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Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-7

Portability
55
Imaging
52
Features
65
Overall
57
Nikon D300S front
 
Pentax K-7 front
Portability
60
Imaging
55
Features
69
Overall
60

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-7 Key Specs

Nikon D300S
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Push to 6400)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 938g - 147 x 114 x 74mm
  • Launched November 2009
  • Succeeded the Nikon D300
  • Successor is Nikon D600
Pentax K-7
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 2000 (Expand to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 750g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Revealed October 2009
  • Successor is Pentax K-5
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Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-7 Overview

Here is a detailed comparison of the Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-7, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by brands Nikon and Pentax. The resolution of the D300S (12MP) and the K-7 (15MP) is relatively similar and both cameras provide the same sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The D300S was manufactured 2 months later than the K-7 so they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before going right into a detailed comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the D300S scores versus the K-7 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D300S over the Pentax K-7

 D300S K-7 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-7 over the Nikon D300S

 K-7 D300S 
Screen resolution921k920kCrisper screen (+1k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D300S and Pentax K-7

 D300S K-7 
RevealedNovember 2009October 2009Similar generation
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-7 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry your camera frequently, you will have to consider its weight and measurements. The Nikon D300S offers outer dimensions 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-7 has proportions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") along with a weight of 750 grams (1.65 lbs).

Examine the Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-7 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you choose at the time. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the D300S and the K-7.

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-7 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the D300S and K-7 is 55 and 60 respectively.

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-7 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-7 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be difficult to picture the gap between sensor sizing only by reviewing specs. The graphic below should give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the D300S and K-7.

As you can plainly see, both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You should count on the Pentax K-7 to offer greater detail due to its extra 3 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures more aggressively.

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-7 sensor size comparison

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-7 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D300S Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-7 Portrait photography highlights
63
manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
low resolution (12 megapixels)
73
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon D300S
Street photography with Pentax K-7
52
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
fixed screen
no image stabilization
heavier than competition in class (938 grams)
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather sealing
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon D300S
Sports photography with Pentax K-7
59
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
no image stabilization
low resolution (12 megapixels)
70
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
weather sealing
comes with phase detect AF
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D300S Travel photography highlights
Pentax K-7 Travel photography highlights
48
weather proofing
built-in flash
heavier than competition in class (938g)
low resolution (12MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
65
weather sealing
decent sensor resolution (15 megapixels)
built-in flash
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D300S as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-7 as a Landscape photography camera
65
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
nice screen size (3")
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
has dual storage slots
no image stabilization
low resolution (12MP)
78
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather sealing
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D300S as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-7 as a Vlogging camera
22
offers face detect autofocus
includes mic jack
doesn't have selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
heavier than competition in class (938g)
25
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focusing
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic jack
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Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D300S and Pentax K-7
 Nikon D300SPentax K-7
General Information
Company Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon D300S Pentax K-7
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2009-11-16 2009-10-02
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 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 372.9mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 15 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Maximum resolution 4288 x 2848 4672 x 3104
Maximum native ISO 3200 2000
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Min boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 51 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 920 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT color LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.63x 0.61x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 7.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 13.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 480 (24 fps), 320 x 240 (24 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 1536 x 1024 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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 None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 938 gr (2.07 lbs) 750 gr (1.65 lbs)
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 61
DXO Color Depth score 22.5 22.6
DXO Dynamic range score 12.2 10.6
DXO Low light score 787 536
Other
Battery life 950 shots 980 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL3e D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash Type I/SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/MMC
Storage slots Two 1
Pricing at launch $1,630 $599