• APS-C 372.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • APS-C 372.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Detailed specifications
  • Nikon D300
  • Nikon D90
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Nikon D90 webpage
Predecessor: Nikon D200
D200 vs D300
Nikon D80
D80 vs D90
Successor: Nikon D300S
D300 vs D300S
Nikon D7000
D90 vs D7000
General
Model Number: D300 D90
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Pro SLR SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $1799.95 $1299.95
Street Price:    
Date Available: 2007-11-15 2008-09-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 29.1 oz (825 g) 40.0 oz (1,133 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 5.8 x 4.5 x 2.9 in.
(147 x 114 x 74 mm)
5.2 x 4.1 x 3.0 in.
(132 x 103 x 77 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:    
Effective Megapixels: 12.3 12.3
Sensor Format: APS-C APS-C
Sensor size: 372.88mm2 (23.60mm x 15.80mm) 372.88mm2 (23.60mm x 15.80mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.50 microns 5.50 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 67 73
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 22.1 22.7
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.0 12.5
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 679 977
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)
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), NEF (RAW), 12 or 14-bit JPEG (EXIF 2.21), NEF (RAW), 12-bit; RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 6.1 4.5
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: Yes Yes
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Nikon F Nikon F
Lens: n/a Nikkor AF-S 18-105mm f/3.5 -5.6G ED VR
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):   27 - 158mm
Focal Length (actual):   18 - 105mm
Zoom Ratio:   5.80x
Aperture Range:   f/3.5 -22 (W), f/5.6 -38 (T)
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:   45 cm to Infinity
17.7 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: n/a 67.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No Yes
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 11 point TTL phase detection with 3D focus tracking by Nikon Multi-CAM 1000
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
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; fixed eye-level pentaprism, 96% 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): 0.63x 0.63x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.94x 0.94x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots 921,600 dots (307,200 px)
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 3200
Minimum ISO (native): 200 200
ISO Settings: 200-3200, Lo-1=100, Hi-1=6400 Auto, ISO 200-3200, Lo-1=100, Hi-1=6400
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, 7 manual modes with fine tuning, color temperature Auto, 7 manual modes with fine tuning, color temperature
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/4000 - 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 3D Color Matrix Metering II (420-pixel RGB), Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes:   Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Sports, Night Portrait
Self Timer: 2 to 20 seconds 2 to 20 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer): Yes  
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
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 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): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. 12.0 m / 39.4 ft.
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent Lens dependent
Max Flash Sync: 1/250 1/200
Flash Exposure Compensation: -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe, Sync Terminal Hot Shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:   Full TTL exposure
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 / CF2 / Microdrive SD / SDHC
UHS Support:   No UHS support
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: NEF (RAW), 12 or 14-bit NEF (RAW), 12-bit; RAW+JPEG
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
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
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 Optional wired or wireless
Connections (extended): HDMI Out, DC In, PC Sync, 10-pin Expansion Terminal HDMI Out, DC In, 10-pin Accessory Port
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.39 0.36
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.39 0.35
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): Unlimited 13
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):   0.32
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 6.1 4.5
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 37 Unlimited
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   4.1
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   10
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   4.2
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):   7
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.23 seconds 0.21 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):   2.29 seconds
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):   0.519 seconds
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.054 seconds 0.067 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.28 seconds 0.25 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.057 seconds 0.067 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):   Live View: Full autofocus: 2.294s Prefocused: 0.519s
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 2.2 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):    
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 1000 shots 850 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary EN-EL3e, optional MB-D10 battery pack Proprietary EN-EL3e, optional MB-D80 battery pack
Usable Battery Types: Lithium Ion rechargeable Lithium Ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary EN-EL3e 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 Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No No
Software
Included Software: PictureProject CD-ROM PictureProject CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows Windows, Mac OS
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Live View with Face Detection, Dust Reduction, HDMI Output, Scene Recognition System, Active D-Lighting, Picture Control, Extensive In-camera Editing, GPS support.