The D300S is a compact DX format professional SLR that extends the options for photographers who value creative flexibility. Incorporates Nikon’s D-movie with in-camera editing function into a discrete body, letting you switch quickly between capturing superior stills or movie clips in stereo* sound. It boasts a highly sensitive 12.3 megapixel CMOS sensor and supports a phenomenal 7fps continuous shooting. CF and SD card slots enhance workflow flexibility, letting you capture stills on one card and movies on another. Nikon’s acclaimed 51-point AF system offers broad coverage and high sensitivity in low light. Selectable Picture Controls streamline post-production, and the high definition 3-inch LCD screen supports D-movie and two Live View modes. Protected by a tough, yet light, environmentally-sealed magnesium alloy body, the D300S will change the way you approach the craft of photography.
12.3 megapixel DX format CMOS image sensor. Self-cleaning sensor unit minimizes the effect of dust.
7fps continuous shooting (8fps when shooting with the optional MB-D300 battery pack).
D-Movie records beautiful, high-definition (HD) movie clips in stereo sound* with start/stop Edit function.
Dual card slots: CF and SD card slots for enhanced workflow flexibility.
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.
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.
Quiet shooting mode: perfect for discrete photography, the sound of the camera’s mechanisms are noticeably reduced.
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.
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.
Durable shutter unit tested to 150 000 cycles.
HDMI video output interface enables connection to high-definition video systems.
Intuitive ergonomics with optimized button placement for fast and comfortable handling.
*Compatible stereo microphone required.
Type
Single-lens reflex digital camera
Lens mount
Nikon F mount (with AF coupling and AF contacts)
Effective angle of view
Approx. 1.5 x conversion factor (Nikon DX format)
Effective pixels
12.3 million
Image sensor
23.6 x 15.8 mm CMOS sensor
Total pixels
13.1 million
Dust-reduction system
Image Sensor Cleaning, Image Dust Off reference data (requires optional Capture NX 2 software)
Image size (pixels)
4,288 x 2,848 [L], 3,216 x 2,136 [M], 2,144 x 1,424 [S]
Storage file formats
• NEF (RAW): 12 or 14 bit, lossless compressed, compressed, or uncompressed • TIFF (RGB) • JPEG: JPEG-Baseline compliant with fine (approx. 1:4), normal (approx. 1:8) or basic (approx. 1:16) compression (Size priority); Optimal quality compression available • NEF (RAW) + JPEG: Single photograph recorded in both NEF (RAW) and JPEG formats
Picture Control System
Can be selected from Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome; storage for up to nine custom Picture Controls
Media
Type I CompactFlash memory cards (UDMA compliant); SD memory cards, SDHC compliant
Dual card slot
Either card can be used as the primary card; secondary card can be used for overflow or backup storage, or for separate storage of NEF (RAW) and JPEG images; images can be copied between cards
File system
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), PictBridge
Viewfinder
Eye-level pentaprism single-lens reflex viewfinder
Frame coverage
Approx. 100% horizontal and 100% vertical
Magnification
Approx. 0.94 x (50mm f/1.4 lens at infinity; -1.0 m-1)
Eyepoint
19.5 mm (-1.0 m-1)
Diopter adjustment
-2 to +1 m-1
Focusing screen
Type B BriteView Clear Matte screen Mark II with AF area brackets (framing grid can be displayed)
Reflex mirror
Quick return
Depth-of-field preview
When depth-of-field preview button is pressed, lens aperture is stopped down to value selected by user (A and M modes) or by camera (P and S modes)
Lens aperture
Instant return, electronically controlled
Compatible lenses
• DX NIKKOR: All functions supported • Type G or D AF NIKKOR: All functions supported (PC Micro-NIKKOR does not support some functions); IX-NIKKOR lenses not supported • Other AF NIKKOR: All functions supported except 3D color matrix metering II; lenses for F3AF not supported • AI-P NIKKOR: All functions supported except 3D color matrix metering II • Non-CPU: Can be used in exposure modes A and M; color matrix metering and aperture value display supported if user provides lens data (AI lenses only) •Electronic rangefinder can be used if maximum aperture is f/5.6 or faster
Shutter type
Electronically-controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter
Shutter speed
1/8,000 to 30 s in steps of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV, bulb, X250
Flash sync speed
X = 1/250 s; synchronizes with shutter at 1/320 s or slower (flash range drops at speeds between 1/250 and 1/320 s)
Release mode
Single frame, continuous low speed, continuous high speed, quiet shutter-release, self-timer, mirror up
Frame advance rate
With Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3e: Approx. 1 to 7 fps (CL), approx. 7 fps (CH); With optional Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D10 and Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL4a: Approx. 1 to 7 (CL) fps, approx. 8 fps (CH)1 1 With a battery other than Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL4a, the continuous shooting speed may be slower than 8 fps in continuous high-speed mode.
