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Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-7

Portability
55
Imaging
51
Features
59
Overall
54
Nikon D300 front
 
Pentax K-7 front
Portability
60
Imaging
54
Features
69
Overall
60

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-7 Key Specs

Nikon D300
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Push to 6400)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 925g - 147 x 114 x 74mm
  • Released March 2008
  • Previous Model is Nikon D200
  • New Model is Nikon D300S
Pentax K-7
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 2000 (Expand to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 750g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Revealed October 2009
  • Renewed by Pentax K-5
Photography Glossary

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-7 Overview

Here, we are analyzing the Nikon D300 and Pentax K-7, both Advanced DSLR cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the D300 (12MP) and the K-7 (15MP) is fairly comparable and both cameras posses the identical sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The D300 was brought out 18 months before the K-7 making them a generation apart from each other. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before we go straight to a thorough comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the D300 grades against the K-7 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D300 over the Pentax K-7

 D300 K-7 
Display resolution922k921kCrisper display (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K-7 over the Nikon D300

 K-7 D300 
RevealedOctober 2009March 2008More recent by 18 months

Common features in the Nikon D300 and Pentax K-7

 D300 K-7 
Manual focus More exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display sizing
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-7 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to lug around your camera, you'll have to consider its weight and volume. The Nikon D300 has got external measurements of 147mm x 114mm x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") along with a weight of 925 grams (2.04 lbs) while the Pentax K-7 has sizing of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") with a weight of 750 grams (1.65 lbs).

Examine the Nikon D300 and Pentax K-7 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are employing at that moment. Here is a front view dimension comparison of the D300 compared to the K-7.

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-7 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the D300 and K-7 is 55 and 60 respectively.

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-7 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-7 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be tough to visualize the difference in sensor measurements merely by seeing technical specs. The graphic underneath will provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the D300 and K-7.

As you have seen, both cameras feature the identical sensor size but different megapixels. You should anticipate the Pentax K-7 to show extra detail having its extra 3MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos way more aggressively. The older D300 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-7 sensor size comparison

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-7 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D300 Portrait photography details
Pentax K-7 Portrait photography details
60
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
low MP (12MP)
72
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (15 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection focusing
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D300 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-7 as a Street photography camera
56
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment proof
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D300 Sports photography information
Pentax K-7 Sports photography information
56
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
environment proofing
good battery (1,000 CIPA)
has phase detect AF
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
no image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
69
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (15 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
environment proof
has phase detect AF
low fps (5.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D300 Travel photography information
Pentax K-7 Travel photography information
56
good battery (1,000 shots)
environment proofing
built-in flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
64
environment proof
decent sensor resolution (15 megapixels)
has built in flash
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D300
Landscape photography with Pentax K-7
64
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
good battery (1,000 per charge)
no image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
77
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (15 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment proof
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D300 Vlogging info
Pentax K-7 Vlogging info
9
no video
25
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focusing
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone support
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Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D300 and Pentax K-7
 Nikon D300Pentax K-7
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon D300 Pentax K-7
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2008-03-12 2009-10-02
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 15 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest resolution 4288 x 2848 4672 x 3104
Highest native ISO 3200 2000
Highest boosted ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW images
Minimum boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 51 11
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 309 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 922k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT color LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.63x 0.61x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 13.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/250 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 1536 x 1024 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1280x720
Video file format - Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 925 grams (2.04 lb) 750 grams (1.65 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 All around score 67 61
DXO Color Depth score 22.1 22.6
DXO Dynamic range score 12.0 10.6
DXO Low light score 679 536
Other
Battery life 1000 photos 980 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL3e D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II) SD/SDHC/MMC
Card slots One One
Launch cost $1,100 $599