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12.3 Megapixel SLR Digital Camera/Lens Kit

Precision engineered to deliver new professional-level functionality, performance and reliability, with technologies like Scene Recognition, high-speed shooting, and a high-density 51-point autofocus system. This kit features a great one lens solution with the included AF-S DX VR Zoom-NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED lens.

12.3 effective megapixel DX-format CMOS image sensor

The newly developed Nikon DX-format CMOS image sensor for the D300 combines 12.3 effective megapixels of resolution with the highest level of photographic and high-speed performance. With a broad light sensitivity range of ISO 200 to ISO 3200, the sensor produces accurate tones and the finest details. For example, it allows you to capture the texture of a white dress in the highlighted areas while also faithfully reproducing the details in shadowed areas. And, when the need arises, sensitivity can be further adjusted to Lo 1 for ISO 100 equivalent and Hi 1 for ISO 6400 equivalent settings. Even when shooting at high ISO settings, the sensor delivers clean, natural-looking results, in part thanks to the advanced noise reduction function that operates at ISO 800 and higher settings to minimize chroma noise, color fringing, and shadow noise. Its integrated A/D converter enables selection between 12-bit and 14-bit conversions, making it possible to shoot with the high image quality of 13-bit NEF (RAW) format. Furthermore, the optical low-pass filter (OLPF) located in front of the CCD to eliminate color aliasing incorporates an IR-cut (Infrared) coating that minimizes red color shifts and a UV (Ultra Violet) cut coating that improves image quality at the periphery to help ensure the sharpest images with the highest possible resolution.

EXPEED digital image processing

Nikon's comprehensive new EXPEED digital image processing concept marks the culmination of years dedicated to advancing photographic and digital imaging technologies. The processing system developed for the D300 applies optimized technologies based on the EXPEED concept, with custom-tuned algorithms delivering processing power that greatly improves system performance while extending the achievable levels of image quality and tone reproduction. The best-ever image quality in a DX-format SLR digital camera also benefits from lateral chromatic aberration reduction, which effectively controls color bleeding around the image periphery, high-precision color reproduction, smooth tones and advanced noise reduction. Also engineered to maximize speed, EXPEED contributes to improved system performance, including quicker response, faster memory card access, and faster data transfer. Because all internal processing is handled in full 16-bit color, precision can be maintaned for tone compression, color processing across all processing modules. That means colors and skin tones remain precise and richly alive.

Self-cleaning Sensor Unit

New for the D300 is Nikon's ultrasonic Self-cleaning Sensor Unit, which employs four different resonance frequencies to vibrate the optical low-pass filter and shake dust away from the sensor. Image sensor cleaning can be set to operate automatically when the camera is turned off or on, or can be operated from the camera's menu. Here's how it works in a few easy steps: (1) Internal mechanisms generate as little dust as possible in operation. The shutter unit and all moving parts are designed to minimize dust generation, and are operated adequately before mounting within the camera so that they do not disperse dust following camera assembly. The mechanisms are then operated again after assembly to further ensure that they do not generate dust. (2) Dust doesn't easily adhere to internal surfaces. Anti-static finishing is used around the image sensor and optical low-pass filter (OLPF), while surrounding areas are specially treated such that dirt particles adhere to them easily. In addition, the space between the OLPF and image sensor is sealed to prevent dust particles from entering the assembly. (3) Dust doesn't easily disappear in images. Enough distance is left between the OLPF and image sensor that dust is less likely to affect the final image. (4) Dust reduction in software. The effects of dust can be reduced for images shot in NEF (RAW) format by using the Dust Off feature in Capture NX, Nikon's optional photofinishing software.

Scene Recognition System

The D300 is equipped with Nikon's exclusive new Scene Recognition System, which recognizes the lighting and color conditions of the subject to realize a new level of precise control. Nikon has improved its acclaimed 1,005-segment RGB sensor for the new system, advancing its functionality by adding a new diffraction grid. This combines with advanced new information processing technologies that recognize the conditions of the subject and framed scene prior to shooting, producing useful information that is applied not only to auto exposure, but also to auto white balance control and autofucus. The system uses subject tracking information calculated by recognizing the color and brightness of a subject within a user-selected focus point and tracking the subject's lateral movement within the frame, along with focus information from the autofocus sensor to realize fast, precise AF control that quickly catches changes in the subject's position. For example, 3D-tracking mode takes advantage of all 51 AF points, automatically switching between focus points as it tracks and maintains focus on a moving subject. When using Automatic-area AF mode, subject identification uses light and color information from the 1,005-segment RGB sensor to accurately determine the area occupied by human subjects within the framed image. It identifies the sky, background, foreground and the color of the subject's face as it determines the position of the subject. Even if the colors of the background, foreground and subject are similar, the system uses distance information from G or D type lenses to more precisely focus on the subject's position.

High-density 51-point autofocus system

The D300 is equipped with Nikon's newly developed Multi-CAM 3500DX autofocus module, which features the world's largest number of focus points. The system selects the focus point that best applies to the subject, demonstrating an outstanding level of precision, even when shooting in constantly changing conditions. All 51 focus points, including the array of 15 cross-type sensors located in the center, maximize the potential of lenses with maximum apertures of f/5.6. Working in tandem with the new Scene Recognition System, this system exhibits superior ability to lock onto your subject, and to predict the subject's movement. The result is more precise autofocus performance. The system also lets you switch from 51 focus points to an 11 focus point mode. The D300 offers Dynamic-area AF modes that use information from surrounding focus points to provide precise focus, even if the subject momentarily moves outside the user-selected focus point. Dynamic-area AF allows you to use groups of 9, 21 or all 51 focus points. Also available is 51-point Dynamic-area AF with 3D-tracking, which takes full advantage of all 51 AF points to accurately track the subject and automatically switch focus points. This is particularly convenient when you want to freely compose shots of sporting events, or any scene in which the subject moves about in random fashion. 9-point mode is particularly useful when specific composition is your priority or your subject moves in predictable fashion that is relatively easy to catch within the focus points, and 21-point mode is the better choice when your subject moves about randomly. Single-point AF mode is convenient when you want to focus on the subject's eye or some other reference point when shooting still subjects. And it can be set to give human subjects, or subjects closer to the camera priority when automatically selecting which individual focus point to use. When using G or D type lenses, you can also use Automatic area AF mode, which increases focus precision by automatically distinguishing the subject from the background and foreground as it selects the appropriate focus points.

