Extraordinary still and HD video imaging performance converge in the fast and agile 12.3-megapixel, DX-format D300S, delivering D-SLR versatility.
.
$1,699.95*SRPSRP (Suggested Retail Price) listed only as a suggestion. Actual prices are set by dealers and are subject to change at any time.
Close
Supplied Accessories
- EN-EL3e Rechargeable Li-ion Battery
- MH-18a Quick Charger
- UC-E4 USB Cable
- EG-D2 Video Cable
- AN-DC4 Strap
- BM-8 LCD monitor cover
- Body cap
- DK-5 Eyepiece Cap
- DK-23 Rubber Eyecup
- Software Suite CD-ROM
*Supplied accessories may differ depending on country or area.
Key Features
12.3-megapixel DX-format CMOS Image Sensor
Delivers stunning high resolution, low-noise images with striking detail and tonal gradation.
Nikon EXPEED Image Processing
Drives breathtakingly rich image fidelity, low noise and fast image processing.
One-button Live View
Hand-held and Tripod Live View Modes, activated with one-button, for challenging studio and remote shooting conditions.
Low Noise ISO Sensitivity from 200 to 3200
Additional expanded ISO settings of Lo-1 (ISO 100 equivalent) and Hi-1 (ISO 6400 equivalent) extend versatility to match shooting requirements.
1,005-Pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering II
Nikon’s unique RGB metering—the only sensor that also evaluates color information when determining exposures with remarkable accuracy..
Dual memory card slots (CF and SD)
Assign card functions from a variety of storage options, optimizing available memory and file handling.
Picture Control Settings
Select from 4 preset image capture preferences (Standard, Neutral, Vivid and Monochrome, plus 9 user customizable settings) controlling Sharpening, Contrast, Brightness, Saturation and Hue.
In-Camera Image Editing
Exclusive in-camera image editing, featuring Edit movie, D-Lighting, Image Overlay, Monochrome, NEF (RAW) processing and more.
100% Viewfinder Accuracy
Up to 950 shots per EN-EL3e battery charge*
Shoot as many as 2,950 shots with the body’s EN-EL3e battery installed and the optional MB-D10 Multi-Power Battery Pack with an EN-EL4a Rechargeable Li-ion Battery*.
* based on CIPA standards/guidelines.
Continuous Shooting up to 7 fps
High speed shooting and fast response—essential to versatile performance in a wide variety of shooting disciplines.
D-Movie HD Video
Capture striking 24 fps, 720p HD movie clips, enhanced by NIKKOR interchangeable lens quality and versatility—featuring external stereo Mic input and AF operation.
3-inch Super-density 921,000-dot VGA LCD Monitor
Every monitor is factory-calibrated to assure accurate color for critical still image review and Live View or D-Movie shooting.
Fast, Accurate 51-point Autofocus
Features 4 Dynamic AF modes including 3D Focus Tracking for precise autofocus and razor sharp images.
Scene Recognition System
Referencing an onboard image database and teamed with RGB metering, SRS enables even more sophisticated determination of exposures and auto white balance, along with faster, more accurate autofocus.
Dynamic Integrated Dust Reduction System
Ultrasonic process combats the accumulation of dust in front of the image sensor, safeguarding image quality.
Nikon's Active D-Lighting
Optimizes shadow and highlight detail in real time—Selectable values and 5-frame ADL bracketing offer complete control.
Rugged and Durable
The strength and precision of magnesium-alloy construction with advanced dust and moisture countermeasures is teamed with a shutter mechanism tested to beyond 150,000 cycles for real-world reliability.
