Customer Reviews
Fantastic camera 
2008-06-30
First of all I need to say that I don't own this camera. I own a Canon EOS 40D and I am very pleased with it. D300 is in most aspects at least as good as 40D and in many aspects better, enough to justify the price difference. I had the Nikon for a few days and took some shots. It has amazing ergonomics and image quality. The feature set is fantastic.
Highly recommended.
Very easy using camera 2008-06-27
Very easy to make the setting on P mode using the buttons and most of the setting can be made using the buttons.
A custom setting is very easy and can be made fine adjustment later.
Most of all, I like the fine adjustment of White Balance in the menu and can be taken illusion photo by using this adjustment.
Very low noise at higher ISO setting.
I took group of about 150 dance recital photo first time in the theatre yesterday.
I have to make quick move to take the photo because of prohibited photo taken, but result are very good using manual focus and ISO setting at 1600 without flash.
No need to use daytime flash by using D-Lighting system and can be set before taking the photo or make a adjustment after photo taken.
The result is much better quality than the using the Nikon software D-Lighting adjustments.
The only thing I like to have is a 35mm size sensor like D3 model.
The other future did not try yet but I give five stars for the picture quality and true colors.
Nikon D300 Deserves Its Accolades: A Genuine Classic 2008-06-26
In my opinion, the effusive accolades given to this camera were well earned. I was skeptical until I used it. After all, there are lots of good cameras to choose from: Fujifilm, Olympus, Pentax and Sony, not just the leading duo Nikon and Canon. In fact, this review includes good alternatives to the D300 for prospective shoppers of mid and high-end DSLR cameras. I will begin with Nikon's D300 since it was the best choice for me. You are more important than the tool. But if you want to make the best photographs you can and enjoy doing it then the tool can make a difference in assisting you. Some tools are also easier to use and some are built to last longer - camera bodies are no exception - you see the difference in the price tag. The Nikon D300 does not just do more, it does more that you choose it to do in customizable features. It is no longer almost exclusively a question of optical glass configurations determining everything we see that matters when the D300 camera body assists them by doing things as fundamental as "correct" chromatic aberrations and inherent distortions of individual lenses. This camera, which borrowed so much from the flagship Nikon D3 has really pushed the envelope.
There are very good alternatives right now. For those wanting exemplary image quality with much of what the D300 offers but for significantly less money: Canon offers the popular Canon EOS 40D 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) and Nikon now has attractive pricing for its popular D200, the fine camera that the D300 updated in late 2007 Nikon D200 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only). It has also earned many loyal followers and has a very solid build.
But once in a long while something extraordinary is designed that stands out from a very distinguished and competitive field. I am not regularly gonzo over gear. I will simply address the current field with options for your consideration while your money is still in your pocket. Thinking about the history of photography does not involve ranking accomplishment by merely which tools, the means that were used. But we do each need to make our personal choice. Any of the cameras mentioned here should make you very happy. Only you will know which one in particular matches your needs and desires.
The performance and potential of the D300 camera make it stand out to me. I have less work to do in image editing and the quality of the capture is the best I have seen. There are lots of places to read in detail about all its features including those shared with Nikon's outstanding premium camera, the D3. The D300 is not cheap but is durable and Nikon has been generous for what it offers and for what you can deliver with it. That is its most compelling case, its quality, performance and value. I realize praising engineering is not exciting reading - despite that being Nikon's historical strength - but it is their breakthroughs that I value most in the D300. That includes an entire series of triumphs in interrelated areas including color, tonal nuance, metering for better exposures and more extensive creative controls where you actually get to apply your intelligence and talents. Automated everything is also available but if you are exclusively shooting like that particularly in JPEGs there are many other good cameras to consider buying that will do that well for far less money beginning under $500 including a zoom lens like Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens. In fact all well known brands offer much better cameras than you might expect for their price at the so called entry level but that is another topic. You may be upgrading from one to the D300. That is not a subtle leap beginning empirically and then simply holding each in your hands. It is just not fair or necessary to compare things so wide apart.
The D300's precision is amazing. It is going to spoil me regarding expectations in small camera photography. Want a closer look? Composing or fine tuning sharpening while looking at stunning color in "Live View" modes (yes, there are two) on the camera back's brilliant 3" scratch resistant monitor is not bad either. The ultimate measure is the quality of results as well as the creative options and degree of control. They could directly assist you with what you want to say, show, express. All cameras do that but I recommend this extraordinary camera because for some it might assist you in doing it better than with an alternative. That is a testable premise but with subjective criteria. Consider renting one if that is a reasonable option. Seeing really is believing in this case. Otherwise there are lots of other cameras to convince you that one will be right for you.
