Quantcast
PC World: Technology Advice You Can Trust
Find a Review
Free Newsletters
Receive the latest reviews, how-to's, news, and more.
Digital Focus
Digital Gear Review
Bargain Bulletin
WiFi Finder
Locate wireless services by a specific address, city, state, country, airport, or zip code.
RSS Feeds
Get our latest content via convenient RSS feeds.
Digital Cameras
Become a PCW Member
Join the community and start enjoying the benefits:
  • Get tech advice from thousands of PC World Members
  • Rate and recommend the latest tech products
  • Share your thoughts in blog and article comments
  • Get free excerpts and exclusive discounts on Super Guides
Reviews: SLR Cameras
Nikon D300
Max. Megapixels: 12.3 • Optical Zoom: 5X • Zoom Range Min. (mm): 28 • Zoom Range Max. (mm): 200 • Weight (ounces): 47.2 • Media Slots: CompactFlash • Price When Reviewed: $2100
Nikon D300 (Front)
Nikon D300 (Front)
Nikon D300
Nikon D300
Nikon D300
84.9 Very Good
Last updated
March 07, 2008
Test Center Reviewed by
Tracey Capen
Pros
  • Large, live-view LCD
  • Extensive custom modes
Cons
  • Live view isn't as easy to use as others
  • Menu system is complicated
Pricing: Very Expensive: $2100 (3/6/2008)
Performance: Superior: 90
Features: Superior: 90
Design: Superior: 90
Pricing
Very Expensive: $2100  
Price Without Lens - $1800
Performance
Superior: 90  
Battery
Battery Life Score Superior 
Number of Batteries
Number of Shots 500 
Battery Life 273.5 
Image Quality Tests (Max. points = 100)
Image Quality Score Very Good 
Image Quality, Color 52.6 
Image Quality, Color--Auto 43.6 
Image Quality, Color--Adjusted 61.5 
Image Quality, Exposure 46.9 
Image Quality, Exposure--Flash 39.7 
Image Quality, Exposure--Normal 49.9 
Image Quality, Sharpness 54.1 
Image Quality, Distortion 66.5 
Image Quality, Distortion--Noise 70.9 
Image Quality, Distortion--Noise Reduction 72.3 
Image Quality, Distortion--Sharp Interpolation 58.9 
Image Quality, Overall 48 
Features
Superior: 90  
Imaging
Max. Megapixels 12.3 
Maximum Resolution 4288 by 2848 
Optical Zoom 5X 
Zoom Range Min. (mm) 28 
Zoom Range Max. (mm) 200 
Highest Shutter Speed 8000 
Lowest Shutter Speed 30 
Wide-Angle Aperture Maximum 3.5 
Telephoto Aperture Maximum 5.6 
Manual Focus Yes 
Interchangeable Lens Yes 
Lens Model 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor ED lens 
Hardware
LCD Screen Size (inches)
Dimensions 5.8 by 4.5 by 2.9 
Weight (ounces) 47.2 
Viewfinder Optical 
Image Stabilization Lens-dependent 
Media Slots CompactFlash 
Starter Media or Internal RAM No 
Battery Type Rechargeable lithium ion 
Charging Dock No 
Remote Control Optional 
Flash Shoe Yes 
Controls
Scene Modes
Aperture Priority Yes 
Shutter Priority Yes 
Full Manual Exposure Control Yes 
White-Balance Calibration Yes 
White-Balance Bracketing Yes 
Exposure Bracketing Yes 
ISO Range ISO 200 to ISO 3200 
Flash Slow Sync Yes 
File & Printing Formats
Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) Yes 
PictBridge Yes 
File Formats JPEG, TIFF, RAW 
Other
Included Hardware EN-EL3e Rechargeable Li-ion Battery, MH-18a Quick Charger, UC-E4 USB Cable, EG-D100 Video Cable, AN-D300 Strap, BM-8 LCD monitor cover, Body cap, DK-5 Eyepiece Cap, DK-23 Rubber Eyecup 
Included Software Capture NX software 
Warranty & Support
Labor Warranty (years) One 
Parts Warranty (years) One 
Weekday Support Hours 24 
Saturday Support Hours 24 
Sunday Support Hours 24 
Toll-Free Support Yes 
Reliability & Service
Summary of results for all of brand's products in this category A roller-coaster ride for this camera maker: Top-notch support, readers say, and above-average overall reliability coexist with subpar grades for severe problems and ease of use. 
Reliability of brand's products in this category
Reports of product arriving with problems Average 
Reports of products with any significant problems Average 
Reports of problems that render a product unusable Worse than Average 
Buyers' rating of product's Worse than Average 
Overall satisfaction with reliability of brand's products in category Better than Average 
Service & Support Quality
Time spent holding for phone support Average 
Overall quality of vendor's phone support Better than Average 
Reports of problems unresolved after contacting service Better than Average 
Overall quality of service Better than Average 
Design
Superior: 90  

PC World's Marketplace

PC World's Free Whitepapers

Name City
Address 1 State Zip
Address 2 E-mail (optional)