Nikon D300s 12.3 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II Lens

by Nikon

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 14 x 9 x 7 inches ; 1.8 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B002JCSV7G
• Item model number: D300s 18-200mm Kit
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #964 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)

  #78 in

  Camera & Photo > Digital SLRs

• Date first available at Amazon.com: July 29, 2009

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The rugged D300S' hallmarks include versatility, speed, agility and exceptional image quality. Versatility is its 12.3-megapixel, DX-format CMOS image sensor, with Nikon EXPEED image processing that captures stunning low-noise stills and extraordinary 24 fps, 720p HD video with sound. Speed is split-second startup and continuous shooting at up to 7 fps-8 fps with the optional MB-D10 grip, which also extends shooting capacity and makes shooting more comfortable. Accurate image review, Live View shooting and Menus come alive on a 3-inch tempered glass-protected, 920k-dot LCD monitor, while image quality is bolstered by a 51-area AF system and Nikon's 1,005-pixel RGB exposure sensor, in concert with the newly accelerated Scene Recognition System technology that increases exposure and AF accuracy, improves white balance detection, and more. Photographers have preferences, and the D300S offers choices--including Picture Control, Center-Weighted and Spot Metering, user-assignable CompactFlash and SD card slots and an external stereo microphone input. Included is Nikon ViewNX software--ready to process rich 14-bit NEF (RAW) or JPEG files. For more editing power, optional Capture NX 2, with U-Point technology, safeguards image quality and speeds workflow. The D300S' pro-level performance, paired with world-famous Nikkor lenses, was engineered to exceed the expectations of demanding photographers.

Nikon D300s Highlights

12.3-megapixel DX-format CMOS Image Sensor
Delivers stunning high resolution, low-noise images with striking detail and tonal gradation.

Continuous Shooting up to 7 fps
High speed shooting and fast response is essential to versatile performance in a wide variety of shooting disciplines.

Nikon EXPEED Image Processing
Drives breathtakingly rich image fidelity, low noise and fast image processing.

D-Movie HD Video
Capture cinematic 24 fps, 720p HD movie clips, enhanced by Nikkor interchangeable lens quality and versatility—featuring stereo Mic input and AF

One-button Live View
Handheld and Tripod Live View modes, activated with one button, for challenging studio and remote shooting conditions.

3-inch Super-density 920,000-dot VGA LCD Monitor
Every monitor is factory-calibrated to assure accurate color for critical still image review and Live View or D-Movie shooting.

Low Noise ISO Sensitivity from 200 to 3200
Additional expanded ISO settings of Lo-1 (ISO 100 equivalent) and Hi-1 (ISO 6400 equivalent) extend versatility to match shooting requirements.

Fast, Accurate 51-point Autofocus
Features 4 Dynamic AF modes including 3D Focus Tracking for precise autofocus and razor sharp images.

1,005-Pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering II
Nikon's unique RGB metering is the only sensor that also evaluates color information when determining exposures with remarkable accuracy.

Scene Recognition System
Referencing an onboard image database and teamed with RGB metering, SRS enables even more sophisticated determination of exposures and auto white balance, along with faster, more accurate autofocus.

Dual memory card slots (CF and SD)
Assign card functions from a variety of storage options, optimizing available memory and file handling.

Dynamic Integrated Dust Reduction System
Ultrasonic process combats the accumulation of dust in front of the image sensor, safeguarding image quality.

Picture Control
Select from 4 preset image capture preferences (Standard, Neutral, Vivid and Monochrome, plus 9 user-customizable settings) controlling Sharpening, Contrast, Brightness, Saturation and Hue.

Nikon's Active D-Lighting
Optimizes shadow and highlight detail in real time--selectable values and 5-frame ADL bracketing offer complete control.

In-Camera Image Editing
Exclusive in-camera image editing, featuring Edit move, D-Lighting, Image Overlay, Monochrome, NEF (RAW) processing and more.

Rugged and Durable
The strength and precision of magnesium-alloy construction with advanced dust and moisture countermeasures is teamed with a shutter mechanism test to beyond 150,000 cycles for real-world reliability.

