Nikon D300 Complete Manual page 45

V1.02
the mount to support electronic exposure calculations,
autofocus, and vibration reduction, the physical attributes
have remained virtually unchanged. This allows D300 owners
to use virtually any manual focus or autofocus lens Nikon has
made (for a list of the very few that can't be used, see "Lens
Compatibility" on page <367>).
Another carryover: the D300 body can matrix meter with
older, non-CPU manual focus Nikkor lenses; note that you
have to manually set maximum aperture and focal length in
order to allow matrix metering on a D300 (see "Lenses and
Focusing," on page <360>).
The D300 features the "button and command dial" interface
for most major controls that was first seen on the N8008 and
F-801 in 1988. The D300 uses a new version of the exposure
system first found on the F5 and D1 series and refined in the
D2 series. This new exposure system is shared with the D3
and recognizes both scenes and subjects (it is also connected
to the autofocus system). Speaking of the autofocus system
and sharing with the D3: the D300 includes the state-of-the-
art CAM3500DX focusing module and all the new focusing
capabilities that go with it.
The D300 has the same viewfinder design as the D200.
However, Nikon has found a way to make it show an
accurate 100% view. Previously, all consumer cameras and
cameras made in the Thailand plant where the D300 is made
have had a "near 100%" mask that could vary slightly from
camera to camera. Apparently Nikon has found a way to get
near perfect alignment in their consumer camera factory.
You'll appreciate that if you're a tight cropper.
Thom Hogan's Complete Guide to the Nikon D300 Page 45