I first saw the Nikon D300s last year. The ‘upgrade’ of the Nikon D300 – my dream camera – the D300s has proved to be slightly controversial. In essence the D300 was hailed as an extraordinary camera when it came out some three years ago. Despite the passing years many consider it still the top of its class in the semi-pro’ DSLR league. Therein, any ‘upgrades’ in the 300s model were scrutinised closely by the photography community.
Was it a necessary and worthy upgrade...?
From this scrutiny the general consensus seems to be that the original D300 was always going to be a tough cookie to better. Whilst the D300s does offer some fine improvements and indeed extra features it’s not wowed the community with as much pizzazz as the D300 original did...
Sharing essentially the same body, same sensor and indeed even the same 51 point auto-focus system (love it) it had a good start to life. It also has the same 3” VGA monitor at the back and the not to be sniffed at “Full Coverage” viewfinder.
A stocky, sturdy but certainly not uncomfortable body, sporting a 12MP capability, this camera certainly looks serious... and as I found out, it took a professional eye to spot the difference between the D300 and D300s when I had the camera in my hands.

I recall a while ago a friend of mine, a pro’ photographer, telling me that it had taken her 3 months to be genuinely comfortable with her D300. With this ringing in my ears, I unpacked my D300s and considered what I could possibly achieve in 5 days. With time cramped in around various work & social engagements, which without an appropriate camera case, the Nikon D300s wouldn’t be accompanying me. Although the Nikon D300s is dust and wind sealed, I had to return it without any scratches ;-)

I decided there and then that with the wealth of tech’ reviews (see below for list) available on the D300s, I would focus purely on the consumer perspective. I wanted to look at the camera from the idea of someone who is really keen on photography and has completely outgrown their compact camera and is considering moving up into the DSLR range.
How easy was it to pick up and use the D300s, right from the word go with absolutely no prior experience of a digital SLR – and what kind of shots could you get from such a “throw yourself in the deep end” start?
Was the D300s a serious contender in the enthusiast / semi-pro field ... ?

Therein, I looked at the near cigarette packet thick Instruction Book ... and left it unopened.

Attaching the excellent 18-85mm VR lens and checking that the battery was fully charged, I took off the lens cap and looked for something to photograph... or film.
One of the ‘extras’ on the D300s is a movie function, ‘High Definition’ capable with in-camera basic editing features and allowing you to plug in an external microphone to boot (bonus points for that consideration).
This video function has been a point of some serious contention across the months with many photographers poo-poo’ing the idea of video on a DSLR ... and going even further in their criticism of the quality of the video (720 / 24fps). It is perhaps important to note that each clip is a maximum of 5 minutes but, whilst some have complained about its basic JPEG format, it’s easy to view and edit via your computer!
As someone who is much more ‘still shot’ focused, I also was less-than-wowed by the video function but could very much see it had its place – if this camera was potentially for the serious enthusiast (think graduating University student etc).
One of the members of my team really liked the function whilst I just wanted to step back from being a film-maker and get on with the photography.
If you’d like to see the video function in play, here’s a sample I found on the web: http://vimeo.com/6510150

I also searched out a memory card and was delighted to find that the D300s takes both CF and SD and you can even choose to have your RAW images saved on one and your JPEGS on the other. If you’re worried, you can record to both cards at the same time, backing up effortlessly as you go. If this doesn’t seem like a biggie, know that potentially it is and it’s unheard of to find this in a camera below top end models ... until now.

It was time to turn the camera on and try to get to grips with the 51 point, highly customisable auto-focus system. The fun had begun!

Over the next 5 days with one cafe meeting, cooking dinner for friends, an amazing live butterfly exhibition at the Natural History Museum and a stroll through Trafalgar Square and Covent Garden, minus any referrals whatsoever to the instruction book, the Nikon D300s DSLR and I were fast becoming firm friends. Better yet, my photo-obsessed ego had some images to garner compliments from my social circle ;-)
There was no-doubt in my mind that the D300s deserved the acclaim it had received to date. From picking it up, turning it on and undertaking the most simple ‘factory setting’ point and shoot photography, to really starting to delve into the seemingly never-ending functions – and options within functions! – this camera was, for this keen photographer, akin to opening a new Christmas present every day.
I had initially been concerned about the weight, in the region of two pounds for just the body. Using it almost non-stop at the Butterfly exhibition, spinning on my heel as these magical little creatures fluttered by and leaving the settings on auto as I wielded the not small 18-85 VR lens around, I was entirely comfortable. The ‘7 frames per second’ was also highly satisfying, allowing me to capture wing patterns that no compact could – at least presently – come even close to. In fact, that frame capture speed remains impressive even in the DSLR world and can be boosted to 8fps with a battery pack.
Concerned at one point as I zoomed in on a butterfly resting, about the shutter noise, I switched the Nikon D300s over to Q or “Quiet Mode” and was able to get several shots without disturbing the delicate creature. I struck me that this function could potentially be useful for wildlife photographers and indeed those who photograph events in churches etc.
In the “Live View” mode, I couldn’t help but play around with the “Virtual Horizon”, a nifty little guide letting you know the angle of your camera – the line turning green when you’ve got the shot straight, if a straight shot’s what you’re after. I was also impressed with the focusing ability via Live View. I could change the focal point and zoom right in and check the shot prior to pressing the shutter.

As I mentioned at the beginning of the review, I decided not to focus on the technical capabilities of the camera but the sheer satisfaction of use for the consumer. I am in agreement with my pro-photographer friend that to understand and make the best of the D300s invites days and weeks of playing around. However if one is genuinely a keen enthusiast or indeed looking for one camera with which to learn DSLR photography and to then be able to go on to submit professional photographs, the D300s would not be a poor choice at all.
Many will be tempted to investigate the Canon but I’d offer that numbers aren’t everything – 18MP etc all sound good but I get the feeling that the Nikon D300s will handle just about everything you can think of throwing at it and return you some damn good pictures for your efforts.

I myself shall continue to pine for the D300 but that is simply because I have no interest in video footage. If you’d like that function to be wrapped into your semi-pro DSLR system, I am genuinely pleased to add my name to the recommendation that the Nikon D300s DLSR is a very good place to direct your interest. Flying out to Ibiza the following day, I was sad not to be taking the camera with me.

For further tech spec’s, please feel free to check these out:

Digital Photography Review – Nikon D300s

Digital Camera Review – Nikon D300s

RRP for the body is: £1499.99, with various lenses available.
Available at various online & high street retailers, including Amazon. See www.nikon.co.uk for full list of stockists.