100% Viewfinder Accuracy

Virtual Horizon Graphic Level Indicator

Up to 950 shots per EN-EL3e battery charge
Shoot as many 2,950 shots with the body's EN-EL3e battery installed and the optional MB-D10 Multi-Power Battery Pack with an EN-EL4a Rechargeable Li-ion Battery.
_{*Based on CIPA standards/guidelines}

Product Description

Extraordinary still and HD video imaging performance converge in the fast and agile 12.3-megapixel, DX-format D300S, delivering D-SLR versatility. Up to 950 shots per EN-EL3e battery charge* Shoot as many as 2,950 shots with the body's EN-EL3e battery installed and the optional MB-D10 Multi-Power Battery Pack with an EN-EL4a Rechargeable Li-ion Battery*. * based on CIPA standards/guidelines.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Camera, November 10, 2009

By	R. Perry - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Nikon D300s 12.3 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II Lens (Electronics)

This is a great camera even if Ken Rockwell doesn't really recommend it. I am a previous D200 owner, but I am very fond of this D300s. I still have much experimenting to do with this. I love my custom setup with vivid colors for landscapes and jewelry but I'm always forgetting to re-set it to normal when I'm taking people pictures. I haven't used the video as much as I want to. One draw back I couldn't edit the video with my Sony Vegas movie editing software, although I may have an earlier version of the software. Has anyone been able to do that?
The 18-200mm is the best Nikon lens made. Extremely versatile and may be the only lens you'll ever need. I love the new locking system.

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No regrets, January 26, 2010

By	Bilal Mirza "IT Geek" (Detroit, MI) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Nikon D300s 12.3 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II Lens (Electronics)

I'll keep it short and sweet, and my review will also include the review of the 18-200 VR II which was bundled with the D300S as a kit.

Pros:

Dual-slots: This was crucial for me when deciding which camera to purchase because I shoot weddings... and there's no way to recreate the magic of the original moment if your card fails at the wrong time. One CF slot which supports UDMA cards and one SD slot.

Handling of High ISO: I've shot this thing at 1600 ISO with little to no noticable noise. There is a Noise Reduction setting which I never use but have heard good things about.

Battery Life: Easily shoots 800-900 shots per charge

Acts as a Commander to my flash: The Nikon CLS allows your camera to transmit signals to my SB-600 flash

Weather Proof: Body is built like a tank and all the nooks and crannies are sealed up

Video mode: Yawn, I'll never use it, but it's there if you need it.

Live view: This can come in handy sometimes

18-200 lens: This lens is a great walk-around lens and actually pretty compact, considering how flexible your focal length is. VR is amazing and the lens shoots very nice at f8 thru out the entire focal length.
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Cons:

Honestly I can't think of any, it's the best camera I've ever owned and a complete bargain!

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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars NICE Camera!!!, April 21, 2010

By	Marc Ruby™ "The Noh Hare™" (Warren, MI USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)

This review is from: Nikon D300s 12.3 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II Lens (Electronics)

I've owned Nikons almost since they were first available here and I've always been happy with the performance of their cameras. But this is the first time I've been ecstatic over one. I switched from using the old N90s to a D90 two years ago and while I liked the camera, I was put off by the amount of plastic in what was, after all, a $1000 body. I also found the controls a bit hard to get along with -- I'm not a fan of spending a lot of time paging through menus. When the D300s came out I had a chance to buy one and it proved an answer to my complaints about the D90.

The new camera is magnesium. It's 8 ounces heavier than the D90 so it balances better with the heavy 2.8 lenses I usually use. To tell the truth I had a short period of frantic manual reading when I first started using the D300s. Nikon has shifted the controls around so that menu hopping is needed less often, and that's a blessing. It offers about a zillion focusing and metering options - While I normally stick to spot evaluation the camera offers some 51 spots which can be used individually or in groups.

Comparing photos to the D90 I would say theres a definite improvement in the images, although it's subtle. And there are more internal processing options as well. Yet another neat feature is that the camera takes two memory cards. This really is as far as you can take a 12 megapixel camera. Even though Nikon rates this a semi-pro camera the quality of image will answer most photographer's needs for some time to come. One day Nikon will improve the D700 and I'll switch, but until then I'm happy with the D300s (as a matter of fact that's now TWO D300s's).