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Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-3

Portability
55
Imaging
52
Features
65
Overall
57
Nikon D300S front
 
Pentax K-3 front
Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
85
Overall
73

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs

Nikon D300S
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Bump to 6400)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 938g - 147 x 114 x 74mm
  • Launched November 2009
  • Previous Model is Nikon D300
  • Replacement is Nikon D600
Pentax K-3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Revealed April 2014
  • Successor is Pentax K-3 II
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Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-3 Overview

Here is a complete analysis of the Nikon D300S and Pentax K-3, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Pentax. There is a big difference between the image resolutions of the D300S (12MP) and K-3 (24MP) but they possess the exact same sensor size (APS-C).

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The D300S was brought out 5 years earlier than the K-3 and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting through a in-depth comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the D300S matches up vs the K-3 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D300S over the Pentax K-3

 D300S K-3 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Nikon D300S

 K-3 D300S 
RevealedApril 2014November 2009Fresher by 53 months
Display dimension3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1037k920kClearer display (+117k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D300S and Pentax K-3

 D300S K-3 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry your camera often, you have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D300S enjoys exterior dimensions of 147mm x 114mm x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") with a weight of 938 grams (2.07 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-3 has dimensions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Check the Nikon D300S and Pentax K-3 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have attached at the time. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the D300S vs the K-3.

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-3 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the D300S and K-3 is 55 and 59 respectively.

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's difficult to picture the gap between sensor sizing simply by going over technical specs. The graphic below might offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the D300S and K-3.

As you have seen, each of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but different megapixels. You should expect to see the Pentax K-3 to offer extra detail having its extra 12MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop images somewhat more aggressively. The older D300S is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-3 sensor size comparison

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D300S
Portrait photography with Pentax K-3
63
you can focus manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
79
manual focus
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D300S Street photography features
Pentax K-3 Street photography features
52
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
fixed screen
no image stabilization
heavier than competitors (938g)
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
above average ISO range (51,200)
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D300S as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-3 as a Sports photography camera
59
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
good sensor size (APS-C)
environment sealing
has phase detect autofocus
no image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather proofing
has phase detect autofocus
bad battery life (560 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D300S Travel photography highlights
Pentax K-3 Travel photography highlights
48
environment sealing
flash built-in
heavier than competitors (938g)
low MP (12MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
60
weather proofing
good MP (24 megapixels)
has built in flash
bad battery life (560 shots)
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D300S Landscape photography advice
Pentax K-3 Landscape photography advice
65
you can focus manually
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3")
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
has dual storage slots
no image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
78
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3.2")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
no low pass filter
above average ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
two card slots
bad battery life (560 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D300S
Vlogging with Pentax K-3
22
includes face detect autofocus
has mic jack
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
heavier than competitors (938 grams)
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external mic socket
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D300S and Pentax K-3
 Nikon D300SPentax K-3
General Information
Make Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon D300S Pentax K-3
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2009-11-16 2014-04-10
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed Prime III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 24MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Max resolution 4288 x 2848 6016 x 4000
Max native ISO 3200 51200
Max enhanced ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Minimum enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 51 27
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3.2"
Display resolution 920 thousand dots 1,037 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.63x 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 7.0 frames per second 8.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 938 gr (2.07 lbs) 800 gr (1.76 lbs)
Dimensions 147 x 114 x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 70 80
DXO Color Depth score 22.5 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 12.2 13.4
DXO Low light score 787 1216
Other
Battery life 950 photographs 560 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL3e D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Compact Flash Type I/SD/SDHC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Two Two
Cost at release $1,630 $639