Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-135mm AF-S DX f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF Nikkor Zoom Lens

by Nikon

Product Details

• Item Weight: 6.4 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B000VR9V3E
• Item model number: B000VR9V3E
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #11,860 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 2, 2001

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Engineered with pro-level features and performance, the 12.3-effective-megapixel D300 combines brand new technologies with advanced features inherited from Nikon's newly announced D3 professional digital SLR camera to offer serious photographers remarkable performance and agility.

Similar to the D3, the D300 features Nikon's exclusive EXPEED Image Processing System that is central to driving the speed and processing power needed for many of the camera's new features. The D300 features a new 51-point autofocus system with Nikon's 3D Focus Tracking feature and two new LiveView shooting modes that allow users to frame a photograph using the camera's high-resolution LCD monitor. The D300 shares a similar Scene Recognition System as is found in the D3; it promises to greatly enhance the accuracy of autofocus, autoexposure, and auto white balance by recognizing the subject or scene being photographed and applying this information to the calculations for the three functions.

The D300 reacts with lightning speed, powering up in a mere 0.13 seconds and shooting with an imperceptible 45-millisecond shutter release lag time. The D300 is capable of shooting at a rapid six frames per second and can go as fast as eight frames per second when using the optional MB-D10 multi-power battery pack. In continuous bursts, the D300 can shoot up to 100 shots at full 12.3-megapixel resolution. (NORMAL-LARGE image setting, using a SanDisk Extreme IV 1GB CompactFlash card.)

The D300 incorporates a range of innovative technologies and features that will significantly improve the accuracy, control, and performance photographers can get from their equipment. Its new Scene Recognition System advances the use of Nikon's acclaimed 1,005-segment sensor to recognize colors and light patterns that help the camera determine the subject and the type of scene being photographed before a picture is taken. This information is used to improve the accuracy of autofocus, autoexposure, and auto white balance functions in the D300. For example, the camera can track moving subjects better and by identifying them, it can also automatically select focus points faster and with greater accuracy. It can also analyze highlights and more accurately determine exposure, as well as infer light sources to deliver more accurate white balance detection.

The D300 incorporates Nikon's new Multi-CAM 3500DX autofocus module that features an intelligent array of 15 cross-type sensors and 36 horizontal sensors. These sensors can either be used individually or in groups, with the option for Single area AF mode and Dynamic AF modes using groups of either nine, 21, or all 51 focus points. The system also features 3D tracking with automatic focus-point switching that takes advantage of all 51 AF points as it uses color and light information to accurately track the subject. Nikon's new Scene Recognition System and improved focus algorithms also contribute to the impressive performance of the new 51-point AF system.

Nikon's new Picture Control System makes it easy for users of all experience levels to select and apply adjustments to how their pictures are rendered and create optimized settings to suit their individual preferences. The same settings produce consistent picture tone, even when using different camera bodies. The Picture Control System offers four basic setting options--Standard, Neutral, Vivid, and Monochrome. These can be directly modified for easy adjustment and customization of image parameters, such as sharpening, tone compensation, brightness, and saturation. Photographers can customize and store up to nine customized options in the D300 and export up to 99 to a CF memory card, enabling photographers to share settings among multiple cameras that feature Picture Control System.

Taking a cue from the popularity of Nikon's D-Lighting technology, the D300 features a new Active D-Lighting mode that, when enabled, provides remarkable real-time highlight and shadow correction with optimized image contrast. Active D-Lighting produces broader tone reproduction in both shadows and highlights by controlling highlights and exposure compensation while applying localized tone control technology to achieve a more pleasing level of contrast across the entire image. And because the advantages of Active D-Lighting are applied as images are captured, image editing time can be shortened.

The D300's LiveView feature offers two modes for confirming subjects and composition on the new 920,000-dot, high-resolution 3-inch LCD monitor while shooting. The Tripod mode is designed for precise focus and accuracy when the camera is on a stable platform and the subject is not moving. In this mode, the camera focuses on the subject using focal-plane contrast and any point on the LCD screen can be selected as the focus point for the picture. The second mode, called Handheld mode, allows photographers to use the camera's conventional TTL focusing system with all 51-points and 15 cross-type points available. When using this mode, the camera activates focusing immediately when the shutter button is pressed to ensure accurate focus.

The D300 also employs a new self-cleaning sensor unit. Four different resonance frequencies vibrate the optical low-pass filter in front of the image sensor to shake particles free and reduce the appearance of dust.

Refined Ergonomics and Usability
The D300 inherits one of Nikon's most streamlined, functional, and aesthetically pleasing layouts in a digital SLR camera, designed to enable photographers to take pictures with less fatigue, greater accuracy, and comfort.

