Nikon D300s Review

According provided by Nikon D300s camera (body) huge thanks to Alexey Yarysh.

Nikon D300s Review

Nikon D300s Review

On August 23, 2007, Nikon introduced a professional (that is how the company positioned it) cropped camera Nikon D300. At that time the camera was the dream of many photographers.

For its excellent performance and reliability, the camera was even called 'little D3' and other flattering epithets. IN Nikon D300 for the first time, among all Nikon cropped cameras, they started using RAW files with 14-bit color depth, appeared a large 3-inch display, automatic correction HA and new focusing system - Multi-CAM 3500DX... Two years later, on June 30, 2009, an updated model was presented - Nikon D300S. Models D300 and the D300S were very similar, so as not to repeat the review Nikon D300I will simply describe their differences:


Nikon D300S increased burst speed without using a battery pack. D300S can shoot at speed 7 fps, D300 could only shoot at 6 fps. Nikon D300s can accelerate and shoot at the fastest possible speed 8 fpsbut only when using JPEG format or 12-bit color depth in RAW format and only using the optional battery pack MB-D10 or network adapter EH-5a / EH-5. To make the camera shoot at a speed of 8 fps, one MB-D10 not enough. You need to use a special holder MS-D10 with 8 AA cells (batteries or rechargeable batteries). The MS-D10 holder is supplied with MB-D10. Also, 8 fps can be achieved using a more capacious battery. EN-EL4 (from cameras Nikon D2h, D2hs, D2x, D2xs) Or EN-EL4a (from cameras Nikon D3s, D3, D3x), but this requires the optional BL-3 cover (which is not included with the MB-D10). In addition, if you buy a battery EN-EL4 or EN-EL4a, you will have to additionally buy and charge Nikon MH-21 / Nikon MH-22 for it. If in MB-D10 use a regular standard battery EN-EL3e, then the burst speed will not change. Battery pack MB-D10 equally suitable for D300, D300S and D700... Personally, I don't like the fact that for these cameras you have to 'dance with a tambourine' to achieve the coveted 8 fps.


Added function 'Virtual horizon'when sighting via Live View. The same function was available for Nikon D3but was not copied to Nikon D300.

Virtual horizon

Virtual horizon


Added ability to use Active D-lighting in 'Auto' and 'Extra High' mode.

Added two additional modes in ADL

Added two additional modes in ADL


Function appeared bracketing active D-Lightining (function performs bracketing with change in intensity ADL).

Automatic d-lighting

Function bracketing D-lighting


Added by movie function... True, the D300S only shoots with the maximum quality up to HD 1280X720 at 24 fps and the maximum video length is only 5 minutes. Also, the modes 640X424 and 320X216 are available at the same frame rate, while the shooting duration is increased to 20 minutes. Unlike predecessor models - Nikon D90 and D5000, the D300S has the ability to shoot movies using contrast focus. The D300S is the first Nikon CZK to have auto focus when shooting video (to focus, select Live View 'Tripod' mode and press the AF-ON button when recording video). Video recording is considered to be one of the main differences between the D300 and D300S. Also in the D300S you can find an audio input for using a stereo microphone, and speaker to output sound when watching a video. And in the menu there was a function for a very simple video editing.

Now you can shoot a video :)

Now you can shoot a video :)


At D300S removed the lock for opening the memory card compartment, which was in the D300. The memory card cover now opens just like on D700. Some buttons have changed. Appeared on the D300s 'LV' button To quickly switch to Live View mode, on the D300, this mode was selected on the control tower. Comfortable added 'Info' button, same as on D700, and with it a new interactive display (can display data on a black or white background, depending on the illumination). And most importantly, the central joystick button was made separate. On the D300, it was sometimes inconvenient to press the center button of the joystick. On the D300s, the center button is just as easy to use as on D700 и D90.

Differences in controls Nikon D300, D300s

Differences in controls Nikon D300, D300s.


Appeared in a new camera quiet shooting mode 'Q' ('Quiet' - 'Quiet'), which is selected by the wheel on the control tower. In turn, the 'LV' mode disappeared from there, which is now activated by the 'LV' button near the joystick.

Q mode

Q mode


D300S now has the ability to use immediately 2 memory cards 2 different types SD (SDHC) and CF. The D300 only worked with one memory card type CF. Of course, various options for recording data on memory cards have been added.