Self-timer
Can be selected from 2, 5, 10 and 20 s duration
Exposure metering
TTL exposure metering using 1,005-pixel RGB sensor
Metering method
• Matrix: 3D color matrix metering II (type G and D lenses); color matrix metering II (other CPU lenses); color matrix metering available with non-CPU lenses if user provides lens data • Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 8-mm circle in center of frame. Diameter of circle can be changed to 6, 10 or 13 mm, or weighting can be based on average of entire frame (fixed at 8 mm when non-CPU lens is used) • Spot: Meters 3-mm circle (about 2% of frame) centered on selected focus point (on center focus point when non-CPU lens is used)
Metering range (ISO 100, f/1.4 lens, 20 °C/68 °F)
• Matrix or center-weighted metering: 0 to 20 EV • Spot metering: 2 to 20 EV
Exposure meter coupling
Combined CPU and AI
Mode
Programmed auto with flexible program (P); Shutter-priority auto (S); Aperture-priority auto (A); Manual (M)
Exposure compensation
-5 to +5 EV in increments of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV
Exposure bracketing
2 to 9 frames in steps of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1 EV
Exposure lock
Luminosity locked at detected value with AE-L/AF-L button
ISO sensitivity
ISO 200 to 3200 in steps of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV; can also be set to approx. 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 or 1 EV (ISO 100 equivalent) below ISO 200 or to approx. 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 or 1 EV (ISO 6400 equivalent) above ISO 3200
Active D-Lighting
Can be selected from auto, extra high, high, normal, low or off
ADL bracketing
2 to 5 frames with strength levels varying according to number of frames chosen; for 2 frames, off and a chosen level are applied
Autofocus
Nikon Multi-CAM 3500DX autofocus sensor module with TTL phase detection, fine-tuning, 51 focus points (including 15 cross-type sensors) and AF-assist illuminator (range approx. 0.5 to 3 m/1 ft. 8 in. to 9 ft. 10 in.)
Detection range
-1 to +19 EV (ISO 100 equivalent, 20°C /68°F)
Live view - lens servo
• Autofocus: Single-servo AF (S); continuous-servo AF (C); predictive focus tracking automatically activated according to subject status • Manual (M): Electronic rangefinder supported
Focus points
Can be selected from 51 or 11 focus points
AF-area mode
Single-point AF, dynamic-area AF, auto-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
Built-in flash
Manual pop-up with button release; Guide number of 17/56 (m/ft., ISO 200, 20 °C/68 °F) or 12/39 (m/ft., ISO 100 equivalent, 20 °C/68 °F)
Flash control
• TTL: i-TTL balanced fill-flash and standard i-TTL flash for digital SLR using 1,005-pixel RGB sensor are available with built-in flash, Speedlight SB-900, SB-800, SB-600 or SB-400 • Auto aperture: Available with Speedlight SB-900 or SB-800 and CPU lens • Non-TTL auto: Supported flash units include Speedlight SB-900, SB-800, SB-28, SB-27 and SB-22S • Range-priority manual: Available with Speedlight SB-900 and SB-800
Flash modes
Front curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync
Flash compensation
-3 to +1 EV in increments of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV
Flash bracketing
2 to 9 frames in steps of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1 EV
Flash-ready indicator
Lights when built-in flash or flash unit such as Speedlight SB-900, SB-800, SB-600, SB-400, SB-80DX, SB-28DX or SB-50DX is fully charged; blinks after flash is fired at full output
Accessory shoe
ISO 518 hot-shoe with sync and data contacts, and safety lock
Nikon Creative Lighting System
Advanced Wireless Lighting supported with built-in flash, Speedlight SB-900, SB-800 or SU-800 as commander and SB-900, SB-800, SB-600 or SB-R200 as remotes; Auto FP High-Speed Sync and modeling illumination supported with all CLS-compatible flash units except SB-400; Flash Color Information Communication and FV lock supported with all CLS-compatible flash units
