larryepage Loc: North Texas area

A couple of months ago, there was a question around the maximum memory card capacities that could be used in Nikon D300 and D300s cameras. The discussion was left open, as I recall, and in particular, I did a test in my own cameras that led me to publish an incorrect response, because my test methodology was wrong. I finally have had time to go back and do a correct test of what memory cards will work in each of those cameras. Since I cannot locate that discussion, here are my results.

Both cameras tested have the latest firmware installed. This is important, since at least one of the firmware updates specifically enabled the use of larger memory cards. Also...I know that there has been a lot of discussion here around using memory cards that are "too large." My own position has changed to favor use of cards of moderate capacity rather than spectacularly large ones. But options can sometimes be good to have. So here goes:

D300

My D300 will recognize and fully utilize 32 GB CF cards. A 64 GB card will format and is usable, but only 32 GB of storage is accessible. Larger cards (128 GB tested) are not recognized by the camera at all.

D300s

My D300s will recognize and fully utilize 128 GB and 256 GB SD cards. It will recognize and use a 128 GB CF card. I do not have a 256 GB CF card to test.

Please note that these results are applicable ONLY with the latest firmware versions. I no longer remember which revision(s) impacted memory compatibility. Note also that it is very possible that there may have been incremental hardware changes during production of either or both models that would also have had an effect on memory limits. I don't recall reading any details around that and cannot make any comment on whether it occurred at all, when it occurred, or what the effect might have been. That means it is possible that any specific example of one of these camera models might show different results...in either direction.

I offer this information because it is clear from reading posts here that there are a good many D300 and D300s cameras still in daily service. It is also the case that the smallest memory cards (8 GB and smaller) are getting harder to find in some markets. Hopefully this will be helpful to some.

n46130

I have been using a 32 GB for a long time with no problems.