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Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-30

Portability
55
Imaging
52
Features
65
Overall
57
Nikon D300S front
 
Pentax K-30 front
Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
66
Overall
61

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs

Nikon D300S
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Raise to 6400)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 938g - 147 x 114 x 74mm
  • Announced November 2009
  • Superseded the Nikon D300
  • Renewed by Nikon D600
Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Announced October 2012
  • Replacement is Pentax K-50
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Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-30 Overview

Lets examine more in depth at the Nikon D300S and Pentax K-30, both Advanced DSLR cameras by competitors Nikon and Pentax. There is a large difference among the resolutions of the D300S (12MP) and K-30 (16MP) but they come with the same exact sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The D300S was revealed 3 years before the K-30 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving in to a complete comparison, below is a short view of how the D300S grades against the K-30 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D300S over the Pentax K-30

 D300S K-30 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Nikon D300S

 K-30 D300S 
AnnouncedOctober 2012November 2009More recent by 35 months
Screen resolution921k920kCrisper screen (+1k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D300S and Pentax K-30

 D300S K-30 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen Neither contains Touch screen

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to lug around your camera frequently, you need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D300S has got exterior measurements of 147mm x 114mm x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 938 grams (2.07 lbs) and the Pentax K-30 has dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Examine the Nikon D300S and Pentax K-30 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the D300S against the K-30.

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-30 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the D300S and K-30 is 55 and 63 respectively.

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-30 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's tough to see the difference in sensor measurements only by viewing specifications. The photograph underneath will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the D300S and K-30.

Plainly, both of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You can expect the Pentax K-30 to provide you with more detail because of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The older D300S will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-30 sensor size comparison

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-30 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D300S
Portrait photography with Pentax K-30
63
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports face detect focus
exports RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
74
focusing manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D300S Street photography features
Pentax K-30 Street photography features
52
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
weather sealing
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than competitors in class (938g)
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon D300S
Sports photography with Pentax K-30
59
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
weather sealing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
67
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
max frames per second low (6.0 frames per second)
low battery pack (410 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D300S Travel photography info
Pentax K-30 Travel photography info
48
weather sealing
built-in flash
more heavy than competitors in class (938 grams)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
60
environment sealing
good resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
low battery pack (410 per charge)
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D300S Landscape photography advice
Pentax K-30 Landscape photography advice
65
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
weather sealing
has dual storage slots
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
73
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
low battery pack (410 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D300S Vlogging highlights
Pentax K-30 Vlogging highlights
22
supports face detect focus
includes microphone jack
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
more heavy than competitors in class (938g)
30
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not contain selfie friendly display
no microphone port
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Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D300S and Pentax K-30
 Nikon D300SPentax K-30
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon D300S Pentax K-30
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2009-11-16 2012-10-29
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed Prime M
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Max resolution 4288 x 2848 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 3200 12800
Max enhanced ISO 6400 25600
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW photos
Min enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 51 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 309 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of display 920 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.63x 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 7.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/250 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 480 (24 fps), 320 x 240 (24 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 938 grams (2.07 pounds) 650 grams (1.43 pounds)
Dimensions 147 x 114 x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 70 79
DXO Color Depth score 22.5 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 12.2 13.0
DXO Low light score 787 1129
Other
Battery life 950 shots 410 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL3e D-LI109,4 x AA
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 SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Two 1
Retail cost $1,630 $525