Nikon D300

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    Highlights

    • 12.3 MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
    • 200 - 3,200 Native ISO
    • 51 Focus Points
    • 3.0" 922k dot Fixed Screen
    • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
    • 6.0 fps Continuous Shooting
    • Built-in Flash
    • Wheather Sealed Body
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    Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

    Overview

    Nikon D300 was announced in 2008 and is an APS-C (23.6 x 15.8 mm) DSLR camera with 12.3 Megapixel CMOS sensor. Its native ISO ranges from 200 to 3,200 and expands to 100 - 6,400 in boosted mode. The camera has a Fixed 3.0" screen with 922k dot resolution and built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder.

    Table of Contents
    1. Overview
    2. Pros and Cons
    3. Predecessor
    4. Successor
    5. Screen and Viewfinder
    6. Sensor
    7. Photography Features
    8. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
    9. Other Features
    10. Physical Parameters
    11. For Different Types of Photography
    12. Evaluation
    13. Specifications  

    Pros and Cons

    In this section we present pros and cons of Nikon D300.

    PROS

    •   51 Focus Points
    •   Live View Autofocus
    •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
    •   Built-in Flash
    •   HDMI Output
    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Long Battery Life - 1000 shots
    •   Orientation Sensor

    CONS

    •   No Video Capture
    •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12.3 Megapixel
    •   200 Lowest Native ISO
    •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
    •   No Face Detection
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   No Built-in Microphone
    •   No Microphone Input
    •   No Headphone Output
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth

    And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

    AVERAGE

    •   Screen Size - 3.0"
    •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 6.0 fps
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
    •   DxO Overall Score - 67
    •   Weight - 925 g (2.04 lb / 32.63 oz)

    Predecessor

    Here we are comparing Nikon D300 to its predecessor D200 and displaying the major changes.

    UPGRADES Nikon D300 vs Nikon D200
    Higher Sensor Resolution 12.3 Megapixel vs 10.2 Megapixel
    Higher Native ISO 3,200 vs 1,600
    Higher Boosted ISO 6,400 vs 3,200
    Max Image Resolution 4288 x 2848 vs 3872 x 2592
    Live View Autofocus vs
    Contrast Detection for Autofocus vs
    Larger Screen 3.0" vs 2.5"
    Higher Resolution Screen 922k dot vs 230k dot
    Live View vs
    Higher Viewfinder Coverage 100% vs 95%
    Higher Max Continuous Shooting 6.0 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Center Weighted Metering vs
    Higher DxO Low Light ISO 679 vs 583
    Higher DxO Dynamic Range 12.0 vs 11.5
    Higher DxO Overall Score 67 vs 64
    HDMI Output Mini Type C vs
    DOWNGRADES Nikon D300 vs Nikon D200
    Higher Native ISO 200 vs 100
    Center Autofocus vs
    Lower DxO Color Depth 22.1 vs 22.3
    Heavier 925 g (2.04 lb / 32.63 oz) vs 920 g (2.03 lb / 32.45 oz)

    For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Nikon D300 vs D200.

    Successor

    In 2009 Nikon D300 was replaced by Nikon D300S. Let us now have a look at some important differences between Nikon D300 and its successor.

    UPGRADES Nikon D300S vs Nikon D300
    Video Capture vs
    Face Detection vs
    Higher Max Continuous Shooting 7.0 fps vs 6.0 fps
    Higher DxO Low Light ISO 787 vs 679
    Higher DxO Color Depth 22.5 vs 22.1
    Higher DxO Dynamic Range 12.2 vs 12.0
    Higher DxO Overall Score 70 vs 67
    Built-in Microphone Stereo vs
    Microphone Input vs
    More Storage Slots 2 vs 1
    DOWNGRADES Nikon D300S vs Nikon D300
    Lower Resolution Screen 920k dot vs 922k dot
    Average Metering vs
    Heavier 938 g (2.07 lb / 33.09 oz) vs 925 g (2.04 lb / 32.63 oz)
    Shorter Battery Life 950 shots vs 1000 shots

    For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Nikon D300 vs D300S.

    Screen and Viewfinder

    Fixed screen

    Nikon D300 has a 3.0" Fixed screen with 922k dot resolution.


    Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder

    Camera has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. It has a 100% coverage and 0.94x (0.63x 35mm equivalent) magnification.

    Sensor

    Nikon D300 features a 12.3 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.6 x 15.8 mm and a total area of 372.9 mm2. Its native ISO range is 200 - 3,200 and expands to 100 - 6,400 in boosted mode.


    Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how Nikon D300's APS-C sensor compares with other types of sensors:

    Sensor size chart
    Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
    Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
    Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.8 mm372.9 mm23:21.5x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
    Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
    Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
    Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
    Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

    Photography Features

    Camera is equipped with EXPEED processor and can take pictures up to 4288 x 2848 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolutions like 3216 x 2136, 2144 x 1424 with 3:2 aspect ratios.


    Lens Mount

    Nikon D300 has Nikon F lens mount. Due to APS-C sensor its crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is 1.5x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.5.


