A lens and a memory card are required but not included with this camera. Please be sure to purchase a lens and a memory card for this camera.
The Nikon D300s SLR Digital Camera (Body Only) builds upon the success of the D300 by adding 720p HD Video Recording. With a 51-point autofocus system, 100% viewfinder accuracy, 7 frames per second continuous shooting, and low light sensitivity (expandable to ISO 6400), the D300s boasts a professional-grade feature set in a compact, highly durable, metal body. The 12.3 megapixel image sensor coupled with Nikon's exclusive EXPEED processor ensures ample resolution for discerning shooters with vivid, life-like color and stunning detail.
Advanced Live View Technology allows users to compose photos and video with the camera's bright, 920,000 dot LCD. HD Video is captured in true broadcast-quality 1280 x 720 at a smooth, cinematic 24 frames per second. An integrated mono microphone allows you to capture spontaneous audio with video, and a 3.5mm stereo input offers higher quality options for professional applications.
Rugged and reliable, the D300s now adds dual slots for both CompactFlash and SD/SDHC memory cards. Either card can be used for primary storage; the secondary card can be configured for overflow, mirror capture, or video recording. RAW and JPEG files can even be saved to separate cards for convenience. Images can also be copied between cards for easy sharing. With a host of new features and next-generation photo and video technologies, the Nikon D300s offers extremely high levels of performance and functionality to photo enthusiasts and professionals alike.
| Imaging | |
|---|---|
| Camera Type | Digital SLR with Interchangeable lenses |
| Lens Mount | Nikon F |
| Camera Format | APS-C / (1.5x Crop Factor) |
| Pixels | 12.3 Megapixel |
| Max Resolution | 12.2MP: 4288 x 2848 @ 3:2 |
| Other Resolutions |
6.9MP: 3216 x 2136 @ 3:2 3.1MP: 2144 x 1424 @ 3:2 |
| Aspect Ratio | 3:2 |
| Sensor Type / Size | CMOS, 23.6 x 15.8 mm |
| File Formats |
Still Images: JPEG, RAW, TIFF Movies: AVI Audio: IMA-ADPCM (monaural) |
| Bit Depth | 14-bit |
| Memory Card Type |
SD SDHC CompactFlash |
| Focus Control | |
|---|---|
| Focus Type | Auto & Manual |
| Focus Mode | Single-servo AF (S), Continuous-servo AF (C), Manual Focus (M) |
| Autofocus Points | 51 |
| Viewfinder/Display | |
|---|---|
| Viewfinder Type | Pentaprism |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 100% |
| Viewfinder Magnification | Approx. 0.94x |
| Diopter Adjustment | - 2 to +1 m |
| Display Screen | 3" Rear Screen LCD (921,000) |
| Screen Coverage | Not Specified By Manufacturer |
| Angle of View | 170.0° |
| Live View | Yes |
| Exposure Control | |
|---|---|
| ISO Sensitivity | 200-3200 (Extended Mode: 100-6400) |
| Shutter |
Type: Electronic & Mechanical Speed: 30 - 1/8000 sec |
| Mirror Lock-Up | Yes |
| Metering Method | 3D Color Matrix Metering, Center-weighted average metering, Spot metering |
| Exposure Modes |
Modes: Aperture Priority, Manual, Program, Shutter Priority Compensation: -5 EV to +5 EV (in .33 EV steps) |
| White Balance Modes | Auto, Cloudy, Daylight, Flash, Fluorescent, Fluorescent (Day White), Fluorescent (Natural White), Fluorescent (White), Fluorescent H, Incandescent, Kelvin, Preset Manual, Shade |
| Flash | |
|---|---|
| Flash Modes |
1st Curtain Sync Red-eye Reduction Second-curtain Sync Slow Sync Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction |
| Built-in Flash | Yes |
| Effective Flash Range | Not Specified By Manufacturer |
| Guide No. | Not Specified By Manufacturer |
| Max Sync Speed | 1 / 250 sec |
| Flash Compensation | -3 EV to +1 EV (in .33 or .5 EV steps) |
| External Flash Connection | Hot Shoe |
| AV Recording | |
|---|---|
| Video Recording | Yes, NTSC/PAL |
| File Size |
1280 x 720 (HD) 640 x 424 (SD) 320 x 216 |
| Frame Rate |
@ 1280 x 720: 24 fps @ 640 x 424: 24 fps @ 320 x 216: 24 fps |
| Exposure Control |
Auto: Shutter Speed, Aperture, ISO Manual: Shutter Speed, Aperture, ISO |
