Overview

The D300 defines a new class of compact professional SLR, incorporating groundbreaking technologies and performance of the D3 into a compact DX format body. The 12.3 megapixel CMOS sensor features a self-cleaning dust removal unit and delivers resolution suitable for commercial and stock photography. The EXPEED image processing engine supports a class-leading 6fps at up to 3200 ISO, and delivers superb tonal gradation. Its advanced Scene Recognition System produces superior exposures and is complimented by Nikon’s next-generation 51-point AF system, which offers broad coverage and high sensitivity in low light. Selectable Picture Controls streamline in-camera image processing, saving time in post-production, and the high definition 3-inch LCD screen supports two Live View modes plus a HDMI video output. Responsive, rugged and light, the D300 offers new levels of performance for pros on a budget.

Key features

12.3 megapixel DX format CMOS image sensor . Built-in self-cleaning sensor unit minimizes the effect of dust.

6fps continuous shooting (8fps when shooting with the optional MB-D300 battery pack).

ISO 200-3200 : extendable up to ISO 6400 (equivalent) and down to ISO 100 (equivalent).

EXPEED image processing engine with 14-bit A/D conversion and 16-bit image processing for superb tonal gradation.

Advanced Scene Recognition System combines the camera’s metering and AF sensors for precise exposures and sharply-defined images.

Multi-CAM3500DX 51-point AF system . Individually selectable or configurable in 9-point, 21-point and 51-point coverage settings.

Quick response with approx 0.13 second power-up and 45 millisecond shutter release time lag.

Picture Controls streamline in-camera image processing by enabling customization of image parameters before capture, and offer complete control over sharpening, contrast, brightness, hue and saturation in various color modes.

920,000 dot 3-inch VGA LCD monitor with wide, 170- degree viewing angle.

Live View with Autofocus lets you compose images using the LCD monitor. Two modes are supported: Handheld or Tripod.

Active D-Lighting enables superior high-contrast images by automatically applying tone compensation at the moment of capture.

Durable, magnesium alloy body : water and dust resistant.

Improved battery performance : sequential power supply between camera’s EN-EL3 rechargeable lithium-ion battery and the (optional) Multi-Power Battery Pack. HDMI video output interface enables connection to high-definition video systems.

Intuitive ergonomics with optimized button placement for fast and comfortable handling.

Lightweight Magnesium alloy body .

 

Technical Specifications

Type of Camera

Single-lens reflex digital camera

Effective Pixels

12.3 million

Image Sensor

CMOS sensor, 23.6 x 15.8 mm; total pixels: 13.1 million; Nikon DX format

Image Size (pixels)

4,288 x 2,848 [L], 3,216 x 2,136 [M], 2,144 x 1,424 [S]

Dust-reduction System

Clean image sensor, image dust-off data acquisition (Capture NX required)

Sensitivity

ISO 200 to 3200 in steps of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV with additional settings of approx. 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 and 1 EV (ISO 100 equivalent) under ISO 200 and approx. 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 and 1 EV (ISO 6400 equivalent) over ISO 3200

File System

Compliant with DCF 2.0, DPOF and Exif 2.21

Storage System

NEF 12-bit or 14-bit (uncompressed, lossless compressed or compressed RAW)

TIFF (RGB)

JPEG: JPEG baseline-compliant

Storage Media

CompactFlash (CF) Card (Type I and II, UDMA compliant), Microdrive

Release Modes

1) Single frame [S] mode

2) Continuous low speed [CL] mode: 1 to 7 frames per second (*1)

3) Continuous high-speed [CH] mode: 8 frames per second (*1), 6 frames per second (*2)

4) Liveview [LV] mode

5) Self-timer mode

6) Mirror-up [Mup] mode

*1. When using AC Adaptor EH-5a/EH-5 or Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D10 with batteries other than Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3e

*2. When using Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3e

(When shooting in Continuous-servo AF (C), Shutter-Priority Auto [S] or Manual [M] exposure modes, at a shutter speed of 1/250 s or faster with other settings at default)