  • It is possible to record pictures first on one card, and when it is filled - on another.
  • You can duplicate material onto two cards at once, which is sometimes an indispensable function for saving images in the event of failure of one of the cards.
  • It is possible to write RAW and JPEG files to different cards separately.
  • You can specify a card on which video files will be recorded.

Only one of the specified working methods is selected.

Slots for memory cards on the Nikon D300S

Slots for memory cards on the Nikon D300S


Added by face detection function on the footage, with the ability to instantly increase this part of the picture.

Face Detection Function

The function of determining faces. The picture is taken on the official website of Nikon.


The image quality has improved slightly, but such a dramatic change as when switching from Nikon D3 on Nikon D3s Did not happen. You can see the synthetic comparison here.

You can find information that cameras use a different matrix: IMX021 at D300 and IMX038 D300s (as well as D90 and D5000). But information varies from source to source. Based on the data from the instructions for cameras, we can conclude that the Nikon D300s has the same sensor as the Nikon D300 and differs from the sensors installed in Nikon D90 and Nikon D5000 (easy to determine by the total pixels / subpixels) But all the majority of sources agree that D300s are used IMX038.


The picture in the Live View mode on the Nikon D300 slowed down noticeably (a similar problem also exists Nikon D700) On D300s in Live View, the picture is displayed normally.


Nikon D300S uses HDMI Type 'C', D300 uses Type 'A'.

Added microphone input, as well as different HDMI ports

Added microphone input, as well as different HDMI ports


The menu is a little different, in addition, Nikon D300s can edit the shot material, including RAW files.

RAW File Editor

RAW File Editor


It is very strange that the D300S not cured of a serious illness, which was available in the D300. Both cameras become very slow when shooting with 14-bit color depth, while the maximum burst speed is a measly 2.5 fps. For instance, Nikon D3 from the same era, chewed 14-bit RAW at 9 fps without any problems. Yes and D700, which was released between the D300 and D300S, coped with this task without problems at a speed of 8 fps. By the way, a disease with brakes from processing 14-bit RAW files was transmitted Nikon D7100 (cannot accelerate to 7 fps, works at 6 fps) and Nikon D5300 (It cannot accelerate to 5 fps, it works at 4 fps).

Here link to the archive with the originals - 1.07 GB, 44 .NEF photos (RAW) Shot on Nikon ED AF Nikkor 80-200mm 1: 2.8D (MKII),

My experience

For me, the only important innovations in the D300S are: the ability to work with 2 memory cards, a slight improvement in image quality and an adequate central joystick button. It may seem strange, but just one single button makes the D300S much more convenient to use. On the D300 and D200 I was constantly nervous about this stupid button that you press while pushing the entire joystick into the camera body, but as a result, I can’t push it (instead, one of the joystick directions is pressed).

Nikon D300S is still the best crop reportage camera. No offense, but all of these Nikon D7100 и D7200 They are located in the lower class, do not accelerate to 8 frames per second, have a meager buffer, do not have such a robust housing and professional controls like the Nikon D300S.

Attention quote! This text once came to my mail. Spelling and punctuation of the original are preserved.

“Good afternoon, Arkady. I own the BEST Nikon camera ever. And you still haven't reviewed this camera. In general, I think that you only needed to review her and EVERYTHING. The rest of Nikon's cameras aren't even worthy of public attention. There is only ONE best camera, the Nikon D300s the best camera for real alpha males! 7fps, best white balance, 2 CF + SD slots, super ergonomics, shooting video clips 720p, really working ISO3200, 51 AF points scattered from edge to edge of the frame (and not shot down in the center like D700, D600, D610, D7000) 100% viewfinder coverage (versus 97% for the Nikon D700) and by the way it is VERY different for the better from the D300, these are two different cameras, heaven and earth. It is even better than the full-frame Nikon D700 which, by the way, is DISPATCH white balance, OH I put it wrong, Nikon D700 has Yellow Balance instead of White))) In general, finally make a review of the BEST Nikon camera. I wish you creative success. And a good day."

Comments on this post do not require registration. Anyone can leave a comment. Many different photographic equipment can be found on AliExpress.

D300S officially discontinued.