| ISO Sensitivity | 200 - 3200, Expandable to 6400 |
| Exposure Compensation | -3 EV to +3 EV (in 1/3 EV steps) |
| Focus |
Auto Manual Continuous Auto 1 Please Note:Continuous Autofocus in contrast-detect AF only, not hand-held mode close |
| Continuous Shooting Time |
1280 x 720 5 min. 640 x 424 20 min. 320 x 216 20 min. |
| Audio Recording | With Video, Mono, Via Optional External Mic |
| Performance | |
|---|---|
| Continuous Shooting | Up to 7 fps |
| Self Timer | 2 sec, 5 sec, 10 sec, 20 sec |
| Interval Recording | Yes |
| Connectivity | 10-pin Terminal, HDMI A (Full Size), HDMI C (Mini), USB 2.0 |
| Software Requirements |
Windows: XP, Vista Mac: OS X 10.4 or later |
| Power | |
|---|---|
| Battery | 1x EN-EL3e Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery Pack, 7.4VDC, 1500mAh |
| AC Power Adapter | EH-5a (Optional) |
| Operating/Storage Temperature |
Operating 32 to 104°F (0 to 40°C) |
| Physical | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 5.8 x 4.5 x 2.9" / 14.7 x 11.4 x 7.4 cm |
| Weight | 29.63 oz / 840 g Body only |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
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Most Liked Positive Review
My step up to the D300s
The D300s (purchased with 16-85 lens) is the beginning of my upgrade from D70 technology; I sold one of my D70 bodies and its 18-70 lens when getting the new combo. ...Read complete review
The D300s (purchased with 16-85 lens) is the beginning of my upgrade from D70 technology; I sold one of my D70 bodies and its 18-70 lens when getting the new combo. I have sevel other lenses, two SB-800 flashes, and one remaining D70 body. The D300s, now primary camera, will be used for personal creative photography, family events, casual portraits, and periodic business assignments in corporate portraiture, social events, and other business tasks. I've had the new cam and lens a little over a week now. My main goal in upgrading is the improved from the 6.1 MP resolution of the D70 and have improved focus and exposure accuracy. It was also time for a more sophisicticated camera. The D300s has accomplished all those things for me. It's like a performance sports car of cameras.
I particularly like the 51-point AF system, which is fast, accurate, and indicative of the part of the image used as focus reference. If I don't like what the camera picks, I can simply press again.
The cam's virtual horizon leveling feature is also very useful to me. It has been criticised by some for not having fore/aft leveling, but I still find it valuable because I have a ball-type tripod head for stills, and it doesn't have spirit levels.
This is a complex camera with a myriad of controls over all functions, even calibration of the focus for different lenses in one's collection. At the same time, the camera is user-friendly enough to be used simply and quickly, which gradually getting into the more sophisticated capabilities.
I'm learning to appreciate that dual-card slot on the D300s. I prefer CF cards for professional work, and I have them left over from my D70 period. But my laptop has an SD slot, and my newer camcorders use the format as well, and that makes it easy to shoot and offload quick shots. I also like that redundancy of being able to save to two cards at once; the event photo business demands this type of reliability.
Another improvement from earlier technology is in the pop-up flash and its use with the Creative Lighting System. With earlier bodies, the pop-up could trigger and control off camera Nikon CLS flashes, but would not contribute to exposure. With the D300s, the popup DOES can be adjusted to contribute to exposure, and the camera offers more sophisiticated control of the other flashes. From that, I can carry an external SB-800 flash, a simple lightstand, and a Gary Fong Puffer diffuser for the pop up, and I have a simple but very effective portrait or small group lighting system to make professional results.
