality at ISO1600 is way better than what you could get with film.

The camera is built like a tank and the weather seals are great for those taking the camera to dusty or moisty environments.

I've enjoyed specially the 51 points auto focus system. Metering is extremely reliable. The viewfinder is full of valuable information, bright and with a 100% cover zone that delivers no surprises while framing.

Ergonomy is just as good as it gets. The overall feel of the camera is excellent. Although it is somewhat big and on the heavy side, it feels balanced and extremely comfortable. There are a lot of buttons that provide direct access to many features and there is -again- a lot of room for customizing controls.

Regarding image quality and control, the D300 delivers the goods big time. RAW has many flavors (compressed, lossless compressed or without any compression at all) or you may even choose TIFF. The 14-bit provides a wide dynamic range, so you can truly have a really ample space with this extra information to get the exact look you need with the RAW data. I use LightRoom for such matters and the D300 RAW files provide a lot of flexibility. I rarely use JPEGs.

Battery life is very good, even with the 3" LCD monitor. The resolution and brightness of this screen is excellent and the tempered glass is a very nice touch.

Something I don't entirely love of the D300 is the Live-view mode. I really like the live-mode of the Canon 40D and I've found it easier to use tha the D300's. The problem for me is with the auto-focus: sometimes I thought that I took the photograph when I really just performed auto-focus.

This camera is spectacular, yet the price tag is high. Yes, the value is fair, you pay top money for a top camera. A Ferrari may have a fair price for such a superb machine, but if you can't afford a Ferrari you can't afford a Ferarri. With such a price tag some enthusiasts may feel intimidated.

I think that the D300 is a good investment that won't be obsolete soon (not like compact or sub-compact's 6 months lifespan) and the resolution is good enough for big prints or extreme crops. So you can expect to use the D300 for a good time.

There are two good alternatives to the D300: the Sony Alpha 700 and the Canon 40D, but at the end of the day I think that the D300 is very probably the best semi-pro dSLR you can buy today.

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1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
10 stars

Best ProUser dSLR

by sanpasqual on September 10, 2008

Pros: Excellent color controls and processing. Fast and accurate for action wildlife shots.

Cons: Can't seem to get 100% accurate skin tone rendition.

Summary: A great buy if you intend to use its many embedded features, This is not a camera to hang around the neck as a decoration.

Summary: A great buy if you intend to use its many embedded features, This is not a camera to hang around the neck as a decoration.
9 stars

It is built like a battle tank

by bpatt on August 4, 2008

Pros: Default settings are easy to achieve

Cons: price is a bit steep

Summary: I love the big KIR-PLUNK sound the D300 makes when fired. It seems louder than any Nikon I've had since their first SLR back in the 50's.

Summary: I love the big KIR-PLUNK sound the D300 makes when fired. It seems louder than any Nikon I've had since their first SLR back in the 50's.
8 stars

I love this camera!!

by SpdRacr on July 19, 2008

Pros: Picture quality and FPS speed

Cons: Price and ease of use

Summary: I upgraded from a Nikon D50 and was looking at the D80 or D200, when the D300 was introduced. The price of D300 made it hard to justify, but after ...

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Summary: I upgraded from a Nikon D50 and was looking at the D80 or D200, when the D300 was introduced. The price of D300 made it hard to justify, but after holding the three cameras it was clearly the D200 or D300. The D80, and similiar not metal body cameras, did not feel as sturdy. I was sold on the metal body. In looking at the D300 and D200...the extra money for the features of the D300 is money well spent. The live view mode, new and faster sensor, D-lighting feature all make the D300 a great camera. I could go on and on about the features of the camera - but I won't cause you have to just shoot the camera a few times and it will sell itself.

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10 stars

The best DSLR I've had for picture quality.

by marincat on July 7, 2008

Pros: Ease of use, weight, picture quality, looks.

Cons: There are no cons so far.

Summary: Being that I like a substantial feeling camera, this one is perfect. The finish on the body helps to add security when shooting accurately. The resulting photographs are clear, bright ...

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Summary: Being that I like a substantial feeling camera, this one is perfect. The finish on the body helps to add security when shooting accurately. The resulting photographs are clear, bright and need very little if any modification with software.

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10 stars

Phenomenal - Nikon does it best again!

by jhwoods on May 16, 2008

Pros: Gorgeous pictures, incredibly solid and versatile.

Cons: None. Perfect.

Summary: Just love this camera. It has reinvigorated my life long love of photography.

Summary: Just love this camera. It has reinvigorated my life long love of photography.

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Nikon D300 (body only)

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