• 0.98 inch 285.7mm2
  • 4.7 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • APS-C 372.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sigma SD15
  • Nikon D300S
Links
Prices: Compare Prices Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:   Nikon D300
D300 vs D300S
Successor:   Nikon D500
D300S vs D500
General
Model Number: SD15 D300S
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: SLR Pro SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price:   $1799.95
Street Price: $1,500.00 $1,696.95
Date Available: 2010-06-30 2009-08-31
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 24.0 oz (680 g) 33.5 oz (951 g)
includes batteries
Size: 5.7 x 4.2 x 3.2 in.
(144 x 107 x 81 mm)
5.8 x 4.5 x 2.9 in.
(147 x 114 x 74 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Foveon X3 Sony
Effective Megapixels: 4.7 12.3
Sensor Format: 0.98 inch APS-C
Sensor size: 285.66mm2 (20.70mm x 13.80mm) 372.88mm2 (23.60mm x 15.80mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 7.84 microns 5.50 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.7x 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2
Color Filter Type: Full Color RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Not needed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: No Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score:   70
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):   22.5
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):   12.2
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):   787
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 2640 x 1760 (4.6 MP, 3:2),
2640 x 1485 (3.9 MP, 16:9),
1872 x 1248 (2.3 MP, 3:2),
1312 x 880 (1.2 MP, Other)
4288 x 2848 (12.2 MP, Other),
3216 x 2136 (6.9 MP, Other),
2144 x 1424 (3.1 MP, Other)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.21), 12-bit RAW (.X3F) JPEG (EXIF 2.21), NEF (RAW), 12 or 14 bit, lossless compressed, compressed, or uncompressed; RAW+JPEG, TIFF
Continuous-mode frames/second: 3.0 7.1
Video Capture
Can take movies: No Yes
Movie Resolution: 1280x720 (24)
640x424 (24)
320x216 (24)
Movie File Format:   AVI Motion JPEG
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: No Yes
HD Video Out: Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Sigma SA bayonet Nikon F
Lens: n/a n/a
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):    
Focal Length (actual):    
Zoom Ratio:    
Aperture Range:    
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:    
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: n/a n/a
Thread Type: Varies with lens n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: No No
Digital Zoom Values: n/a n/a
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 5-point phase-difference detection 51 point (15 cross-type sensors) TTL phase detection with 3D focus tracking by Nikon Multi-CAM 3500DX
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD (playback only) Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentaprism, 98% coverage, 0.9x mag. SLR type: eye-level pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.94x mag., 19.5mm eyepoint, -2 to +1 diopter
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.53x 0.63x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.90x 0.94x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 460,000 dots 921,600 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom:   27.0x
Top Deck Display: Yes Yes
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 1600 3200
Minimum ISO (native): 100 200
ISO Settings: Auto (100-200), Auto with Flash (100-400), 50*, 100, 200, 400, 800,1600, 3200* (*Extended mode) Auto, ISO 200-3200, Lo-1=100, Hi-1=6400
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Sunlight, Shade, Overcast, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom Auto, 7 manual modes with fine tuning, color temperature
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 30 sec 1/8000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 77-segment Evaluative, Center Weighted Average, Center Area, Spot 3D Color Matrix Metering II, Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes:   N/A
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 2 to 20 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):   Yes
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: S-TTL; Forced On, Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync/Red-eye Reduction Front-Curtain Sync, Red-Eye Reduction, Red-Eye Reduction with Slow Sync, Slow Sync, and Rear-Curtain Sync; supports Advanced Wireless Lighting system
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 11.0 m / 36.1 ft. 12.0 m / 39.4 ft.
Flash Range Description: n/a Lens dependent
Max Flash Sync: 1/180 1/250
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe Hot Shoe, Sync Terminal
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:   Full TTL exposure
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: Microdrive / SD / SDHC CF1 / SD / SDHC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:   Dual slots, CF+SD
Dual Card Slots: No Yes
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: 12-bit RAW (.X3F) NEF (RAW), 12 or 14 bit, lossless compressed, compressed, or uncompressed; RAW+JPEG, TIFF
Movie File Format:   AVI Motion JPEG
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No Yes
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 Full (LOW) Speed,FireWire USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: No Yes
DPOF Compliant: No Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: RS-31 Wireless, CR-21 Wired Optional wired
Connections (extended): DC input Type-C HDMI Out, DC In, PC Sync, 10-pin Remote Terminal
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution):   0.48
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):   0.48
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):   Unlimited
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):   0.47
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 3.0 7.1
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 21 26
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   7.1
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   17
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   7.1
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):   15
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid):   0.23 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):   0.47 seconds
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):   0.053 seconds
Shutter Lag (manual focus):   0.150 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):   0.27 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused):   0.053 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):   Live View lags Hand-held mode Phase-detect AF: 0.473s Hand-held mode Prefocused: 0.053s Tripod mode Contrast-detect AF: 2.5s Tripod mode Prefocused: 0.419s
Startup Time:   0.3 seconds
Play -> Record Time:   0.3 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power:   1.7 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):    
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 250 shots 950 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary BP-21 Proprietary EN-EL3e, optional MB-D10 battery pack
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium Ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary BP-21 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary EN-EL3e Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: Sigma Photo Pro 4.0 PictureProject CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS Windows, Mac OS X
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: 14MP Foveon X3 Sensor, True II Processor. Upgrade to D300 adding 720p HD movies, faster burst rate, and other minor improvements.