Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR DX Nikkor Zoom Lens by Nikon
|
Our Price: $2,100.00 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Digital Camera See more digital camera details and other models |
|---|
Digital camera reviews of Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR DX Nikkor Zoom Lens
Digital camera Review: D300 Sweet Relief
Summary: 4 Stars
From what I read before buying this body was that it is the less expensive sister to the formidable d3, and so far I'm believe it!! I upgraded from the now completely obsolete d100... a total pleasure and no comparison, really! While I am still exploring all that it's capable of, it certainly fits the bill. Certainly the larger viewing screen makes a world of difference, but the menu is far more intuitive.
I am only in the first weeks of getting to know this camera, but am loving every minute of this new relationship!!
The lens on the other hand... it's a great all-purpose zoom, but really not recommended for shooting in low light.
Digital camera Review: Don't Buy This Camera
Summary: 1 Stars
I had the D300 for a little over 3 days and the back LCD Monitor failed - it started flashing and wouldn't quit! Bummer for a $1800 camera.
Over the 3 days the camera had been on for about 5 hours and I had taken about 50 images. I hadn't taken it out of the house.
I had to send the camera back for warranty repair. It has been 12 business days and Nikon can't tell me when it will be shipped back to me. Check the web before you buy. The D300 has lots of problems.
Infant mortality is indicative of manufacturing problems and poor quality control. I replaced my D200 with the D300. The D200 was solid and very reliable. If you can't trust your camera what good is it. What do you do if you're in Africa, Thailand, etc?
RECOMMENDATION: Ignore the hype. Buy a D200 or wait 12 months till Nikon sorts out the bugs in the D300. Or, heaven forbid, buy a Canon.
I bought the D300 through AMAZON - Cameta Camera. They changed their 800 number to an internationl number with a $5 access fee. They were no help with this problem.
RECOMMENDATION: Buy high-end gear and electronics from Adorama or B&H, they will help you - no problem. Just buy books and CDS from Amazon.
Digital camera Review: Everything as advertised
Summary: 5 Stars
Every aspect of the purchase was as advertised. The sale from Beach Camera through Amazon went without a hitch. The package arrived on schedule, without damage, and all warranties/instructions were included. The camera has performed, so far, as expected. The 18-200mm zoom will make a good all-purpose TRAVEL lens and I expect to be purchasing additional lens (not necessarily for travel) in the future.Digital camera Review: Excellent DSLR, with bad start
Summary: 2 Stars
During the first month until the Auto Focus stopped working, I was very impressed with this DSLR and Nikkor lens.
Then suddenly the AF would not respond in the middle of outdoor shooting. I am waiting to hear what Nikon service center has to say. Searching a bit on the web I could read other D300 owners complaining about the same fault.
If other people write about this issue I can guess this is not a rare case of technical failure, but rather a sign of insufficient manufacturing and quality level -and this should not happen with a camera of this class. So overall I am disappointed with Nikon.
Update after repair:
Nikon sent back the camera after about 2 weeks, which is ok since I had no urgent need for it. They were not very specific on the cause, just noted that the body had been repaired - the lens was ok.
Another positive comment on Nikon's repair center: they had the courtesy to send me an additional battery. This is GOOD customer service.
Since then the AF is working fine and I am very pleased with the cameras capabilities and quality of the photos. On the performance scale alone I give this camera the full 5 STARS.
I am leaving the first part of my review because I still believe Nikon's manufacturing / quality system for such a camera has proved insufficient. And evidently this is not an isolated statistical occurrence. Obviously there is pressure to hit the market, but it must not come in place of extensive testing and trouble shooting of new models.
Digital camera Review: Excellent camera
Summary: 5 Stars
I won't make this a technical review as there are already many of those...
My photography experience stems from being a Photojournalist in the Navy for 6 years shooting film, and then more recently being a photo assistant for some commercial shooters just for extra cash. (most of them using cannon equipment)
I like the Nikon D300, and their products in general, because of their easy functionality, the menus are easy to navigate and settings can be quickly switched on-the-fly. Image quality is superb. You can go full-manual, or select aperture or shutter priority, or switch to program mode and let the camera do all the hard work with it's pre-programmed "scene recognition" system. Some of the lower-end Nikons have extra modes such as Sport, Portrait, Landscape, etc... right on the dial, the D300 does not, but it does allow you create those types of modes with your own custom setting for each and then save then on your custom shooting menu... no problem.
I got the 200mm zoom lens kit, which is a decent piece of glass, but would recommend the 50mm fixed lens for stills, portraits and landscapes.
In general, this camera does everything the big-buck cameras do, uses the DX format lenses that are far less expensive than the full frame FX ones, and has wonderful image quality and reliability as well as ease-of-use out of the box. The only limitation is the user... You!