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Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-1 II

Portability
55
Imaging
52
Features
65
Overall
57
Nikon D300S front
 
Pentax K-1 Mark II front
Portability
55
Imaging
78
Features
82
Overall
79

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-1 II Key Specs

Nikon D300S
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Push to 6400)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 938g - 147 x 114 x 74mm
  • Revealed November 2009
  • Old Model is Nikon D300
  • Updated by Nikon D600
Pentax K-1 II
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 819200
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF4 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Announced February 2018
  • Replaced the Pentax K-1
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Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-1 II Overview

Following is a comprehensive assessment of the Nikon D300S and Pentax K-1 II, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Pentax. There is a noticeable difference between the image resolutions of the D300S (12MP) and K-1 II (36MP) and the D300S (APS-C) and K-1 II (Full frame) possess different sensor measurements.

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The D300S was manufactured 9 years earlier than the K-1 II which is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before going straight into a complete comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the D300S matches up against the K-1 II with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D300S over the Pentax K-1 II

 D300S K-1 II 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 II over the Nikon D300S

 K-1 II D300S 
AnnouncedFebruary 2018November 2009More modern by 100 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimension3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1037k920kSharper display (+117k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D300S and Pentax K-1 II

 D300S K-1 II 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-1 II Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry around your camera, you will want to think about its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D300S enjoys exterior measurements of 147mm x 114mm x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") having a weight of 938 grams (2.07 lbs) and the Pentax K-1 II has dimensions of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") having a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon D300S and Pentax K-1 II in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you use at that moment. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the D300S vs the K-1 II.

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-1 II size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the D300S and K-1 II is 55 and 55 respectively.

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-1 II top view buttons comparison

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-1 II Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its hard to visualize the contrast between sensor sizes purely by reading a spec sheet. The image below should provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the D300S and K-1 II.

As you can see, both of these cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The D300S due to its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF harder and the Pentax K-1 II will deliver greater detail due to its extra 24 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The more aged D300S is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-1 II sensor size comparison

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-1 II Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-1 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D300S Portrait photography features
Pentax K-1 II Portrait photography features
63
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has face detection focus
saves RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
86
has manual focus
amazing MP (36 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
offers face detection focusing
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D300S Street photography information
Pentax K-1 II Street photography information
52
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than others (938g)
70
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
exports RAW files
environment proof
good ISO range (819,200)
more heavy than competition in class (1,010 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D300S Sports photography features
Pentax K-1 II Sports photography features
59
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
weather proof
supports phase detect auto focus
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
77
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
amazing MP (36MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proof
sensor has phase detect AF
low frames per second (4.4 frames/s)
low battery power (670 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D300S Travel photography info
Pentax K-1 II Travel photography info
48
weather proof
flash built-in
more heavy than others (938g)
megapixel count low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
53
environment proof
amazing MP (36 megapixels)
low battery power (670 shots)
more heavy than competition in class (1,010g)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D300S Landscape photography advice
Pentax K-1 II Landscape photography advice
65
you can focus manually
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
nice screen size (3")
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
has double storage slots
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
82
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF4 mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
amazing MP (36 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
no anti aliasing filter
good ISO range (819,200)
exports RAW files
environment proof
has dual storage slots
low battery power (670 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D300S Vlogging features
Pentax K-1 II Vlogging features
22
has face detection focus
comes with external microphone port
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
more heavy than others (938 grams)
32
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external microphone jack
display isn't selfie friendly
more heavy than competition in class (1,010g)
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Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-1 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D300S and Pentax K-1 II
 Nikon D300SPentax K-1 Mark II
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon D300S Pentax K-1 Mark II
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2009-11-16 2018-02-22
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed PRIME IV
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.8mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 36MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Maximum resolution 4288 x 2848 7360 x 4912
Maximum native ISO 3200 819200
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW files
Minimum boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 51 33
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F Pentax KAF4
Number of lenses 309 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 3" 3.2"
Resolution of display 920k dot 1,037k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.63x 0.7x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting speed 7.0 frames per sec 4.4 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250s 1/200s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 480 (24 fps), 320 x 240 (24 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional Built-in
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 938 grams (2.07 lbs) 1010 grams (2.23 lbs)
Dimensions 147 x 114 x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 70 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.2 not tested
DXO Low light score 787 not tested
Other
Battery life 950 pictures 670 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL3e D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse feature
Storage media Compact Flash Type I/SD/SDHC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Storage slots Two Two
Price at launch $1,630 $1,737