The Nikon D300 will apparently get a new lease on life this Thursday, the 30th of July, 2009. The rumor sites have been reporting for some time that both a Nikon D300s and a Nikon D3000 will be announced at major Nikon Events in Europe (and one supposes at other locations around the world.

This is of course great news for all of us Nikon D300 users who have been beginning to feel like dinosaurs whenever we see someone using a Nikon D700 (or even a Nikon D90). Since the only apparent “major” improvements on the Nikon D300s seem to be the addition of HD video and a second SD memory card slot, it means that we are still very much using a “current” camera model.

Another bonus is that we (Nikon D300 users) now know what our “second” camera will be, it will obviously be our current Nikon D300 and our new main camera will become the Nikon D300s. This solves our DX lens problem for the time being and it allows us to participate in the newest generation of cameras, without having to take a step-down to the D90 (or the now infamous D5000).

Here are the main features:Nikon D300

* All-new 12.3 effective megapixel Nikon DX-format CMOS image sensor with integrated A/D converter and the increased bit precision of selectable 14-bit NEF (RAW) output
* Incorporates Nikon’s original EXPEED digital image processing concept
* Nikon’s original Scene Recognition System greatly improves autofocus, auto exposure and auto white balance performance
* New 51-point autofocus system features 15 cross-type sensors that maximize the potential of lenses with apertures as small as f/5.6
* Viewfinder with approx.100% frame coverage and large approx.0.94 magnification (50mm f/1.4 lens at infinity, –1.0 m-1)
* Rapid 8 fps*1 or 6 fps*2 continuous shooting for up to 100 shots*3*4
* New Picture Control System for image finishing optimized to match individual preferences
* Quick response of 0.13 sec. power-up and 0.045 sec. shutter release time lag*5
* Nikon D300Two liveview modes enable shooting while confirming subjects in the LCD monitor
* Magnesium alloy body for light weight and rugged durability
* 3-inch LCD with 920,000-dot (VGA) resolution and a 170° ultra-wide viewing angle
* Active D-Lighting optimizes tone reproduction in both shadows and highlights
* Shutter speeds ranging from 1/8,000 to 30 s for full creative control
* Optional Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D10 extends shooting capability, enhances stability, and provides the further shooting potential of added controls
* Built-in Speedlight with i-TTL flash control and full support for Nikon’s Creative Lighting System
* Support for the Wireless Transmitter WT-4 (optional) enables direct cable-free image transfer to a compatible computer
* Includes Nikon’s Software Suite software for easy control over image adjustment and management
* Supported by Nikon Capture NX software (optional), to explore the extensive potential of NEF (Nikon Electronic Format)

*1 When using AC Adapter EH-5a/EH-5 or Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D10 with batteries other than Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3e
*2 When using Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3e
*3 NORMAL – LARGE image setting, using a SanDisk Extreme IV CompactFlash 1 GB card
*? When shooting in Continuous-servo AF (C), Shutter-Priority Auto [S] or Manual [M] exposure modes, at a shutter speed of 1/250 s or faster with other settings at default
*5 When shooting in JPEG, TIFF or 12-bit NEF (RAW) formats