The camera's viewfinder provides virtually 100 percent coverage so pictures can be framed accurately, while an ultra-high definition 920,000 dot VGA LCD screen on the rear of the camera displays images with vivid color and clarity. Its 170-degree wide viewing angle makes it easy to compose shots using the LCD screen in LiveView mode.

The D300 features rugged magnesium alloy construction and the camera's shutter mechanism is tested up to 150,000 cycles. The 3.0-inch LCD is strengthened with tempered glass and the D300's rubber gaskets and seals protect vulnerable entry points from dust and moisture.

18-135mm AF-S DX f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF Nikkor Zoom Lens
The lens that comes with this kit is a versatile, high-power 7.5x Zoom-Nikkor lens, approximating the picture-angle performance of a 28-200mm lens on 35mm SLR.

A Nikon Extra-Low Dispersion (ED) glass element delivers superior optical performance. ED glass minimizes chromatic aberrations, contributing to superb contrast and resolution performance. In addition, Internal Focus (IF) provides fast and quiet autofocusing without changing the length of the lens, retaining subject working distance through the focus range. You can also focus as close as 1.47 feet throughout entire zoom range.

A compact Silent Wave Motor (SWM) enables fast and quiet autofocusing, along with quick switching between autofocus and manual operation (M/A and M), and a seven-blade rounded diaphragm opening makes out-of-focus elements appear more natural. A Non-Rotating front element provides for convenient use of circular polarizing filters and the Nikon Wireless Close-Up Speedlight System. The lens' filter attachment size is 67mm.

What's in the box
Nikon D300 digital SLR body, EN-EL3e rechargeable li-ion battery, MH-18a quick charger, UC-E4 USB cable, EG-D100 video cable, AN-D300 strap, BM-8 LCD monitor cover, body cap, DK-5 eyepiece cap, DK-23 rubber eyecup, Software Suite CD-ROM

Product Description

The Nikon D300 D-SLR offers 12.3 MP DX format CMOS sensor combined with a fast 6 fps (up to 8 fps with the optional Multi Power Battery Pack). The camera s fast power-up, quick response and outstanding flexibility will meet the needs of a wide variety of photographic assignments. The D300 also features a self-cleaning sensor unit, which vibrates at high frequencies to remove any loose dust on the surface of the sensor s optical low pass filter. The camera has a broad ISO range from 200-3200 plus Lo 1 (the equivalent of ISO 100) and Hi (ISO 6400 equivalent). Image accuracy is also enhanced by the Nikon Scene Recognition System, which uses the Nikon 1005-pixel RGB color sensor modified to recognize subjects shape and position before the image is captured. This also aids the new 51-Point Autofocus system in tracking subjects, while enhancing the accuracy of exposure and white balance metering.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nikon D300, January 7, 2008

By 

Robert E. Jenkins (Indio, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-135mm AF-S DX f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF Nikkor Zoom Lens (Electronics)

The move to the Nikon D300 was made to take advantages of the newer features that were not present (especially the greater pixel capacity) in the D100 which I had for several years. It was time to move up.
The screen is larger with the ability to display additional information regarding exposure etc. The controls are neatly arranged and handle better than the D100 and it is more comfortable your hands. Auto focus and exposure metering are much more advanced over the D100.
While I am still very much in the "learn mode" with this camera I am satisfied the move was worth it. Having not moved to the D200 when it came out I cannot comment on the value of moving from that model to the D300.
I had shopped around on the web only to find multiple cases of much lower prices but they did not include the typical box items of the charger, battery etc. In this regard be careful of the lo-ball prices.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Camera !, January 7, 2008

By 

Pedro Paiva (Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-135mm AF-S DX f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF Nikkor Zoom Lens (Electronics)

This is the best cost/benefit camera in the market today.
I bought this kit with 18-135 lens but if I was to buy now, I'd rather go for the more expensive kit with 18-200 as its a better quality lens and more versatile zoom length.
If you can afford it, BUY IT, you will not regret the investment.
Bought mine at amazon.com and have no complaints about it. Delivered on time just before Christmas.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Who needs a $5000 D3?, January 7, 2008

By 

John P. Fullenwider (Columbus, MS) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-135mm AF-S DX f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF Nikkor Zoom Lens (Electronics)

The D300 is fabulous. Nikon has given the serious amateur/professional a great camera at a very reasonable price. I can't imagine what the D3 does for $3000 more but I don't want to find out. This will be the last camera you ever need (at least until the D400 comes out).
Quality and features are what you expect from Nikon. I particularly like the burst modes although you need a fast card to keep up.
I recommend this camera to any photographer without any reservations.
BTW, I bought mine off Amazon. No kickback from them or Nikon, unfortunately.