Clicky

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K20D

Portability
55
Imaging
51
Features
59
Overall
54
Nikon D300 front
 
Pentax K20D front
Portability
59
Imaging
54
Features
52
Overall
53

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K20D Key Specs

Nikon D300
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Expand to 6400)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 925g - 147 x 114 x 74mm
  • Revealed March 2008
  • Earlier Model is Nikon D200
  • Newer Model is Nikon D300S
Pentax K20D
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Expand to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 142 x 101 x 70mm
  • Released June 2008
  • Earlier Model is Pentax K10D
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K20D Overview

Below is a thorough comparison of the Nikon D300 and Pentax K20D, both Advanced DSLR cameras by brands Nikon and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the D300 (12MP) and the K20D (15MP) is relatively close and they come with the same exact sensor dimensions (APS-C).

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

The D300 was announced 3 months earlier than the K20D so they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before we go straight into a complete comparison, below is a concise summary of how the D300 scores against the K20D with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon D300 over the Pentax K20D

 D300 K20D 
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution922k230kCrisper screen (+692k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K20D over the Nikon D300

 K20D D300 

Common features in the Nikon D300 and Pentax K20D

 D300 K20D 
ReleasedMarch 2008June 2008Same age
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K20D Physical Comparison

When you are intending to lug around your camera frequently, you will want to factor its weight and proportions. The Nikon D300 enjoys outside dimensions of 147mm x 114mm x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") having a weight of 925 grams (2.04 lbs) and the Pentax K20D has measurements of 142mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Check the Nikon D300 and Pentax K20D in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the D300 against the K20D.

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K20D size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the D300 and K20D is 55 and 59 respectively.

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K20D top view buttons comparison

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K20D Sensor Comparison

Often, it is tough to envision the gap in sensor measurements merely by viewing a spec sheet. The photograph below may give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the D300 and K20D.

Clearly, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Pentax K20D to result in extra detail with its extra 3 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures a little more aggressively.

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K20D sensor size comparison

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K20D Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K20D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D300
Portrait photography with Pentax K20D
60
focusing manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
72
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Street Comparison

Nikon D300 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K20D as a Street photography camera
56
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
fixed screen
no image stabilization
65
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
screen does not articulate
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Sports Comparison

Nikon D300 Sports photography info
Pentax K20D Sports photography info
56
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
environment proofing
great battery pack (1,000 CIPA)
has phase detect AF
slow fps (6.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
weather proofing
has phase detect auto focus
max fps very slow (3.0 frames/s)
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Travel Comparison

Nikon D300 Travel photography info
Pentax K20D Travel photography info
56
great battery pack (1,000 per charge)
environment proofing
has built in flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
64
weather proofing
sensor resolution is decent (15MP)
built-in flash
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Landscape Comparison

Nikon D300 Landscape photography details
Pentax K20D Landscape photography details
64
focusing manually
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
great battery pack (1,000 CIPA)
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
71
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (15MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D300 Vlogging details
Pentax K20D Vlogging details
9
can't shoot video
9
no video shooting
Photography Glossary

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K20D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D300 and Pentax K20D
 Nikon D300Pentax K20D
General Information
Make Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D300 Pentax K20D
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2008-03-12 2008-06-25
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed -
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 12MP 15MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Full resolution 4288 x 2848 4672 x 3104
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Max boosted ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW photos
Lowest boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 51 11
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 922k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.63x 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 6.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set 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, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/250 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Max video resolution None None
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 925 gr (2.04 lb) 800 gr (1.76 lb)
Dimensions 147 x 114 x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") 142 x 101 x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 67 65
DXO Color Depth rating 22.1 22.9
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.0 11.1
DXO Low light rating 679 639
Other
Battery life 1000 pictures -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID EN-EL3e D-LI50
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) SD/MMC/SDHC card
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $1,100 $700