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Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-1

Portability
55
Imaging
51
Features
59
Overall
54
Nikon D300 front
 
Pentax K-1 front
Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-1 Key Specs

Nikon D300
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Increase to 6400)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 925g - 147 x 114 x 74mm
  • Announced March 2008
  • Earlier Model is Nikon D200
  • Updated by Nikon D300S
Pentax K-1
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Released February 2016
  • Replacement is Pentax K-1 II
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Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-1 Overview

Here is a in depth overview of the Nikon D300 and Pentax K-1, both Advanced DSLR cameras by brands Nikon and Pentax. There is a large difference among the image resolutions of the D300 (12MP) and K-1 (36MP) and the D300 (APS-C) and K-1 (Full frame) enjoy totally different sensor size.

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The D300 was released 9 years prior to the K-1 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting straight into a thorough comparison, below is a brief view of how the D300 matches up versus the K-1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D300 over the Pentax K-1

 D300 K-1 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Nikon D300

 K-1 D300 
ReleasedFebruary 2016March 2008Fresher by 96 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimension3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k922kClearer screen (+115k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D300 and Pentax K-1

 D300 K-1 
Manually focus More precise focusing
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry your camera often, you'll need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Nikon D300 comes with external dimensions of 147mm x 114mm x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") with a weight of 925 grams (2.04 lbs) while the Pentax K-1 has measurements of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") having a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon D300 and Pentax K-1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you choose at that moment. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the D300 compared to the K-1.

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-1 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the D300 and K-1 is 55 and 55 respectively.

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very hard to envision the difference in sensor sizing only by checking out technical specs. The visual underneath will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the D300 and K-1.

As you have seen, each of the cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The D300 because of its smaller sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field trickier and the Pentax K-1 will show extra detail as a result of its extra 24MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The older D300 will be behind in sensor innovation.

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-1 sensor size comparison

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D300 Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-1 Portrait photography advice
60
you can focus manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
85
focusing manually
megapixel count fantastic (36 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
has face detection focus
saves RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Nikon D300 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-1 as a Street photography camera
56
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
70
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
great high ISO (204,800)
heavier than competition (1,010g)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D300 Sports photography details
Pentax K-1 Sports photography details
56
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
good sensor size (APS-C)
environment proof
good battery life (1,000 per charge)
has phase detect autofocus
max fps low (6.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count fantastic (36 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking autofocus
weather proof
sensor has phase detect auto focus
slow frames per second (4.4 frames/s)
terrible battery (760 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D300 Travel photography advice
Pentax K-1 Travel photography advice
56
good battery life (1,000 per charge)
environment proof
built-in flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
53
weather proof
megapixel count fantastic (36MP)
terrible battery (760 CIPA)
heavier than competition (1,010g)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D300
Landscape photography with Pentax K-1
64
you can focus manually
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
good battery life (1,000 shots)
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
81
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3.2")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count fantastic (36 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
great high ISO (204,800)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
2 card slots
terrible battery (760 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D300 Vlogging information
Pentax K-1 Vlogging information
9
no video
31
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detection focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external mic support
screen is not selfie friendly
heavier than competition (1,010g)
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Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D300 and Pentax K-1
 Nikon D300Pentax K-1
General Information
Company Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D300 Pentax K-1
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2008-03-12 2016-02-17
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 372.9mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 36MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest resolution 4288 x 2848 7360 x 4912
Highest native ISO 3200 204800
Highest boosted ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW files
Min boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 51 33
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1.5 1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen size 3 inches 3.2 inches
Screen resolution 922k dots 1,037k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.63x 0.7x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 6.0fps 4.4fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250 seconds 1/200 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional Built-in
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 925 grams (2.04 lb) 1010 grams (2.23 lb)
Dimensions 147 x 114 x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 67 96
DXO Color Depth rating 22.1 25.4
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.0 14.6
DXO Low light rating 679 3280
Other
Battery life 1000 pictures 760 pictures
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL3e D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse recording
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Card slots One Dual
Cost at launch $1,100 $1,499