Sync terminal
ISO 519 sync terminal with locking thread
White balance
Auto (TTL white-balance with main image sensor and 1,005-pixel RGB sensor), Incandescent, Fluorescent (7 options), Direct Sunlight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade, preset manual (able to store up to 5 values) and color temperature setting (2,500K to 10,000K); fine-tuning available for all options
ADL bracketing
2 to 9 frames in steps of 1, 2 or 3
Live View - Modes
Tripod, Hand-held
Live view - autofocus
• Tripod: Contrast-detect AF anywhere in frame • Hand-held: TTL phase-detection AF with 51 focus points (including 15 cross-type sensors)
Movie - frame size (pixels) and frame rate
1,280 x 720/24 fps, 640 x 424/24 fps, 320 x 216/24 fps
Movie - file format
AVI
Movie - video compression
Motion-JPEG
Movie - Autofocus
Contrast-detect AF on a desired point within a frame is possible (Tripod mode)
Movie - audio recording device
Sound can be recorded via built-in (monaural) or optional external (stereo/monaural) microphone; sensitivity can be adjusted
Movie - maximum recording time
5 min (1,280 x 720 pixels), 20 min (640 x 424, 320 x 216 pixels)
Monitor
3-in., approx. 920k-dot (VGA), low-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD with 170° viewing angle, approx. 100% frame coverage, and brightness adjustment
Playback
Full-frame and thumbnail (4, 9 or 72 images) playback with playback zoom, movie playback, slide show, histogram display, highlights, auto image rotation, and image comment (up to 36 characters)
USB
Hi-Speed USB
Audio output
Can be selected from NTSC and PAL
HDMI output
HDMI Mini connector (Type C); camera monitor turns off when HDMI cable is connected
Audio input
Stereo mini-pin jack (3.5-mm diameter)
Accessory terminal(s)
Can be used to connect optional remote control, GPS Unit GP-1 or GPS device compliant with NMEA0183 version 2.01 or 3.01 (requires optional GPS Cable MC-35 and cable with D-sub 9-pin connector)
Supported languages
Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish
Battery
One Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3e
Battery pack
Optional Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D10 with one Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3e, EN-EL4a/EN-EL4 or eight R6/AA-size alkaline, Ni-MH, lithium or nickel-manganese batteries; Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL4a/EN-EL4 and R6/AA-size batteries available separately; Battery Chamber Cover BL-3 (available separately) required when using Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL4a/EN-EL4
AC adapter
AC Adapter EH-5a/EH-5 (available separately)
Tripod socket
1/4 in. (ISO 1222)
Dimensions (W x H x D)
Approx. 147 x 114 x 74 mm/5.8 x 4.5 x 2.9 in.
Weight
Approx. 840 g/1 lb. 14 oz. without battery, memory card, body cap or monitor cover
Operating environment - temperature
0-40°C/32-104°F
Operating environment - humidity
Less than 85% (no condensation)
Supplied accessories
Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3e, Quick Charger MH-18a, Eyepiece Cap DK-5, Rubber Eyecup DK-23, USB Cable UC-E4, Audio Video Cable EG-D2, Camera Strap AN-DC4, LCD Monitor Cover BM-8, Body Cap BF-1A, Accessory Shoe Cover BS-1, Software Suite CD-ROM
Compact DX format professional SLR with 12.3 megapixel CMOS sensor, 7fps continuous shooting, D-Movie, dual card slots and extendable ISO range of 200 to 3200. Extends the options for photographers who value creative flexibility.
The D300s 16-85 VR lens kit includes the D300s camera and the popular AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-85mm VR lens that offers a versatile zoom range and is equipped with Nikon’s Vibration Reduction system for steady shots in low light.
The D300s 18-200mm VR lens kit includes the D300s camera and the flexible AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm VR II super-zoom lens that boasts high quality optics, quiet autofocus and Nikon’s Vibration Reduction II system for steady shots in low light.