Nikon D300s

The Nikon D300s is an APS-C DSLR from 2009 that uses the Nikon F DX mount. Weighing 938 g, it is a substantial camera.

It fits photographers whose priority is stills. The optical pentaprism viewfinder and burst shooting at up to 7 fps favour action and general photography, while video capability is limited.

Owning one is a fairly traditional experience. With no WiFi or Bluetooth, images leave the camera on its SD/SDHC or CompactFlash cards, and the EN-EL3e battery is rated at 950 shots per charge.

The APS-C CMOS sensor works with Nikon's Expeed processor, producing 12.3 megapixel files. Heavy cropping costs image size at this resolution, so it pays to frame tightly.

For bursts, the camera fires at up to 7 frames per second and offers a top shutter speed of 1/8000 second. The 51-point autofocus system provides many focus point positions to choose from.

ISO runs from 100 to 6400. There is no in-body stabilisation, so in low light camera shake has to be managed with a steady grip, a support, a faster shutter speed or a stabilised lens.

The optical pentaprism viewfinder gives a direct view of the scene. Even so, the Optics score is a modest 50 out of 100, and the camera sits in the lower range of cameras in our database for Optics.

Video is supported, but the ceiling is low. Maximum video resolution is Standard HD, and the maximum frame rate is 24 frames per second. Those figures suit casual clips and documentation but limit more ambitious work, and the Video score of 49 out of 100 reflects that.

Alongside ordinary clips, a built-in timelapse function adds a creative option. Timelapse lets the camera record a scene that changes gradually over time, producing a compressed playback sequence.

Clips record in MPEG4 or AVI formats. If video is a main reason to buy, this camera is unlikely to satisfy, and anyone wanting higher resolution or faster frame rates will need to look elsewhere. As an occasional extra, the basics are covered.

The rear screen is a 3-inch LCD with 920,000 dots. It is fixed in place with no touch input, so settings change through the buttons and dials, and shooting from odd angles takes some improvisation.

Weather sealing protects the body against dust and moisture during outdoor use. Both a built-in flash and support for external flash units are present, giving light options from simple fill to bigger setups.

There is no GPS, and no wireless connectivity of any kind. The Features score of 54 out of 100 is modest, with touch input and Bluetooth absent while weather sealing, live view and the screen specifications help.

Two card slots sit inside the camera, accepting SD/SDHC and CompactFlash media. That gives a choice of two card types and doubles the storage you can carry, which is reassuring on long events.

Power comes from an EN-EL3e battery rated at 950 shots per charge. The battery rating and the dual card slots are the main reasons the Storage and Battery score of 76 out of 100 is good.

There is no USB charging, so topping the battery up over a cable is not an option. That is the main specification gap here, and it does little to dent an otherwise good storage and battery package.