Virtual Horizon Graphic Indicator
Price: ESP 1699.95* D300S Body only (Product Number 25464). Other outfits available
Experience It
Sample Photography
Demo
3D Demo
D-Movie Productions
D-Movie Samples
Digitutor
Specifications
-
Lens MountNikon F bayonet mount
-
Picture AngleNikon DX format (Effective picture angle 1.5x [Approx.] conversion factor)
-
Effective Pixels12.3 million
-
Sensor Size23.6mm x 15.8mm
-
Image Sensor FormatDX
-
Image Sensor TypeCMOS
-
Total Pixels13.1 million
-
Dust-Off Reference PhotoYes
-
Image Area (pixels)DX-format
(L) 4,288 x 2,848
(M) 3,216 x 2,136
(S) 2,144 x 1,424
-
File Format Still ImagesCompressed 12/14-bit NEF (RAW, Lossless Compressed): approx. 60-80 percent
JPEG: JPEG-Baseline Compliant; can be selected from Size Priority and Optimal Quality
TIFF (RGB)
Uncompressed 12/14-bit NEF (RAW) -
Picture ControlMonochrome
Neutral
Nine User-customizable Settings
Standard
Vivid -
Storage MediaCompactFlash© (CF) (Type I/II, compliant with UDMA)
SD
SDHC -
Card Slot1 CompactFlash© (CF) card and 1 Secure Digital (SD) card
-
File SystemCompliant with DCF (Design Rule for Camera File System) 2.0
DPOF (Digital Print Order Format)
EXIF 2.21 (Exchangeable Image File Format for Digital Still Cameras) -
ViewfinderEye-level Pentaprism Single-Lens Reflex Viewfinder
-
Viewfinder Frame Coverage100 % Approx.
-
Viewfinder Magnification0.94x Approx.
-
Viewfinder Eyepoint19.5 (-1.0¯¹)
-
Viewfinder Diopter Adjustment-2.0 to +1.0m¯¹
-
Focusing ScreenType-B BriteView Clear Matte Screen Mark II with Superimposed Focus Brackets and On-Demand Grid Lines
-
Reflex MirrorQuick-return type
-
Depth-of-field ControlYes
-
Lens Compatibility at a Glance***AF-S or AF lenses fully compatible
Metering with AI lenses -
Compatible LensesAF NIKKOR other than D-/G-type (excluding lenses for F3AF): All Functions Supported Except 3D-Color Matrix Metering II
AI-P NIKKOR: All Functions Supported Except Autofocus and 3D Color Matrix Metering II
D-/G-type AF NIKKOR (excluding IX NIKKOR lenses): All Functions Supported Except PC Micro-NIKKOR
DX AF NIKKOR: All Functions Supported
Non-CPU AI NIKKOR: Can be used in exposure modes A and M; Electronic Rangefinder 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 -
Shutter typeElectronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane
-
Fastest Shutter Speed1/8000 sec.
-
Slowest Shutter Speed30 sec.
-
Flash Sync SpeedUp to 1/250 sec.
Flash synchronization up to 1/320s (FP) adjustable with Built-in Speedlight or optional Speedlight (will reduce GN) -
Bulb Shutter SettingYes
-
Shutter Release ModesContinuous low-speed [CL] mode; 1-7 frames per second
Continuous high-speed [CH] mode; 8 frames per second
Live View [LV] mode
Mirror-up [Mup] mode
Quiet shutter-release
Self-timer mode
Single-frame [S] mode -
Continuous Shooting OptionsDX-format
CH: Up to 7 frames per second
CL: Up to 6 frames per second
-
Top Continuous Shooting Speed at full resolution7 frames per second
-
Self-timer2, 5, 10, 20 sec. Timer duration electronically controlled
-
Exposure Metering System1,005-pixel RGB sensor 3D Color Matrix Metering II
Spot
Variable Center-weighted -
Metering Range0 to 20 EV (Matrix or center-weighted metering at ISO 100 equivalent, f/1.4 lens, at 20°C/68°F)
2 to 20 EV (Spot metering at ISO 100 equivalent, f/1.4 lens at 20°C/68°F) -
Exposure Meter CouplingCPU
AI -
Exposure ModesAperture-Priority Auto (A)
Manual (M)
Programmed Auto with flexible Program (P)
Shutter-Priority Auto (S) -
