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Nikon D300S vs Pentax KP

Portability
55
Imaging
52
Features
65
Overall
57
Nikon D300S front
 
Pentax KP front
Portability
61
Imaging
67
Features
76
Overall
70

Nikon D300S vs Pentax KP Key Specs

Nikon D300S
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Boost to 6400)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 938g - 147 x 114 x 74mm
  • Launched November 2009
  • Older Model is Nikon D300
  • Successor is Nikon D600
Pentax KP
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 819200
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 703g - 132 x 101 x 76mm
  • Announced January 2017
Photography Glossary

Nikon D300S vs Pentax KP Overview

Here is a in-depth review of the Nikon D300S and Pentax KP, both Advanced DSLR cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Pentax. There exists a significant gap among the resolutions of the D300S (12MP) and KP (24MP) but both cameras boast the identical sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The D300S was announced 8 years prior to the KP and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before going straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise overview of how the D300S scores versus the KP with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D300S over the Pentax KP

 D300S KP 

Reasons to pick Pentax KP over the Nikon D300S

 KP D300S 
AnnouncedJanuary 2017November 2009Fresher by 87 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution921k920kSharper screen (+1k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D300S and Pentax KP

 D300S KP 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Nikon D300S vs Pentax KP Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry your camera, you will have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D300S enjoys outside 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 KP has dimensions of 132mm x 101mm x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0") with a weight of 703 grams (1.55 lbs).

Check the Nikon D300S and Pentax KP in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the D300S versus the KP.

Nikon D300S vs Pentax KP size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the D300S and KP is 55 and 61 respectively.

Nikon D300S vs Pentax KP top view buttons comparison

Nikon D300S vs Pentax KP Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be difficult to envision the difference in sensor sizing only by going through a spec sheet. The graphic here will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the D300S and KP.

Clearly, both of the cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Pentax KP to produce more detail with its extra 12MP. Higher resolution will let you crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The older D300S will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon D300S vs Pentax KP sensor size comparison

Nikon D300S vs Pentax KP Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D300S as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax KP as a Portrait photography camera
63
has manual focus
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
low megapixels (12MP)
80
has manual focus
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D300S Street photography info
Pentax KP Street photography info
52
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competitors (938 grams)
76
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
above average high ISO (819,200)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D300S as a Sports photography camera
Pentax KP as a Sports photography camera
59
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
environment proof
sensor has phase detect autofocus
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
72
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
quiet shooting (1/24,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
weather proof
not so great battery (390 shots)
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D300S Travel photography features
Pentax KP Travel photography features
48
environment proof
flash built-in
more heavy than competitors (938g)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
61
weather proof
megapixel count good (24MP)
has built in flash
not so great battery (390 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D300S Landscape photography info
Pentax KP Landscape photography info
65
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
two card slots
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
77
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
above average high ISO (819,200)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
not so great battery (390 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D300S Vlogging information
Pentax KP Vlogging information
22
provides face detection autofocus
includes external microphone socket
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
more heavy than competitors (938 grams)
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with mic socket
display is not selfie friendly
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Nikon D300S vs Pentax KP Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D300S and Pentax KP
 Nikon D300SPentax KP
General Information
Make Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D300S Pentax KP
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2009-11-16 2017-01-26
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed PRIME IV
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 12MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Maximum resolution 4288 x 2848 6016 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 3200 819200
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW files
Lowest boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 51 27
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 920k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.63x 0.63x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Maximum quiet shutter speed - 1/24000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 7.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 6.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual, wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250 seconds -
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 (60i, 30p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 938 grams (2.07 lbs) 703 grams (1.55 lbs)
Physical dimensions 147 x 114 x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") 132 x 101 x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 70 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.2 not tested
DXO Low light rating 787 not tested
Other
Battery life 950 shots 390 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL3e D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 or 12 secs)
Time lapse feature
Storage type Compact Flash Type I/SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I supported)
Card slots Dual One
Price at launch $1,630 $747