Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-1 II
55 Imaging
50 Features
59 Overall
53
55 Imaging
77 Features
82 Overall
79
Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-1 II Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 200 - 3200 (Expand to 6400)
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- No Video
- Nikon F Mount
- 925g - 147 x 114 x 74mm
- Announced March 2008
- Superseded the Nikon D200
- Renewed by Nikon D300S
(Full Review)
- 36MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 100 - 819200
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF4 Mount
- 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
- Introduced February 2018
- Replaced the Pentax K-1
Photography Glossary Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-1 II Overview
Here, we will be evaluating the Nikon D300 versus Pentax K-1 II, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Pentax. There exists a substantial gap between the resolutions of the D300 (12MP) and K-1 II (36MP) and the D300 (APS-C) and K-1 II (Full frame) boast different sensor size.
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhoneThe D300 was unveiled 11 years earlier than the K-1 II and that is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).
Before diving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the D300 grades vs the K-1 II in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
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This is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon D300 & Pentax K-1 Mark II. The full galleries are provided at Nikon D300 Gallery & Pentax K-1 II Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D300 over the Pentax K-1 II
| D300 | K-1 II |
|---|
Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 II over the Nikon D300
| K-1 II | D300 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | February 2018 | March 2008 | Fresher by 121 months | |
| Screen type | Fully Articulated | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen | |
| Screen size | 3.2" | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.2") | |
| Screen resolution | 1037k | 922k | Crisper screen (+115k dot) |
Common features in the Nikon D300 and Pentax K-1 II
| D300 | K-1 II | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus | More accurate focus | |||
| Selfie screen | No selfie screen | |||
| Touch friendly screen | Neither has Touch friendly screen |
Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-1 II Physical Comparison
For those who are intending to carry your camera, you will need to think about its weight and volume. The Nikon D300 has external measurements of 147mm x 114mm x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") and a weight of 925 grams (2.04 lbs) while the Pentax K-1 II has sizing of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).
See the Nikon D300 versus Pentax K-1 II in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have chosen at the time. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the D300 against the K-1 II.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the D300 and K-1 II is 55 and 55 respectively.
Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-1 II Sensor Comparison
More often than not, its hard to imagine the gap between sensor sizing merely by checking specs. The graphic here might provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the D300 and K-1 II.
All in all, both of those cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The D300 having a tinier sensor is going to make achieving bokeh trickier and the Pentax K-1 II will give greater detail having an extra 24 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The older D300 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.
Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-1 II Screen and ViewFinder
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Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-1 II Specifications
| Nikon D300 | Pentax K-1 Mark II | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Manufacturer | Nikon | Pentax |
| Model type | Nikon D300 | Pentax K-1 Mark II |
| Type | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
| Announced | 2008-03-12 | 2018-02-22 |
| Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor | Expeed | PRIME IV |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | APS-C | Full frame |
| Sensor measurements | 23.6 x 15.8mm | 35.9 x 24mm |
| Sensor area | 372.9mm² | 861.6mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 36 megapixel |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 |
| Max resolution | 4288 x 2848 | 7360 x 4912 |
| Max native ISO | 3200 | 819200 |
| Max enhanced ISO | 6400 | - |
| Lowest native ISO | 200 | 100 |
| RAW files | ||
| Lowest enhanced ISO | 100 | - |
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focusing | ||
| Touch to focus | ||
| Autofocus continuous | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Center weighted autofocus | ||
| Multi area autofocus | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detect autofocus | ||
| Contract detect autofocus | ||
| Phase detect autofocus | ||
| Total focus points | 51 | 33 |
| Cross type focus points | - | 25 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount type | Nikon F | Pentax KAF4 |
| Available lenses | 309 | 151 |
| Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1 |
| Screen | ||
| Type of display | Fixed Type | Fully Articulated |
| Display diagonal | 3 inches | 3.2 inches |
| Resolution of display | 922 thousand dots | 1,037 thousand dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch functionality | ||
| Display tech | Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100% | 100% |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.63x | 0.7x |
| Features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
| Fastest shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/8000s |
| Continuous shutter rate | 6.0 frames per second | 4.4 frames per second |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual mode | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Change white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Inbuilt flash | ||
| Flash distance | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | no built-in flash |
| Flash options | 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 |
| External flash | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Fastest flash synchronize | 1/250s | 1/200s |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment | ||
| Average | ||
| Spot | ||
| Partial | ||
| AF area | ||
| Center weighted | ||
| Video features | ||
| Supported video resolutions | - | 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p) |
| Max video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
| Video data format | - | MPEG-4, H.264 |
| Microphone port | ||
| Headphone port | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | None | 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 |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | Optional | Built-in |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental sealing | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 925 gr (2.04 lbs) | 1010 gr (2.23 lbs) |
| Physical 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 Overall rating | 67 | not tested |
| DXO Color Depth rating | 22.1 | not tested |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | 12.0 | not tested |
| DXO Low light rating | 679 | not tested |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 1000 shots | 670 shots |
| Form of battery | 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 feature | ||
| Storage type | Compact Flash (Type I or II) | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) |
| Card slots | 1 | 2 |
| Retail cost | $1,100 | $1,737 |