Exposure Compensation±5 EV in increments of 1/3
1/2
1 -
Exposure Bracketing2 to 9 frames in steps of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1 EV
-
Exposure LockYes
-
Mirror Lock UpYes
-
ISO SensitivityISO 200 - 3200
Lo-1 (ISO 100)
Hi-1 (ISO 6400)
-
Lowest Standard ISO Sensitivity200
-
Highest Standard ISO Sensitivity3200
-
Lowest Expanded ISO SensitivityLo-1 (ISO 100 equivalent)
-
Highest Expanded ISO SensitivityHI-1 (ISO 6400 equivalent)
-
Expanded ISO Sensitivity OptionsLo-1 (ISO 100 equivalent) in steps of 1/3, 1/2, 1 EV
Hi-1 (ISO 6400 equivalent) in steps of 1/3, 1/2, 1 EV -
Long Exposure Noise ReductionYes
-
High ISO Noise ReductionLow
Normal
High
Off -
Single-point AF ModeYes
-
Dynamic AF ModeNumber of AF points: 9, 21, 51 and 51 (3D-tracking)
-
Auto-area AF ModeYes
-
Autofocus System51 focus points (15 cross-type sensors)
AF fine adjustment possible
Detection range: EV -1 to EV +19 (ISO 100 equivalent, at normal temperature: 20°C/68°F)
Focal-plane contrast [in LiveView (Tripod) mode]
Nikon Multi-CAM 3500DX autofocus module
TTL phase detection -
Focus LockAE-L/AF-L button
Half press of shutter-release button (single-point AF in AF-S) -
Focus ModesContinuous-servo (C)
Manual (M) with electronic rangefinder
Single-servo AF (S) -
Maximum Autofocus Areas/Points51
-
Autofocus Sensitivity-1 to +19 EV (ISO 100, 20°C/68°F)
-
Autofocus Fine TuneYes
-
Built-in FlashYes
-
Flash Bracketing2 to 9 frames in steps of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1 EV
-
X-Sync Speed1/250
-
Top FP High Speed SyncUp to 1/8000
-
Flash Controli-TTL Balanced fill-flash, standard i-TTL flash for digital SLR
-
Flash Sync ModesFront-curtain sync (normal)
Rear-curtain sync
Red-Eye reduction
Red-Eye reduction with slow sync
Slow sync -
Flash Compensation-3 to +1 EV in increments of 1/3 or 1/2 EV
-
Accessory ShoeYes
-
Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS)Built-in flash Commander Mode
CLS Supported -
Flash Sync TerminalYes
-
White BalanceAuto (2 types)
Auto (TTL white balance with 2,016-pixel RGB sensor)
Cloudy
Direct Sunlight
Fine Tune by Kelvin color temperature setting (2,500 K to 10,000K)
Flash
Fluorescent (7 types)
Incandescent
Preset manual (up to 5 values can be stored)
Seven manual modes with fine-tuning
Shade -
White Balance Bracketing2 to 9 exposures
-
Live View ShootingHandheld mode
Tripod mode -
Movie File FormatAVI
-
MovieVGA 640x424 / 24 fps
QVGA 320x216 / 24fps
Movie with sound
HD 1280x720 / 24 fps -
Movie AudioBuilt-in microphone, monaural
Optional external stereo mini-pin jack (3.5mm diameter)
Microphone sensitivity can be adjusted -
Monitor Size3.0 in. diagonal
-
Monitor Resolution921,000 Dots
-
Monitor TypeSuper Density
Wide Viewing Angle TFT-LCD -
Monitor Angle of View170-degree wide-viewing angle
-
Monitor AdjustmentsBrightness, 7 levels
-
Playback FunctionsAuto Image Rotation
Full Frame
Highlights
Histogram Display
Image Comment
Movie Playback
Slideshow
Thumbnail (4, 9 or 72 segments)
Zoom -
In-Camera Image EditingColor Balance
D-Lighting
Edit Movie
Filter Effects
Image Overlay
Monochrome
NEF (RAW) Processing
Red-Eye Correction
Resize
Trim -
Image CommentYes
Copyright -
Interface10-pin Terminal
HDMI
HDMI Type C
Hi-speed USB
NTSC
PAL -
Wi-Fi FunctionalityEye-Fi Compatible
FTP file transfer available and PTP/IP with optional WT-4A (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g) -
GPSGP-1 GPS unit
-
Save/Load Camera settingsYes
-
Total custom Settings48
-
My MenuYes with customization