White Balance

Auto (TTL white balance with 1,005-pixel RGB sensor), seven manual modes with fine-tuning, color temperature setting, white balance bracketing possible (2 to 9 frames in increments 1~3)

Liveview

Hand-held shooting mode, Tripod shooting mode

LCD Monitor

3-in., approx. 920,000-dot (VGA), 170-degree wide viewing angle, 100% frame coverage, low-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD with brightness adjustment

Playback Function

1) Full frame 2) Thumbnail (4 or 9 segments) 3) Zoom 4) Slideshow 5) RGB histogram indication 6) Shooting data 7) Highlight point display 8) Auto image rotation

Delete Function

Card format, All photographs delete, Selected photographs delete

Video Output

NTSC or PAL; simultaneous playback from both the video output and on the LCD monitor available

HDMI Output

Supports HDMI version 1.3a; Type A connector is provided as HDMI output terminal; simultaneous playback from both the HDMI output terminal and on the LCD monitor not available

Interface

Hi-Speed USB

Text Input

Up to 36 characters of alphanumeric text input available with LCD monitor and multi-selector; stored in Exif header

Lens Mount

Nikon F Mount with AF coupling and AF contacts

Compatible Lenses

1) DX AF Nikkor: All functions possible

2) D-/G-type AF Nikkor (excluding IX Nikkor lenses): All functions possible (excluding PC Micro-Nikkor)

3) AF Nikkor other than D-/G-type (excluding lenses for F3AF): All functions except 3D-Color Matrix Metering II possible

4) AI-P Nikkor: All functions except Autofocus, 3D-Color Matrix Metering II possible

5) Non-CPU AI Nikkor: Can be used in exposure modes A and M; electronic range finder can be used if maximum aperture is f/5.6 or faster; Color Matrix Metering and aperture value display supported if user provides lens data

Picture Angle

Equivalent in 35mm [135] format is approx. 1.5 times lens focal length

Viewfinder

SLR-type with fixed eye-level pentaprism; built-in diopter adjustment (-2.0 to +1.0 m-1)

Eyepoint

19.5 mm (-1.0 m-1)

Focusing Screen

Type-B BriteView Clear Matte screen Mark II with superimposed focus brackets and On-Demand grid lines

Viewfinder Frame Coverage

Approx. 100% (vertical and horizontal)

Viewfinder Magnification

Approx. 0.94x with 50mm lens at infinity; -1.0 m-1

Autofocus

TTL phase detection, 51 focus points (15 cross-type sensors) by Nikon Multi-CAM 3500DX autofocus module; Detection -1 to +19 EV (ISO 100 at 20°C/68°F); AF fine adjustment possible

Focal plane contrast [in Liveview (Tripod) mode]

Lens Servo

Single-servo AF (S);

continuous-servo AF (C);

manual (M);

predictive focus tracking automatically activated according to subject status in continuous-servo AF

Focus Point

Single AF point can be selected from 51 or 11 focus points

Liveview (Tripod mode): Contrast AF on a desired point within entire frame

AF Area Mode

1) Single point AF

2) Dynamic Area AF [9 points, 21 points, 51 points, 51 points (3D-tracking)]

3) Automatic-area AF

Focus Lock

Focus can be locked by pressing shutter-release button halfway (single-servo AF) or by pressing AE-L/AF-L button

Exposure Metering System

TTL full-aperture exposure metering using 1005-pixel RGB sensor

1) 3D Color Matrix Metering II (type G and D lenses); color matrix metering II (other CPU lenses); color matrix metering (non-CPU lenses if user provides lens data; metering performed)

2) Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 6, 8, 10, or 13 mm dia. circle in center of frame or weighting based on average of entire frame (8 mm circle when non-CPU lens is used)

3) Spot: Meters approx. 3 mm dia. circle (about 2.0% of frame) centered on selected focus point (on center focus point when non-CPU lens is used)

