• APS-C 372.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.5 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Detailed specifications
  • Nikon D300
  • Nikon D3X
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Nikon D200
D200 vs D300
Nikon D2Xs
D2Xs vs D3X
Successor: Nikon D300S
D300 vs D300S
 
General
Model Number: D300 D3X
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Pro SLR Pro SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $1799.95 $7999.95
Street Price:   $2,499.99
Date Available: 2007-11-15 2008-12-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 29.1 oz (825 g) 49.1 oz (1,392 g)
includes batteries
Size: 5.8 x 4.5 x 2.9 in.
(147 x 114 x 74 mm)
6.3 x 6.2 x 3.4 in.
(160 x 157 x 88 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:   Sony
Effective Megapixels: 12.3 24.5
Sensor Format: APS-C 35mm
Sensor size: 372.88mm2 (23.60mm x 15.80mm) 861.6mm2 (35.90mm x 24.00mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.50 microns 5.94 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x 1.0x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes No
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 67 88
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 22.1 24.7
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.0 13.7
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 679 1,992
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4288 x 2848 (12.2 MP, Other),
3216 x 2136 (6.9 MP, Other),
2144 x 1424 (3.1 MP, Other)
6048 x 4032 (24.4 MP, 3:2),
4544 x 3024 (13.7 MP, 3:2),
3024 x 2016 (6.1 MP, 3:2),
5056 x 4032 (20.4 MP, 5:4),
3792 x 3024 (11.5 MP, 5:4),
2528 x 2016 (5.1 MP, 5:4),
3968 x 2640 (10.5 MP, 3:2),
2976 x 1976 (5.9 MP, Other),
1984 x 1320 (2.6 MP, 3:2)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.21), NEF (RAW), 12 or 14-bit JPEG (EXIF 2.21), TIFF; RAW (NEF), 12- or 14-bit
Continuous-mode frames/second: 6.1 5.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: No No
Movie Resolution:
Movie File Format:    
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: Yes Yes
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Nikon F 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: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: No
Digital Zoom Values:   n/a
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 51 point (15 cross-type sensors) TTL phase detection with 3D focus tracking by Nikon Multi-CAM 3500DX 51-point TTL phase detection via Nikon Multi-CAM 3500FX with 15 cross-type and 36 line-type sensors
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes No
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentaprism, 100%, 0.94x, 19.5mm eyepoint, -2.0 to +1.0 diopter SLR type; eye-level pentaprism, interchangeable screen, 100%, 0.7x, 18mm eyepoint, -3.0 to +1.0
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.63x 0.70x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.94x 0.70x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots 922,000 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 27.0x 27.0x
Top Deck Display: Yes Yes
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 3200 1600
Minimum ISO (native): 200 100
ISO Settings: 200-3200, Lo-1=100, Hi-1=6400 100 - 1600, plus down to 50 in Lo-1, up to 6,400 in Hi-2
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, 7 manual modes with fine tuning, color temperature Auto, seven manual modes can be preset with fine-tuning; color temperature setting, custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/8000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 3D Color Matrix Metering II, Center-weighted, Spot 1005-pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering II, Center-weighted, Spot (1.5%) centered on selected focus area
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes:   None
Self Timer: 2 to 20 seconds 2/5/10/20 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer): Yes  
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes No
Flash Modes: Front-Curtain Sync, Red-Eye Reduction, Red-Eye Reduction with Slow Sync, Slow Sync, and Rear-Curtain Sync; supports Advanced Wireless Lighting system n/a
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. n/a
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent n/a
Max Flash Sync: 1/250 1/250
Flash Exposure Compensation: -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps  
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe, Sync Terminal ISO-type hot-shoe contact; safety lock provided; PC Sync terminal
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 / CF2 / Microdrive CF1 / CF2 / Microdrive
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No Yes
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: NEF (RAW), 12 or 14-bit TIFF; RAW (NEF), 12- or 14-bit
Movie File Format:    
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC:
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No Yes
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional wired Wired, 10-pin terminal or USB
Connections (extended): HDMI Out, DC In, PC Sync, 10-pin Expansion Terminal HDMI Out (Type-A), DC Input, 10-pin Expansion Terminal
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.39 <0.3
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.39 <0.3
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): Unlimited 31
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No Yes
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 6.1 5.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 37 31
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.23 seconds 0.16 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.054 seconds 0.050 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.28 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.057 seconds 0.045 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):   Live View Mode Full AF, Single-Area, Hand-Held Mode = 0.426s Full AF, Auto-Area, Hand-Held Mode = 0.606s Prefocused, Hand-Held Mode = 0.045s Prefocused, Tripod Mode = 0.418s
Startup Time: 0.3 seconds 0.3 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.1 seconds 0.3 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 3.2 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):    
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 1000 shots 4400 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary EN-EL3e, optional MB-D10 battery pack Proprietary EN-EL4a
Usable Battery Types: Lithium Ion rechargeable Lithium Ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary EN-EL3e Lithium Ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary EN-EL4a Lithium Ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No No
Software
Included Software: PictureProject CD-ROM Software Suite CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows Windows, Mac OS
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: 24.5MP version of the D3. 5fps full resolution burst speed, 7fps in DX crop mode at 10.5 megapixels.