Nikon D300 Body Only
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Rating: 
(out of 29 reviews)
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Review by Martin Turner for Nikon D300 Body Only
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The D300 is Nikon’s premium DX format camera, offering professionals and extremely serious amateurs a full-sized, high-speed, professional camera when fitted with the vertical grip, or a comparatively small and lightweight but well specified workhorse when used without.
A lot of people are saying that this camera is the real replacement for the D2X. This is both true and not true. In terms of resolution, frames per second and battery life (with the vertical grip), it matches or exceeds the D2X. However, it lacks the robustness and waterproofing of its larger cousin. If you can’t see the point of robustness and waterproofing, then the D300 is pretty definitely the best DX format camera you can get. If you can see the point of them, a second hand D2X, or moving up to the D3 is probably the best way to go.
The D300′s specifications, however, only tell half of the story. Nikon has accomplished a near miracle by cramming the resolution and frames per second into this camera. But the real revolution is in the electronics. In common with the D3, the D300 corrects for chromatic aberration in camera, which means that virtually every shot on most lenses is sharper and crisper. The D300 also has better (51 point) autofocus, metering and, crucially, white balance. Other electronic benefits include Live View, which gives dSLR users the best of both worlds — magnifiable rear LCD live view, as well as true through the lens SLR view (but not both at the same time). The D300 also includes DLighting (a kind of tone mapping) and the ability to apply some basic alterations in camera after shooting but before transfer to Photoshop. How important these are depends on what and why you are shooting, but it may mean that you can hand a client a set of production quality JPEGs straight after the shoot, or send them to the PictureDesk, without having to use a computer.
Finally, for those who haven’t yet mastered sensor cleaning, the D300 has a self-cleaning sensor.
What’s the verdict on the D300, and who should buy it? At half the price of my D100 just six years ago, and one third of the price of my D2x just two years ago, this camera is amazing value. The price is slightly higher than it appears, because to get D2x beating frame rates you have to have the vertical grip, and have to get the D2x style battery to go with it. But this is not a significant extra expense.
If you are a professional and you like the huge, chunky feel and weight of the D1, D2 or D3 series, then the D300 feels a little flimsy and insecure — even with the vertical grip. On the other hand, if you prefer something which won’t worry your physiotherapist, the D300 is a great camera. Nikon categorises it as ‘professional’, which means ownership of a D300 gives you access to Nikon Professional Users, and ownership of the D300 and one other pro camera, along with the ability to demonstrate you earn your living from photography gives you access to Nikon Professional Service, with all the attendant benefits. You can, of course, opt for the D3, with its extraordinary low-light performance, but the D300 is itself no slouch, and its resolution is big enough to shoot a bill-board without upscaling.
If you are an amateur, and you have the money, then the D300 gives you access to the finest DX format camera that Nikon has ever produced without the enormous weight of the D2x. The resolution is sufficient to produce fine prints at up to 30″ across, with judicious post-processing, and the noise performance is better than any other Nikon DX camera. The built-in chromatic aberration control means that the D300 produces genuinely sharper images than the D200, D2x, D80 or D40x, an advantage that the D200 did not have over, say, the D40x.
Nikon surprised a lot of people when they released this camera, as many believed that they would bet their future on the FX format for professionals. The actual performance of this camera for its weight and price – in my mind – amply justifies Nikon’s decision to continue to innovate in this format.
Warmly recommended.
Review by Ian Bradford for Nikon D300 Body Only
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This is a camera to knock spots off the competition. It has the functionality of a professional DSLR with results to match. Where to start? Great images even at a high ISO, rapid and accurate focusing, very accurate exposure and intuitive menu. It is easy to use but as one would expect with a camera at this level it will not give of its best unless the user has a reasonable level of understanding of digital photography.
I agonised for weeks before splashing out. It was more than I wanted to spend but oh I am so glad I decided to invest. If you are a keen photographer and are ready to be impressed, no amazed, by performance then hesitate no longer
Review by Mr. G. Bridgeman-clarke for Nikon D300 Body Only
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I have been a user of Nikon cameras since 1980 since I switched over from Olympus. In that time I have never been tempted to wander as each manual, automatic, film and digital camera has always delivered up to expectation. Well they have until now. This camera exceeds expectation!!!
