Looking to make the jump from suitably skilled amateur to perfect pro? Then you’re going to want to take a long, hard look at the Nikon D300s. Chock full of all the latest must have features, it certainly looks a winner. But how did it fare when we cranked it up and started reeling off those pap shots? Read our full Nikon D300s review and we’ll tell you.
Let’s be perfectly clear here. If you’re new to DSLRs, then the D300s is most certainly not for you. However, if you’re looking to make the jump to the top of the camera pile, then the Nikon D300s is definitely worth bearing in mind.
The 840g body feels like it can withstand the kind of battering reserved for the likes of the Land Rover S1 mobile phone. That’s because it’s water and dust resistant, rocking a magnesium alloy frame that we tried our darnedest to dent. Thankfully, it was having none of it. That’s a great sign if your plotting on taking shots in inauspicious climes. The pics we took, admittedly down the local park rather than the nearest ASBO hotspot, were stunning, thanks clearly to the 51-point AF system.
Read our Nikon D3000 review now
There’s plenty more to endear the Nikon D300s too. It’s incredibly easy to frame basic shots, with either the excellent viewfinder or the pin sharp 3-inch screen slapped on the back. Likewise the 720p video looks classy as hell, although our major quibble here is that Nikon hasn’t ramped things up to 1080p. Seeing as you’re paying £1,500 for the body only, it’s a miss that really should have been thought of, especially as compacts from Panasonic already rock similar tech. The fact you’ll need to pre-focus video before pressing record is also a big fail for us.
Away from video, manual features are made easy to use on the Nikon D300s thanks to obvious, dedicated buttons for each feature. And the inclusion of dual SD and CF means you can take snaps in JPEG and RAW without chopping and changing.
Ok, the Nikon D300s isn’t without its flaws. And at that price, you’d expect perfection. However, overlook the video gripes, and you’re looking at one sleek piece of kit. Is it worth it? If you’re already reaching David Bailey levels, yes. If not, plump for the D3000 instead.
