Nikon 12.3MP D300s With 720p at 24fps Review by ImagingResource
2010-02-18 03:57 | Tag: Nikon Review With | SourceAverage Camera Review Rating [5 reviews]
On July 30, Nikon announces the new professional level Nikon D300s which is the successor to the successful D300 DSLR. Like its predecessor, the D300s offers 12.3 megapixels of resolution, a 3-inch LCD screen, and a 51-point autofocus system. The highly anticipated addition is the support for HD video. The camera can now shoot 720p video at 24 fps and includes an external stereo microphone input. When shooting video, the camera uses contrast-detection auto focus. The D300s is also faster at 7 fps continuous shooting and features a Quiet Shutter Release mode that reduces the
sound of the shutter when shooting. For high-contrast scenes, a new
Active D-Lighting bracketing feature lets you shoot as many as five
frames with varying degrees of Active-D Lighting control. D300s
delivers low noise capability throughout the
entire ISO sensitivity range from 200 to 3200 (Lo-1 at 100 and 6400 at
Hi-1).
The D300s features two memory-card slots, the CF and SD slots, which you can assign to shooting videos or photos on separate memory cards. Alternatively, you can use the cards to separate your raw files from your JPEGs and you can move files between the cards. The Nikon D300s list price is $1799.95 and currently found selling at around $1,499 (up from $1,554 about a month ago). Here is the review conclusion from ImagingResource:
"The Nikon D300S brings the enthusiast flagship up to the standards of more recent Nikon models, including the D90 and D5000, as well as taking on the Canon 50D and Pentax K7 with their HD movie modes. Though the upgrade didn't include an increase in resolution, there's no question that the Nikon D300S continues to serve as an excellent photographic tool, one now capable of video as well. Competing designs have caught up with the D300S in terms of overall printed output, and some have surpassed it. That doesn't diminish the Nikon D300S at all, but it does widen your choices a bit. As for speed, the Nikon D300S is faster, but this greater speed is only available at the camera's 12-bit setting, while both the Canon 50D and 7D are capable of their fastest rates at the full 14-bit setting. We're not able to see much of a difference in JPEG files, at least, so whether it matters to you is an open question.
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On July 30, Nikon announces the new professional level Nikon D300s which is the successor to the successful D300 DSLR. Like its predecessor, the D300s offers 12.3 megapixels of resolution, a 3-inch LCD screen, and a 51-point autofocus system. The highly anticipated addition is the support for HD video. The camera can now shoot 720p video at 24 fps and includes an external stereo microphone input. When shooting video, the camera uses contrast-detection auto focus. The D300s is also faster at 7 fps continuous shooting and features a Quiet Shutter Release mode that reduces the
sound of the shutter when shooting. For high-contrast scenes, a new
Active D-Lighting bracketing feature lets you shoot as many as five
frames with varying degrees of Active-D Lighting control. D300s
delivers low noise capability throughout the
entire ISO sensitivity range from 200 to 3200 (Lo-1 at 100 and 6400 at
Hi-1).The D300s features two memory-card slots, the CF and SD slots, which you can assign to shooting videos or photos on separate memory cards. Alternatively, you can use the cards to separate your raw files from your JPEGs and you can move files between the cards. The Nikon D300s list price is $1799.95 and currently found selling at around $1,499 (up from $1,554 about a month ago). Here is the review conclusion from ImagingResource:
"The Nikon D300S brings the enthusiast flagship up to the standards of more recent Nikon models, including the D90 and D5000, as well as taking on the Canon 50D and Pentax K7 with their HD movie modes. Though the upgrade didn't include an increase in resolution, there's no question that the Nikon D300S continues to serve as an excellent photographic tool, one now capable of video as well. Competing designs have caught up with the D300S in terms of overall printed output, and some have surpassed it. That doesn't diminish the Nikon D300S at all, but it does widen your choices a bit. As for speed, the Nikon D300S is faster, but this greater speed is only available at the camera's 12-bit setting, while both the Canon 50D and 7D are capable of their fastest rates at the full 14-bit setting. We're not able to see much of a difference in JPEG files, at least, so whether it matters to you is an open question.
Save for the Nikon D300S's HD movie mode and dual card slots, there are few compelling reasons to upgrade from the D300, but the D300S is a great choice for the intermediate photographer looking for a more serious photographic tool. The Nikon D300S presents a more capable 720p HD video solution than the D90, but it doesn't quite rise to the level of HD video capture found in the extremely popular Canon 5D Mark II and 7D, both of which can record up to 1080p, and capture a full-resolution still image while recording video. Those looking for an SLR for shooting video might want to consider some of these other options, especially if their needs include 1080p capture.