-
Supported LanguagesChinese (Simplified and Traditional)
Dutch
English
Finnish
French
German
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Polish
Portuguese
Russian
Swedish
Spanish -
Date, Time and Daylight Savings Time SettingsYes
-
World Time SettingYes
-
BatteryRechargeable
-
Battery / BatteriesEN-EL3e Lithium-ion Battery
-
Battery Life (shots per charge)950 shots (CIPA)
-
AC AdapterEH-5a AC Adapter
-
Battery ChargerMH-18a Quick Charger
-
Tripod Socket1/4 inch 20
-
Approx. DimensionsWidth: 5.8 in. (147mm)
Height: 4.5 in. (114mm)
Depth: 2.9 in. (74mm) -
Approx. Weight30 oz. (840g)camera body only
-
Supplied SoftwareSoftware Suite CD-ROM
-
Optional AccessoriesMB-D10 Multi-Power Battery Pack
EH-5A AC Adapter
DK-21M Magnifying Eyepiece
Camera Control Pro 2
Capture NX 2 Software
Image Authentication Software
WT-4A Wireless Transmitter -
Supplied Accessories
- EN-EL3e Rechargeable Li-ion Battery
- MH-18a Quick Charger
- UC-E4 USB Cable
- EG-D2 Video Cable
- AN-DC4 Strap
- BM-8 LCD monitor cover
- Body cap
- DK-5 Eyepiece Cap
- DK-23 Rubber Eyecup
- Software Suite CD-ROM
*Supplied accessories may differ depending on country or area.
Speedlights/Flashes
Stereo Microphone
Eyepieces and Viewfinders
Remotes and Releases
NIKKOR Lenses
GPS Unit
Cases/Straps
Batteries/Power Packs and AC Adapters
Wireless Transmitters
Cords & Cables
D300S
85
85
Perfect replacement
From 1977 thru 2007 the Nikon F3 was my workhorse with my underwater work. With five bodies, an array of lenses and three Aquatica underwater housings the decision to switch from film to digital was a tough one along with being a very expensive one. Discovering the new D300 made the choice easy and after hours of getting use to this unit and new underwater housings arriving getting these units underwater was my next quest. I am happy to say the results were supurb and the ease of operation is a delight. Nikon came through when this old film man who for so long denied the success of digital equipment as a replacement for film until the day the film did not exist any longer and my choices were few. Thanks Nikon
June 18, 2012
ALMOST perfect...
I wish that Nikon would provide a configuration option that allowed the camera's clock to be automatically synchronized whenever a GPS is attached and has a 2D or 3D fix.
I also wish that auto-bracketing was easier to set and didn't eliminate the ability to use the Fn button for other applications.
I also wish that the video mode were more intuitive and allowed for dynamic autofocus.
Other than those few quibbles, I love my D300s and D300!
June 9, 2012
Best features at the best price!
Have evaluated all of NIkon's bodies and the D300S seems to have the best bang for the buck. Would love to be able to grab more pixels, but am no willing to spend the $$$ to go to a bigger sensor. For my style of shooting, the D300S does everything that I expect a great camera body to do; plus it is as rugged as a small tank!
June 1, 2012
NOT UP TO THE USUAL MARK
I own several Nikon Film cameras (F3,FM and F3) and was in a "Q" to buy the D70 and D70s. The noise levels made me "upgrade" to D300s. I very much regret this move and should have gone for the D700 instead; as , as opposed to the day-light glory, it produces appalling noise levels at any thing above ISO 800.
Also, Nikon is losing out on mid-level lenses like the affordable Canon 24-105/4 which together with 5D2 is a very tempting piece of kit. May be I should jump ship.