'B. at.-shnuyu'. Nikon D300S sells one and a half to two times more expensive than Nikon D300. Personally, I think that when choosing between the D300 and D300S, a photographer should think 10 times whether he should pay extra for video shooting and a few more small improvements.

Results

Nikon D300s - one of the best Nikon DX camerasever issued. Many years later, at the beginning of 2016, the Nikon D300s received a full-fledged continuation - Nikon D500.

Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram

Add a comment: Alexander

 

 

Comments: 579, on the topic: Review of Nikon D300s

  • Ruslan

    I will add. Ergonomics, grip, control the best of all the cameras that I had. You hold in your hands and understand that this is a quality product, it is very pleasant to use it.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Try again with a battery grip, it will be even better.

  • Ruslan

    Arkady, good afternoon! Thanks for the advice, I’ll buy it, I'll try it with my brother. Handle) And special thanks for your accessible and understandable articles on photographic equipment, they help a lot!

  • Alexander

    Knowledgeable people help to figure it out. I bought used D300s. Set the quality of RAW, burst shooting 7 frames, and he takes a maximum of 2-3 frames per second. I switched to jeepeg mode and earned it as an automatic machine. What's the matter? This is normal? I have a D90 in RAW format when shooting bursts faster. SD card 10class

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Set the RAW in the settings to 12-bit instead of 14-bit and will shoot 7k / s.

      • Alexander

        Yeah, this is probably TIFF? Thanks a lot!!!

        • Arkady Shapoval

          No, this is the color depth setting for RAW.
          SHOOTING MODE MENU (the tab where the camera is drawn) -> Record images NEF (RAW) -> NEF (RAW) Color Depth
          © I bought a camera - buy and instructions for it. Ancient Chinese wisdom.

          • Alexander

            And I'm looking for everything in "quality" !!! As in d90, but then there is also “image recording”. Arkady, thank you !!!

  • Alexander

    Very nice camera. Replaced by Df, and now I think the D300s is the second in the world))

  • Yang

    I have a slightly different problem taking pictures of nature, animals so I need a camera with protection (they told me so). Before that there was a compact sx220 (the beast machine would have a normal matrix for him).
    The limit of bucks is 500-600 for everything. the carcass will be 300-350 and the lens 100+ (will there be enough current for me). For the time being, I’m not trying to solve the lenses first with a camera.
    Choosing between the 300S and the K5 Pentax (is it hard to find few lenses?)
    And in general, is it worth chasing security or is something more modern like the same 3400 taken?
    Perhaps there are more options?

    • Anatoliy

      Don't confuse the semi-professional (albeit not very modern) D300s with the openly amateur series. Many of my colleagues still prefer the "old" typewriters, especially the D90, and for that they have objective reasons.

  • Manfromsummer

    Six months ago, not from a good life, I had to part with my D7100. I could not stay without a camera for a long time, and decided to buy D300s, since for finances it was the best option for me. Of course, you need to buy equipment based on progress, and it would be more logical to take FF. They offered the D700 for a good price, but they were very confused by the appearance, and more than 300 mileage more. Therefore, the choice fell on three hundred.
    In short: for me personally, 300s puts 7100 on the shoulder blades. The control is simply wonderful, it is wonderful in the hand, the grip with all fingers, unlike the 7100, is noisy, well, I don’t shoot at night and at dusk, as well as indoors. ISO up to 1200 everything is great. 12 MP - behind the eyes, just what you need. I shoot in RAW, without compression, and the result at the exit from Lightroom makes me very happy. So all that is not done is for the better =).

    • BB

      The grip problem is solved by the battery grip, I set it first at 5100, and at 7100 I took the batlock before the camera) Now the small cameras do not perceive my hands, although the palm is small (as for a man).

  • Basil

    At the moment I own a nikon d3200 and for several months I ran into the fact that it became a little "cramped" for me with it. I look at either d300s or d7100. I would also like to get more convenient work with Soviet optics and the presence of a built-in focusing motor. Is it worth switching to these models or looking at some more, well, or just collecting for a full frame? In principle, manual and semi-automatic modes are enough for me, the built-in flash is also not needed, but the ability to shoot video is sometimes necessary. I would be grateful for your advice.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      The heir to the d300s is the d500. Or already full frame

      • Basil

        Thanks. My budget is only second-hand options therefore I do not consider new models. I’m rather interested in which of these two models it is more logical for me to switch from d3200. I understand that there are different tasks, but if you average it, which one do you think would be more interesting (300s or 7100)?

