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Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-S1

Portability
55
Imaging
51
Features
59
Overall
54
Nikon D300 front
 
Pentax K-S1 front
Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
70
Overall
65

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-S1 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
  • Introduced March 2008
  • Old Model is Nikon D200
  • Renewed by Nikon D300S
Pentax K-S1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 558g - 121 x 93 x 70mm
  • Introduced August 2014
  • Successor is Pentax K-S2
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Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-S1 Overview

Its time to look a bit more closely at the Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-S1, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Pentax. There exists a large gap between the image resolutions of the D300 (12MP) and K-S1 (20MP) but both cameras have the same sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The D300 was brought out 7 years before the K-S1 and that is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the D300 grades vs the K-S1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D300 over the Pentax K-S1

 D300 K-S1 
Screen resolution922k921kClearer screen (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S1 over the Nikon D300

 K-S1 D300 
IntroducedAugust 2014March 2008Fresher by 78 months

Common features in the Nikon D300 and Pentax K-S1

 D300 K-S1 
Manually focus Very accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-S1 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry your camera, you will need to factor its weight and proportions. The Nikon D300 features outside 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) and the Pentax K-S1 has measurements of 121mm x 93mm x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") having a weight of 558 grams (1.23 lbs).

Look at the Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-S1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you select during that time. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the D300 against the K-S1.

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-S1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the D300 and K-S1 is 55 and 69 respectively.

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-S1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-S1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its tough to picture the gap between sensor sizing only by going over specs. The graphic underneath may offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the D300 and K-S1.

All in all, both of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You can expect the Pentax K-S1 to offer extra detail having its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots more aggressively. The older D300 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-S1 sensor size comparison

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D300 Portrait photography information
Pentax K-S1 Portrait photography information
60
manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
low MP (12MP)
77
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides face detect focus
saves RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Nikon D300 Street photography advice
Pentax K-S1 Street photography advice
56
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
73
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lighter than others (558g)
great high ISO (51,200)
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D300 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-S1 as a Sports photography camera
56
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
environment proof
great battery pack (1,000 per charge)
supports phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 fps)
no image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
69
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
comes with phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (5.4 frames/s)
low battery (410 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D300 Travel photography highlights
Pentax K-S1 Travel photography highlights
56
great battery pack (1,000 per charge)
environment proof
has built in flash
low MP (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
60
lighter than others (558 grams)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse function
low battery (410 CIPA)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D300 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-S1 as a Landscape photography camera
64
manual focus
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3")
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
great battery pack (1,000 CIPA)
no image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
73
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
does not have anti aliasing filter
great high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW files
low battery (410 shots)
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D300 Vlogging features
Pentax K-S1 Vlogging features
9
can't shoot video
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others (558 grams)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
lack of microphone support
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Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D300 and Pentax K-S1
 Nikon D300Pentax K-S1
General Information
Brand Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon D300 Pentax K-S1
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2008-03-12 2014-08-27
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed Prime MII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest resolution 4288 x 2848 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 3200 51200
Highest boosted ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Lowest boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 51 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 309 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 922k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.63x 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/6000s
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames/s 5.4 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, auto + redeye, on, on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 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 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 925g (2.04 lb) 558g (1.23 lb)
Physical dimensions 147 x 114 x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") 121 x 93 x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 67 78
DXO Color Depth score 22.1 23.5
DXO Dynamic range score 12.0 13.0
DXO Low light score 679 1061
Other
Battery life 1000 photographs 410 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL3e D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Launch price $1,100 $339