Nikon D300s Review

SEMI-PRO DIGITAL SLR
Body only: £1,500 (Guide) / £1,300 (Street)
IMAGE RESOLUTION: 12.3-megapixels
LCD: 3in (920,000 dots)
STORAGE: CF & SD/SDHC
WEIGHT: 840g (without battery and card)
PHONE: 0800 230 220
WEBSITE: www.nikon.co.uk

The launch of the D300 (along with the D3) just under two years ago heralded a new age for Nikon digital SLRs and set the foundations for major success in the enthusiast/semi-pro and professional arena. The Nikon D300s updates what is undoubtedly a modern classic by adding a number of new features, in particular HD video. Daniel Lezano discovers what's new and whether the updated features are enough to keep it ahead of its rivals

Handling & ease of use
Built with professionals, as well as advanced amateurs in mind, the D300s feels very robust and solid. That's no surprise, as it's designed to withstand the hard knocks and exposure to the elements that is part for the course for a working tool. The result, though, is a camera that's larger and heavier than your average DSLR, but thanks to the rubberised finish and the body's shape, it is well balanced and comfortable to hold.
Nikon's control layout has been refined in recent years and the D300s shares a virtually identical set-up to its predecessor and the D3-series models. That's good news for those upgrading from an older camera or looking to add it as a second body, as switching from one to the other is seamless.
Those using a Nikon pro DSLR for the first time will probably be surprised at how easy the D300s is to use. Unlike consumer models, there is no main exposure mode dial, instead a button behind the shutter release allows you to select modes. The left side of the top-plate has a buttons that allow you to quickly change image quality, ISO rating and White Balance presets, with a sliding control beneath it that handles the Drive system. On the right-side is a large traditional LCD panel, which can be used as an alternative to the rear LCD monitor for checking exposure settings.

The camera's rear is dominated by the 3in LCD, with various controls all clearly marked and neatly grouped around it. It's a system that has been tried and tested, so it's no surprise that Nikon haven't radically changed it.
It's not just the size of the LCD monitor that improves ease of use, the high resolution (920,000 dots) allows you to review images with more precision to determine sharpness and makes it easier to use in bright light.
The viewfinder, as you'd expect, is excellent. The screen is large and bright and provides 100% coverage for accurate composition. While the screen can't be changed, grid lines can be superimposed via the menu system.
In truth, Nikon didn't really have to do much to make this camera beautiful to handle, as the original D300 was already superb in this respect. Needless to say, the handling of the D300s is near-faultless.  Score 23/25

Features
Possibly the most surprising fact to many about the Nikon D300s is that the resolution remains at 12.3-megapixels, the same as the D300. In fact, the D300 uses the same CMOS sensor as the previous model and carries over a number of other features, including the Scene Recognition System (SRS), which uses a 10005-pixel RGB sensor to determine exposure and colour reproduction. Rather than try to add to the pixel count, Nikon has decided to build on the range of features to widen the appeal of the D300s. The most notable inclusion is HD video, which Nikon, along with most camera manufacturers, believe will become a major selling point for DSLRs. Not only does the D300s feature a HDMI socket for viewing images/video on a HDTV, it also boasts an external microphone socket (3.5mm) to allow users to fit a stereo microphone for when the built-in mono microphone isn't suitable. At highest resolution of 1280x720 (24fps), HD movies can last a maximum of five minutes.
Other additions, compared to the D300, include a dual slot so that you can insert an SD and CompactFlash card into the camera, allowing you the option of recording still images on one card and video on the other. The continuous frame rate has been increased from six to seven frames-per-second, while the D300s now also sports a Quiet Mode setting for discreet shooting. Nikon has also added some in-camera Raw editing facilities for in-the-field processing.
There are a few other minor changes, such as the integral flash diffuser being expanded for coverage of lenses as wide as 16mm, and extra settings on the Active D-Lighting facility, but other than that the D300s has the same specification as the D300. That's no bad thing of course, because the D300 was such a well-specified DSLR.
The 51-point AF system (with 15 cross-type sensors) used by the D300s (and other Nikon pro DSLRs) has not been bettered by any other manufacturer and includes a number of modes, including Dynamic AF for precise tracking of moving subjects. Run through the Custom Functions and you'll find you're able to customise the AF extensively to suit your type of photography.
The metering system is headed up by Nikon's highly-regarded 3D Matrix metering pattern, with spot and centre-weighted average in reserve. One advantage that semi-pro DSLRs have over pro models is the inclusion of an integral flash. The unit found on the D300s has a full range of modes, including wireless flash, flash compensation and flash bracketing, while a PC socket is located on the front for connection to studio-flash.
Other features worthy of note are the top shutter speed of 1/8000sec, flash sync at 1/250sec, an ISO range of 200-3200 (expandable to ISO 100-6400), an interval timer, multiple exposure facility, Live View and a conventional depth-of-field preview facility. Add to this a large range of retouching and Picture Control settings and you have a camera that's got more or less everything you need to shoot creative photography with. 
Score 23/25

