Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-5
55 Imaging
52 Features
65 Overall
57


60 Imaging
56 Features
82 Overall
66
Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-5 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 200 - 3200 (Increase to 6400)
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1280 x 720 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 938g - 147 x 114 x 74mm
- Introduced November 2009
- Replaced the Nikon D300
- Later Model is Nikon D600
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 12800 (Boost to 51200)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
- Introduced December 2010
- Earlier Model is Pentax K-7
- Renewed by Pentax K-5 IIs

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-5 Overview
Below is a thorough review of the Nikon D300S versus Pentax K-5, 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-5 (16MP) but both cameras boast the identical sensor measurements (APS-C).

The D300S was released 13 months prior to the K-5 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).
Before going straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the D300S matches up versus the K-5 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-5 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon D300S & Pentax K-5. The complete galleries are viewable at Nikon D300S Gallery & Pentax K-5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D300S over the Pentax K-5
D300S | K-5 |
---|
Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Nikon D300S
K-5 | D300S | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | December 2010 | ![]() | November 2009 | More recent by 13 months |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 920k | Crisper screen (+1k dot) |
Common features in the Nikon D300S and Pentax K-5
D300S | K-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very precise focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | No selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | No Touch screen |
Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-5 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is intending to lug around your camera, you need to consider its weight and volume. The Nikon D300S offers physical measurements of 147mm x 114mm x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") along with a weight of 938 grams (2.07 lbs) and the Pentax K-5 has sizing of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") and a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs).
Analyze the Nikon D300S versus Pentax K-5 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have at the time. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the D300S and the K-5.

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the D300S and K-5 is 55 and 60 respectively.

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-5 Sensor Comparison
Often, it's hard to see the gap between sensor measurements purely by reading technical specs. The photograph here will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the D300S and K-5.
As you have seen, both cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Pentax K-5 to deliver extra detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots way more aggressively. The older D300S is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-5 Specifications
Nikon D300S | Pentax K-5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Nikon | Pentax |
Model type | Nikon D300S | Pentax K-5 |
Type | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Introduced | 2009-11-16 | 2010-12-18 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Expeed | Prime II |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 23.6 x 15.8mm | 23.7 x 15.7mm |
Sensor surface area | 372.9mm² | 372.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4288 x 2848 | 4928 x 3264 |
Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 12800 |
Maximum enhanced ISO | 6400 | 51200 |
Minimum native ISO | 200 | 80 |
RAW data | ||
Minimum enhanced ISO | 100 | - |
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Total focus points | 51 | 11 |
Cross type focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Nikon F | Pentax KAF2 |
Number of lenses | 309 | 151 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of display | 920 thousand dots | 921 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Display tech | Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle | TFT LCD monitor |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.63x | 0.61x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Max shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/8000s |
Continuous shutter rate | 7.0 frames per sec | 7.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | 13.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | 1/250s | 1/180s |
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 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 424 (25, 30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
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 sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 938g (2.07 pounds) | 740g (1.63 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 147 x 114 x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") | 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 70 | 82 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 22.5 | 23.7 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 12.2 | 14.1 |
DXO Low light rating | 787 | 1162 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 950 photographs | 980 photographs |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | EN-EL3e | D-LI90 |
Self timer | Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | Compact Flash Type I/SD/SDHC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | Two | One |
Cost at release | $1,630 | $800 |