Nikon D300 Complete Manual page 83

V1.02
Canon was first to name their imaging system. They use the
DIGIC name specifically for the imaging ASIC chip that does
most of the heavy data lifting (demosaicing, applying camera
settings, figuring out white balance, etc.). Sony named their
imaging ASIC Bionz.
While Nikon has always had an imaging ASIC in their DSLRs,
the marketing department didn't get around to naming it until
the D300. And instead of naming just the imaging ASIC, they
decided to give the whole system a name instead. The name
Nikon choose was EXPEED. It even has a fancy logo:
Unfortunately, Nikon hasn't done much more than throw out
some vague press releases on what EXPEED is or what it does.
Essentially, EXPEED is just the name given to represent
essentially all of Nikon's digital knowledge and algorithms
that are applied in the camera's electronics. You'll note that
Nikon has already applied the EXPEED nomenclature to
Coolpix models as well as DSLRs.
Inside the D300, sitting just behind the sensor and just in front
of the color LCD, there's a PC board dedicated to the digital
process. Curiously, somewhat contrary to Nikon's marketing,
there's only one chip on that board labeled EXPEED (the
36
largest chip outlined in white in the photo below ), and that's
the imaging ASIC.
36 You may notice that this board looks a little poor. That's because it came from a
D300 that was submerged in the ocean, and is now suffering a bit of corrosion from
the salt water. This board has 12 (!) connectors on it, plus the backside has the clock
battery
Thom Hogan's Complete Guide to the Nikon D300 Page 83