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Nikon D300S vs Pentax ist DL2

Portability
55
Imaging
52
Features
65
Overall
57
Nikon D300S front
 
Pentax ist DL2 front
Portability
69
Imaging
45
Features
33
Overall
40

Nikon D300S vs Pentax ist DL2 Key Specs

Nikon D300S
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Bump to 6400)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 938g - 147 x 114 x 74mm
  • Introduced November 2009
  • Superseded the Nikon D300
  • Later Model is Nikon D600
Pentax ist DL2
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 565g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
  • Introduced January 2006
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Nikon D300S vs Pentax ist DL2 Overview

On this page, we are contrasting the Nikon D300S versus Pentax ist DL2, both Advanced DSLR cameras by rivals Nikon and Pentax. There exists a sizeable gap among the image resolutions of the D300S (12MP) and ist DL2 (6MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The D300S was brought out 3 years after the ist DL2 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before we go right into a in depth comparison, here is a concise summary of how the D300S grades against the ist DL2 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D300S over the Pentax ist DL2

 D300S ist DL2 
IntroducedNovember 2009January 2006Newer by 47 months
Display dimensions3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution920k210kSharper display (+710k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DL2 over the Nikon D300S

 ist DL2 D300S 

Common features in the Nikon D300S and Pentax ist DL2

 D300S ist DL2 
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither contains Touch friendly display

Nikon D300S vs Pentax ist DL2 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to travel with your camera often, you are going to need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D300S has got external measurements of 147mm x 114mm x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") along with a weight of 938 grams (2.07 lbs) while the Pentax ist DL2 has dimensions of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") along with a weight of 565 grams (1.25 lbs).

Check out the Nikon D300S versus Pentax ist DL2 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you select at that moment. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the D300S compared to the ist DL2.

Nikon D300S vs Pentax ist DL2 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the D300S and ist DL2 is 55 and 69 respectively.

Nikon D300S vs Pentax ist DL2 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D300S vs Pentax ist DL2 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is tough to visualize the difference in sensor dimensions purely by checking out a spec sheet. The pic here should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the D300S and ist DL2.

Clearly, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You should expect to see the Nikon D300S to show extra detail having its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop pics a bit more aggressively. The newer D300S should have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon D300S vs Pentax ist DL2 sensor size comparison

Nikon D300S vs Pentax ist DL2 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D300S vs Pentax ist DL2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D300S Portrait photography advice
Pentax ist DL2 Portrait photography advice
63
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect focus
exports RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
51
focusing manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no liveview
MP count low (6 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Nikon D300S Street photography factors
Pentax ist DL2 Street photography factors
52
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
heavier than average in class (938g)
60
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lighter than competitors in class (565g)
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D300S Sports photography highlights
Pentax ist DL2 Sports photography highlights
59
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
weather sealing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
no image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
39
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
no liveview
max fps low (3.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (6MP)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D300S Travel photography information
Pentax ist DL2 Travel photography information
48
weather sealing
built-in flash
heavier than average in class (938g)
low MP (12 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
52
lighter than competitors in class (565g)
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
MP count low (6 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D300S
Landscape photography with Pentax ist DL2
65
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3")
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
has double storage slots
no image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
47
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
no liveview
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (6MP)
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D300S
Vlogging with Pentax ist DL2
22
includes face detect focus
includes mic port
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
heavier than average in class (938 grams)
22
lighter than competitors in class (565 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution ( pxls)
does not have external mic port
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Nikon D300S vs Pentax ist DL2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D300S and Pentax ist DL2
 Nikon D300SPentax ist DL2
General Information
Company Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon D300S Pentax ist DL2
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2009-11-16 2006-01-27
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 6 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Maximum resolution 4288 x 2848 3008 x 2008
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 200 200
RAW photos
Min boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 51 5
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Pentax KAF
Number of lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 2.5 inch
Display resolution 920 thousand dot 210 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical
Viewfinder coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.63x 0.57x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 7.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250s -
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) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 -
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected No
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 938g (2.07 pounds) 565g (1.25 pounds)
Physical dimensions 147 x 114 x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 70 65
DXO Color Depth score 22.5 22.9
DXO Dynamic range score 12.2 11.1
DXO Low light score 787 639
Other
Battery life 950 photographs -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model EN-EL3e 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media Compact Flash Type I/SD/SDHC SD/MMC card
Storage slots Two One
Retail pricing $1,630 -