A Great Value in DSLR Technology: Nikon D300

August 27th, 2007 | Digital Cameras

The Nikon D300 shares many of its new features with the Nikon D3 digital SLR, including:

• 12.3-megapixel DX-Format CMOS image sensor combined with Nikon’s latest digital image processing system
• 3-in., 920,000-point color LCD monitor with 170-degree angle of view and tempered glass protective screen
• High-speed, continuous shooting up to 6 frames per second (up to 8 {fps|frames per second|frames/second} with the optional MB-D10 Multi-power Grip/Battery Pack
• 51-point AF system with 3D Focus Tracking and 3 Dynamic AutoFocus modes that delivers accurate, rapid autofocus
• Nikon’s unique Scene Recognition System (SRS) gives even smarter auto exposure capabilities than earlier Nikon models, as well as more intelligent auto white balance detection
• Nikon’s dynamic, integrated Dust Reduction System with self-cleaning ultrasonic sensor
• New, advanced picture control settings with 4 preset options (Standard, Vivid, Neutral and Monochrome) along with 9 customizable settings
• Built from magnesium alloy, breakthrough dust and moisture protection and a durable shutter mechanism (tested to 150,000 cycles) give the Nikon D300 stamina when taking nature or real-world pictures
• The Nikon D300 is scheduled to ship in November 2007

After months of speculating about a new DSLR from Nikon, the Nikon D300 was officially announced on August 23, 2007. This digital camera – slated for professional photographers and serious amateurs – contains a 12.3MP DX-format CMOS sensor. It can capture up to 100 continuous shots at 6 {FPS|fps|frames/second|frames per second} (or 8 FPS with the optional grip & battery pack). It also includes an ultra hi-res, 3-inch LCD monitor with over 900,000 points. The new {View Mode|View Mode} allows a photographer to compose photos through the LCD.
The cost of the Nikon D300 digital camera will be around $1,799.95 and it will be shipping in November 2007.
Although the Nikon D300 digital camera doesn’t contain any pioneering new technology, the D300 is a strong progression from the Nikon D200. The Nikon D300 does a little more than the D200, but it also costs a little more.
The D300 introduces no incompatibilities, so the lenses, flashes and other accessories that you’re using currently with the other Nikon digital SLRs will work fine with the D300. Every Nikon autofocus lens manufactured since 1985 works great, including the most recent DX lenses.
The Nikon D300 digital camera is also completely compatible with the old manual-focus AI film lenses. It works with everything you already own; nothing additional is made obsolete by the Nikon D300 digital camera.

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Digital Camcorders - What to Look For When Buying

August 16th, 2007 | Digital Cameras

Digital cameras truly make shooting and editing video easy and efficient, and with a digital camcorder you are able to create movies and then output them to tape or to a DVD, and you can even post them on the Internet. Before you purchase any sort of digital camcorder however, you should make sure that you understand at least a few of the basics so that you can feel assured that you will be getting the best quality as well as the best worth for your money.

Things to Remember When Shopping for a Digital Camcorder

There are certain key features on a digital camcorder that you should pay attention to, in order to make sure that they are what you want. For instance, the screen on a digital camcorder is one of the most relevant and significant factors of the entire device. After all, having a large screen built into the camcorder will let you more easily see exactly what you are recording and also facilitates playback previews.

The lens is another incredibly important part of any camcorder, and most modern camcorders have at least a 10x optical zoom, which should of course be more than adequate for common purposes. Remember that at higher zoom levels, the quality is so poor that you often cannot even see what was recorded.

Image stabilization is also incredibly important, and all digital camcorders offer one of two types of image stabilization: optical or electronic. With the optical choice, the camcorder’s lens mechanism moves to compensate for external movement, and with the electronic option, the image that is captured by the lens seems to float on the CCD, and the camcorder then uses that of internal circuitry to interpret the video after the image has been captured.

Then there is also the issue of sound, which involves that of microphones on the camcorder. Sound is almost as important to a video as the images, and so it is incredibly important to find a camcorder that is equipped with satisfactory sound properties. Some camcorders offer zoom microphones that enhance the subject’s voice, and then some also come with a socket for plugging in an external microphone.

There is also the ability of night mode. Many camcorders today have the ability to film at night, whether with the help of an infrared or a special slow-shutter mode that makes the most of ambient lighting, and then some of the available models offer both selections.

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Nikon Digital SLR’s School on DVD

August 6th, 2007 | Digital Cameras, Nikon

Nikon USA has recently released two educational DVDs that teach how to take great photographs with Nikon SLR digital cameras.

The Nikon school DVD, "Fast, Fun & Easy: Great Digital Pictures" is primarily a digital photography primer. It takes the student on a full day of digital picture taking, and instructs how to use digital cameras in various situations, image transfers, and printing photos.

The Nikon school DVD, entitled "Understanding Digital Photography - Release Your Digital SLR’s Potential" is helps the student harness the power of Nikon’s cameras by taking him/her beyond the basic features. The DVD, which lasts approximately 45 minutes, shows the viewer the advanced features of Nikon cameras, and also provides lessons on photographic techniques. Bob Krist, an award-winning National Geographic travel photographer, narrates the DVDs and shares his own experience for taking outstanding action photos or when composing portraits. He also teaches on the basics of proper exposure and taking great photos in low light. With an informal and easy to understand teaching style, he makes it both simple and enjoyable to explore advanced techniques and features of Nikon cameras.

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