leadpic_Nikon_D300
August 23, 2007: Nikon will release a new DSLR camera, the D300, before the end of this year, featuring a 12.3-megapixel DX-format CMOS imager and live viewing facility.
Designed for serious enthusiasts, the D300 supports a normal sensitivity range from ISO 200 to ISO 3200, with extensions to ISO 100 (Lo 1) and ISO 6400 (Hi 1). It includes the new “EXPEED’ image processing system and supports continuous shooting speeds of up to 8 fps (using 12-bit NEF-RAW format and the optional Multi-Power Battery Pack MP-D10). Up to 100 Normal/Large JPEG images can be recorded continuously on a SanDisk Extreme IV 1GB CF card. Nikon claims response times of 0.13 seconds for power-up and a shutter release lag of 0.045 seconds with viewfinder blackout of 0.1 second.
D300_front_angle_sml
The D300’s viewing system includes a new eye-level pentaprism viewfinder that displays 100% of the subject field of view and has a 19.9 mm eyepoint. The 3.0pinch TFT colour LCD monitor has a resolution of 920,000 pixels and supports two Liveview shooting modes, one for hand-held shooting and the other for a tripod-mounted camera.
D300_back_sml
A new Multi-CAM 3500DX autofocus module has 15 cross-type sensors and 36 horizontal sensors and provides 51 selectable AF points. The D300 provides three selectable AF modes: single-area, a choice of three Dynamic AF settings using groups of 9, 21 or 51 AF points and 3D focus tracking.
D300_front_sml
Nikon’s D-Lighting is provided in an enhanced form, Active D-Lighting, which widens tonal reproduction and provides greater control over light intensity through localised tone control technology. Another new feature is Nikon’s picture Control System, which supports four built-in profiles: Standard, Neutral, Vivid and Monochrome and provides a range of adjustments for each. A Quick Adjust feature lets photographers adjust sharpness, contrast and colour saturation simultaneously.
D300_top_sml
Nikon has included a self-cleaning Sensor Clean unit with four resonance frequencies for vibrating the optical low band pass filter in front of the sensor. Users can opt to switch the sensor cleaning system on automatically when the camera is powered up or down or activate sensor cleaning manually. The D300 also supports HDMI output to HDTV displays and GPS data input via an optional GPS Adaptor Cord (MC-35). Pricing and release dates have yet to be confirmed but the camera is scheduled for worldwide release from November 2007. For more information, visit www.nikon.com.au.
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Sensor Size/Type:
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23.6 x 15.8 mm CMOS
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Effective Pixels:
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12.3 megapixels
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A/D Resolution Power:
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12/14-bit
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Colour Filter:
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RGB Primary Colours
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Field-of-View Crop:
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1.5x
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Dust Removal System
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Yes
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Recording Media:
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CF Type I, II, single slot
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Image Sizes:
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4288 x 2848, 3216 x 2136, 2144 x 1424
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File Formats:
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NEF (RAW), TIFF, JPEG, RAW+JPEG
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Colour Space:
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sRGB, Adobe RGB
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Picture Style/Control settings:
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Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome
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Viewfinder:
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Eye-level pentaprism; 100% coverage; approx. 0.94x magnification; 19.5mm eyepoint
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Dioptric Adjustment:
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-2.0 to +1 dpt
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Interchangeable Focusing Screens:
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unknown
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Autofocus System:
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TTL phase detection with Nikon MultiCAM 3500DX module
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AF Points:
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51 (single point selection from 51 or 11 points)
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Focus Modes:
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Single-servo AF, continuous-servo AF, manual focusing; predictive focus tracking automatically activated in continuous AF mode
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Metering Modes:
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TTL full-aperture metering with 1005-pixel RGB sensor
3D Colour matrix Metering II
Centre-weighted (6-13 mm circle at centre)
Spot metering (3mm circle)
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Exposure Control:
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Program AE with flexible program, Shutter-priority auto, Aperture-priority auto, Manual
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ISO SpeedRange:
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ISO 200-3200 (expandable to 100 and 6400)
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Exposure Compensation:
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+/- 5 EV in icnrements of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV
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Shutter Speed:
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1/8000 to 30 sec in steps of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV plus Bulb; X-synch at 1/250 sec.
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Self-timer:
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2 or 20 sec. delay
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Remote Control:
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10-pin terminal
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Built-in Flash GN:
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12 (ISO 100 in metres)
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Flash Exposure Compensation:
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-3 to +1 EV in increments of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV
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Continuous Shooting Speed:
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High-speed: 8 fps
Low-speed: 1 fps
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White Balance:
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JPEG (Normal): up to 100
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WB Compensation:
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Auto plus seven manual modes with fine-tuning, colour temperature setting
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LCD Monitor:
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3.0-inch TFT colour LCD, 920,000 pixels
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Live View modes:
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1) Handheld: TTL phase difference AF with 51 focus points 2) Tripod: focal-plane contrast AF on selected point
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Image Playback:
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Full frame, thumbnail (4 or 9 segment), zoom, slideshow, RGB histogram, shooting data, highlight point display, auto image rotation
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Custom Functions:
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48
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Terminals:
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USB Hi-speed, HDMI, Video Out (PAL/NTSC), GPS, 10-pin remote
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Battery:
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EN-EL3e
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Dimensions (w x d x h):
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147 x 114 x 74 mm
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Weight:
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Approx. 825 grams
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