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Nikon D300S vs Pentax K10D

Portability
55
Imaging
52
Features
65
Overall
57
Nikon D300S front
 
Pentax K10D front
Portability
59
Imaging
49
Features
43
Overall
46

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K10D Key Specs

Nikon D300S
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • 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
  • Replaced the Nikon D300
  • Updated by Nikon D600
Pentax K10D
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 793g - 142 x 101 x 70mm
  • Announced December 2006
  • Later Model is Pentax K20D
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Nikon D300S vs Pentax K10D Overview

Following is a thorough analysis of the Nikon D300S vs Pentax K10D, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Pentax. The resolution of the D300S (12MP) and the K10D (10MP) is pretty similar and they feature the exact same sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The D300S was manufactured 2 years after the K10D which is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving in to a complete comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the D300S matches up against the K10D for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D300S over the Pentax K10D

 D300S K10D 
AnnouncedNovember 2009December 2006More modern by 36 months
Screen dimension3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution920k210kSharper screen (+710k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K10D over the Nikon D300S

 K10D D300S 

Common features in the Nikon D300S and Pentax K10D

 D300S K10D 
Manually focus More precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K10D Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry around your camera, you should think about its weight and size. The Nikon D300S enjoys outer measurements 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 K10D has specifications of 142mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") having a weight of 793 grams (1.75 lbs).

Examine the Nikon D300S vs Pentax K10D in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilising at the time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the D300S versus the K10D.

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K10D size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the D300S and K10D is 55 and 59 respectively.

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K10D top view buttons comparison

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K10D Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is tough to visualise the contrast between sensor sizes merely by going over technical specs. The image below may provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the D300S and K10D.

As you have seen, both of those cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Nikon D300S to offer you extra detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The younger D300S is going to have an advantage in sensor technology.

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K10D sensor size comparison

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K10D Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K10D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D300S as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K10D as a Portrait photography camera
63
focusing manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect focus
delivers RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
53
focusing manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no liveview
low MP (10MP)
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Street Comparison

Nikon D300S as a Street photography camera
Pentax K10D as a Street photography camera
52
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (938g)
64
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather proof
fixed screen
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Nikon D300S Sports photography info
Pentax K10D Sports photography info
59
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
weather sealing
has phase detect auto focus
no image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
53
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
weather proof
sensor has phase detect auto focus
no liveview
low frames per second (3.0 frames/s)
low MP (10MP)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon D300S
Travel photography with Pentax K10D
48
weather sealing
flash built-in
more heavy than competition in class (938g)
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly display
49
weather proof
built-in flash
no Time Lapse recording
low MP (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D300S as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K10D as a Landscape photography camera
65
focusing manually
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
two card slots
no image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
55
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather proof
small screen (2.5 inches)
no liveview
low MP (10 megapixels)
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D300S as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K10D as a Vlogging camera
22
offers face detect focus
has microphone socket
does not posses selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
more heavy than competition in class (938g)
9
no video
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Nikon D300S vs Pentax K10D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D300S and Pentax K10D
 Nikon D300SPentax K10D
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon D300S Pentax K10D
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2009-11-16 2006-12-15
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 372.9mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Full resolution 4288 x 2848 3872 x 2592
Max native ISO 3200 1600
Max boosted ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW photos
Minimum boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 51 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 2.5"
Screen resolution 920 thousand dot 210 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.63x 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 7.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Auto Red Eye
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/250 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 480 (24 fps), 320 x 240 (24 fps) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Video file format 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 None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 938 grams (2.07 lb) 793 grams (1.75 lb)
Dimensions 147 x 114 x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") 142 x 101 x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 70 66
DXO Color Depth score 22.5 22.7
DXO Dynamic range score 12.2 11.6
DXO Low light score 787 522
Other
Battery life 950 images -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model EN-EL3e -
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media Compact Flash Type I/SD/SDHC SD/MMC/SDHC card
Storage slots Dual One
Pricing at launch $1,630 $700