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Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-5

Portability
55
Imaging
51
Features
59
Overall
54
Nikon D300 front
 
Pentax K-5 front
Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-5 Key Specs

Nikon D300
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Increase to 6400)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 925g - 147 x 114 x 74mm
  • Launched March 2008
  • Succeeded the Nikon D200
  • Successor is Nikon D300S
Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800 (Expand to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Released December 2010
  • Superseded the Pentax K-7
  • Renewed by Pentax K-5 IIs
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Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-5 Overview

On this page, we are looking at the Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-5, both Advanced DSLR cameras by brands Nikon and Pentax. There is a substantial difference among the resolutions of the D300 (12MP) and K-5 (16MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The D300 was launched 3 years earlier than the K-5 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before we go straight to a full comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the D300 grades against the K-5 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D300 over the Pentax K-5

 D300 K-5 
Display resolution922k921kCrisper display (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Nikon D300

 K-5 D300 
ReleasedDecember 2010March 2008Fresher by 33 months

Common features in the Nikon D300 and Pentax K-5

 D300 K-5 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither contains Touch friendly display

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-5 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry your camera frequently, you have to consider its weight and measurements. The Nikon D300 has got exterior dimensions of 147mm x 114mm x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") with a weight of 925 grams (2.04 lbs) and the Pentax K-5 has proportions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") having a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs).

See the Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-5 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. The following is a front view over all size comparison of the D300 versus the K-5.

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-5 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the D300 and K-5 is 55 and 60 respectively.

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-5 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-5 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is hard to envision the gap in sensor sizing merely by checking out specs. The photograph below might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the D300 and K-5.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Pentax K-5 to show extra detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos more aggressively. The older D300 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-5 sensor size comparison

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D300 Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-5 Portrait photography advice
60
manual focus
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
MP count low (12 megapixels)
73
has manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon D300
Street photography with Pentax K-5
56
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
screen is fixed
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon D300
Sports photography with Pentax K-5
56
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
weather proofing
better than average battery pack (1,000 shots)
sensor has phase detect AF
max frames per second very slow (6.0 fps)
no image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
78
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
weather sealing
supports phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D300 Travel photography advice
Pentax K-5 Travel photography advice
56
better than average battery pack (1,000 per charge)
weather proofing
built-in flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
65
weather sealing
good MP (16MP)
built-in flash
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D300 Landscape photography information
Pentax K-5 Landscape photography information
64
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
better than average battery pack (1,000 shots)
no image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
78
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D300 Vlogging info
Pentax K-5 Vlogging info
9
no video
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with mic port
display is not selfie friendly
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Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D300 and Pentax K-5
 Nikon D300Pentax K-5
General Information
Make Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D300 Pentax K-5
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2008-03-12 2010-12-18
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Peak resolution 4288 x 2848 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 51200
Minimum native ISO 200 80
RAW data
Minimum enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 51 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 922k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.63x 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 6.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 424 (25, 30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video format - Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 925g (2.04 lb) 740g (1.63 lb)
Physical dimensions 147 x 114 x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 67 82
DXO Color Depth rating 22.1 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.0 14.1
DXO Low light rating 679 1162
Other
Battery life 1000 photos 980 photos
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL3e D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Price at release $1,100 $800