Nikon D300S

	Color Summary
• Solid color accuracy results • Blues, reds and greens exceptionally accurate • Hue shifts in yellows • Only 4 Picture Controls included in default setup • Mediocre color accuracy and image noise performance in long exposure shooting
	Product Tour	Page 3 of 21	Noise

Color Accuracy (14.98)

The D300S performed very well in our color accuracy testing. We shoot the X-Rite ColorChecker chart under bright studio lighting with each of the camera's preset color modes, analyze the test photos using Imatest software and score based on the mode that comes closest to reproducing the known chart colors precisely. In this case, that was the neutral Picture Control Style, which delivered spot-on saturation (barely a hair over 100%), and exceptionally accurate blues, reds and greens. Only the yellow values were significantly off the mark. Click here for more on how we test color.

The chart below shows actual-size crops from test photos taken with the D300S and several other interchangeable-lens cameras we've chosen for comparison purposes, each in its most accurate color mode.

	Camera Color Comparisons
	Ideal	Nikon D300S	Canon 7D	Nikon D5000	Panasonic GH1	Sony A550
Dark Skin
Light Skin
Blue Sky
	Ideal	Nikon D300S	Canon 7D	Nikon D5000	Panasonic GH1	Sony A550
Foliage
Blue Flower
Bluish Green
	Ideal	Nikon D300S	Canon 7D	Nikon D5000	Panasonic GH1	Sony A550
Orange
Purplish Blue
Moderate Red
	Ideal	Nikon D300S	Canon 7D	Nikon D5000	Panasonic GH1	Sony A550
Purple
Yellow Green
Orange Yellow
	Ideal	Nikon D300S	Canon 7D	Nikon D5000	Panasonic GH1	Sony A550
Blue
Green
Red
	Ideal	Nikon D300S	Canon 7D	Nikon D5000	Panasonic GH1	Sony A550
Yellow
Magenta
Cyan

NOTE: Because of the way computer monitors reproduce colors, the images above do not exactly match the originals found on the chart or in the captured images. The chart should be used to judge the relative color shift, not the absolute captured colors.

As seen in the graph below, where longer bars indicate higher scores (and more accurate results), the D300S outperformed all but its brand mate D5000 in this test.

Color Score Comparison

Color Modes (3.00)

The D300S uses the tried-and-true Nikon Picture Control System to manage color reproduction settings. which includes adjustments for sharpening, contrast and brightness along with saturation and hue. Unlike many Nikons, the D300S comes with only four presets, one of which is monochrome. Fortunately, Picture Controls are highly customizable by the user, either in the camera or using computer software, and additional options can also be downloaded and installed easily.

In our testing, we found the standard mode pumped up saturation about 10% over the ideal and shifted blue and red values noticeably, while maintaining roughly the same skin tones and other color hues as neutral. Vivid pumps the saturation up to 134% and produces distinctly more vibrant red, magenta and blue, as you'd expect from a mode called vivid.

The chart below includes same-size crops taken from our D300S test shooting in each color mode.

	Color Mode Comparisons
	Ideal	Neutral	Standard	Vivid
Dark Skin
Light Skin
Blue Sky
	Ideal	Neutral	Standard	Vivid
Foliage
Blue Flower
Bluish Green
	Ideal	Neutral	Standard	Vivid
Orange
Purplish Blue
Moderate Red
	Ideal	Neutral	Standard	Vivid
Purple
Yellow Green
Orange Yellow
	Ideal	Neutral	Standard	Vivid
Blue
Green
Red
	Ideal	Neutral	Standard	Vivid
Yellow
Magenta
Cyan

NOTE: Because of the way computer monitors reproduce colors, the images above do not exactly match the originals found on the chart or in the captured images. The chart should be used to judge the relative color shift, not the absolute captured colors.

Long Exposure (8.72)

Our long exposure testing didn't reveal major flaws in the D300S performance, but it didn't match the results we found shooting with the Canon 7D or the Nikon D5000 in either color accuracy or image noise at slower shutter speeds. We shoot the ColorChecker chart at a low 20 lux illumination level, with long exposure noise reduction turned off and on, at a range of speeds from 1 second to 30 seconds. For the D300S, long exposure noise reduction kicks in for shutter speeds slower than 8 seconds. Click here for more on how we test long exposure.

Color values don't change significantly as shutter speeds increase, which is an important consideration.

Nikon D300S Long Exposure Color Error

Unlike many cameras we test, long exposure noise reduction does have a significant impact when shooting with the D300S.Overall, though, we found higher image noise at slow shutter speeds than for most of our comparison cameras, which maintained image noise below 1%.

Nikon D300S Long Exposure Noise

The long exposure score for the D300S is acceptable but not impressive when compared to other SLRs, including the less expensive D5000.

Long Exposure Score Comparison