        • Arkady Shapoval

          D7100 will generally be better

        • Manfromsummer

          I would personally choose the D300s for two reasons: the D7100 with its 24 megapixels matrix will be more demanding on high-quality glass (this is certainly not a minus, you should strive to have only high-quality lenses in your park), and to avoid shaking in the pictures, it will require shorter shutter speeds under equal conditions with D300s, which in some cases can be important, although on the other hand, noise at high ISOs at 7100 is less. The detail of a picture from 7100 is of course also higher, but when you simply view two identical pictures from different cameras, without a 100% increase, you most likely will not notice the difference.
          The second reason is ergonomics. When shooting on the D300s, you can forget about the menu, absolutely all the controls are on the camera body.
          The 7100 is much better with video shooting, but for me this fact does not matter. I do not shoot video. For you, with the need for high-quality video, probably 7100 will be a better solution.

        • Manfromsummer

          Yes, and another point in favor of the D300s: it has the ability to record RAW without compression, the 7100 does not, only lossless compression (although with this compression the file weighs almost 2 times less than the original, uncompressed one.so all the same, apparently tangible losses, and the phrase “no losses” is a kind of reassuring marketing ploy).

          • Arkady Shapoval

            Try to find the difference on the same d300s when processing RAW without compression and with lossless compression, for the sake of interest.

            • Vladimir

              Arkady, I want to buy such a camera, now there are a lot of offers in the secondary market, the condition is different and the mileage is different, I am interested in the shutter mileage not declared by the manufacturer, but the real one and the other D7000.D7100.D7200 cameras are different from the D300S

              • Pokemon

                Most Nikons pass the mileage declared by the manufacturer. And how next - how lucky. Depends heavily on the operation of the camera by the previous owner.

          • Valentine

            Manfromsummer, lossless compression is essentially archiving. When you archive a text file, the size of the compressed file becomes several times smaller, while not a single letter from your text is lost.

  • Andrei

    Zdravste everyone, interested in robots, occasionally print, but print, maximum 30 × 40 (there are very rarely canvases), in principle, work, school and children. kindergarten, which is better to take: d300s to 9000 UAH. (mileage of 50t.k.) or d7100 for 11500 UAH. (mileage at 23.5t.k.)?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      7100

      • Andrei

        Thank you, I hope that I did not lose, because I was still thinking about the d7200, but there the used price for 4000 UAH. more, although less mileage, thanks again!

  • Anatoliy

    The D300s is a great travel camera. Interesting color. Reliable (you can not say about the D300). If you have good optics and processing skills, you can get a very good result. Having Nikon D3 and D3x in operation, I enjoy working with this camera.

  • Denis

    Tell me, is it worth taking d300s if it has a mileage of 230 frames?

    • Pokemon

      No.
      See more recent options or d7000.

  • andrej dontsov

    I already bought the second D300s and for a very small amount of money (230 euros). The first camera told me a lot, even flew from the stairs every time. I thought everything was kirdyk to the camera, but I lifted it, looked, checked, and she was surprised that it works as before, despite the scratches received. I think revolutionary for cropping by ergonomics. I looked at the second D300s nikon 7000 series before buying. I will not talk about quality photo, but the general impression was that the camera is of course lower in quality than 300s.Nikkor 80-200 f2.8 lens was recently bought to this camera, although it’s still the first series, but in very good condition for 150 eureka. Even the autofocus of this lens the camera pulls very decently, i.e. autofocus is fast enough, although in the forum they scared me, this lens has slow autofocus. So despite the fact that the camera is no longer quite modern, it will give odds to many of today's models.

  • andrej dontsov

    By the way, you can see examples of photos with this camera on my istagram under the name dontsov194

  • Amateur

    Hello! I want to move from D90 to something next. I selected D7000 and D300s from everything for budget and characteristics. Both have approximately the same price tag in our region. Only the D300s sell on average with 100k mileage, while the D7000 have no more than 50k. Photo in 99% of cases - for yourself. Take a picture of what I want and when I want. The D90 no longer lacks some functions such as adjusting to lenses with problems with AF, metering with lenses without chips, and other joys such as focusing systems, ultra-short shutter speeds, etc. I am not engaged in commercial photography and do not plan to. I take photos to make me happy. The question is which to buy, D300s or D7000 and why. I will duplicate the comment in the D7000 thread.

