Nikon D300 12.3 Megapixel

I've been a Canon user since D30(3MP camera from years back). I was a Nikon film user prior to my first DSLR purchase but at that time there wasn't a DSLR from Nikon that meet my price range and the first CMOS sensor from Canon DSLR had advantage all over Nikon. Since then, I've used EOS Rebel, 10D, 20D, 30D, 40D, 5D, XTi. So this review will be very helpful if you are a Canon user and have thought about getting D300.

There are numerous upgrades from it's previous model D200. First of all Nikon D300 is 12.3MP DX format CMOS sensor camera, up from D200's 10.2MP. D300 gets NEW imaging processor called EXPEED - developed by Nikon and I went to Nikon presentation of D300 a few weeks ago and according to their spokesperson, one EXPEED processor is almost two times powerful than Canon's DIGIC III sensor. And because of this they were able to do much of the new features avaiable in D300.

D300 also sports new auto focus sensor (Multi-CAM3500DX) that has 51-point, 15 cross-type compared to D200's 11-point Multi-CAM1000 and Canon 40D's 9-point TTL CMOS sensor. Many people have compared D300 with Canon's 40D and I have seen many forum posts about whether they should buy Canon's 40D or Nikon's 300D. Believe me both are great camera and they are definetely worth their money. Canon 40D is around $1200 street and $1800 for D300. That's about $600 difference. I think if Canon added $600 worth of features in 40D it would come close to the D300. I mean you get what you pay for. D300 is definetely BETTER than 40D and I would say it beats 5D in many aspects. Frame rates, Auto focusing, Dynamic range, Better LCD, Self-Cleaning Sensor, Accurate white balance all goes to D300. 5D wins on being Full frame sensor, tad better noise level(due to large sensor)... can't think of any other... D300 is that good. If you can live with 1.5x crop sensor, and need professional 12MP camera for Sports, Wedding, Journalism, Wild life... this is The BEST camera under $2000.

One thing I liked about new D300 was that its noise level is now better or on par with Canon's rivals even at high ISO. This is due to the new EXPEED image processor and new DX CMOS sensor. D300 can also shoot at ISO6400 - unheard of in film camera. And the results are amazingly good.

I've only had the camera for 3 days and certainly this is not a detailed review and space here isn't enough to cover all apects of the camera but I hope this review helps you if you are in same boat as me.

Here I've listed main key features that make up D300.

- 12.3 MP DX CMOS sensor (Newly built by Nikon. Not from SONY or others)
- ISO 200-3200 (able to do 6400 with boost)
- self-cleaning sensor unit like Canon's dust cleaning sensor
- 14-bit A/D conversion (better highlights and shadows, accurate color)
- NEW Nikon EXPEED imaging processor (powerful processor)
- NEW Multi-Cam3500DX auto focus sensor
- 51-point, 15 cross type auto focus (fast and accurate)
- Auto-focus tracking by color
- Auto-focus clibration (fine tuning) to calibrate up to 20 separate lens means no more "My camera is back focusing"
- Scene Recognition system (thanks to EXPEED processor)
- 6 frames per second continuous shooting(8fps with battery pack)
- Shutter life of 150,000 exposures (That will last you about 8 years if you take about 1500 shots a month.
- 3.0" 922,000 pixel LCD monitor (Bright and very high resolution. 3 times more info than Canon's)
- Active D-lighting

I ran out of space, bt hope this was helpful

I purchased a Nikon D300 from here on 7/15/2008. I called and was guranteed that the item was new, unopened and a US model. What I received was illegal gray market camera and lenses. The camera and lenses look used (they had some scratches and the packaging was very messy), the boxes were not factory sealed (as all camera equipment is) and the sealed package containing the owners manual was open and all registration and warranty cards were removed. I contacted Nikon and was informed of the gray market status of this equipment. Furthermore, I had to call Barclays after winning the auction and pay by credit card over the phone as Paypal was not accepted for this transaction. Afterwards I did investigate Barclays Photo and found many bad reviews and comments on this store and their practices. I only wish I had done this prior to my bidding.

Now they will not answer my e-mails or phone calls.


Caveat Emptor!

DO not do business with these guys you will regret it for a very very long time, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY, SHADY-Sellers

I have been researching professional quality DSLR cameras for some time. After reading a Consumer Report article proclaiming the Nikon D300 as the best DSLR, I decided that it was the one for me. I was not wrong!

