Nikon D300 vs Pentax K20D
55 Imaging
51 Features
59 Overall
54


59 Imaging
53 Features
52 Overall
52
Nikon D300 vs Pentax K20D Key Specs
(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
(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

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).

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.

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K20D Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon D300 & Pentax K20D. The whole galleries are provided at Nikon D300 Gallery & Pentax K20D Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D300 over the Pentax K20D
D300 | K20D | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 922k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper 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 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | March 2008 | ![]() | June 2008 | Same age |
Focus manually | ![]() | Very accurate focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D300 vs Pentax K20D Specifications
Nikon D300 | Pentax 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 |