  • Dmitriy

    Arkady, is it possible to use picture control: M1 D2X MODE1 in NX 2 when developing NEFs shot on a Nikon d3100? Or is this function available only for cameras of a class higher?

  • Hermann

    Tell me, is it worth switching from d5100 to d300s, or is it better to dig up and take d600 / d610?

    • Valery A.

      D600 / 610. I took 600 myself, having 5100, the differences are noticeable - in noise, in DD. By the way, I also had to adjust the autofocus, which, it seems, is not available in the 300s.

      • Oleg

        The 300s have everything the 600/610 has, with the exception of the full-frame matrix. And a lot of what 600/610 doesn't have.

    • Oleg

      It depends on what you want to find in this transition. The 5100 has a more modern matrix, this should be the starting point. But with the 300s you get a screwdriver, an excellent viewfinder, the convenience of working with Ai lenses, the most convenient control of the shooting process without poking around in the menu. Prof. camera, in a word, but - ten years ago. Well, 610 is a full frame. The most affordable. Amateur level. But after 5100 it will definitely come in, and if I were you, I would have chosen 610, of course.

    • Charles

      In short: the 300s is an outdated reporter camera, the 5100 is a newer amateur camera, which significantly loses to the XNUMX in the context of serious reporting, but it can be a good landscape and travel camera for an amateur.
      Well, full frame is, of course, full frame, a completely different class ...

    • Alexander

      The quality of the pictures in the d5100 and d300s is about the same, but the second is an order of magnitude (or two) more convenient + all sorts of nice features like fine-tuning the autofocus, 1/8000 and fine-tuning everything and everything. You can even take not d300s, but d300, the difference is, by and large, only in the presence of video and two memory cards in esk, and the price is very different.
      Whether or not to save up for d600 / 610 is up to you. He will have only one advantage, but a significant one - a large mtaritsa.

  • Sergei

    At one time I switched from D5000 to D300, there was not enough burst shooting speed and focus adjustment for lenses. Naturally, I never regretted it, there is a professional - ergonomics, management ...
    Then he switched to D800, because I began to miss the high working ISO and DD :)

  • Sergei

    D300s (as well as D700, which is worth paying attention to) can be found in good condition for reasonable money and in a year you won't lose money on sale ...

  • Rinat

    thanks to the author for the info ... as a Nikon camera lover, I just don't understand the difference 5-6..8-9 fps ... for me, let it be at least 1k / s ...

    • Michael

      This is the lot of reporting)

  • Bogdan

    Maybe someone will tell you - the sound is stereo (during video shooting) or mono.

    • Michael

      Mono

  • Bogdan

    Spsb ... ... and there is no way to connect an external stereo recorder (with synchronization)

    • Bogdan

      All the same, I didn't finish reading it in the review — Also in the D300S you can find an audio input for using a stereo microphone, and a speaker for sound output when watching a video.

  • Alexander

    Hello!
    Colleagues, tell me please, where can I see the maximum size pictures taken on the D300s?
    Thank you

  • Eugene

    Everything would be fine, but this unit has a very noisy matrix. Nikon D7100 has significantly less noise and the picture is much clearer. In my opinion, it is precisely because of the terrible noise that the D300s cannot be assigned to professional cameras. And the 14-bit color depth of rav-files gives nothing but an increase in the weight of files. After the acquisition of Nikon D7100, three hundred is simply lying, she does not want to shoot anymore, but she can’t sell it.

    • Vitaly N

      It is not noise that determines belonging to professional cameras. The same 7100 is an amateur one.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      The cameras have an age difference of 6 years. Your classification approach is incorrect.

  • Gennady

    I got into this thread precisely because of my interest in 300s. I have no experience working with digital cameras at all, except for the iPhone 😀, but there is a huge and fruitful experience of photographing with film SLRs. Man offers 300s for sane money. However, just today I read somewhere that in cropped cameras the picture in the viewfinder is significantly smaller than in full-frame ones, even if it is written that all 100% are displayed. To shoot on the screen is not an option for me, apparently I’m not used to it anymore, and myopia is not going anywhere. So I have a question: is this true? And if so, how much less do you feel?