Performance
The D300s is essentially a professional DSLR in the guise of an enthusiast-level body. The word that springs to mind when describing it is sublime. From the slick handling through to the effortless way it produces crisp, well-exposed images time and again, there is little doubt that it's as good as any in most shooting situations. The EXPEED processor ensures that the camera operates smoothly and effortlessly and the images produced display excellent characteristics. Detail is high, especially when used with the premium DX lenses, such as the 17-55mm f/2.8 zoom, while colours and tones are accurate, with a nice level of saturated and free from noise (up until around ISO 1000). Skin tones are wonderfully smooth and fine detail such as hair are crisply resolved. The Matrix meter proves nearly infallible except in very difficult situations such as backlighting, while the flash system also performs well. Overall, the D300s delivers a performance that makes it a viable 'budget' option for professional users. 
Score 23/25

Overall Verdict
While the lack of any increase in pixel count may disappoint some, using this as a basis to dismiss the D300s would be unfair, as quality shouldn't be based on the pixel count alone. The Nikon D300s is a well-rounded camera and more than capable of professional-quality results. In the same way the D300 has become a favourite with enthusiasts and semi-pros, the same should be true of the D300s. While the main addition to the D300 is the inclusion of HD video, which arguably isn't going to be used by the majority of dedicated still photographers, there is still plenty of photo options in its arsenal to appeal to the masses. That said, I can't see many D300 users upgrading to the D300s, and I wonder if those with entry-level Nikon DSLRs may set their sights on upgrading to the D90 instead. Whatever the conjecture, there can be no denying that the D300s is an accomplished DSLR in its own right.

Handling & ease of use 23/25
Features 23/25
Performance 23/25
Value For Money 22/25
Overall 91/100

Supplied accessories
The Nikon D300s is supplied with the following accessories: 
Li-ion battery (EN-EL9a), Quick Charger (MH-18a), strap, USB & AV cables, body cap, eyepiece cap, hotshoe cover, software CD, Quick guide and instruction manual.

Build quality & reliability
1) Magnesium chassis The D300s uses a strong yet lightweight magnesium alloy for its exterior cover, chassis and mirror box, and for its optional MB-D10 grip. It also has a number of seals located around the body to protect against invasive dust and moisture.
2) Shutter The shutter is tested by firing 150,000 cycles to ensure reliability and accuracy.
3) Dust Reduction System: To prevent dust settling on the sensor, the D300s includes a self-cleaning sensor unit with four different resonance frequencies to vibrate the optical low-pass filter and shake dust away from the sensor. This can be set to operate automatically when the camera is turned on or off, or set to manual.
4) Lithium-ion battery: The supplied EN-EL3e is the same as used in other models (including the D300, D200 & D80), so if you've multiple bodies, you can interchange the batteries. Nikon claims it can handle up to around 950 shots on one charge!

Second opinion, Caroline Wilkinson, Nikon D300 user
Having recently bought the D300, I was almost reduced to tears when I heard Nikon minutes later released the D300s. Thoughts of handing it back to the store in exchange for the upgrade were quickly banished though once I had a chance to investigate the rival.
There are very few differences between the two, which I don’t deem worth the extra cash. The cameras are both solid, handle brilliantly and are logical to navigate. The ISO range is the same and the sensors and processors are identical. In fact, the only change worth mentioning is the D300s offers 720p HD movie mode, which for some photographers looking for a pro camera isn’t a big deal. One small, but useful, alteration is that the LiveView button has been relocated to the camera’s rear, making it quicker to use. Other features like the dual card slot and new quiet shutter release are nice, but not essential. If you have the D300 and want to upgrade, I'd recommend the full-frame D700 over the D300s. For those photographers looking at the D300s as an alternative to the D300, seriously weigh up the benefit of the new features for the photography you do, as the D300 may prove just as suitable but considerably cheaper now it's being discontinued.