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Nikon D300 vs Pentax ist DS2

Portability
55
Imaging
51
Features
59
Overall
54
Nikon D300 front
 
Pentax ist DS2 front
Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39

Nikon D300 vs Pentax ist DS2 Key Specs

Nikon D300
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Boost to 6400)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 925g - 147 x 114 x 74mm
  • Released March 2008
  • Superseded the Nikon D200
  • Refreshed by Nikon D300S
Pentax ist DS2
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 605g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
  • Released August 2005
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Nikon D300 vs Pentax ist DS2 Overview

Let's look closer at the Nikon D300 and Pentax ist DS2, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by brands Nikon and Pentax. There is a big difference between the resolutions of the D300 (12MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizing (APS-C).

Photography Glossary

The D300 was revealed 2 years after the ist DS2 which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple view of how the D300 scores versus the ist DS2 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D300 over the Pentax ist DS2

 D300 ist DS2 
ReleasedMarch 2008August 2005More modern by 32 months
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution922k210kCrisper screen (+712k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Nikon D300

 ist DS2 D300 

Common features in the Nikon D300 and Pentax ist DS2

 D300 ist DS2 
Manual focus More precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Nikon D300 vs Pentax ist DS2 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry around your camera, you have to think about its weight and volume. The Nikon D300 enjoys outside measurements 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 ist DS2 has sizing of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") accompanied by a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

Examine the Nikon D300 and Pentax ist DS2 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilising at that time. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the D300 vs the ist DS2.

Nikon D300 vs Pentax ist DS2 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the D300 and ist DS2 is 55 and 68 respectively.

Nikon D300 vs Pentax ist DS2 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D300 vs Pentax ist DS2 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor sizes merely by reviewing a spec sheet. The pic underneath will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the D300 and ist DS2.

Clearly, both of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Nikon D300 to deliver extra detail because of its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more modern D300 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon D300 vs Pentax ist DS2 sensor size comparison

Nikon D300 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D300 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D300 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax ist DS2 Portrait photography highlights
60
manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
50
has manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
low megapixels (6 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon D300
Street photography with Pentax ist DS2
56
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
60
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lighter than competition (605g)
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D300 Sports photography details
Pentax ist DS2 Sports photography details
56
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
environment proofing
good battery life (1,000 CIPA)
has phase detect auto focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
38
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (6 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D300 Travel photography info
Pentax ist DS2 Travel photography info
56
good battery life (1,000 shots)
environment proofing
built-in flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly display
52
lighter than competition (605g)
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse function
low megapixels (6MP)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D300 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax ist DS2 Landscape photography highlights
64
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
good battery life (1,000 shots)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
46
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
doesn't have liveview
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (6MP)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D300
Vlogging with Pentax ist DS2
9
can't record video
22
lighter than competition (605g)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
low res video ( pxls)
doesn't have mic socket
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Nikon D300 vs Pentax ist DS2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D300 and Pentax ist DS2
 Nikon D300Pentax ist DS2
General Information
Company Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D300 Pentax ist DS2
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2008-03-12 2005-08-22
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 6MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4288 x 2848 3008 x 2008
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 200 200
RAW format
Lowest enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 51 11
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Pentax KAF
Available lenses 309 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.5"
Screen resolution 922k dots 210k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.63x 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 6.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Maximum video resolution None -
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None No
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 925 grams (2.04 lb) 605 grams (1.33 lb)
Dimensions 147 x 114 x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 67 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.1 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.0 not tested
DXO Low light rating 679 not tested
Other
Battery life 1000 photos -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID EN-EL3e 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II) SD/MMC card
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $1,100 -