    • Michael

      The D300 does not. About the same thing with FF. Good filmmakers can and loses. If you compare with the Zenith, then everything is much better, if with the EOS300, then a little worse, although maybe I forgot already)

      • BB

        Do not confuse a person.

        • Michael

          I'm not knocking

          • Alexander

            Even as you shoot down. Even at Zenith with its 65% displayed image, the video player is an order of magnitude better than any crop, d300s is no exception. If anything, I have it all, I know what I'm talking about.

            • Michael

              Obviously not or forgot

              • Alexander

                What is not and what is forgotten? In the closet are d200 and d300, Spotmatik F, periodically there are different Zeniths. Comparing a Vidic of a non-autofocus film camera and a digital camera is even somehow frivolous, it’s just a beating of the baby.

              • Arkady Shapoval

                This is exactly

    • BB

      The viewfinder size is proportional to the size of the mirror and matrix. So about 1.5 times the diagonal. More precisely, you can calculate if you take into account the coefficient of increase in the JVI (it is indicated in the technical characteristics of the camera).
      As a person with myopia (-3), I will say that it is possible to shoot with crop or FF without correction (glasses, contact lenses), but it is uncomfortable. OVI correction, as a rule - down to -1, this is not enough.
      You can shoot in LiveView mode, but then all the advantages of the SLR are lost, and a lot of minuses come out, including a very short battery life.

      • Michael

        Not proportional. The viewfinder size is determined by the mirror size AND the magnification factor. The viewfinder size is almost the same for the d300 and d750. Filmed on both at the same time - read that there is no difference. So don't knock the man down yourself

        • BB

          Ok, the size of the mirror depends on what?

          • Michael

            From coverage area

            • BB

              yeah, and doesn’t depend on the frame size?

              • Michael

                depends, but not directly

      • Gennady

        Thanks. But still, the physical meaning of the magnification factor remains unclear to me. What exactly needs to be multiplied by it: the diagonal of the matrix, its sides, area? Or something different? If I compare two cameras, then how do I know in which one I will see a bigger picture, especially if one of them is FF and the other is crop?

        • Michael

          The physical meaning is simple. The zoom factor shows the size of the objects in the viewfinder relative to the naked eye. This coefficient is given in conjunction with the lens (for most it is 50 mm). If it’s simple, then you need to divide the magnification factor by the crop factor of the camera and then you can compare how large the viewfinder is for different cameras (also do not forget about the frame coverage area). It is also worth noting the big flu in the crop. In the viewfinder, it is also larger and the focus is less comfortable than with the FF.

        • US6IBD

          At the same distance to the object, the “picture will be larger” on the FF.
          Crop cuts out only part of the image from the FF. To take, for example, a person in full growth, you will have to move a long distance with a crop.
          But in any case (this is for those who argue about the size of the viewfinder) - what is in the viewfinder is then projected onto the matrix. With small nuances when the viewfinder has not 100% frame coverage.
          I would also like to congratulate the noted authors on the birth of a new camera feature: “viewfinder size”.

          • Michael

            With the same input (focal and distance) the picture will be larger just on the crop) Only it will not be cropped

          • Valery A.

            US6IBDy: ,, I want to congratulate the noted authors on the birth of a new camera feature: “viewfinder size”, - yes, there is nothing to congratulate, for a long time budget OVI crops have small and darkish, for advanced ones, with pentoprism - much larger and lighter. I recommend you try it yourself. I think that Gennady meant this detail in his first question.

            • Gennady

              Thanks to all who answered. You, Valery, are right, I had in mind precisely this: what I will see in the JVI, in the sense of whether I can distinguish and crop it. One day, I used some kind of megazoom camera and made sure that I couldn’t shoot using the viewfinder, because I practically did not see anything in it. Now I am tormented by the question: can I take some kind of crop (Canon 80d or Nikon d7200 or d7500) or still take the FF right away, for example, Nikon d750)? D300s is somehow scary: he is already old, crop, which is visible in his JVI. As always, the question is money, which is always scarce. Yes, and a toad, again ...