Picture Control System

The D300 is equipped with Nikon's original Picture Control System, which features intuitive operation and easy settings that let you produce finished images as you envision them. If you use multiple camera bodies, you will also appreciate that the same settings produce consistent picture tone and all camera models that support the Nikon Picture Control System. The Picture Control System offers four basic setting options (Standard, Neutral, Vivid, and Monochrome). These can be easily modified using the slide controls to adjust image parameters, including sharpness, contrast, brightness, color saturation, and tone. The modified settings can be saved as a custom picture control, and up to nine custom picture controls can be stored within the camera. The custom picture controls stored within the camera can also be exported to memory cards, making them available for use in other compatible cameras and allowing them to be shared among users. The D300's Quick Adjust function makes it fast and easy to adjust the settings for sharpness, contrast, and brightness all at once, offering a five-step adjustment slide bar numbered from -2 to +2. A grid display plots color saturation and contrast on a visual map, allowing for intuitive adjustment choices based on the visual feedback of coordinated values as you move the slider.

White balance and Active D-Lighting

In addition to Advanced Auto White Balance, which capably produces natural coloration in most situations, the D300 also offers six manual settings specific to the scene's lighting (Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Direct Sunlight, Cloudy, and Shade). Direct selection of Kelvin color temperature is also available, as is a user-controlled preset manual option for using a gray or white object as a reference to match the scene's lighting. Settings can be fine tuned using a grid display on the LCD monitor, including color temperature adjustment and color correcting filter-like adjustment. White balance bracketing can also be used for up to nine frames. Setting Active-D-Lighting before shooting produces results that are automatcially corrected to faithfully reproduce the contrast of the scene as you viewed it. Rather than correcting the entire image, localized tone control technology adjusts the highlights, shadow areas, and midtones to achieve natural looking contrast across the entire image. This function is particularly helpful with high contrast scenes, such as shooting a brightly lit outdoor scene from inside a relatively dark room, or shooting at the beach on a sunny day. Active D-Lighting offers three application strength levels (moderate, normal, and enhanced).

High-speed shooting and power-up

The D300's improved data processing capability realizes greater processing and operating speed. This gives it the ability to shoot at 6 fps in continuous bursts of up to 100 shots when using the rechargeable Li-ion battery EN-EL3e that comes with the D300, and as fast as 8 fps when using the optional Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D10. The D300 is also compatible with next-generation high-speed UDMA cards, which enables even faster recording. The D300 powers up within approximately 0.13 seconds, and features a short shutter release time lag of just 45 milliseconds, and viewfinder blackout time is approx. 90 milliseconds. Optimized all-around performance lets you respond to any sudden photo opportunities.

Seeing is believing

With frame coverage of virtuallly 100 percent and large 0.94x magnification, the new glass pentaprism viewfinder for the D300 delivers the compositional freedom and precision that professionals need. Detailed information of settings and shooting information is displayed for quick confirmation without removing your eye from the viewfinder while shooting, which helps in framing your subject more quickly and with greater assurance. The D300 features two Live View modes that let you use the 3-inch high-resolution LCD monitor in place of the viewfinder to confirm your subject and composition while shooting. The D300 is equipped with an expansive 3-inch LCD that features a 920,000-dot high-resolution VGA (640 x 480 dots) display with tempered glass protection. Digital output reduces flicker and assures clear and detailed image display that is invaluable for confirming focus or assessing image sharpness, even when zooming in for a magnified view. A wide 170-degree viewing angle from all directions and bright display architecture makes it easy to view images or confirm menu settings, even when shooting outdoors. Playback options include single frame, 4 or 9-image thumbnail display, zoom display at up to 27 times magnification (for [L]-size JPEG images), as well as channel-independent RGB histogram and highlight point displays that offer detailed feedback immediately after taking the shot and aid in visually confirming the results. Pressing the info button on the rear of the camera displays shooting information on the 3-inch LCD monitor that allows for quick confirmation of detailed information, including shutter speed, aperture setting, the number of shots taken, the number of shots remaining, and AF area mode.

A great one lens solution

The lens included in this kit offers a broad 18-200mm focal range for use in a variety of situations (on the D300, this lens is equivalent to a 27-300mm zoom lens on a 35mm format camera). 11x zoom coverage offers a perfect compact and lightweight, one lens solution. The len's VR II system reduces vibration, giving you the equivalent of using a shutter speed 4 stops faster. Two ED glass and three aspherical lens elements minimize chromatic aberration, astigmatism and other forms of distortion, while ensuring high resolution and contrast. It incorporates a SWM (Silent Wave Motor) for fast, quiet focusing. This 18-200mm lens delivers high-level optical performance designed for use exclusively with Nikon DX format digital cameras. You can focus from as close as 20 inches from the subject through its entire focal range, and you even get a flower-shaped lens hood to greatly reduce stray light.

Included with purchase

AF-S DX VR Zoom-NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED lens, EN-EL3e rechargeable Li-ion battery, quick charger, USB cable, video cable, strap, LCD monitor cover, body cap, eyepiece cap, rubber eyecup, software suite CD-ROM.

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