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Nikon D300S vs Pentax ist DS2

Portability
55
Imaging
52
Features
65
Overall
57
Nikon D300S front
 
Pentax ist DS2 front
Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39

Nikon D300S vs Pentax ist DS2 Key Specs

Nikon D300S
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Raise to 6400)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 938g - 147 x 114 x 74mm
  • Announced November 2009
  • Succeeded the Nikon D300
  • Newer Model is Nikon D600
Pentax ist DS2
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 605g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
  • Released August 2005
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Nikon D300S vs Pentax ist DS2 Overview

In this write-up, we will be matching up the Nikon D300S versus Pentax ist DS2, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by companies Nikon and Pentax. There exists a sizable gap between the sensor resolutions of the D300S (12MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The D300S was brought out 4 years after the ist DS2 which is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before we go in to a complete comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the D300S grades against the ist DS2 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D300S over the Pentax ist DS2

 D300S ist DS2 
ReleasedNovember 2009August 2005More modern by 52 months
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution920k210kSharper screen (+710k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Nikon D300S

 ist DS2 D300S 

Common features in the Nikon D300S and Pentax ist DS2

 D300S ist DS2 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Nikon D300S vs Pentax ist DS2 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry around your camera often, you will want to think about its weight and measurements. The Nikon D300S has outside dimensions of 147mm x 114mm x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") and a weight of 938 grams (2.07 lbs) and the Pentax ist DS2 has proportions of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") having a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

Check the Nikon D300S versus Pentax ist DS2 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you select during that time. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the D300S against the ist DS2.

Nikon D300S vs Pentax ist DS2 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the D300S and ist DS2 is 55 and 68 respectively.

Nikon D300S vs Pentax ist DS2 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D300S vs Pentax ist DS2 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very tough to picture the gap between sensor sizes just by checking specifications. The picture underneath should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the D300S and ist DS2.

To sum up, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You can expect the Nikon D300S to give you more detail having its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs far more aggressively. The more recent D300S provides an advantage in sensor innovation.

Nikon D300S vs Pentax ist DS2 sensor size comparison

Nikon D300S vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D300S vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D300S Portrait photography information
Pentax ist DS2 Portrait photography information
63
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection focus
exports RAW files
low resolution (12MP)
50
manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no liveview
low MP (6 megapixels)
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Nikon D300S Street photography information
Pentax ist DS2 Street photography information
52
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment proof
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than others in class (938g)
60
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lighter than others in class (605g)
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D300S Sports photography info
Pentax ist DS2 Sports photography info
59
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
environment proof
has phase detect auto focus
lack of image stabilization
low resolution (12 megapixels)
38
sensor size is good (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
no liveview
max frames per second very slow (3.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
low MP (6 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D300S Travel photography information
Pentax ist DS2 Travel photography information
48
environment proof
built-in flash
more heavy than others in class (938g)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
52
lighter than others in class (605 grams)
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
low MP (6MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D300S as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax ist DS2 as a Landscape photography camera
65
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3")
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment proof
has dual storage slots
lack of image stabilization
low resolution (12 megapixels)
46
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen is small (2.5 inches)
no liveview
does not have image stabilization
low MP (6 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D300S
Vlogging with Pentax ist DS2
22
includes face detection focus
has external microphone jack
doesn't have selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
more heavy than others in class (938g)
22
lighter than others in class (605g)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution ( pixels)
does not have external mic support
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Nikon D300S vs Pentax ist DS2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D300S and Pentax ist DS2
 Nikon D300SPentax ist DS2
General Information
Company Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon D300S Pentax ist DS2
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2009-11-16 2005-08-22
Physical type 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 megapixels 6 megapixels
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 -
Minimum native ISO 200 200
RAW data
Minimum boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 51 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F Pentax KAF
Number of lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 2.5"
Resolution of display 920k dots 210k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.63x 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 7.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt 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
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/250 seconds -
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) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 -
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 938 gr (2.07 pounds) 605 gr (1.33 pounds)
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 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.2 not tested
DXO Low light score 787 not tested
Other
Battery life 950 images -
Form of battery 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 type Compact Flash Type I/SD/SDHC SD/MMC card
Card slots 2 One
Cost at launch $1,630 -