Nikon Debuts D3000, D300S DSLR Cameras

Nikon's new D300S DLSR can handle 720p video at 24 fps, while the new D3000 offers a way for point-and-shoot photographers to graduate to DSLRs.

Camera maker Nikon has unveiled two new DSLR digital cameras, the professional-oriented D300S and the new consumer-focused D3000, which aimed to let amateur and serious photographers graduate from the world of point-and-shoot cameras and move up to DSLR picture-taking.

On the consumer-friendly front, the D3000 offers a 10.2 megapixel resolution along with a 3-inch LCD and a new Guide mode that offers step-by-step instructions for photographers trying to pick out settings for a particular shot. The D300 also features a Creative mode—for folks who like to apply their filters and processing right on the camera—which includes a miniature mode that blurs out parts of an image to take on the look of photographing teeny miniatures. The D300 also boasts a 11-point autofocus, ISO sensitivity down to 1,600, an automatic dust reduction system, and the ability to shoot three continuous full-resolution frames per second to capture action shots. The D3000 will be available next month priced at $600 with an AF-S Nikkor 18–55mm ƒ/3.5-5.6 VR lens.

Moving up to Nikon’s professional line, the D300S is a follow-on to last year’s D300 and sports a 12.3 megapixel resolution, 3-inch LCD display, and the ability to shoot 720p high-definition video at 24 frames per second with contrast-detection autofocus. The D300S also sports in-camera video editing, so photographers can quickly trim video up to discard material they know they won’t need, freeing up storage without having to hook up to a PC or swap media. The D300S also sports both CF and SD slots, which can be used simultaneously and have different media assigned to them: for instance, one card could be just for video, or one could hold RAW images and the other JPEGs. The D300S sports a 51-point autofocus, a quieter shutter than its predecessor, and offers 7ps continuous shooting for capturing action shots. The D300s will be available in August for $1,800 as a body-only kit.