But I can't help considering the Nikon D300S as a still camera, and in that space it still stands pretty strong. Though autofocus was slower in Auto Area mode, I stuck to Single-point mode and was perfectly happy with the Nikon D300S's autofocus speed. I was even happier with its accuracy shot-to-shot. Overall I found the Nikon D300S an extremely capable camera with a very refined design and a great demeanor, an excellent tool for making great photos quickly. Like its predecessor, the Nikon D300S is an easy Dave's Pick."
Photo Album: Nikon D300s 12.3 Megapixel Digital SLR
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Nikon D300s Sample Photos on Flickr
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Nikon D300s Camera Reviews Roundup
| DCI: "The Nikon D300S is physically and functionally very close to the D300 introduced back in 2007. The company essentially took the 720p video recording capability from the $900 D90 (the first SLR to offer movie mode) and grafted it into the heftier, pro-level D300 body. There are a few other enhancements, including a fast 7 frame per second burst rate and a dual-memory-slot configuration that welcomes a CompactFlash an..." - Mar 10 2010 More » | |
| RegHardware: "A range of in-camera processing tools includes red eye editing, colour balance, NEF RAW processing of exposure and white balance. These secret tweaks are handy if what you shot wasn't optimum and you need to show people what you have photographed. It is non-destructive too. The original NEF is kept with the output of your edit being a high quality JPEG. For press, this could be an invaluable way of improving images..." - Dec 06 2009 More » | |
| Photocrati: "Photographing people constantly in motion at fairly close range proved a challenge on the street. Nikon employs a very capable AF system, with a vast array numbering as many as 51 AF points or down to a very finite single point AF. In combination, you can select single-shot or continuous AF. You also have the option of 9 and 21 points. Noise is certainly well-controlled at low ISO levels, but becomes noticeable..." - Nov 09 2009 More » | |
| PhotographyBay: "Generally speaking, I feel that the Nikon D300s does OK with handling low light and high ISO. I think that it should probably do better though. Several pundits have criticized the Nikon D300s' high ISO performance in light of the lower-priced and lower-spec'd D90 producing cleaner images at higher ISOs. Although I have not personally reviewed the D90, I tend to agree with these sentiments based on..." - Oct 23 2009 More » | |
| TrustedReviews: "The D300s also inherits all of the D300's superb image quality, including its exceptionally good high-ISO noise control. As you'll see from the accompanying sample shots it can produce good printable results at 1600 ISO, and even at the extended maximum 6400 ISO is still produces shots that look good at smaller sizes. At more normal settings the image quality is fantastic, with reliably accurate exposure, excellent..." - Oct 20 2009 More » | |
| PhotoReview: "Not unexpectedly, subjective assessment of test shots taken with the default standard Picture Control setting showed them to be similar to our test shots from the D300. Even without the Active D-Lighting function engaged, outdoor shots contained the wide dynamic range that's expected from a DSLR camera. Applying Active D-Lighting processing, even at the lowest level, was enough to record most of the highlight detail..." - Oct 13 2009 More » | |
| Pocket-lint: "In terms of image noise here things are looking good too and shots in near darkness at ISO 1250 provides images with an excellent balance between image detail and noise; noise taking on the appearance of fine film grain, making it less intrusive. However, pushing ISO to the 3200 and 6400 settings makes images with a distinct level of noise that takes on a distracting black speckled effect and combines blotchy g..." - Sep 03 2009 More » | |
| TechRadar: "We liked: It's very fast to operate and offers the fastest continuous-shooting mode this side of £3,000. It's the perfect stepping stone between an amateur and professional DSLR. It's more expensive than the Canon 50D, but it's also faster and, to our hands, more solid, besides offering 720p video recording. If you already have a top-end amateur DSLR things are less clear-cut. There's also the minor consideration o..." - Aug 19 2009 More » |
Nikon D300s Camera Recent User Reviews
D300s Great camera, Mary Gonzales - Jul 27 2010
Great Camera. Still learning how to use all the great features. I got an awesome price from Amazon. Saved almost $400 when I bought the camera and lens together....
It's all good, Mulky - Jul 14 2010
Hey, It's a Nikon... you can expect it to perform like one. But, be aware Mine did not come with a USA warranty. Just thought you might want to know....
It's all good, Mulky - Jul 14 2010
Hey, It's a Nikon... you can expect it to perform like one. But, be aware Mine did not come with a USA warranty. Just thought you might want to know....
It's all good, Mulky - Jul 14 2010
Hey, It's a Nikon... you can expect it to perform like one. But, be aware Mine did not come with a USA warranty. Just thought you might want to know....
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