• APS-C 372.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 14.8 megapixels
  • 28.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Nikon D300S
  • Sigma DP1 Merrill
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: D300S DP1 Merrill
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Pro SLR Mid-Sized
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $1799.95 $799.00
Street Price: $1,505.95 $849.00
Date Available: 2009-08-31 2012-09-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 33.5 oz (951 g)
includes batteries
13.8 oz (391 g)
includes batteries
Size: 5.8 x 4.5 x 2.9 in.
(147 x 114 x 74 mm)
4.8 x 2.6 x 2.5 in.
(122 x 67 x 64 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony Foveon X3
Effective Megapixels: 12.3 14.8
Sensor Format: APS-C APS-C
Sensor size: 372.88mm2 (23.60mm x 15.80mm) 368.95mm2 (23.50mm x 15.70mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.50 microns 5.00 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x n/a
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG Full Color
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Not needed
Self-Cleaning: Yes No
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: 4288 x 2848 (12.2 MP, Other),
3216 x 2136 (6.9 MP, Other),
2144 x 1424 (3.1 MP, Other)
4704 x 3136 (14.8 MP, 3:2),
3264 x 2176 (7.1 MP, 3:2),
2336 x 1568 (3.7 MP, Other)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.21), NEF (RAW), 12 or 14 bit, lossless compressed, compressed, or uncompressed; RAW+JPEG, TIFF JPEG, 12-bit RAW (.X3F), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 7.1 3.8
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1280x720 (24)
640x424 (24)
320x216 (24)
640x480 (30)
Movie File Format: AVI Motion JPEG AVI (Motion JPEG) with monaural sound
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: Yes
HD Video Out: Yes No
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Nikon F n/a
Lens: n/a Sigma Lens; 9 elements in 8 groups
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):   28mm
Focal Length (actual):   19mm
Zoom Ratio:   1.00x
Aperture Range:   f/2.8 - f/16, with 9-bladed diaphragm
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:   100 cm to Infinity
39.4 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:   20 cm to Infinity
7.9 in to Infinity
Filter Thread: n/a 49.0mm
Thread Type: n/a 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: 51 point (15 cross-type sensors) TTL phase detection with 3D focus tracking by Nikon Multi-CAM 3500DX Contrast Detection: 9 points select mode, Free move mode; possible to change size of focus frame (Spot, Regular, Large)
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes No
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD No / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type: eye-level pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.94x mag., 19.5mm eyepoint, -2 to +1 diopter Optional add-on optical type VF-11.
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.63x  
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.94x  
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes No
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 10.0x
Top Deck Display: Yes No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 3200 6400
Minimum ISO (native): 200 100
ISO Settings: Auto, ISO 200-3200, Lo-1=100, Hi-1=6400 Auto (with programmable low and high limits), 100-6400 in 1 or 1/3 EV steps
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, 7 manual modes with fine tuning, color temperature Auto, Sunlight, Shade, Overcast, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/2000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 3D Color Matrix Metering II, Center-weighted, Spot Evaluative, center-weighted average, spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: N/A No scene modes or effects. Note that maximum shutter speed varies with aperture. Top shutter speeds are 1/2000s at f/5.6-f/16, 1/1600s at f/4.0-f/16 and 1/1250s at f/2.8-f/16.
Self Timer: 2 to 20 seconds 2 or 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer): Yes 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 Normal, Redeye, Slow Sync., Redeye + Slow Sync (with compatible external flash unit)
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  
Flash Exposure Compensation: -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0 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 / SD / SDHC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   No UHS support
Other Memory: Dual slots, CF+SD  
Dual Card Slots: Yes No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: NEF (RAW), 12 or 14 bit, lossless compressed, compressed, or uncompressed; RAW+JPEG, TIFF 12-bit RAW (.X3F), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: AVI Motion JPEG AVI (Motion JPEG) with monaural sound
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: Yes No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes No
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes No
Remote Control Type: Optional wired  
Connections (extended): Type-C HDMI Out, DC In, PC Sync, 10-pin Remote Terminal Combined USB/AV
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.48 1.68
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.48 1.84
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): Unlimited 9
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): 0.47 1.88
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No Yes
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 7.1 3.8
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 26 7
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 7.1 3.8
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): 17 7
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 7.1 3.8
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): 15 7
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.23 seconds 0.49 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 0.081 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.27 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.053 seconds 0.043 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 Full AF lag, Speed Priority AF mode = 0.424s
Startup Time: 0.3 seconds 2.9 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.3 seconds 0.8 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 1.7 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   97 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 950 shots  
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary EN-EL3e, optional MB-D10 battery pack Proprietary BP-41
Usable Battery Types: Lithium Ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary EN-EL3e Lithium-ion rechargeable 2 x Proprietary BP-41 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 SIGMA Photo Pro
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS X Windows, Mac OS
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Upgrade to D300 adding 720p HD movies, faster burst rate, and other minor improvements. Update of DP1x with same 14.8MP x 3 Foveon X3 Full Color sensor used in the SD1, 3-inch 920K-dot LCD, and dual TRUE II processors.