I am currently using, for work and pleasure, a Nikon 2DH and a Nikon 2DXs. Great professional cameras, both expensive but I have never had a days problem with either. They are workmanlike, ok to operate and deliver the goods. Some of the commands can be a pain, like zooming in to look at a image after it has been taken, but overall they are great cameras.
I bought the D300 after seeing the images taken from another sports photographer who literally bought the camera and on the same day cover the Oxford United v Southend United FA Cup tie. Risky business using a camera without trying it out first. But this camera is so easy to use. And zooming in is as easy as anything with a single button on the rear to achieve. This camera also allows manipulation in the camera with presets for UV, skylight filters and sepia and monochrome conversions – in the latter case it doesn’t change your original but rather produces a new image in the desired effect.
Straight from the box, once the battery is charged (about 2 hours) the camera can be set to auto everything including white balance and it will give you results like no other camera I have ever used. The autofocus is snappy and I had no trouble when testing it on following a heron on the local nature reserve. With the new autofocus module and selection to the 51 3-d focus option all my shots were pin sharp.
The camera is produced for professional and high-end amateur use and has a magnesium body and many attributes of the top-of-the-range Nikon D3, but at a third of the price. I can not understand how Nikon can do it. Ok it is not as large and as comfortably bulky as the D2H, D2Xs or the flagship D3 but it does have the advantage that being smaller its less conspicuous. This will accompany me on holidays, being smaller and easier to carry and less weighty in my gadget bag.
The camera also comes with Nikons NX software which I have been using for 6 months and it is about time this software was free for Nikon users. I will review that separately, but its a well worth edition.
All in all, a great camera and as another reviewer states it has an easy to follow manual which is again a big improvement on most camera manuals you get with cameras. I always end up buying the independent instruction manuals from Magic Lantern, but not in this case.
Buy it and enjoy it!!
Review by Eric Ambleside for Nikon D300 Body Only
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I’ve replaced my trusty D70 – a great camera – with a D300 body, and I’m knocked out by it.
Build: feels like it’s bulletproof. Probably not quite that good, but it is solid and reassuring, and not as heavy as I feared – I humped it round Paris for 4 days and it wasn’t a problem. Even with a Metz 58 clamped on top it was bearable.
Ergonomics: great. It’s as beautifully balanced as the D70; you can hang it happily from your finger tip via the right hand side grip. Not necessarily something you want to do all the time, I will grant you … Controls are all in the right place, and the ones you need are all controlled by big handy buttons. Everything is in the viewfinder, a big step forward from the D70. Nikon have really thought this through and I’d guess they have talked to a lot of people. Really spot on.
Rear screen: Wow! Huge, and blindingly bright and detailed. Simply amazing.
Menu system: great. Big, bright and colourful, logical and well laid out, with the ability to customise menus and pre-store favourite settings. Haven’t got into this yet, but it should be a really handy feature.
Battery life: looking very good, if probably not as excellent as the D70. Hardly surprising though, and it might just be because I’m ‘playing’ a lot at the moment. Very detailed battery capacity checking via the menus as well – to the nearest 1%. I’d estimate 600+ shots on a full charge, and that’s doing a lot of reviewing and screen faffing.
Continuous shooting: yipes! Buy some bigger memory cards.
Low light/high ISO capability: a huuuge step forward over the D70, and simply brilliant. I’ve shot some stuff at 1000 and 1600 ISO, and I can hardly believe the quality. Noise? What noise?
Overall picture quality: very, very good indeed. The assorted minor gripes I had with the D70 (high ISO, detail in complex shots like leaves, trees) are all gone. Immaculate so far.
Exposure system: seems astonishingly good. Perhaps shoots a little dark, so I’ve found myself going to +0.3 a bit, but the end results are excellent.
Auto-focus: my biggest D70 issue, it used to ‘hunt’ with frustrating regularity. No more! Obviously still struggles occasionally with big flat monotone blocks, but generally fast and accurate.
Live view mode: you can now frame your shots through the rear display. This takes some getting used to if I’m honest, and I’m not sure how often I will ever use it. But, it works, and it’s another trick up your sleeve.
Flexibility: great again. Lots of genuinely useful shooting modes, clever controls, great adaptability.
Overall: I love it. Beautifully built, carefully and thoughtfully designed, with a great chip, great controls and perfect handling. If the monkey operating it does his job right, it will produce great photographs. My last excuse for poor shots is now gone! It’s all down to me …
Finally: I’m really not sure what I would change or want improved on this machine, and I’m not sure what else I would ever want from a camera (as an amateur of course). I think that makes it pretty good. You will not be disappointed.
