Clicky

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K20D

Portability
55
Imaging
52
Features
65
Overall
57
Nikon D300S front
 
Pentax K20D front
Portability
59
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K20D Key Specs

Nikon D300S
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Boost to 6400)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 938g - 147 x 114 x 74mm
  • Introduced November 2009
  • Replaced the Nikon D300
  • Refreshed by Nikon D600
Pentax K20D
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Raise to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 142 x 101 x 70mm
  • Announced June 2008
  • Succeeded the Pentax K10D
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K20D Overview

Following is a extended assessment of the Nikon D300S and Pentax K20D, both Advanced DSLR cameras by brands Nikon and Pentax. The image resolution of the D300S (12MP) and the K20D (15MP) is very close and they possess the exact same sensor sizes (APS-C).

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

The D300S was introduced 17 months after the K20D making the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving through a thorough comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the D300S grades against the K20D when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon D300S over the Pentax K20D

 D300S K20D 
AnnouncedNovember 2009June 2008More modern by 17 months
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kSharper display (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K20D over the Nikon D300S

 K20D D300S 

Common features in the Nikon D300S and Pentax K20D

 D300S K20D 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K20D Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry around your camera regularly, you will want to factor its weight and measurements. The Nikon D300S comes with exterior measurements of 147mm x 114mm x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") with a weight of 938 grams (2.07 lbs) whilst the Pentax K20D has proportions of 142mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon D300S and Pentax K20D in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the D300S and the K20D.

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K20D size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the D300S and K20D is 55 and 59 respectively.

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K20D top view buttons comparison

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K20D Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is difficult to see the contrast in sensor sizes purely by looking through specs. The pic underneath should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the D300S and K20D.

All in all, the 2 cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but not the same megapixels. You can expect to see the Pentax K20D to result in more detail using its extra 3 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop images much more aggressively. The newer D300S will have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K20D sensor size comparison

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K20D Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K20D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D300S Portrait photography information
Pentax K20D Portrait photography information
63
manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features face detect focus
saves RAW formats
low MP (12MP)
71
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (15MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Street Comparison

Nikon D300S Street photography features
Pentax K20D Street photography features
52
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than others (938 grams)
65
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
screen is fixed
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Nikon D300S Sports photography factors
Pentax K20D Sports photography factors
59
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
environment proofing
comes with phase detect auto focus
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (15MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
environment proofing
supports phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Travel Comparison

Nikon D300S Travel photography advice
Pentax K20D Travel photography advice
48
environment proofing
built-in flash
more heavy than others (938g)
low MP (12MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
64
environment proofing
megapixel count decent (15MP)
has built in flash
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Landscape Comparison

Nikon D300S Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K20D Landscape photography highlights
65
manual focus
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
has double storage slots
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
70
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (15MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
small screen (2.7 inches)
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D300S Vlogging info
Pentax K20D Vlogging info
22
features face detect focus
does have microphone port
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
more heavy than others (938 grams)
9
can't record video
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Nikon D300S vs Pentax K20D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D300S and Pentax K20D
 Nikon D300SPentax K20D
General Information
Brand Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D300S Pentax K20D
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2009-11-16 2008-06-25
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed -
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 12MP 15MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Full resolution 4288 x 2848 4672 x 3104
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Max boosted ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW files
Lowest boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 51 11
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 309 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 920k dots 230k 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 95 percent
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 rate 7.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250 secs 1/180 secs
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) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Mic support
Headphone support
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 938 grams (2.07 lb) 800 grams (1.76 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 rating 70 65
DXO Color Depth rating 22.5 22.9
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.2 11.1
DXO Low light rating 787 639
Other
Battery life 950 photographs -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID EN-EL3e D-LI50
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Compact Flash Type I/SD/SDHC SD/MMC/SDHC card
Card slots Dual 1
Launch cost $1,630 $700