Nikon D300S

The Nikon D300S had made quite an impact when it was first launched. And, in many aspects, it is still the camera to beat in the class of semi-professional digital SLR. Two years later, it is still able to command essentially the same price as at launch.

Although the many of the additions to the D300S are simply those that we've seen appear on Nikons since the D300 arrived (virtual horizon from the D3, movies from the D90), one genuinely new feature is the inclusion of contrast-detection autofocus that operates while in the movie mode - a first of a Nikon DSLR. It's not the quickest focusing you'll ever see, though, and you'll also need to make use of the external mic socket if you're to avoid the distant generator chuntering or asthmatic rodent sounds that autofocus motos seem to so accurately mimic.

The D300S inherits the non-latched memory card door that we first saw on the D700, but now with both a CF and SD slot behind it. As you'd expect at this level, the exact behaviour of how the camera writes to the two cards can be defined: use one after the other, write backups to the second card, RAW and JPEG to different cards or split stills and videos to different cards. In fact, many of the changes make the D300s even more similar to the D700, including Nikon's now-standard multi controller with separate central button that, on this camera, initiates movie recording when in live view.

The continuous shooting speed has been given a bot of boost, with the camera now capable of shooting at 7fps using its own battery and 8fps with the MB-D10 battery grip.

However, the arrival of the distinctly pro-targetted Canon EOS 7D and the accomplished but more wallet-friendly Pentax K-7 could make Nikon's gently refresh of the D300 look insufficient.

Nikon D300s Key Features

• 13.1 megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor
• 720p HD video
• 3.0" LCD monitor
• Image sensor cleaning
• 51 AF points (with 3D tracking)
• ISO 200-3200 range
• 7 frames per second continuous shooting
• Picture Controls - image parameters consistent with all current Nikon DSLRs
• Same EN-EL3e battery as D300
• 72 thumbnail view in playback
• 14-bit A/D conversion
• Super fast operation
• Shutter life 150,000 exposures
• Multi-CAM 3500DX Auto Focus sensore
• Auto-Focus tracking by color
• Auto-Focus calibration available
• Scene Recognition System
• Picture Control image parameter presets
• Custom image parameters now support brightness as well as contrast
• Compact Flash UDMA support
• Live View with either phase detect (mirror up/down) or contrast detect Auto Focus
• HDMI HD video output
• 'Active D-Lighting' (adjusts metering as well as applying D-Lighting curve)
• Detailed 'Control Panel' type display on LCD monitor, changes color in darkness
• New MB-D10 vertical grip fully integrates into body, multi battery type compatible
• Buttons sealed against moisture

Sample Images