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Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-5 II

Portability
55
Imaging
51
Features
59
Overall
54
Nikon D300 front
 
Pentax K-5 II front
Portability
60
Imaging
57
Features
82
Overall
67

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-5 II Key Specs

Nikon D300
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Bump 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
  • New Model is Nikon D300S
Pentax K-5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Revealed June 2013
  • Old Model is Pentax K-5
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Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-5 II Overview

Below, we are comparing the Nikon D300 versus Pentax K-5 II, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Pentax. There is a big difference between the sensor resolutions of the D300 (12MP) and K-5 II (16MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The D300 was introduced 6 years before the K-5 II which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before we go through a full comparison, below is a quick view of how the D300 grades versus the K-5 II in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D300 over the Pentax K-5 II

 D300 K-5 II 
Display resolution922k921kClearer display (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 II over the Nikon D300

 K-5 II D300 
RevealedJune 2013March 2008More modern by 63 months

Common features in the Nikon D300 and Pentax K-5 II

 D300 K-5 II 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurements
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-5 II Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry around your camera, you will want to think about its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D300 enjoys external dimensions of 147mm x 114mm x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") having a weight of 925 grams (2.04 lbs) while the Pentax K-5 II has dimensions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") having a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

See the Nikon D300 versus Pentax K-5 II in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you use during that time. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the D300 compared to the K-5 II.

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-5 II size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the D300 and K-5 II is 55 and 60 respectively.

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-5 II top view buttons comparison

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-5 II Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very difficult to visualize the difference between sensor sizes simply by reviewing specs. The picture here will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the D300 and K-5 II.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different resolution. You should expect to see the Pentax K-5 II to offer more detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop images much more aggressively. The more aged D300 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-5 II sensor size comparison

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D300 Portrait photography factors
Pentax K-5 II Portrait photography factors
60
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12MP)
74
you can focus manually
MP count good (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D300 Street photography information
Pentax K-5 II Street photography information
56
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D300 Sports photography features
Pentax K-5 II Sports photography features
56
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
weather proofing
better than average battery (1,000 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
max frames per second low (6.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
78
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking focus
environment proofing
supports phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D300 Travel photography highlights
Pentax K-5 II Travel photography highlights
56
better than average battery (1,000 per charge)
weather proofing
has built in flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
65
environment proofing
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D300 Landscape photography advice
Pentax K-5 II Landscape photography advice
64
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a good size (3")
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
better than average battery (1,000 shots)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
78
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D300 Vlogging info
Pentax K-5 II Vlogging info
9
no video shooting
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with microphone jack
display isn't selfie friendly
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Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-5 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D300 and Pentax K-5 II
 Nikon D300Pentax K-5 II
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon D300 Pentax K-5 II
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2008-03-12 2013-06-04
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti aliasing 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 200 100
RAW data
Minimum enhanced ISO 100 80
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 51 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 309 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 922 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.63x 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings 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
Max flash sync 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 925 gr (2.04 lb) 760 gr (1.68 lb)
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 score 67 82
DXO Color Depth score 22.1 23.8
DXO Dynamic range score 12.0 14.1
DXO Low light score 679 1235
Other
Battery life 1000 shots 980 shots
Battery format 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
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $1,100 $830