This camera has so many options available, it's more complex than the cockpit of the space shuttle. Ok, maybe not, but it can do just about anything that you can imagine insofar as photography goes. Just be aware that you're going to have a very steep learning curve to climb if you're not extremely familiar with the abilities of a professional quality DSLR.

I have only made a few large purchases on eBay, large for me is over 2K. For this particular purchase I was replacing an old D70 that I gave to another family member. I contact the seller before purchasing the unit and ran a google search as well as reviewed all the feedback on eBay. Actually the google search came up with some upset people (all older than 2 years), however the eBay search showed above 99.5% positive feedback rating (al the comments where good). I think anything over 98% for the amount of transactions this seller does would have been ok by me, you can not please everyone all the time. Once I contacted the seller and asked questions, I purchased the product. I hit a few snags like back-orders and miss shipments, however the seller always made things right. That is the mark of a great seller, and I will buy from them again. Over all just watch what you do and check on the person you are buying from, I try to watch the item for a few days, just in case they are not legit. eBay seems to do a great job at weeding out the bogus listings. My final thoughts, make sure you know what you are buying, do the research, and make sure you know what you bid on, if you have a question, ask the seller (if they do not respond, don't buy from). Most honest sellers will answer your questions, usually I will directly email them not post a question. Good luck and have fun, eBay is a great asset, just know what bid on!!!

Tony

The camera arrived as promised, and on time. There were extras were of little or no value(e.g. carrying bag that was too small for the camera to fit in, and a table tripod too fragile to handle the camera's weight).

As a professional photographer who has used both the 5d and the D300 you can't go wrong here. Very intuitive and functional. Great product. Love the big LCD screen and easy to use menu. Camera is second to none and cannot beat the value of a Nikon warrantee or products.

I bought the D300 to have a second body to my D80. The shear speed of the camera is worth the price of purchase. It feels great in your hands when it's coupled with the MB-10 battery grip. The focusing is lightning quick and the colors are rich and crisp. The 3" screen is crystal clear and the 51-point AF means that you don't miss too much while focusing on your subject. Although Nikon has just come out with the new D700, the price point with the D300 is still a great deal! This camera will be in your bag for years to come!!

I have an Advertising Agency and have been a professional photographer for several years. The D300 and big brother D3 are by far the best DSLR on the market. I have used both Canon and Nikon, and have also owned the D50 and D200, but when it comes to low light situations, the D300 can't be beat.

Wonderful camera for the advanced user or professional.This camera has features that until mow,were only available on a camera costing twice the price.The user will spend time learning this camera but it is worth it. The D300 is not for the novice.I upgraded from a Nikon D50 Because all my lenses are the same.Now I have both cameras,I don't want to part with the D50 ether.I am a big Nikon fan.

If you feel comfortable with taking control of your own picture taking and, if you want complete control of that process, this camera will do it for you. If you want to sit back and let the camera do everything for you that is still possible with a D300 how ever I would recommend a D80. Something to think about with Nikon VS Cannon. Nikon has maintained the same lens mount since the first Nikon F camera. If you have a collection of those older and great Nikkor lenses, most of them can be mounted on the D300. For the first time in Nikon D SLR history the D300 allows you to have live view when framing a picture. Live view and the fantastic 4" viewer with its excellent resolution make this camera very easy to use. Most functions are accomplished with a lever or a button and do not require you to dig through a menu to make the changes. This is my 6th digital camera, my 3rd DSLR and for sure the best camera I have ever worked with. This is one camera you can buy with confidence and know it will take the pictures you want. A closing comment, I recently had a conversation with a Canon DSLR user. He said that he had tried to use a Nikon, but he does lots of sports photography and that Nikon's focused in the opposite direction from the Canons he has always used and that messed him up. Yep the two companies have some idiosyncrasies. If you have always used Nikon cameras this one will be a natural progression. If you have used Canons, then all I can say is they are both great camera makers.

Quick delivery.Good item.Thank you.Seller was very great with communication.100% recomended.10x for the item, they are very good i like them alot.

The product I received was what they advertise, the was was average. The overnight rate was deadly plus they will hit you with alot of extra. i needed the camera for my daugthers graduation in two days. I should just had went to the local store and bought it there and paid the same amount. I'm sorry i thing I been had.

I have a D70 and it is a great camera, but the D300 is in a league of its own. It is up there with the very expensive professional photographer's cameras. It's very fast and takes great pictures even when using the factory program mode. The options are extensive and you can really take some unique and distinct photos. It is a little heavy - like all the digital SLRs in it's league, but it's worth carrying.