Test your options. For example, Canon offers an excellent body in the same price range, that can be a few hundred dollars more, it usually is not a large difference. The Canon EOS 5D 12.8 MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) offers full frame capture if we use 35mm film as "normal" coverage. By that I mean, in theory, it can use the same lenses you used in 35mm film photography. Just check to ensure your lenses do not have any vignetting problems, light fall off, in their new application. Canon has made many excellent lenses with conventional 35mm film coverage, super wide angle lenses that you might own that you enjoyed and do not want to duplicate with an expensive wide angle lens for digital capture. But be aware there are differences in coverage and they are not always obvious. The 5D's super chip is terrific but it does not have as robust a body or as modern electronics as the newer D300. There always seem to be trade-offs. Please refer to the many positive Amazon reviews in the link to see why the 5D has also won many followers since 2005. Using your older film based lenses with your digital camera is advantageous regardless of the chip as long as you have coverage and quality.
If you are already a Nikon user, note that the Nikon D300's chip like in the vast majority of cameras has a narrower coverage than the 5D and D3. Thankfully all Nikon lenses are backwards compatible with few caveats. Note that professional lenses tend to be larger, heavier and are more expensive but for good reasons like larger coverage, performance, speed and build such as the outstanding Nikon Zoom-Nikkor - Telephoto zoom lens - 70 mm - 200 mm - f/2.8 G ED-IF AF-S VR - Nikon AF-S. For most situations carrying gear, I like the trade off in the lighter weight DX lenses the D300 uses like the surprising performer for the cost Nikon 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G ED IF AF-S DX Nikkor Zoom Lens. They suit the format's size and portability advantages that make them appealing where larger formats would be logistically problematic. However, if the full coverage sensor is critical you would need full coverage lenses and move up to the highly praised Nikon D3 12.1MP FX Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) which is three times the cost of a D300 (street price, with Nikon USA warranty). Moreover, you can spend even more on the equally excellent top of the line Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III 21.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) or the first rate Fuijifilm camera, Fujifilm IS Pro Body Only, 12.3 MP Digital SLR Camera with Nikon F Lens Mount, with Pro Body Kit or the impressive, smallest mid-format camera, the Mamiya 645AFD III that is $10,000 (list). It has a Phase One digital back.
Amazon, What is WRONG with you?? 
2008-06-23
This is an awesome camera, but beware of ordering it from Amazon. Like another reviewer, I received mine in an extra large box with just a couple of air bags thrown in like an afterthought. They did absolutely nothing to protect it. The camera bounced around inside the carton like dice in a cup. There isn't any obvious damage but I will be wondering if there are subtle issues that will crop up down the road. This is inexcusable. I'm a long time Amazon customer, but I'll think long and hard before ordering anything fragile or delicate from them again.
I Upgraded from A D50 what an upgrade! 2008-06-21
I wanted to upgrade from my D-50 and seriously thought about a D-80 and then when the D-60 came out looked at that. This is more expensive than the D-50 (which I love - but is going to my daughter) or the D-80 or D-60, but what an awesome camera.
The metering system is fantastic. I use it to shoot a lot of sports, high school football games and Yankee games. Its fast, it takes beautiful shots even at night from the outfied.
It also takes every Nikon lens.
What more can you ask for. If upgrading from another Nikon this this is the camera to get.
Bill
Great camera for serious photographer 2008-07-12
This is a fantastic camera. I upgraded from D200 and happy that Nikon made the D300. They have changed around many of the menu items I was use to from my D200, but that is worth the better quality when I shoot at higher ISO's. I higly recommend for any serious photographer.
Outstandng camera 2008-07-09
Instant on, immediate take when you push the shutter button, focuses instantly on what you want depending on how you set the focus area, and takes better pictures than my Maxxum 7 did. I currently use only one lens, the 18 - 200; but plan on getting another soon with faster aperture for fine work. I currently use mine for travel when backpacking; but also for pictures in the ER where I work. These I use for teaching purposes for the medical students who rotate with us. A very fine piece of hardware that works as advertised.
Great product, but poor shipment 
2008-07-04
Nikon D300 is very good camera, but it took 3 weeks to ship the item to my place, poor package.
So glad I bought this 2008-07-02
Everyone else has already covered the details, so I'll just add my voice to the chorus. Particularly, I am amazed at the photos shot at ISO3200 and the fact that you can get something truly usable at ISO6400.
Also, the feel of it in your hands is terrific.
Performance and questionable quality 
2008-07-01
During the first month until the Auto Focus stopped working, I was very impressed with this dslr and Nikkor lens.
Then suddenly the AF would not respond in the middle of outdoor shooting. I am waiting to hear what Nikon service center has to say. Searching a bit on the web I could read other D300 owners complaining about the same fault.
If other people write about this issue I can guess this is not a rare case of technical failure, but rather a sign of insufficient manufacturing and quality level -and this should not happen with a camera of this class. So overall I am disappointed with Nikon.
