The Nikon D300S was born as a result of the planned upgrade of the D300. Reviews of professionals indicate that such a decision of the manufacturer should be called a marketing ploy rather than a necessity. The fact is that the previous modification is still relevant and is in great demand in the European and American markets.
Key differences from predecessor
The new camera has several fundamental differences compared to the previous modification. In particular, it has increased the speed of work. The device has a connector for connecting an external microphone, a button for direct video recording, an HDMI slot, and there are also two slots for installing additional memory (CF and SD cards). In addition, the user has the ability to record videos with a resolution of 1280x720 in HD format with automatic focusing on contrast. There are some other interesting innovations. More details about the new product will be discussed later.
General Description
The model has a one-piece body made of magnesiumalloy, and therefore low weight and high strength have become characteristic features of the Nikon D300S camera. Reviews of the owners of the device indicate that with minor falls it will not suffer. Another interesting feature of the novelty is the rather large buttons that are easy to press even when wearing gloves. In other words, the developers have provided for the possibility of operation in cold weather conditions, which is very important for our country. The rubber gasket has noticeably decreased and remained only in the place of the influx under the thumb. Work with two memory cards is carried out as they are filled in the order set by the user. If you need to store very important shots, they can be automatically saved in different formats on both drives. In connection with the appearance of the Info buttons and the direct start of video shooting, the model has lost the lock of the compartment with memory cards. Be that as it may, its accidental discovery is excluded here.
The captured photos and videos can be edited by the user without even connecting the Nikon D300S camera to the computer. Lenses from the manufacturer's arsenal, in turn, allow you to achieve a wide variety of creative effects.
Ergonomics
The device is very comfortable in the hands. Feedback from the owners of the model indicates that even a beginner will not think about which button and where it is after a few days of using the camera. Especially easy in terms of ergonomics to get used to the device will be the owners of other SLRNikon models. Soft rubber, which is upholstered in the body, protects the device from slipping out of your hands. Even with the use of overall lenses, it is very convenient to work with the camera and transport it, and thanks to its light weight, the hands do not get tired.
Menu
A large degree of congestion can be called a characteristic feature of the Nikon D300S camera menu. The parameter settings are very broad. The user has the ability to save them as profiles and call them by their full names. Due to this, the preparation for shooting requires a minimum amount of time. The HELP key significantly helps to understand the development of the menu, because it is able to display a text explanation for any of its items. This feature will be especially relevant for beginner photographers.
Display and viewfinder
Equipped with a 920,000-pixel high-resolution LCD for instant viewing of footage. Its viewing angles are about 170 degrees. Despite the lack of anti-reflective coating, even in sunlight, the information remains readable. In addition, the device has an additional screen of a monochromatic type. It is highlighted in green and serves to ensure that the photographer can quickly assess the main shooting parameters. It also displays information regarding the state of charge of the battery, the recording format, the amount of available memory and some other nuances.
The Nikon D300S viewfinder boasts 100%frame coverage, as well as bright comprehensive information about shooting. It should be noted that this feature is not typical for most competitors of the model. Novice users may be confused by the rather large amount of information displayed here. As for the display of the viewfinder frame itself, it shows the framing grid and information about how full the memory is.
Key Features
At the heart of the camera is a CMOS sensor with an effective resolution of 12.3 million dots. In combination with the proprietary EXPEED processor, it allows you to create sharp and saturated photos, which are characterized by a minimum amount of digital noise and fine gradation of shades. Light sensitivity in standard mode ranges from 200 to 3200 units, and in extended mode - from 100 to 6400. The focusing system, consisting of 51 points, has been slightly improved compared to the previous modification. At the same time, the developers have provided the possibility of manual and automatic focusing Nikon D300S. The instructions for the device, in turn, will allow you to easily deal with the virtual electronic level implemented in this model, designed to facilitate landscape photography.
The camera is equipped with a 1500 mAh rechargeable battery. As practice shows, its resource is usually enough to create up to one thousand pictures. Experts call this figure very impressive, since few cameras can boast something like this.
Modes
Reviews from experts and owners of the device indicate that the Nikon D300S model has proven itself excellently in all modes. The only feature in this regard is their unusual switching. In particular, instead of the PASM wheel that has become familiar, a special lock button is used here. It allows you to activate single-frame (P), low-speed continuous (CL), high-speed continuous (CH) and silent (Q) shooting modes. The user has the opportunity to apply tinting and filter effects to your taste. Among other things, one cannot fail to note other functions with flexibly customizable parameters.
Video shooting
As noted above, compared to its predecessor, the new product has improved video shooting capabilities, the level of which corresponds to modern cameras. Be that as it may, its frequency is considered far from the strongest side of the Nikon D300S. It is 24 frames per second. In this case, the so-called floating shutter effect becomes more noticeable. The device is capable of creating videos in HD format with a maximum resolution of 1280x720. The length of the video file is limited to twenty minutes. The developers have also provided here a mode of sighting on the liquid crystal screen, during which all shooting information, a compositional grid and a live histogram are reproduced on it. Movies shot in low light or shallow depth of field look great. This is achieved primarily for a set of goodmatrices. In all other respects, the video quality corresponds to most modern similar devices.
Conclusion
Summing up, it should be noted that the Nikon D300 modification was and remains such a cool camera for its price category that it did not require any special improvements. Be that as it may, Japanese engineers managed to improve the image quality and speed of the Nikon D300S, as well as expand the functionality of the device. These features, combined with a relatively low cost, make the device very popular in today's market.
