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Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-3 II

Portability
55
Imaging
51
Features
59
Overall
54
Nikon D300 front
 
Pentax K-3 II front
Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
84
Overall
73

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-3 II Key Specs

Nikon D300
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Raise to 6400)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 925g - 147 x 114 x 74mm
  • Announced March 2008
  • Old Model is Nikon D200
  • Renewed by Nikon D300S
Pentax K-3 II
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Released April 2015
  • Succeeded the Pentax K-3
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Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-3 II Overview

Below, we will be analyzing the Nikon D300 and Pentax K-3 II, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Pentax. There is a considerable difference between the sensor resolutions of the D300 (12MP) and K-3 II (24MP) but they possess the exact same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The D300 was announced 8 years prior to the K-3 II which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before going in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the D300 matches up versus the K-3 II with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D300 over the Pentax K-3 II

 D300 K-3 II 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 II over the Nikon D300

 K-3 II D300 
ReleasedApril 2015March 2008Newer by 86 months
Screen dimension3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k922kCrisper screen (+115k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D300 and Pentax K-3 II

 D300 K-3 II 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-3 II Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you should consider its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D300 has got 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-3 II has dimensions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") and a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Check the Nikon D300 and Pentax K-3 II in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you use during that time. Here is the front view sizing comparison of the D300 compared to the K-3 II.

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-3 II size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the D300 and K-3 II is 55 and 59 respectively.

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-3 II top view buttons comparison

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-3 II Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's hard to visualise the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by checking specs. The pic here may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the D300 and K-3 II.

As you can plainly see, both cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Pentax K-3 II to resolve greater detail with its extra 12 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures much more aggressively. The more aged D300 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-3 II sensor size comparison

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-3 II Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-3 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D300 Portrait photography information
Pentax K-3 II Portrait photography information
60
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
79
manual focus
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers face detection focusing
saves RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Nikon D300 Street photography features
Pentax K-3 II Street photography features
56
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment proof
very good ISO range (51,200)
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D300 Sports photography factors
Pentax K-3 II Sports photography factors
56
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
weather proof
good battery life (1,000 per charge)
supports phase detect auto focus
max frames per second very slow (6.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proof
sensor has phase detect AF
low battery (720 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D300 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-3 II as a Travel photography camera
56
good battery life (1,000 CIPA)
weather proof
flash built-in
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
56
environment proof
resolution is good (24MP)
low battery (720 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D300 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-3 II as a Landscape photography camera
64
you can focus manually
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
good battery life (1,000 shots)
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
78
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3.2")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
no anti-alias filter
very good ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW files
environment proof
has double storage slots
low battery (720 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D300 Vlogging features
Pentax K-3 II Vlogging features
9
lack of video recording
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes external microphone port
display isn't selfie friendly
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Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-3 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D300 and Pentax K-3 II
 Nikon D300Pentax K-3 II
General Information
Brand Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon D300 Pentax K-3 II
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2008-03-12 2015-04-23
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed Prime III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Full resolution 4288 x 2848 6016 x 4000
Max native ISO 3200 51200
Max boosted ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Lowest boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 51 27
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 309 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3.2 inches
Resolution of display 922 thousand dot 1,037 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.63x 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 6.0 frames/s 8.3 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash modes 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 (available with dedicated external flash)
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/250 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Optional
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS Optional BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 925 gr (2.04 pounds) 800 gr (1.76 pounds)
Dimensions 147 x 114 x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 67 80
DXO Color Depth score 22.1 23.6
DXO Dynamic range score 12.0 13.6
DXO Low light score 679 1106
Other
Battery life 1000 images 720 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL3e D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One 2
Cost at launch $1,100 $829