$1,699.95
Nikon D300S
Digital Camera Review
Introduction
Page 1 of 21
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Nikon D300S Prices
Nikon D300S Manual
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Introduction | |||
| Like Rip Van Winkle, Nikon arose from a 2 1/2 year slumber, took a look at Canon and Sony, and tacked some catchy features from the D90 onto the aging D300. As you might have inferred from its model name, the $1700 Nikon D300S is a relaunch of the 3-year-old D300, with a few modern upgrades. At the same price as the Canon 7D, Nikon delivers its usual mediocre 720p video, where Canon kicks it up to 1080p, at 30 frames per second. Performance like this is why Canon has a pro video following Nikon can only dream of. Hardcore Nikon shooters won't be disappointed by this camera. You'll still have access to Nikon's amazing collection of lenses. The D300S is tough and weather-sealed—you could whack a rhino with this camera and it wouldn't break. And it's heavy enough to do some damage. The D300S color and noise performances are outstanding. The autofocus system is familiar, but we see no reason to mess with success. The camera does offer a new 7fps burst, and the addition of dual memory card slots is a welcome change. The camera might be worth the investment if you're a pro on a budget or a demanding amateur, but we were hoping to see more innovation. Otherwise, you're essentially buying the S-less D300 from three years ago. If you don't want to read through our complete, lab-tested review, feel free to skip to our sample photos, product tour, or other sections below. There's also no shame in jumping straight to the conclusion for spoilers. |
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| Page 1 of 21 | Product Tour |  |
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| Section | The Good | The Bad | |
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Product Tour | Rugged weather-resistant construction | Size and weight limit portability |
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Sample Photos | See sample photos taken with the Nikon D300S under different conditions | |
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Color | Accurate color reproduction overall | Unimpressive long exposure results |
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Noise | Low image noise in bright light | High ISO noise reduction causes significant loss of fine detail |
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Resolution | Good sharpness results, very low chromatic aberration | Dynamic range limited at higher ISOs |
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White Balance | Decent custom white balance results | Auto WB system stymied by incandescent and fluorescent light |
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Playback | Thorough on-screen info options | No calendar view; limited slide show |
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Hardware | First-rate viewfinder and LCD; long battery life; dual memory cards | Mono audio output for standard-def video |
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Controls | Fast autofocus and burst shooting | Slow Live View performance, no auto or scene modes |
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Design & Handling | Extensive customization options with memory banks for quickly switching configurations | Steep learning curve for camera controls |
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Conclusion | Read our final conclusion on the Nikon D300S | |
| Video Section | The Good | The Bad | |
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Video: Color & Noise | Good color accuracy and low noise levels | Saturation level could be a bit higher |
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Video: Motion & Sharpness | Sharpness was decent for a camera that records 720p; motion was better than on previous video-capable DLSRs from Nikon | Doesn't record Full HD video (no 1920 x 1080 option). |
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Video: Low Light Performance | Overall low light performance was very good | None |
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Video Features | External microphone jack and limited audio controls | Manual controls are limited and difficult to adjust in video mode. |
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