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Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Portability
55
Imaging
51
Features
59
Overall
54
Nikon D300 front
 
Pentax K-5 IIs front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
83
Overall
68

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Key Specs

Nikon D300
(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
  • Introduced March 2008
  • Replaced the Nikon D200
  • Renewed by Nikon D300S
Pentax K-5 IIs
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Announced June 2013
  • Old Model is Pentax K-5
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Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Overview

Following is a complete assessment of the Nikon D300 and Pentax K-5 IIs, both Advanced DSLR cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Pentax. There is a huge difference among the sensor resolutions of the D300 (12MP) and K-5 IIs (16MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The D300 was launched 6 years prior to the K-5 IIs which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before going right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise overview of how the D300 scores vs the K-5 IIs in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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

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

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

 K-5 IIs D300 
AnnouncedJune 2013March 2008More modern by 63 months

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

 D300 K-5 IIs 
Focus manually More exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurements
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you're going to have to consider its weight and volume. The Nikon D300 comes with exterior dimensions of 147mm x 114mm x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 925 grams (2.04 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-5 IIs has sizing of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") along with a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Check out the Nikon D300 and Pentax K-5 IIs in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are using at that time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the D300 against the K-5 IIs.

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-5 IIs size comparison

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

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

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor sizes purely by looking through specifications. The picture below will provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the D300 and K-5 IIs.

To sum up, both cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different megapixels. You should expect to see the Pentax K-5 IIs to result in extra detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop images a bit more aggressively. The more aged D300 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-5 IIs sensor size comparison

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D300 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-5 IIs as a Portrait photography camera
60
you can focus manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
74
focusing manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D300 Street photography factors
Pentax K-5 IIs Street photography factors
56
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D300 Sports photography information
Pentax K-5 IIs Sports photography information
56
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
good sensor size (APS-C)
weather proof
better than average battery (1,000 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
low frames per second (6.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
79
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
weather sealing
comes with phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D300 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-5 IIs as a Travel photography camera
56
better than average battery (1,000 CIPA)
weather proof
flash built-in
megapixel count low (12MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
65
weather sealing
MP count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D300 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-5 IIs as a Landscape photography camera
64
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
better than average battery (1,000 per charge)
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
79
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have low pass filter
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D300 Vlogging details
Pentax K-5 IIs Vlogging details
9
no video
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have external mic jack
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D300 and Pentax K-5 IIs
 Nikon D300Pentax K-5 IIs
General Information
Brand Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D300 Pentax K-5 IIs
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2008-03-12 2013-06-04
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 surface area 372.9mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Max resolution 4288 x 2848 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 3200 12800
Max enhanced ISO 6400 51200
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW photos
Lowest enhanced ISO 100 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 51 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 922k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.63x 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 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
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max 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 480 (25, 30 fps)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - Motion JPEG
Mic 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 925g (2.04 lbs) 760g (1.68 lbs)
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 23.9
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.0 14.1
DXO Low light rating 679 1208
Other
Battery life 1000 pictures 980 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL3e D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Price at release $1,100 $749