Exceeding Expectations
Previewed on 30 August 2007

Consolidating all their knowledge and maximising the synergies of their technical developments in specific functional areas, Nikon proudly announces the D300 under their EXPEED image processing concept. Aimed to not only improve the various features and functions of the camera, the EXPEED concept promises improvements that take you into account and focuses on the most important thing – end results.

All this might initially sound like some marketing hype but the D300 comes out with some very solid improvements that can only leave you significantly impressed. Featuring a new 12.3 effective megapixel DX-format CMOS image sensor, the D300 offers a broad light sensitivity range of ISO 200 to ISO 3200 with LO 1 for IS0 100 equivalent and HI 1 for IS0 6400 equivalent settings.

In order to maximise performance and quality, as well as reduce lateral chromatic aberration, internal processing is done in 16-bit full colour regardless of which of the 12-bit or 14-bit formats you might be shooting in. Following the integrated self cleaning feature found in some of the latest DSLRs, the D300 features a Self-cleaning Sensor Unit that’s a first for Nikon DSLRs.

The D300 is not only fast on the processing. With a near-instant power-up within 0.13 seconds, a shutter release time lag of a mere 0.045 seconds when shooting in JPEG, TIFF, or 12-bit NEF (RAW) formats, the D300 also has lightning reflexes. With a viewfinder blackout time of approximately 0.1 seconds and a continuous shooting mode of 6fps, up to 100 shots of normal, large image at full 12.3 megapixels resolution, you are definitely ready for any sudden shutter opportunities.

For even higher performance, you can benefit from continuous mode at a dizzying 8 fps when using the Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D10 with batteries other than Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3e. The Nikon D300 is also the first digital SLR to support next-generation high-speed card UDMA, which enables high speed recording.

The D300 also offers unprecedented focusing speed and precision with a new 51-point AF system. Whether in Dynamic AF mode, “3D tracking” mode or Auto-area AF mode, you can be confident that you are benefiting from a high level of control and accuracy. Through the Scene Recognition System, information from the sensor can be utilized to improved accuracy of auto exposure and auto white balance.

The D300's new eye-level pentaprism viewfinder aids composition and adds assurance to focus operations by providing full 100% frame coverage while the Liveview function enables shooting while confirming subjects in the high-resolution 3-inch LCD monitor with wide viewing angle. Liveview comes in two different modes on the D300, the In Handheld mode and Tripod mode to offer the most appropriate focusing method. Remote view, focusing and shooting are also made possible on a PC whether through wired connection or with optional Wireless Transmitter WT-4.