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Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-500

Portability
55
Imaging
52
Features
65
Overall
57
Nikon D300S front
 
Pentax K-500 front
Portability
64
Imaging
58
Features
70
Overall
62

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-500 Key Specs

Nikon D300S
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Push to 6400)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 938g - 147 x 114 x 74mm
  • Released November 2009
  • Old Model is Nikon D300
  • Renewed by Nikon D600
Pentax K-500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 646g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Announced November 2013
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Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-500 Overview

Let's look closer at the Nikon D300S versus Pentax K-500, former is a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Nikon and Pentax. There is a considerable difference among the resolutions of the D300S (12MP) and K-500 (16MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The D300S was manufactured 5 years earlier than the K-500 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Nikon D300S being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax K-500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go straight to a full comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the D300S grades versus the K-500 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D300S over the Pentax K-500

 D300S K-500 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Nikon D300S

 K-500 D300S 
AnnouncedNovember 2013November 2009More modern by 49 months
Display resolution921k920kSharper display (+1k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D300S and Pentax K-500

 D300S K-500 
Manually focus More precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-500 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry around your camera often, you'll need to take into account its weight and size. The Nikon D300S has external dimensions of 147mm x 114mm x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") with a weight of 938 grams (2.07 lbs) and the Pentax K-500 has specifications of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).

Check the Nikon D300S versus Pentax K-500 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have at the time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the D300S vs the K-500.

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-500 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the D300S and K-500 is 55 and 64 respectively.

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-500 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-500 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is difficult to envision the gap in sensor sizes simply by researching technical specs. The pic here might give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the D300S and K-500.

As you can tell, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Pentax K-500 to render more detail due to its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will let you crop photos a bit more aggressively. The more aged D300S will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-500 sensor size comparison

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-500 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D300S
Portrait photography with Pentax K-500
63
manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
low resolution (12MP)
74
manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon D300S
Street photography with Pentax K-500
52
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proof
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competition (938 grams)
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
good high ISO (51,600)
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D300S as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-500 as a Sports photography camera
59
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
weather proof
comes with phase detect autofocus
lack of image stabilization
low resolution (12MP)
72
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
better than average battery life (710 per charge)
sensor has phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames/s)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon D300S
Travel photography with Pentax K-500
48
weather proof
flash built-in
more heavy than competition (938g)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
67
better than average battery life (710 per charge)
megapixel count good (16MP)
flash built-in
does not feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D300S Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-500 Landscape photography factors
65
manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proof
has dual storage slots
lack of image stabilization
low resolution (12 megapixels)
79
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
good high ISO (51,600)
delivers RAW files
better than average battery life (710 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D300S Vlogging information
Pentax K-500 Vlogging information
22
comes with face detection autofocus
does have external microphone jack
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
more heavy than competition (938 grams)
30
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not feature selfie friendly display
lack of microphone jack
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Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D300S and Pentax K-500
 Nikon D300SPentax K-500
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon D300S Pentax K-500
Class Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2009-11-16 2013-11-27
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor 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 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Max resolution 4288 x 2848 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 3200 51600
Max enhanced ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Min enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 51 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 309 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 920k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.63x 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 7.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest 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
Supported 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 input
Headphone input
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 gr (2.07 lb) 646 gr (1.42 lb)
Physical 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 13.1
DXO Low light score 787 1087
Other
Battery life 950 pictures 710 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack AA
Battery model EN-EL3e 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media Compact Flash Type I/SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Two Single
Retail price $1,630 $600