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Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-3 II

Portability
55
Imaging
52
Features
65
Overall
57
Nikon D300S front
 
Pentax K-3 II front
Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
84
Overall
73

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-3 II Key Specs

Nikon D300S
(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
Pentax K-3 II
(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.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon D300S over the Pentax K-3 II

 D300S K-3 II 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 II over the Nikon D300S

 K-3 II D300S 
ReleasedApril 2015November 2009Newer by 66 months
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k920kSharper screen (+117k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D300S and Pentax K-3 II

 D300S K-3 II 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Screen typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-3 II size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the D300S and K-3 II is 55 and 59 respectively.

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-3 II top view buttons comparison

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.

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-3 II sensor size comparison

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-3 II Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D300S as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-3 II as a Portrait photography camera
63
manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with face detect focus
supports RAW files
low megapixels (12MP)
79
has manual focus
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports face detect focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D300S as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-3 II as a Street photography camera
52
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (938g)
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
good high ISO (51,200)
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D300S Sports photography factors
Pentax K-3 II Sports photography factors
59
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
weather proofing
has phase detect auto focus
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
environment sealing
supports phase detect AF
terrible battery pack (720 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D300S Travel photography details
Pentax K-3 II Travel photography details
48
weather proofing
has built in flash
more heavy than competition in class (938g)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
56
environment sealing
MP count decent (24MP)
terrible battery pack (720 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D300S Landscape photography advice
Pentax K-3 II Landscape photography advice
65
manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
has dual storage slots
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
78
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
no low pass filter
good high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
has dual storage slots
terrible battery pack (720 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D300S as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-3 II as a Vlogging camera
22
comes with face detect focus
has microphone jack
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
more heavy than competition in class (938g)
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with mic jack
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-3 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D300S and Pentax K-3 II
 Nikon D300SPentax 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