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) |
| Resolution |
Effective Pixels: 12.3 Megapixels |
| Sensor Type / Size | CMOS, 23.6 x 15.8 mm |
| File Formats |
Still Images: JPEG, RAW, TIFF Movies: AVI |
| Bit Depth | 14-bit |
| Memory Card Type |
SD SDHC CompactFlash |
| AV Recording | |
|---|---|
| Video Recording | Yes |
| Video Clip Length | Up to 20 Min |
| Audio Recording | With Video |
| Focus Control | |
|---|---|
| Focus Type | Auto & Manual |
| Viewfinder/Display | |
|---|---|
| Viewfinder Type | Pentaprism |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 100% |
| Exposure Control | |
|---|---|
| ISO Sensitivity | 100-6400 |
| Shutter | 30 - 1/8000 sec |
| Mirror Lock-Up | Yes |
| Metering Method | Spot metering, Center-weighted average metering, 3D Color Matrix Metering |
| Exposure Modes | Modes: Aperture Priority, Manual, Program, Shutter Priority |
| White Balance Modes | Auto, Cloudy, Flash, Fluorescent, Incandescent, Kelvin, Shade, Preset Manual |
| Flash | |
|---|---|
| Max Sync Speed | 1 / 250 sec |
| Continuous Shooting | Up to 7 fps |
| External Flash Connection | Hot Shoe |
| Performance | |
|---|---|
| Self Timer | 2 sec, 5 sec, 10 sec, 20 sec |
| Interval Recording | Yes |
| Connectivity | AV Output, 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 |
| 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" / 14.73 x 11.43 x 7.37 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.
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Most Liked Negative Review
Decent Camera
After shooting with the D300 for 2 years, I'd have to say that I would have gone with the D90 in place of the D300 or, if you can afford it, upgrade to the...Read complete review
After shooting with the D300 for 2 years, I'd have to say that I would have gone with the D90 in place of the D300 or, if you can afford it, upgrade to the D700 which is full frame. The D90 seems to have better ISO capabilities than the D300. Although, you have to consider the benefits of the D300...shutter speed up to 1/8000th (compared to 1/4000th on D90), as well as other options. But if you're serious about photography, you'll step up to the D700.
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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.
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Comments about Nikon D300s SLR Digital Camera (Body Only):
ive had the d300s for2 years now and never ever had a problem with it. The batterie last forever!!!!! I love my camera and will never want a diferant one.
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Comments about Nikon D300s SLR Digital Camera (Body Only):
Mostly for travel photos
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Comments about Nikon D300s SLR Digital Camera (Body Only):
So far I am very pleased with this camera. Coming from a D80 this is a big step up. I mostly take photos of birds and the small, quick ones are difficult to get in forcus. With this camera I get quick, precise focusing.
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Comments about Nikon D300s SLR Digital Camera (Body Only):
I use this for wedding photography and portraiture. This was an upgrade for me from a D90, which I loved, so of course, I'm really loving this. So easy to use, buttons are in great places, so many easy switches, I have nothing bad to say. The picture quality is of course, wonderful- great tones. And crazy sharp images at low shutter speeds-couldn't believe I could hand-hold at 1/20 w/ no blur. Battery life if phenomenal even in 51point-3D most of the day and Active D-lighting all day.
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Comments about Nikon D300s SLR Digital Camera (Body Only):
I spend most of my time walking the sand and mud of coastal Florida shooting birds. I love the buffer, frames per second, and the feel of this workhorse in my hands. Another plus is the "backup" card slot. It's nice being able to shoot raw on one card and jpgs on the other. I upgraded from a D90 and find making the transition to the D300s a simple matter.
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Comments about Nikon D300s SLR Digital Camera (Body Only):
need a replacement for my lost d90. couldnt afford full frame, but this was def a wise choice.
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Comments about Nikon D300s SLR Digital Camera (Body Only):
not good image quality. do not care about video in the camera, prefer to have a video camera. Disappointed with this camera.
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Comments about Nikon D300s SLR Digital Camera (Body Only):
I really like this camera. It was super easy to convert from the d200 up. Fast enough to capture any action and sensetive enough to work in low light.
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Comments about Nikon D300s SLR Digital Camera (Body Only):
I am getting back into photography after being out of it for a long time and this camera seems to be easy enough to use.
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Comments about Nikon D300s SLR Digital Camera (Body Only):
So far I have not used the camera for much but it is performing well. I have shot some very fast shots and it worked great.I wanted a D3, but didn't want to pay that price and so far this camera has been all I could have wanted.
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Comments about Nikon D300s SLR Digital Camera (Body Only):
this was my first jump into the DSLR world and i couldn't have made a better pick. my objective for my first DSLR was a reasonably priced DSLR that enabled one to do bracketing for high dynamic range photographs yet be reasonably affordable. this camera would take a large number of frames per second and provided a lot of flexibility in order of pictures, EV steps and EV range.
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Comments about Nikon D300s SLR Digital Camera (Body Only):
I bought the D300 as my first camera!
I decide that I wanted something that I could grow with as I learned photography. I like technology so it seemed like a reasonable challenge. It's now 4 years later and I'm still learning to use this camera (which I love). I am only interested in pictures so the D300S is of no interest.
In retrospect this was more camera than I probably needed. However, I would still buy it again for the challenge. It is a wonderful camera with intuitive controls and incredible features. I progressed from the 18-55 lens to the pro lenses (17-55 f2.8 and 70-200 f2.8) which are amazing. I how have over 20,000 pictures of family and outings (mainly lighthouses and birds). If I had bought a simpler camera I would have upgraded by now.
If you really want a point and shoot, get one. If you really want to learn digital photography, consider the D300/300s or the D7000.
No regrets.
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Comments about Nikon D300s SLR Digital Camera (Body Only):
I shoot a lot of weddings. Great speed. Reliable. Res is very good.
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Comments about Nikon D300s SLR Digital Camera (Body Only):
This camera replaced my old D300 because I shot over 100K images on it(D300) and it seems it is having some minor issues with initializing focusing when a lens is attached. I decided to get the D300s because it is similar to the D300 and I would be able to use it without any learning curve right out of the box. The camera is an improvement over my older D300 and it was cost effective at this time since I did not want to spend a lot on a temporary camera before Nikon releases newer products by the end of this year. I'm impressed with the way it performed at a recent wedding.
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DX lenses are NOT recommended for use with 35mm, digital "full-frame" FX, or APS SLR cameras
DX lenses are NOT recommended for use with "full-frame" digital or 35mm film SLR cameras