Clicky

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Portability
55
Imaging
52
Features
65
Overall
57
Nikon D300S front
 
Pentax K-5 IIs front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
83
Overall
68

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-5 IIs Key Specs

Nikon D300S
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Bump to 6400)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 938g - 147 x 114 x 74mm
  • Introduced November 2009
  • Succeeded the Nikon D300
  • Updated by Nikon D600
Pentax K-5 IIs
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Introduced June 2013
  • Succeeded the Pentax K-5
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-5 IIs Overview

On this page, we are analyzing the Nikon D300S and Pentax K-5 IIs, both Advanced DSLR cameras by competitors Nikon and Pentax. There exists a substantial gap among the sensor resolutions of the D300S (12MP) and K-5 IIs (16MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor sizes (APS-C).

Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

The D300S was introduced 4 years prior to the K-5 IIs which is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before going straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a concise view of how the D300S scores against the K-5 IIs with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Cutting-edge AI developed by Apple deciphers subtle nuances in pixels
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon D300S over the Pentax K-5 IIs

 D300S K-5 IIs 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 IIs over the Nikon D300S

 K-5 IIs D300S 
IntroducedJune 2013November 2009More modern by 43 months
Display resolution921k920kCrisper display (+1k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D300S and Pentax K-5 IIs

 D300S K-5 IIs 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display dimensions
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-5 IIs Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry around your camera frequently, you need to consider its weight and proportions. The Nikon D300S enjoys external measurements of 147mm x 114mm x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") and a weight of 938 grams (2.07 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-5 IIs has measurements of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") and a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Check out the Nikon D300S and Pentax K-5 IIs in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the D300S compared to the K-5 IIs.

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-5 IIs size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the D300S and K-5 IIs is 55 and 60 respectively.

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-5 IIs top view buttons comparison

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-5 IIs Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be tough to visualise the gap in sensor sizes purely by going through a spec sheet. The image here may provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the D300S and K-5 IIs.

Clearly, both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You can anticipate the Pentax K-5 IIs to provide extra detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop images more aggressively. The more aged D300S will be behind in sensor technology.

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-5 IIs sensor size comparison

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-5 IIs Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-5 IIs Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D300S as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-5 IIs as a Portrait photography camera
63
manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
74
you can focus manually
decent MP (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect focus
exports RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Nikon D300S Street photography advice
Pentax K-5 IIs Street photography advice
52
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
heavier than others (938g)
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
no articulating screen
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Sports Comparison

Nikon D300S Sports photography info
Pentax K-5 IIs Sports photography info
59
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
79
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
environment proofing
has phase detect auto focus
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Travel Comparison

Nikon D300S Travel photography information
Pentax K-5 IIs Travel photography information
48
weather proofing
has built in flash
heavier than others (938g)
megapixel count low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
65
environment proofing
decent MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D300S
Landscape photography with Pentax K-5 IIs
65
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3")
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
2 card slots
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
79
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
does not have anti-alias filter
exports RAW files
environment proofing
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D300S Vlogging factors
Pentax K-5 IIs Vlogging factors
22
supports face detect autofocus
includes mic support
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
heavier than others (938 grams)
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has mic port
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-5 IIs Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D300S and Pentax K-5 IIs
 Nikon D300SPentax K-5 IIs
General Information
Make Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon D300S Pentax K-5 IIs
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2009-11-16 2013-06-04
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 372.9mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Maximum resolution 4288 x 2848 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 3200 12800
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 51200
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW support
Minimum boosted ISO 100 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
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 11
Cross focus points - 9
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" 3"
Resolution of screen 920k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.63x 0.61x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 7.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated 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, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/180 seconds
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 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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) 760 grams (1.68 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 All around score 70 82
DXO Color Depth score 22.5 23.9
DXO Dynamic range score 12.2 14.1
DXO Low light score 787 1208
Other
Battery life 950 photographs 980 photographs
Type 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 recording
Type of storage Compact Flash Type I/SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 2 1
Launch cost $1,630 $749