April 29, 2012
Love MY D300S
Having owned one of the greatest NIKON cameras ever built the F3 it was for the choice was easy. I needed a the best camera that I could afford and that was the NIKON D300S. It is a tough, hard working, and dream to shoot with. When people asked me why NIKON it because they are the best in the world.
January 12, 2012
32 Questions | 44 Answers
Product Q&A
Ask your questions. Share your answers.
32 Questions | 44 Answers
Have a new question?
Ask a new question Search the Product Forum
1 year, 2 months ago
by
DannyA
3 Answers
Answers
Answer:
This is mainly because of your WB settings. I think, you can play with it.Jan 18, 2012 by
by
satish
Belgaum, Karnataka, India
Location :
Belgaum, Karnataka, India
Age: 35-44
Favorite Subject: Travel
Nikon Family: 2-5 years
Experience: More than a year
Role: Semi-professional photographer
Answer:
Your color depends on what you have your white balance set to. If it's too warm, you need to set it to be more cool. Use kelvin if you don't like the presets.Jul 29, 2011 by
by
Sharon
USA
Location :
USA
Age: 35-44
Favorite Subject: Portrait
Nikon Family: 11-20 years
Experience: More than a year
Role: Professional photographer
Answer:
Please verify the settings that you have in your camera or reset the custom settings. Each manufacture has different sensors, color space and resolutions.Has staff answer
D300S
2 Answers
Does the Nikon D300S come with a 1/4 socket or do you have to buy one?
1 year, 3 months ago
by
Ronordious
Pa, Usa
Location :
Pa, Usa
Age: 25-34
Favorite Subject: Nature
Nikon Family: 0-1 years
Role: Serious passion, hobbyist
2 Answers
Answers
Answer:
Yes it has the 1/4 socket for a tripod.Answer:
This model has Tripod socket of 1/4.
what is the largest card and what cards do you recommend. I was looking at a new compact flash card that is 600x and 32 gig. Will it work in my D300s?
1 year, 2 months ago
by
Pat
California
Location :
California
Age: 55-65
Favorite Subject: Nature
Nikon Family: 11-20 years
Experience: More than a year
Role: Serious passion, hobbyist
2 Answers
Answers
Answer:
Please click on the link below for more information:Answer Title: Approved Memory Cards - D300S
Answer Link: http://support.nikonusa.com/app/ans...
Answer:
From what I can tell from Rob Galbraith's article about the new 600x Cards from Sandisk, the 64GB cards will in the D300s.But I would not recommend you using this size. It's desirable having smaller memory because of possible damaging and data backup.
1 year, 1 month ago
by
Patrick
Franklin, Ohio 45005
Location :
Franklin, Ohio 45005
Age: 55-65
Favorite Subject: Nature
Nikon Family: 11-20 years
Experience: 6-12 months
Role: Semi-professional photographer
2 Answers
Answers
Answer:
Its hard to put a MP to a raw shot, many factors come into play Raw uncompressed stores the image as shot (no loss of data) where JPEG post processes after the shot ie. white ballance, sharpening, quality and size etc and it loses information. So raw size varies by how much data is stored the amount of colors 12bit or 14bit etc all come into play. I find in an 8GB card I can get 300+- 20 shots in raw and in TIF 200 to 830 depending on size and in JPEG 1,000 to 15,500 depending on size and quality. I shoot with a D300sAug 14, 2011 by
by
turp77
Plainfield CT
Location :
Plainfield CT
Age: 55-65
Favorite Subject: Nature
Nikon Family: 21+ years
Experience: More than a year
Role: Semi-professional photographer
Answer:
Depends what you got it set at, varies between 10.5mb for a 12 bit compressed to 25mb for a 14bit uncompressed, refer to page 394 of your manual for all specs.
I take pictures at a racetrack and have gotten really used to my continuous shooting mode but now it has stopped working. I am sure I have just messed up a setting somewhere (altho it still says I am shooting 7 FPS under the shooting menu)...can someone give me a clue where to start looking to fix this?
