Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-3 II
55 Imaging
52 Features
65 Overall
57
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59 Imaging
66 Features
84 Overall
73
Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-3 II Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 200 - 3200 (Raise to 6400)
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1280 x 720 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 938g - 147 x 114 x 74mm
- Introduced November 2009
- Succeeded the Nikon D300
- Successor is Nikon D600
(Full Review)
- 24MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3.2" Fixed Screen
- 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
- Released April 2015
- Previous Model is Pentax K-3
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Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-3 II Overview
The following is a complete overview of the Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-3 II, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Pentax. There exists a sizeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the D300S (12MP) and K-3 II (24MP) but both cameras have the same sensor sizes (APS-C).
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The D300S was revealed 6 years earlier than the K-3 II which is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).
Before delving into a more detailed comparison, here is a short highlight of how the D300S matches up against the K-3 II for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
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Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-3 II Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon D300S and Pentax K-3 II. The full galleries are viewable at Nikon D300S Gallery and Pentax K-3 II Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D300S over the Pentax K-3 II
D300S | K-3 II |
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Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 II over the Nikon D300S
K-3 II | D300S | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | April 2015 | ![]() | November 2009 | Newer by 66 months |
Screen dimensions | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Screen resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 920k | Sharper screen (+117k dot) |
Common features in the Nikon D300S and Pentax K-3 II
D300S | K-3 II | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very accurate focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Absent Touch friendly screen |
Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-3 II Physical Comparison
If you're looking to travel with your camera frequently, you should factor in its weight and volume. The Nikon D300S provides outside dimensions of 147mm x 114mm x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 938 grams (2.07 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-3 II has sizing of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).
Compare the Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-3 II in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you use at the time. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the D300S and the K-3 II.
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Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the D300S and K-3 II is 55 and 59 respectively.
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Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-3 II Sensor Comparison
More often than not, its hard to picture the difference between sensor dimensions purely by reading specs. The image here will help offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the D300S and K-3 II.
All in all, both cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You should expect the Pentax K-3 II to offer you greater detail because of its extra 12 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more aged D300S is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.
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Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-3 II Screen and ViewFinder
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Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
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Street Comparison
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Sports Comparison
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Travel Comparison
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Landscape Comparison
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Vlogging Comparison
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Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-3 II Specifications
Nikon D300S | Pentax K-3 II | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Nikon | Pentax |
Model | Nikon D300S | Pentax K-3 II |
Category | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Introduced | 2009-11-16 | 2015-04-23 |
Body design | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | 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 surface area | 372.9mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 24 megapixel |
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 | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 51 | 27 |
Cross focus points | - | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Nikon F | Pentax KAF2 |
Available lenses | 309 | 151 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3 inch | 3.2 inch |
Resolution of screen | 920k dot | 1,037k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Screen technology | Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.63x | 0.64x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Max shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/8000s |
Continuous shutter speed | 7.0 frames/s | 8.3 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | no built-in flash |
Flash modes | 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 (available with dedicated external flash) |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | 1/250s | 1/180s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
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 file format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | Optional |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) |
GPS | Optional | BuiltIn |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 938 gr (2.07 lbs) | 800 gr (1.76 lbs) |
Physical 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 | 23.6 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 12.2 | 13.6 |
DXO Low light score | 787 | 1106 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 950 photos | 720 photos |
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 seconds) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | Compact Flash Type I/SD/SDHC | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | Dual | Dual |
Pricing at release | $1,630 | $829 |