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 replaced my Nikon 12.1 Megapixel D2X with a D300 and Mb-D10 Battery Pack. I sold my D2X for $2500 and picked up the 12.3 Megapixel D300 for $1800.00 The Battery Pack was an extra $300.
The coolest thing is that Nikon released three D2x Picture Controls to program into the D300 (and D3) so that we could emulate the D2x shooting modes for those of us that loved how the D2x color,tone and hues worked for portraiture.
So, I now have a high ISO, low digital noise from 200 to 3200 ISO, weather resistant camera that is better than my D2X and has two LIVE VIEW modes which are great in the studio. The shutter in the D300 has the same "wear" rating as the D2x (approximately 150,000 cycles). The battery pack is a HUGE improvement over the D200 MB-D200 pack as it is made of metal, not plastic and has a vastly improved D-Series Pro Battery insert instead of a poorly engineered battery door. I use the AUTO ISO feature with Aperture Priority for my journalistic shooting and this camera nails the exposure every time. I LOVE the "D-Lighting" which is really a Dynamic Range Adjustment in the Expeed Processor. Recovering shadow detail and not blowing out highlights as the image is captured in the camera is far superior to doing the same in post-processing with Photoshop or Capture NX or Lightroom. I keep this feature on all the time. The colors are much more saturated when I want them to be by using the newer, better VIVID mode. The "MY Menu" area has saved me by allowing me to place shortcuts to my favorite adjustments in the main menus, allowing me to change the look and feel of my photos on the fly. I can instantly emulate the look and feel of Extachrome 64, Fuji Velvia or Tri-X by zipping into my Custom made Picture Controls. These new Picture Controls are presets that you can alter the contrast, brightness, sharpening and hue and then save your new setting under a new name which you can change any time during your session. The LCD screen(D3 and D300) is awesome at a true 640x480 TV output and has a built in HDMI output for Hi Def screens! The 3 inch 920,000 dot monitor is a great feature for those of us that are over 40 and pushing things away at arm's length to read. New to Nikon is you can hit an info button on the back of the camera and see ALL the camera info on the Big bright LCD screen that you might barely make out on the Top info screen on the camera. The rear LCD screen also magically adjusts contrast depending on the viewing conditions around you. The new processor supports high speed UDMA CF cards. You can also hook up a GPS unit to the camera via an optional MC-35 connecting cord so you have a way to return back to that great shot you took in the middle of nowhere. The dynamic focus 51 point tracking system is next to magic as it locks on your subject and keeps the Autofocus dead on as they move through the frame.This is an awsome camera! Get it!

The Good:
For as many features as they packed into the camera...it is incredibly easy to use. Active D-lighting is nice and the color space adds depth and saturation to the images. Speed is incredible: 2.5fps in RAW, 6fps in TIFF or JPG Fine/Large. Live view is easier to use than the manual makes it out to be, and a nice addition for tripod/studio work (no kneeling or step stool to run the camera when its mounted.) My Menu personalization is great...I can pick the features I use the most, put them in one place and organize them how I want. No more digging through 4 pages of CSM to change the self timer etc.

The not quite as good:
I don't care for the release mode dial...a bit hard to manipulate using one hand with the lock, but it did not take much to get used to it.

Software wise...Capture NX is good (features match the camera well and it is good for quick retouch), but I find it cumbersome to use. My advice is use it if it is free, but if you already have PS Lightroom or CS3 they are still the better choice. Capture NX and Camera Control are nice for the camera enhancements they add, but I am not sure how much I will use them.

Of course the price is high, but you get what you pay for. And, with the D300...you get a lot!

Its pretty much the coolest thing on earth, especially running with camera control pro 2. I do lots of industrial photography, and with the d300, its almost cheating.