I considered a wide range of other upgrade strategies besides the Nikon D300s, including the Nikon D90, D700, and even the Canon 7D and 5D Mk. II. The Canons were intriguing for their 1080p video capability, higher megapixel count, and fast response; however I didn't want to give up what I considered to be the superiority of Nikon glass and the Creative Lighting System flash technology. I came close to the D90 but felt it was not enough of a jump from my D70 technology. I rejected the D700 FX approach because it's cost was not justified by the fraction of my business devoted to photography.
Points for improvement: The D300s has 720-24p video. It's ok, but not up to the 1080-30p as with the Canon 7D and 5D Mk. II. Nikon could also be more competitive with the megapixel count and high ISO capabilities. So far batteries are not lasting as long as they did with my D70 cameras. Maybe that is to be expected with twice the pixel count and a much larger LCD. I'm also disappointed that it is not compatible with my set of ML-L3 remote triggers. If it had better video capability, I would have awarded all five stars.
The D300s met and so far has exceeded my goals for this upgrade. It is a fantastic creative tool.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Love it but want more out of it.
The D300s is a great camera, I elected to get the BL-3 battery cover to get more FPS and it works beautifully. It can keep up with my D700 no problem. The video...Read complete review
The D300s is a great camera, I elected to get the BL-3 battery cover to get more FPS and it works beautifully. It can keep up with my D700 no problem. The video part of the D300s is fine but just wish it had manual exposure. Along with no full auto focus it makes it difficult to follow any action. The D300s is a great still camera, but is really very average in the use of video.
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Comments about Nikon D300s SLR Digital Camera (Body Only):
Up graded to this camera from a D50. Great choice too. This camera is amazing and easy to use.
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Comments about Nikon D300s SLR Digital Camera (Body Only):
This body works great for me as a wildlife photographer. I use the autofocus a lot for birds in flight and it works very well.
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Comments about Nikon D300s SLR Digital Camera (Body Only):
As soon as I got it out from the box I was amazed with the quality of this camera, how its build, feels like a bullet proof camera but fits like silk gloves in to my hands.If you are in to video making skip this camera, there is other choices for you, this camera is not the best for that purpose, but if you are in to photography and your budged don't let u go for the D800, but you are looking for a reliable camera, this camera will take anything you throw at it, this will be the one. Great images, classic Nikon layout, built in flash, compatible with almost every Nikon lens built. Like my title says this camera it's on its way out, so get one before it's gone because will take some time before Nikon makes another DX build as good as this one with that price tag.In order to make this camera work at its fullest there is a lerning curve specially if you come from less sophisticated Nikons like D80's D5000's or D3000's.Once you get it it will be a different world.
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Comments about Nikon D300s SLR Digital Camera (Body Only):
Will use D300s primarily for outdoor photography and sports shooting. Well constructed body and
light weight. Excellent instructions for operation; wide monitor cover; size is great for
hand held operation; easy access to operating
buttons, and, takes very high-quality photos.
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Comments about Nikon D300s SLR Digital Camera (Body Only):
I already had the D300 and wanted to upgrade to the D300s to have the video option as well. Already familiar with the product, it works great as a second camera body which I needed for an upcoming safari.
Only drawback is the weight of it...a bit heavy.
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Comments about Nikon D300s SLR Digital Camera (Body Only):
Being a wildlife photographer this camera does everything I need, fast focus, easy to understand menues, seven frames per second, fast prosser,rugged build. I shot D200s for many years so it was a smooth transition for me.
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Comments about Nikon D300s SLR Digital Camera (Body Only):
I've had the D40, D90 and now the d 300 only gets better each time.Its very user friendly and easy to work with and fast.
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Comments about Nikon D300s SLR Digital Camera (Body Only):
I just used this camera for a wedding, nothing to complain about. Battery life was good, several difficult shots, D300s handled with no problem.
When you need to carry it around your neck for hours it is a pleasure. Not too heavy. My D2x, a very good camera is too heavy to use like that.
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Comments about Nikon D300s SLR Digital Camera (Body Only):
Love this camera! Out preforms all the rest for it's price range and class. Never disappoints. I highly recommend this camera for it's semi-professional ability.
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Comments about Nikon D300s SLR Digital Camera (Body Only):
I got mine almost three years ago - my first digital SLR after leaving film photography late.
This camera is still serving me very well! It's very user-friendly, great collors, also very easy to personelize it for own comfort, and the design is generally very comfortable.
