Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-S1
55 Imaging
52 Features
65 Overall
57


69 Imaging
63 Features
70 Overall
65
Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-S1 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 200 - 3200 (Raise to 6400)
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1280 x 720 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 938g - 147 x 114 x 74mm
- Introduced November 2009
- Previous Model is Nikon D300
- Refreshed by Nikon D600
(Full Review)
- 20MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 51200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 558g - 121 x 93 x 70mm
- Introduced August 2014
- Refreshed by Pentax K-S2

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-S1 Overview
Its time to look more closely at the Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-S1, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Pentax. There exists a considerable gap between the sensor resolutions of the D300S (12MP) and K-S1 (20MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor sizes (APS-C).

The D300S was manufactured 5 years prior to the K-S1 which is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).
Before we go right into a in-depth comparison, here is a quick summary of how the D300S scores versus the K-S1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-S1 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon D300S & Pentax K-S1. The entire galleries are available at Nikon D300S Gallery & Pentax K-S1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D300S over the Pentax K-S1
D300S | K-S1 |
---|
Reasons to pick Pentax K-S1 over the Nikon D300S
K-S1 | D300S | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | August 2014 | ![]() | November 2009 | Newer by 58 months |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 920k | Clearer display (+1k dot) |
Common features in the Nikon D300S and Pentax K-S1
D300S | K-S1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More exact focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same display dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither features Touch friendly display |
Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-S1 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is planning to travel with your camera often, you'll need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Nikon D300S enjoys external dimensions of 147mm x 114mm x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") having a weight of 938 grams (2.07 lbs) while the Pentax K-S1 has proportions of 121mm x 93mm x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") having a weight of 558 grams (1.23 lbs).
Check the Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-S1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilising at the time. Below is a front view dimension comparison of the D300S vs the K-S1.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the D300S and K-S1 is 55 and 69 respectively.

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-S1 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it can be tough to picture the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by reading a spec sheet. The picture underneath should give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the D300S and K-S1.
Clearly, both of those cameras feature the identical sensor size but different megapixels. You can anticipate the Pentax K-S1 to offer you extra detail due to its extra 8MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos way more aggressively. The more aged D300S is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-S1 Specifications
Nikon D300S | Pentax K-S1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Nikon | Pentax |
Model | Nikon D300S | Pentax K-S1 |
Class | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Introduced | 2009-11-16 | 2014-08-27 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Expeed | Prime MII |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 23.6 x 15.8mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 372.9mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 20 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 |
Highest resolution | 4288 x 2848 | 5472 x 3648 |
Highest native ISO | 3200 | 51200 |
Highest boosted ISO | 6400 | - |
Min native ISO | 200 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Min boosted ISO | 100 | - |
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Number of focus points | 51 | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Nikon F | Pentax KAF2 |
Amount of lenses | 309 | 151 |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Screen resolution | 920k dots | 921k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Screen technology | Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.63x | 0.64x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/6000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 7.0fps | 5.4fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | 10.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain | Auto, auto + redeye, on, on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | 1/250 seconds | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
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 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | H.264 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | Optional | Optional |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 938 gr (2.07 pounds) | 558 gr (1.23 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 147 x 114 x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") | 121 x 93 x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 70 | 78 |
DXO Color Depth score | 22.5 | 23.5 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 12.2 | 13.0 |
DXO Low light score | 787 | 1061 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 950 pictures | 410 pictures |
Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | EN-EL3e | D-LI109 |
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 launch | $1,630 | $339 |