Review by Tom Iancu for Nikon D300 Body Only
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Until recently I had a Nikon D80 and I also wrote a review about it. So I think it would be useful for you, D80 owners and D300 prospect buyers, to have some clues about what this D300 is about from a former D80 user. I will update my review as I’ll be getting into more and more of this camera.
First noticeable difference is the size. The D300 is bigger and heavier than the D80, but the size it is not a problem for mid-sized hands like mine are. About weight: I bought a neoprene strap some time ago for my D80. I use it also on the D300. The strap which is included with the camera is a bit too rough for my skin and the weight of camera can be a real pain if you carry it on too long. Any neoprene strap will do, just choose one which is a bit more elastic and has a smooth internal layer (touch it, it is important to do that BEFORE you buy it).
You won’t notice any important difference in the feeling of the grip size, although it is a bit bulkier, because the body has been reshaped in the back of the camera so it is easy to hold it even with one hand. On the back, there is a handy AF-ON button which is completely in the reach of your thumb and the AE-L/ AF-L button is not far from it either. The body has a rubbery feel which is different than the D80 (more plastic) and lays comfortable in your hands giving you the sensation of a good grip.
Controls: One thing that annoys most photographers is to have to lower the camera from their eyes very often when they change some settings. You will not have a mode dial, like in D80, just a button and only 4 modes that will be displayed in the viewfinder; this is a pro camera, the amateur-like modes (portrait, night etc) are gone. It will be very nice for you to know that you don’t have to change white balance, ISO and picture quality settings by looking at the back of the camera (like on the D80) to find the buttons. They are on the top, like on D200, which I think it is very convenient because they are arranged in a triangle shape and you can get to your needed button without removing the camera from your eye, because you will remember quite quickly the location of each button: front the quality, left the white balance, right the ISO. Moreover, ISO setting is displayed in the viewfinder and you’ll be quite amazed to find how useful this little feature is ! On the D80 I had to use and push the custom function button to see this or to look on top, on the LCD display. On top right are only two buttons: to the left is the mode, to the right is the exposure compensation (use this with caution with matrix metering). Voila, with four buttons you control the most important settings for taking pictures, and, best of all, you know their location without having to look at them. What needs special attention is the release mode dial, is the one you have to look at when changing modes. The rest of lever controls have only three positions so it’s very easy to know which one position is which.
The build quality is outstanding, it looks and feels like a tank. Remember that, with camera, you are getting an environmental sealing which is not the case for the D80/40/40x. Combine that with a sealed lens like the 17-55DX f/2.8 and you’ll gone have a very nice combo even in bad weather. Is that important ? Yes, it is. Otherwise you have to take care all the time and protect your camera from water drops, dust and snowflakes. The sound of the shutter is softer (more silent) than on the D80, probably because of some other materials were used for building the mirror holder and the shutter.
ISO, noise: The noise at high ISO is outstanding. When I purchased the D80 I found myself very often wanting to shoot in lowlight conditions and I got a Nikon SB800 for that. However, using flash to some extent annoys people and high ISO was mandatory in such situations. Now you can use ISO 3200 with 100% confidence and getting low noise, well-detailed photos with good saturated colors will be a rule. ISO 1600 is almost noise free, you can see it at pixel peeping but for prints it is non-existent. More important than low noise is detail preservation at high ISO. The 2 more megapixels also help. What helps most on the field is the Auto ISO feature, something that I have never used on the D80. I took shots using a minimum shutter speed of 1/50 s and ISO as high as 2000. That gives you a very wide range of exposure options without being afraid of noise and lost details. One advice, though: be sure to set high ISO noise reduction to low or none (in the menus). You can always remove any noise with a software but never can recover lost details. For noise removal I strongly recommend Nik Software Dfine 2.0 plugin for Adobe Photoshop or Imagenomics Noiseware. In my opinion, the ISO 3200 is a blessing. That means you can take photos in rooms lit with 60W light bulbs without having to cry for blotchy images. If on the D80 ISO 3200 was good (in my opinion) for 6×4 prints and black and white larger images, with D300 you can go far beyond that. Image quality wise, ISO 6400 on the D300 is almost on par with ISO 1600 on the D80, and, more important, using a noise reduction software you can get very good looking images out of ISO 6400 pictures.