It's very sturdy - it was with me during countless hikes in africa and the medeterranian, and I never felt the need to add a body armor.
Only thing I noticed is that many other cameras Live view settings and options are better, sometimes stops recording for no reason - still - it shoots HD, and it's not even one of the reasons I got it in the first place.
Thanks, B&H!
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Comments about Nikon D300s SLR Digital Camera (Body Only):
I purchased the D300s for a wedding shoot, the camera worked flawlessly. Pictures look great, I was able to take multiple images (sometimes up to 10) with no delay in writing to the SD card. The camera is well balanced and easy to hold, even after 7 hours - with the MB-D10 battery pack and SB910 speedlight the weight was noticable, but not unbearable.
Overall, I really liked the camera and would highly recommend it for any photo enthusiast looking for a well made dependable camera.
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Comments about Nikon D300s SLR Digital Camera (Body Only):
bird and other wildlif photography and misc. other stuff ... on a trip to Canada with it ... after a week of getting a little familiar with it but captured some great images of a Great Blue Heron fishing succesfuly on my first stroll around the neighborhood
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Comments about Nikon D300s SLR Digital Camera (Body Only):
I specifically chose this particular body for one simple reason: It has a PC Plug connection for direct link to off camera flash units. I use it primarily for small product photography, and it is linked to off camera flash units mechanically through this connection to trigger the flashes.
I am pleased with the very large display screen..and the fact that the menus are easy to access. In spite of the over 350 page manual!
Although this camera body features an HD movie function, at this time I do not foresee using it as my clients only want still images.
I have previously had three FUJI bodies which all used NIKON lenses and thus the purchase of a newer Nikon body. Happily, the menus and the operation of the D300s are quite similar and the transition is easy to make. The nikon lenses I have, work successfully with this body.
I see that the D300s only goes down to an ISO of 200, without any adjustments (which can be made but with some apparent image deterioration). I would have preferred a lower ISO but an ISO of 200 will work fine for what I need.
If you are seeking a pro level camera, the D300s is a good choice pricewise. It is predicted to be capable of 160,000 firings before serious problems may occur.. A nice feature.
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Comments about Nikon D300s SLR Digital Camera (Body Only):
camera was delivered hours before a trip to Alaska so I learned to use it on the run. It was easy to get to know and begin using.
it's quiet, reasonably light & has great resolution. Love being able to take video as well
had to wait a long time to get one in stock
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Comments about Nikon D300s SLR Digital Camera (Body Only):
I use the camera for personal and for volunteer work. It has great features which enable me to get pictures we need.
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Comments about Nikon D300s SLR Digital Camera (Body Only):
I bought this camera 2 years ago after the shutter on my last camera started to go. It have been a great camera and has never let me down.
One thing that attracted me to this camera was the dual memory card slots, which is great for someone who shoots to the end of a card.
It is fast, easy to use, and dependable.
I use it primarily for portraits and landscapes, but I have dragged it up a few 14ers and it has been great.
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Comments about Nikon D300s SLR Digital Camera (Body Only):
It was time to upgrade from my D70. I considered waiting for the D400, but decided that the probable considerably larger raw file size that the D400 will have, that I don't really need, I would go for the D300S now. It is definitely a serious camera. I think it will serve me well, as the D70 did.
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Comments about Nikon D300s SLR Digital Camera (Body Only):
I had one before, but it was stolen. Think it makes great images of terrific quality with out extra heavy weight.
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Comments about Nikon D300s SLR Digital Camera (Body Only):
I use the camera for studio portraiture and I have found that the controls offered on the D300s are very easy to access.
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Comments about Nikon D300s SLR Digital Camera (Body Only):
I upgraded from the D90 and even tho I would like to go FF- I can't afford it but this is a worthy upgrade for me. The most important is the 51 points of focus. What this means? Well, less recomposing images and of missing focus. That itself was worth the upgrade. The next benefit- external contros w/o going into menus. These are things the D700 has already but they go further- two memory cards at once and HD video in stereo w/ ext mic. The body is the best you would ever get- the only thing missing is a full frame sensor but can't have it all. Still I am loving it.
DX lenses are NOT recommended for use with "full-frame" digital or 35mm film SLR cameras