Exposure Metering Range

1) 0 to 20 EV (3D Color Matrix or center-weighted metering)

2) 2 to 20 EV (spot metering) (ISO 100, f/1.4 lens, 20ºC)

Exposure Meter Coupling

Combined CPU and AI

Exposure Modes

1) Programmed Auto [P] with flexible program

2) Shutter-Priority Auto [S]

3) Aperture Priority Auto [A]

4) Manual [M]

Exposure Compensation

±5 EV in increments of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV

Auto Exposure Lock

Detected exposure value locked by pressing AE-L/AF-L button

Auto Exposure Bracketing

Exposure and/or flash bracketing (2 to 9 exposures in increments of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1 EV)

Picture Control System

Four setting options: Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome; each option can be adjusted

Shutter

Electronically-controlled vertical-travel focal plane shutter, 1/8,000 to 30 s in steps of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV, Bulb

Sync Contact

X=1/250 s; flash synchronization at up to 1/320 s (FP) adjustable with Built-in Speedlight or optional Speedlight (will reduce GN)

Flash Control

1) TTL: TTL flash control by 1,005-pixel RGB sensor

Built-in Speedlight, SB-800, SB-600 or SB-400: i-TTL balanced fill-flash and standard i-TTL flash

2) AA (Auto Aperture-type) flash: Available with SB-800 used with CPU lens

3) Non-TTL Auto: Available with Speedlights such as SB-800, 28, 27, and 22S

4) Range-priority manual flash; available with SB-800

Flash Sync Mode

1) Front-curtain Sync (normal)

2) Red-eye Reduction

3) Red-eye Reduction with Slow Sync

4) Slow Sync

5) Rear-curtain Sync

Built-in Speedlight

Manual pop-up with button release

Guide number

(ISO 200, m): approx. 17 (manual 18)

(ISO 100 equivalent, m): approx. 12 (manual 13)

Flash Compensation

-3 to +1 EV in increments of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV

Accessory Shoe

ISO 518 Standard hot-shoe contact with safety lock provided

Sync Terminal

ISO 519 standard terminal

Creative Lighting System

With Speedlights such as SB-800, SB-600, SB-400, SB-R200, supports Advanced Wireless Lighting, Auto FP High-Speed Sync, Flash Color Information Communication, modeling flash and FV lock

Self-timer

2 to 20 seconds duration

Depth of Field Preview

When CPU lens is attached, lens aperture can be stopped down to value selected by user (A and M mode) or value selected by camera (P and S mode)

Remote Control

Via 10-pin terminal or Wireless Transmitter WT-4 (optional)

GPS

NMEA 0183 (Ver. 2.01 and 3.01) interface standard supported with 9-pin D-sub cable (optional) and GPS Cable MC-35 (optional)

Supported Languages

Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish

Power Source

One Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3e, Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D10 (optional) with one Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL4a, EN-EL4 or EN-EL3e or eight R6/AA-size alkaline (LR6), Ni-MH (HR6), lithium (FR6) batteries, or nickel-manganese ZR6 batteries, AC Adapter EH-5a (optional)

Tripod Socket

1/4 in. (ISO 1222)

Custom Settings

48 settings available

Dimensions (W x H x D)

Approx. 147 x 114 x 74 mm

Weight

Approx. 825 g without battery, memory card, body cap, or monitor cover

Operating Environment

Temperature: 0-40°C, Humidity: under 85% (no condensation)

Supplied Accessories

Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3e, Quick Charger MH-18a, USB Cable UC-E4, Video Cable EG-D100, Strap AN-D300, LCD monitor cover BM-8, Body cap BF-1A, Eyepiece Cap DK-5, Rubber Eyecup DK-23, Software Suite CD-ROM (Supplied Accessories may differ by country or area)

Main Optional Accessories

Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D10, Wireless Transmitter WT-4, Magnifying Eyepiece DK-21M, AC Adapter EH-5a, Capture NX Software, Camera Control Pro 2