Metering: no more complaints for “matrix overexposure” fans, although I always felt that this “overexposure” is more related to poor usage of this metering mode on the D80. On D300, the matrix is spot on, and you’ll like it as much as I do, on sunny, cloudy, evening and artificial light, including the TTL mode on flash.
Focus: this will hit you. Actually nobody could understand (neither did I) what a pro-level focusing system means until you’ll be using one. No more hit and miss, no more problems on portrait compositions, no more problems of focusing with AF points other than the central one. The settings menu will give you a plethora of possible focus combinations, and memory banks to save your settings for quick selection. When you’ll get your D300, do this test: on continuous servo high speed, track a car. You could make a movie with those sharp images.
Colors: I have a habbit, I always shoot in Adobe RGB mode. It is the best way to do when you are after the most color information from one scene. Moreover, even if you have aRGB jpegs, you can always assign a different lower-gamut profile in Adobe Photoshop CS3 or other image editing software. The colors ARE different than the D80′s: closer to the warm side of the spectrum, gone is the sometime-magenta cast that you once noticed on your D80 especially under bright sun. The colors ARE PERFECT. So perfect that you can distinguish between subtle tonalities on flowers, skin tones and complexions, to a much better extent than with the D80. The shadows won’t have any bluish creep anymore, dark is dark, black is black, maroon is maroon etc. Even at high ISO, the noise is more luminance than bluish. Again, you have a entire army of in-camera settings for colors, brilliance, contrast, hue … you can customize your preferences for image rendition, you can save more than neutral-vivid-black and white modes personal settings for color and luminance settings. There is only one single exception to this perfection which you have to consider: when using dynamic D-lighting mode, colors tend to get more saturated as high as you get with your D-lightings settings. On RAWs (NEFs) this is easily corrected in your raw processing software, but on jpegs and tiffs, quite difficult.
RAW mode: Please, please use Nikon Capture NX2 Software for Windows and Mac or ACR from Adobe Photoshop. The results with Lightroom are horrendous in terms of noise reduction. I don’t know why, it should have the same RAW engine as Photoshop CS3. UPDATE: These problems seem to come from preproduction firmware NEFs. I found no more problems opening NEFs in Lightroom with a production firmware camera.
Please remember that the first 300.000 D300 sold also have a license for Capture NX included in the box (I also got it) so you won’t have to spend on licenss. I like the way this software renders colors and noise even if it does not have the most impressive interface one ever built. One more advantage with Capture NX 1.3: you have a new “Picture Control” menu under “Camera Settings” which you can use to add custom picture settings to the D300 (and name them as you want “less vivid”, “more neutral” etc) and a custom-curve editor that you can use to add more control to your custom picture preset. Moreover, the 1.3 version of NX picture control options come with some D2x-image-like presets that are great for rendering skin tones in portraits.
Memory Card: if you shoot in 14-bit mode (recommended if you shoot RAW or TIFF and have to shoot high dynamic scenes), please remember that the RAW files, uncompressed, are somewhere around 25 MB each. Get a fast card. I bought a SanDisk 4 GB Extreme IV CompactFlash Card, that supports 40MB/s transfer. It runs smoothly, the camera buffer will not clog. Take care: 25 MB NEF file will stress your computer out and squeeze all resources from it. You need at least 2 GB of RAM (I have 4), and a fast processor. I have a Core2Duo 6300 plus win XP 64 bit edition to avoid RAM limitation. Update May 7, 2008: I bought also a 8GB 300x UDMA Lexar CF card to have another CF card for my camera and it seems to me that the write and read speed on the Lexar is inferior to the Sandisk Ultra IV. So my advice is to stick with Sandisk.
I won’t go into details, but I just want you to know that I have this camera for less than 24 hours, I already shot >100 photos (Update May 7, 2008: >3,000 photos; no hotspots, dead pixels, nada), and I love all of them. It is a perfect upgrade for my needs.
Promise to come back with further news.
Update (22 Jan 2008 – after two months of use):
No problems whatsoever. The camera works like a charm. I’m delighted.
Update (7 May 2008):
No problems encountered. Meanwhile I purchased a Voigtlander APO Lanthar 90mm f/3.5 for Nikon which is an amazing lens – manual focusing – for its price, and a Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM Lens which is quite a fun to use a get photos with it. Is nice to have the added possibility of using metering with an AIS-like lens.