Along with the announcement of a new entry level DSLR, Nikon have announced an update of their hugely popular D300 camera. The D300s brings high definition video, a faster frame rate and dual memory card slots to the already impressive spec list. Featuring a class leading dust and moisture prevention and a magnesium alloy body, the D300s sports a 12.3 megapixel DX sensor with a 51 point AF system, EXPEED processor, and 200-3200 ISO (expandable to 100-6400). The rear screen is a 3in 920k dot LCD and the viewfinder offers 100% coverage with a .94x magnification. The movie function offers 720P high definition recording up to 5mins and features both an internal mono microphone and a 3.5mm jack input. The dual card slots allow both Compact flash and SD cards to be used with priority selection available to use the two card simultaneously for different file types. The Live view and info buttons both now have dedicated function buttons, while a quiet shooting mode is also available for a reduced shutter noise. The D300s with be available from 28^thAugust 2009, priced £1499.99 body only. For more details visit the Nikon website.

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Nikon Digital SLR Camera D300S Specifications

• Type Single-lens reflex digital camera
  
• Lens mount Nikon F mount (with AF coupling and AF contacts)
• Effective picture angle Approx. 1.5 x conversion factor (Nikon DX format)
• Effective pixels  12.3million
• Image sensor  23.6x 15.8 mm CMOS sensor
• Total pixels13.1million
• Dust-reduction system  Image Sensor Cleaning,Image Dust Off reference data
• Image size (pixels)  4,288 x 2,848 [L], 3,216 x 2,136 [M], 2,144 x 1,424 [S]
• File format   NEF (RAW),    TIFF (RGB),   JPEG, NEF (RAW) + JPEG
• Picture Control System  Can be selected from Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome; storage for up to nine custom Picture Controls
• Storage media  Type I CompactFlash memory cards (UDMA compliant); SD memory cards, SDHC compliant
• Dual card slots  Either card can be used as the primary card; secondary card can be used for overflow or backup storage,or for separate storage of NEF (RAW) and JPEG images; images can be copied between cards
• Viewfinder  Eye-level pentaprism single-lens reflex viewfinder, 100% coverage, 0.94x magnification
• Shutter type  Electronically-controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter
• Shutter speed  1/8,000 to 30 s in steps of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV, bulb, X250
• Flash sync speed   X = 1/250 s; synchronizes with shutter at 1/320 s or slower (flash range drops at speeds between 1/250 and 1/320 s)
• Frame advance rate Approx. 1 to 7 fps (CL), approx. 7 fps (CH);With optional Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D10 and Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL4a: Approx. 1 to 7 (CL) fps, approx. 8 fps (CH)*
• Self-timer   Can be selected from 2, 5, 10 and 20 s duration
• Exposure metering   TTL exposure metering using 1,005-pixel RGB sensor
• Exposure method  Matrix: 3D color matrix metering II, Centre-weighted, Spot
• Exposure compensation   -5 to +5 EV in increments of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV
• ISO sensitivity ISO 200 to 3200 in steps of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV; expandable to 100-6400
• Active D-Lighting  Can be selected from auto, extra high, high, normal, low or off,
• Autofocus Nikon Multi-CAM 3500DX autofocus sensor module with TTL phase detection, fine-tuning, 51 focus points (including 15 cross-type sensors) and AF-assist illuminator
• Lens servo  Autofocus: Single-servo AF (S); continuous-servo AF (C); predictive focus tracking automatically activated according to subject status, Manual (M): Electronic rangefinder supported
• Focus point  Can be selected from 51 or 11 focus points
• AF-area modes  Single-point AF, dynamic-area AF, auto-area AF
• Built-in flash  Manual pop-up with button release; Guide number of 17/56 (m/ft., ISO 200, 20 °C/68 °F) or 12/39 (m/ft., ISO 100 equivalent, 20 °C/68 °F)
• Live View modes  Tripod, Hand-held
• Live View autofocus   • Tripod: Contrast-detect AF anywhere in frame,  Hand-held: TTL phase-detection AF with 51 focus points (including 15 cross-type sensors)
• Movie frame size (pixels)1,280 x 720/24 fps, 640 x 424/24 fps, 320 x 216/24 fps
• Movie file format  AVI
• Movie compression format  Motion-JPEG
• Movie autofocus Contrast-detect AF on a desired point within a frame is possible (Tripod mode)
• Movie audio  Sound can be recorded via built-in (monaural) or optional external (stereo/monaural) microphone; sensitivity can be adjusted
• Movie maximum length  5 min (1,280 x 720 pixels), 20 min (640 x 424, 320 x 216 pixels)
• LCD monitor  3-in.,approx. 920k-dot (VGA), low-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD with 170° viewing angle, approx. 100% frame coverage, and brightness adjustment
• Battery  One Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3e
• Dimensions (W x H x D)  Approx. 147 x 114 x 74 mm/5.8 x 4.5 x 2.9 in.
• Weight   Approx.840g