              • Oleg

                In the JV D300s everything is perfectly visible, believe me. This is not a 5000 series, it has a beautiful viewfinder.

              • Roman

                Well, it also depends on the lens. If you have some kind of aperture zoom of 2.8, this is one thing, if the dark zoom is 5,6 at the far end, and even 6.3 is already worse. But in general, I can’t remember that even on the most terrible crop I had problems with cropping. In the dark, late twilight - yes, it can crawl autofocus. But under normal shooting conditions and no vision problems, everything is usually fine.

                Crop viewfinder and FF ... Well, yes, there is a difference, but it is not so straightforward that we urgently need to take FF. If I choose between a large FF viewfinder and a grid-level crop, I still think a lot.

              • Michael

                I think you just need to see) all of the above viewfinders are large, the same as the d300

      • Roman

        D300s from -2 to +1. Both canons of mine are from -3 to +1.

  • Vladislav

    Hello Arkady!
    The Nikon D300S is positioned as a professional, that is, with quick access to basic functions. But access to the manual flash power control mode is available in addition to the menu, that is, you can do it quickly. Honestly, I did not find, tell me please.

    • Michael

      If you are talking about flash exposure compensation. Yes, it is adjustable by pressing the button on the left of the prism. There are also synchronization modes

      • Vladislav

        Compensation is different, there is in the bracketing / flash menu, and there is a manual adjustment of the flash power (you can choose auto - TTL, but this is a different way of using flash).
        Arkady is needed to explain.

        • Michael

          Manual flash output via menu only

        • Arkady Shapoval

          For a professional camera, an external flash is a professional :), everything is set up quickly there

          • Vladislav

            Clearly, adjusting the built-in flash quickly will not work. And they could, in the menu for setting up the responsible buttons, also include in the list and manual adjustment of the flash power.

            • Arkady Shapoval

              Well, with that kind of logic, approximately all 200 functions could be displayed on buttons. In d500 (descendant of d300s) the flash was removed altogether.

  • Vladislav

    Hello Arkady! Thanks to your site, they have become more educated and more omniscient, so sometimes we argue with you about your reviews.
    In this review, I also do not completely agree with this phrase - “No offense, but all these Nikon D7100 and D7200 are in a class lower, do not overclock to 8 frames per second, have a meager buffer, do not have such a solid body and professional control as Nikon D300S “.
    Disagree with “... and professional management like Nikon D300S”
    Why is the Nikon D7100 not more professional than the Nikon D300S?
    Also made the same quick access buttons to the same functions as the Nikon D300S.
    In control, the Nikon D7100 is almost the same as the Nikon D300S. Both tried and did not find a difference in management, even some things (function button-VKT), in 7100 there are, but 300S does not. Focus area management, it seems to me, the Nikon D7100 is more convenient.
    That is, I want to say that the Nikon D7100 in management is also a professional camera and very cool in this regard.
    Arkady, write your opinion about what was said, it will be useful for me to find out what I do not know yet.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Whether it is better or worse, like it or not, is one thing. And the fact that the control of the d300, d300s, d500 refers to that of the professional series of cameras is a fact. First of all, this is a tower of choice, without the green zone and other superfluous things. Superfluous doesn't mean bad, it's just superfluous for the pros.

      • Vladislav

        Arkady, you are right. I communicated with my recent acquisition - Nikon D300S, studied, took test photos (for myself), now I took Nikon D7100 back in my hands, I understood what a professional camera is. The D7100 looked like an amateur after the D300S, but since I know it well too, I will say that it is a very advanced amateur camera with professional content. The D7100 and D300S have practically the same features and content, except for the rate of fire, buffer (in favor of D300S), matrix resolution (in favor of D7100). But 12MP D300S gives photos in quality no worse than 24MP D7100, I took photos with one Nikon 16-85 lens, there is practically no difference, even for some reason the photos on D300S are better, although one lens (???). This confirms the rule - in order to obtain adequate photo quality from cameras with a high-resolution matrix, appropriate quality lenses are also required.
        We reach this understanding late (this is about myself).
        Indeed, the control of the D300S is simpler and more accessible, correspondingly faster.
        I agree with the statement in the review that out of crop it is enough to have only one Nikon D300S camera.

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