Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-5 IIs
55 Imaging
51 Features
65 Overall
56
60 Imaging
57 Features
83 Overall
67
Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-5 IIs Key Specs
(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
(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
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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).
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next monthThe 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.
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Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon D300S & Pentax K-5 IIs. The whole galleries are provided at Nikon D300S Gallery & Pentax K-5 IIs Gallery.
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 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | June 2013 | November 2009 | More modern by 43 months | |
| Display resolution | 921k | 920k | Crisper display (+1k dot) |
Common features in the Nikon D300S and Pentax K-5 IIs
| D300S | K-5 IIs | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus manually | More accurate focus | |||
| Display type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed display | |
| Display dimensions | 3" | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder
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Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-5 IIs Specifications
| Nikon D300S | Pentax 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 |