The D300 is a Great camera , it has the ability to make the ordinary scene really look special , and you can see all on the excellent lcd as you create . The power built into the processor to read a situation and record it is like no other camera i have ever used Nikon has the best flash control ,and with D-lighting now has the best chip output engine , the ISO is usable at a much higher setting than ever before all day at 800 without a problem ! I think this the best camera for the money ,for today ,the digital world changes with each new release ,but it will take awhile to use all that nikon has put in this one !!

THE NAME NIKON SAYS IT ALL. THE STEP ABOVE THE D80, IS WORTH THE PRICE IF YOU CAN AFFORD IT. I HAD THE D70 AND D80, AND GAVE THEM TO MY DAUGHTER, KEPT THE D300 AND HAPPY I DID NOT THAT THE OTHER ONE'S WERE BAD. YOU JUST CAN'T GO WRONG WITH THIS CAMERA.

i bought this camera for profisional use and was more then i expect! the high quality of the pictures is fantastic. Is very easy to operate,light and all controls is very easy to reach and operate. i recomend!!


Lisandro

great camera. very quick write to card, pictures are crystal clear.fantastic camera.i will buy another soon....

The D300 is in a class all its own. By far one of the very best DSLR camera's on the market today. I would recommend this camera to anyone, novice, or professional that is interested in taking serious quality photographs.

The most amazing camera i have ever used, amazing, amazing, amazing. The features, the easy of use, the picture quality, wow, wow, wow.

The Nikon D300 is my first true DSLR but in comparison to the other models and brands I tried in store displays (Best Buy, etc), this one beats them all. The magnesium body feels very rugged the entire camera is very well put together. The high resolution LCD screen is bright and very easy to check focus. Lots of buttons for easy function control and an easy to navigate menu system.

I absolutely LOVE my new D300. It is extremely user friendly and the pictures are great! Also the huge screen on the back to review pictures immediately has been a favorite.

The D300 is Nikon's seminal camera. This is the DSLR that puts Nikon back on top... no question about it. I once shot Nikon, and I have owned the D1x and the D200; and then I switched to Canon. I shot the Canon 1D mark 2, 1D mark 3, 5d, 30D, 40d, and several Rebels. For years I was content, and thn one day on a whim I bought the D300.

The Nikon D300 is incredibly competent, with a 6fps frame rate that increases to 8fps with the battery grip. All this at 12 megapixels of the cleanest, sharpest image quality I have seen. At base ISO the D300 beats the pants off my 1D mark III in terms of total image quality.

Battery life is astonishing. There are many reports of well over 1000 shots per charge, and my experience reflects that. Focusing is a joy, as the D300 shares a new focusing grid with the Nikon flagship D3, but with the cropped sensor on the D300 the new focus mechanism actually covers more of the image than in the D3!

Lets talk sensors for a moment... Canon's lead in the DSLR wars came from their mastery of CMOS chip making. Low noise was the goal, and Canon achieved it first. Thankfully for Nikon, Sony decided to persue digital imaging full-bore, and bought Konica-Minolta. Sony was already making chips for Nikon, but now their chips go in both Nikon's cameras and their own cameras. The extra R&D shows in their new sensor which simply outperforms anything Canon has. Noise (when it exists) is extremely uniform, and so long as a lens has enough resolving power the images are sharp down to the last pixel. ISO 1600 looks very good, and ISO 800 can be used for critical shooting.

Most new DSLRs have live view now, but the D300's implementation is particularly nice because it features "Contrast Detect Autofocus" which basically means you can focus while in Live View, and you can choose the focus point with a joystick. This is incredibly useful for tripod photograhy, especially for macro work, food shots, and architecture.

Somehing else worth mentioning: The D300 is very quiet, and the shutter mechanism is very smooth. By way of comparison, the Canon 1DmkIII actually shakes on my tripod (A Gitzo with and Arca Swiss Head... rock solid) unless I use mirror lockup. The Nikon D300 doesn't vibrate at all even when shooting full speed.

There is too much to cover, and too many good reviews of specs and operation on the 'net... but I just want to say that the Nikon D300 convinced me to switch back from Canon.

NO FEEDBACK AFTER PAYING INSTANTLY AND LEAVING THEM POSATIVE UPON RECEIPT? ? ? why?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

The new 51 point focusing system That will actually track a moving object is very desirable for action photography. The processor and the programming is the most up to date technology. The camera has a very high learning curve but the study will provide the better amatures the best possible oppertunity to take photos.