Nikon D300s
“If I shot DX, this is Nikon’s best camera ever.”
KenRockwell has published their review of the Nikon D300s [Specs], a digital SLR camera with 12.3MP (23.6 x 15.8 mm CMOS), PASM, large bright viewfinder using a pentaprism with approximately 100% frame coverage, 51-point AF with 3D Focus Tracking, Integrated Dust Reduction System, Live View, 3.0-in. LCD (920K dots), Continuous Shooting 7fps, Advanced D Movie, RAW, Quiet Shutter-release Mode, Picture Control, Active D-Lighting, Built-in Flash, Virtual Horizon, dual card slots for CF (Type I only)/SD memory cards, and optional GPS Unit.
Read the Nikon D300s Review at: KenRockwell
I bought the new D300s recently and have been using it exclusively for bird photography. It replaced my D200 – which did a great job for years but didn’t shoot anything worth keeping over 500 ISO – which severely limited my frame speed for flying birds. The D300s seems to allow me 640 – 800 ISO with reasonable quality shots in 14 bit Raw. Incidentally – when shooting in Raw 14 in continuous high shutter – the rate of frames is considerably slower than the D200, and the D300s needs a MB-d10 battery pack !
But the D300s picture and color quality blow the D200 away in every aspect. I’m also finding that using active D-lighting helps some shots with dark birds exposure for their undersides. Just love the camera !
Ok, so I’m a little late….. It’s July, 2011 and I was able to pick up a new 300s for $1200 bucks…. It was a no brainer…. I know the D400 will be hitting the streets in the next couple of months, but why spend 2K… Ok, the D400 may sport more MP and a couple of tweeks, but is it enough to shell out nearly double the amount? I don’t think so.
The D300s have everything one could want and then some. I just sold my D90 and the D300s is a fantastic pro grade camera. It’s ROCK solid and sealed for use out in the wild and the beach. The picture quality is second to none. I know, you say what about the D7000. Ok, it’s a newer unit with some respectalbe specks, however, at the end of the day the D300s blows it away. Go check one our for yourself. You WON’T be sorry.
Steve