    No In-Body Image Stabilization

    The camera does not have in-body image stabilization (IBIS) so it needs lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction.

    Check out the cameras which are frequently compared to Nikon D300.

    Nikon D300S
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    APS-C

    12.3 MP

    Canon Rebel T3
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    APS-C

    12.2 MP

    Nikon D200
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    APS-C

    10.2 MP

    Sony a9 III
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    24.6 MP

    Nikon Z8
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    45.7 MP

    Canon Rebel T5
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    18.0 MP

    Nikon Z9
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    45.7 MP

    Panasonic FP2
    Image cannot be found

    1/2.33-inch

    14 MP

    Canon 5DS
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    50.6 MP

    Nikon D1X
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    5.3 MP

    Canon 70D
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    20.2 MP

    Canon M6
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    24.2 MP

    Connectivity, Battery and Storage

    USB Input and HDMI Output

    Nikon D300 has a USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) input for data transfer. There is a Mini Type C HDMI connector for video signal output.


    Battery

    Nikon D300 comes with EN-EL3e battery pack with battery life of 1000 shots.


    External Storage Slots

    The camera has a single CompactFlash (Type I/II, compliant with UDMA), MicroDrive card slot.

    Other Features

    Shutter

    Nikon D300 has Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/8000 sec. Camera can shoot continuously up to 6.0 fps.


    Exposure

    Camera's exposure metering ranges from 0 to +20 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±5 EV range. You can also do exposure lock, exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment.


    Flash

    Nikon D300 has a built-in flash with maximum range of 12.00 m at ISO 100 and also accepts external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe or PC Terminal. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/250 sec. Flash compensation can be set from -3 to +1 EV with 1/3 or 1/2 or 1 EV step increments.

    Physical Parameters

    Nikon D300 has dimensions of 147 x 114 x 74 mm (5.79 x 4.49 x 2.91"). It weighs 925 g (2.04 lb / 32.63 oz) which is neither heavy nor lightweight.

    147 mm (5.79")

    114 mm (4.49")

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    114 mm (4.49")

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    74 mm (2.91")

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    Nikon D300 dimensions

    Nikon D300 for Different Types of Photography

    We give scores to the camera for different type of photography based on its features and specifications. Let us see how Nikon D300 is suitable for six different types of photography.


    Landscape Photography

    GOOD
    80

    Nikon D300 gets a score of 80 and is GOOD choice for Landscape photography.

    •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   Environmental Sealing

    Sports Photography

    AVERAGE
    62

    Nikon D300 gets a score of 62 and is AVERAGE choice for Sports photography.

    •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
    •   51 Focus Points
    •   No Face Detection
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 6.0 fps
    •   Long Battery Life - 1000 shots
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Wildlife Photography

    AVERAGE
    64

    Nikon D300 gets a score of 64 and is AVERAGE choice for Wildlife photography.

    •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
    •   51 Focus Points
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 6.0 fps
    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Long Battery Life - 1000 shots
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Portrait Photography

    GOOD
    74

    Nikon D300 gets a score of 74 and is GOOD choice for Portrait photography.

    •   51 Focus Points
    •   No Face Detection
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Screen Size - 3.0"
    •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Street Photography

    GOOD
    77

    Nikon D300 gets a score of 77 and is GOOD choice for Street photography.

    •   51 Focus Points
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Weight - 925 g (2.04 lb / 32.63 oz)

    Travel Photography

    GOOD
    77

    Nikon D300 gets a score of 77 and is GOOD choice for Travel photography.

    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Weight - 925 g (2.04 lb / 32.63 oz)
    •   Long Battery Life - 1000 shots

    Nikon D300 Evaluation

    We evaluate Nikon D300 and give score of 63 out of 100. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


    OVERALL
    63

    Sensor

    AVERAGE
    66

    We give Nikon D300 a score of 66 for Sensor parameters.

    •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12.3 Megapixel
    •   200 Lowest Native ISO
    •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
    •   DxO Overall Score - 67

    Photo

    GOOD
    70

    We give Nikon D300 a score of 70 for Photo parameters.

    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 6.0 fps
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec

    Video

    BAD
    0

    We give Nikon D300 a score of 0 for Video parameters.

    •   No Image Stabilization

    Focusing

    GOOD
    79

    We give Nikon D300 a score of 79 for Focusing parameters.

    •   51 Focus Points
    •   No Face Detection
    •   Live View Autofocus

    Screen and Viewfinder

    GOOD
    73

    We give Nikon D300 a score of 73 for Screen and Viewfinder parameters.

    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Screen Size - 3.0"
    •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot

    Connectivity

    AVERAGE
    57

    We give Nikon D300 a score of 57 for Connectivity parameters.

    •   HDMI Output
    •   No Built-in Microphone
    •   No Microphone Input
    •   No Headphone Output
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth

    Battery, Storage and Physical

    AVERAGE
    69

    We give Nikon D300 a score of 69 for Battery, Storage and Physical parameters.

    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Weight - 925 g (2.04 lb / 32.63 oz)
    •   Long Battery Life - 1000 shots


    For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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