Customer Reviews

Nikon D300S Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As a long term user of a Nikon D200, I was looking for a DX sensor size successor to that and despite the plethora of new Nikon models, some apparently offering a higher 'pixel count' there was only really one choice as it was important to me that I have the same ability to control the operation and settings as I had with the D200.... so, a D300s it was.

The autofocus system is superb - might not be as quick as a D3 but I doubt that many of us ordinary mortals would notice that, and the ability of the system to lock on to fast moving aircraft or birds in flight is impressive indeed. The build quality is up to Nikon's usual standard for their professional line of cameras, and the controls layout will be very familiar to a D200 user. The ability to record 14 bit RAW/NEF images is very welcome, but beware as if you use the option to save these in uncompressed form you can expect individual image file sizes around 26MB! - superb quality, but you will quickly eat up space on your memory card....

Out of the box the D300s comes with a small number of fully user-adjustable Picture Controls, but you can easily download additional ones from Nikon's website.

It may be an unfair comparison but I also own a reasonably new D90, and can recommend that any current user of a D90 that takes their photography seriously and wants to move up to a more professional DSLR seriously considers the D300s - it really is in a different league, and will put the onus on you to take images that fully utilise it's capabilities.

Even now, some weeks after its purchase with new Nikons about to hit the High Street, I feel confident I made the perfect choice ....

Oh yes - it takes good quality videos too!

Nikon D300S Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)
I owned the Nikon D300 and was extreemly pleased with same; unfortunately it was stolen.

I replaced it with the D300S and believe that this is the best digital SLR on the market at the price.
However, as other reviewers have recommended - don't "skimp" on lens'.

I have the Nikon 18-200mm VRII lens and this is excellent to keep on the body most of the time.
I use the Sigma 10-20mm 1:4-5.6 DC HSM (a fantastic lens at the price)for wide angle shots and have ordered the Nikon 300mm f4 for wildlife photos.

Two storage card slots, SD and CF, give great flexibility and added security.

The increase to 7 photos per second is an improvement almost totally negating the need for the MD10 Battery pack (that only gives an increase to 8 photos per second).

It is an easy camera to use, with all the "buttons" in the right place allowing for most adjustments without having to resort to the menu system.

It produces colourful, natural, balanced, sharp photos in all lighting conditions.

I'm not very interested in the addition of HD Video as I use a camcorder but it could be useful on occasions that I do not have the camcorder with me.

Above all, Nikon is reliable and is well supported. I still have a D80 as "back-up"; this has been totally reliable over the past five years (used for weddings, competitions and holiday/family photography).

Prices for the D300S Body have come down recently; what are you waiting for? BUY it!

When you first pick up this camera compared to older or less expensive nikon slr's you realise what you have been missing ,every where you put your hands and fingers there is grip,I also purchased the mb-d10 battery pack,loads of grip and an added scroll button when in portrait shoot mode,however I do like the way the batteries come out of the mb d80 better.

Easy to use all the controls you need without going into the main menu,I would have gone for the d300,but there was no dedicated live view button also this one has a few upgrades one of which is dual memory card slots (nice).

I suppose I will keep hold of this camera until I can afford a full frame version like the d3s but a little pricey at moment.

Unless you can afford full frame this is the camera to buy. I own both this and the Canon 7D and the Nikon D300s is the better camera in my opinion. Faultless AF and metering and exceptionally fast. Do not skimp on cheap glass. Yes it is pricey but it is worth every penny. Exceptional.

I think all that needs to be said about what an amazing camera this is has been said! All I would add is that to get those really mind blowing quality images from it is be prepared to spend out at least the same again in lenses. I bought mine with a kit lens because it was on a good promotion, but the limitations of the cheaper lens soon become apparent. Team it with some good quality Nikon lenses and it's an amazing combination. Get the non-DX lenses and you can keep them to use when you upgrade to a D3X!

Another lovely camera. The added optional memory SD card is well worth buying as you never know when a backup card is needed.Ordure happens! Well worth buying an extra battery for much the same reason. I would also buy the Goittos Optiical Glass screen protector if you want a clear image on your monitor.A rugged easy to use camera which inspires confidence.

Baught this camera recently, as a current Nikon owner. However I wasn't focussing entirely on Nikon, looking at other competitors such as Canon and a little at Sony (but they are smaller). I was looking for an upgrade from my D40x which is a superb camera, but is starting to wear out! I found that this Nikon is an excellent camera, rather expensive (breaking through the £1K barrier!) but is certainly worth every penny. It offers 12.5 Megapixels, which you might think is a bit measly for the price, but compared to Canon with their equivalent 7D at 18Megapixels, Nikon have really refined the quality onto the sensor - so at stupidly High ISOs you can expect to see less grain and noise than that of the Canon where they've just crammed more pixels onto the same size sensor.
As Ken Rockwell, a great camera reviewer says "unless you're printing Bismark size" there's not much point in a larger size photograph - and its all space on your hard-drive!! These were the dilemmas I went though in this purchase.
But, the Nikon is excellent, and on printing some awesome photographs with great clarity and colour representation (which I think I read somewhere was a downfall of the Canon esp in low light). It has a nice texture to hold on the camera surface, although a little heavy if holding with one hand, it certainly feels sturdy and well built.

I found the menu system very easy to get around, which I felt was little confusing on the Canon, but I guess you get used to your own camera. With a large vivid LCD on the rear makes reviewing shots easy, and information display. It also has a Live View mode, with a horizon status which is very cool. And for those who pointlessly want to record video on it, its 720p and looks great.

I'd definitely recommend it, but I'd also say my Nikon D40x is nearly as good, but smaller! So if you're not looking for size (I wanted to have a larger camera to fit my monkey sized hands!!) then maybe a smaller and cheaper Nikon would be more suitable. But if you're getting this one, its worth it all the way!

This is my second Nikon SLR (had a D70 before). Fantastic camera - esp. good with 35mm f1.8 Nikkor lens.

It's a bit heavy, but provided that doesn't put you off, there is nothing to complain about this camera.

I currently own the D200, but have also had the opportunity on a few occasions to use a D300s.
The great thing about this camera firstly is the speed. The D200 shoots at 5 frames per second and the D300s shoots at 6 frames a second, but with the optional battery grip you can push the camera up to 8 frames a second. The D300s features a new CMOS sensor which captures stunning images with a very smooth tonal range.
The addition to this camera is the video mode, which unfortunately doesn't afford as much control as any of the Canon SLRs. However, the video quality is fantastic.
I can only say good things about this camera. If your D200 is on it's last legs, or you are looking to make the move up to a pro SLR this camera is the best in its price range!Nikon D300S Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)

After five years of shooting it was time to upgrade and replace the old D70. I have chosen for the D300s because of specifications and capabilities.

Extensive research on the net with test images and review told me that this was the one. If you are semi-pro I can only advise this camera. The many features let it make the shots you want.

A great advice is to buy a additional guide besides the standard manual. The manual is nice but it only tells you what the function is, not how you have to use it in a photo moment.

Five stars definitely!