Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-5
55 Imaging
50 Features
59 Overall
53
60 Imaging
55 Features
82 Overall
65
Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-5 Key Specs
(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
(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- Superseded the Pentax K-7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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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).
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or banThe 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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This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon D300 & Pentax K-5. The complete galleries are provided at Nikon D300 Gallery & Pentax K-5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D300 over the Pentax K-5
| D300 | K-5 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display resolution | 922k |  | 921k | Crisper display (+1k dot) |
Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Nikon D300
| K-5 | D300 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Released | December 2010 |  | March 2008 | Fresher by 33 months |
Common features in the Nikon D300 and Pentax K-5
| D300 | K-5 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus |  | Dial accurate focusing | ||
| Display type | Fixed |  | Fixed | Fixed display |
| Display dimensions | 3" |  | 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.
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.
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 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 Screen and ViewFinder
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Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-5 Specifications
| Nikon D300 | Pentax 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 |