1 year, 1 month ago
by
asit
Ohio
Location :
Ohio
Age: 25-34
Favorite Subject: Sports
Nikon Family: 6-10 years
Experience: More than a year
Role: Professional photographer
2 Answers
Answers
Answer:
You only get speedy continous bursts, when the camera does not take RAW files. It is particularly slow at 14-bit RAW. Make sure to switch the quality to "JPEG only".Jun 19, 2011 by
by
JR
Houston, TX
Location :
Houston, TX
Age: 35-44
Favorite Subject: Nature
Nikon Family: 11-20 years
Experience: Less than a month
Role: Serious passion, hobbyist
Answer:
Please see page # 86 of the user's manual for the D300s for more information on continuous shooting.
If so, how do I program it to fire off three or four exposures rapidly that are pre-set at different shutter speeds?
1 year ago
by
Steve
Fountain Valley,CA, USA
Location :
Fountain Valley,CA, USA
Age: 55-65
Favorite Subject: Landscape
Nikon Family: 2-5 years
Experience: More than a year
Role: Semi-professional photographer
2 Answers
Answers
Answer:
you're talking about exposure bracketing. i don't know by heart if the d300s does it (it may, check your manual for bracketing).Answer:
It’s not possible to set the camera for continuous shooting at different shutter speeds.10 months ago
by
Anonymous
2 Answers
Answers
Answer:
Here's the link to a great article that talks about the different types of NIKKOR lenses and which Nikon bodies they work with: http://www.nikonusa.com/Learn-And-E...Answer:
All Nikon lens.9 months ago
by
Anonymous
2 Answers
Answers
Answer:
150,000 actuations are expected. :)
I have misplaced mine and im unable to find a part number/name for this product
6 months ago
by
Tim O'R
Age: Under 18
Favorite Subject: Landscape
Nikon Family: 2-5 years
Experience: More than a year
Role: Serious passion, hobbyist
2 Answers
Answers
Answer:
1k467-300 for the rubber cover for the battery pack on the bottom of the cameraAnswer:
I assume you mean the hotshoe for the flash, that is a BS-1 shoe cap D300S
2 Answers
D300S with a 18 200 vr2 vs 70-200 2.8 vr2 on sunny day shooting lacrosse games will the 2 lenses perform about the same.
4 months ago
by
Anonymous
Jackson, NJ, USA
Location :
Jackson, NJ, USA
Age: 45-54
Favorite Subject: Sports
Nikon Family: 21+ years
Experience: More than a year
Role: Serious passion, hobbyist
2 Answers
Answers
Answer:
on a sunny day you should be fine as the f/stop goes, obviously 2.8 is fast n blur free in low light,the most difference you will see is the glass itself as far as the quality of photo. The 70-200mm being pro glass the image quality will be better for sure...and the 18-200 at 4.5 or 5.6 whatever the fastest aperture is, will have difference in background as opposed to 2.8...
hope this helps...
Jun 15, 2012 by
by
NikonD
Sedona, AZ, USA
Location :
Sedona, AZ, USA
Age: 45-54
Favorite Subject: Sports
Nikon Family: 11-20 years
Experience: More than a year
Role: Semi-professional photographer
Answer:
The 70-200 F2.8 is a much better lens than the 18-200mm F3.5-5.6. Optically the 70-200 is far superior and is a great lens, which gives a much better image, also you are able to use aperture F2.8 all the way through from 70mm to 200mm. The build quality of the 70-200 is also much better, it feels much more solid and well made. The 18-200mm is a jack of all trades lens but master of none. The image quality can change dramatically between 18-200mm and with different aperture settings. Hence the difference in price.Product Registration
Registering your Nikon product allows us to send you (with your permission) important updates, service information and helpful hints, and it makes it easier should you ever need to call in for help.
Register your product online now.
Nikon Answers Site
We store all resolved problems in our solution database. If you can’t find a relevant answer, feel free to submit a question to our technical support team.
View Questions & Answers
Manual
Resources
We’ll keep track of the products you view here.