Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-3

Pentax K-3 advantages over Nikon D300

• Less expensive
  $1150 vs $1800 (MSRP)
  Save money for lenses or accessories
• Focus peaking
  Peaker vs Non-peaker
  Your camera will highlight what's in focus
• In-Camera Image Stabilization
  Yes vs No
  Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
• Higher effective ISO

  Higher effective ISO

  Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

  Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

  You can learn more at our glossary entry.

  Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.

  K-3 test data on DxO Mark D300 test data on DxO Mark
  1,216 vs 679 iso
  Take photos in low light with less noise
• More dynamic range

  More dynamic range

  Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

  Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

  Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.

  K-3 test data on DxO Mark D300 test data on DxO Mark
  13.4 vs 12.0 evs
  Retain detail in highlight and shadows
• External Mic Jack
  Jack vs No jack
  Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
• Newer
  11 years vs 17 years old
  Newer cameras often support more advanced features
• Shoots 24p video
  Yes vs No
  Gives your movies a big-screen feel
• Shoots 1080p video
  Yes vs No
  You'll want this if you shoot video
• Less shutter lag
  0.14 vs 0.23 sec
  Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
• More pixels
  24.4 vs 12.3 megapixels
  Higher resolution photos
• Shoots 60p video
  Yes vs No
  A faster framerate can give you more editing options
• Dual card slots
  Yes vs No
  Gives you more storage flexibility
• Headphone jack
  Yes vs No
  Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
• Optional anti-aliasing filter
  Optional vs Fixed
  Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
• Faster JPEG shooting
  7.1 fps vs 6.1 fps
  Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
• Bigger JPEG buffer
  75 vs 37 shots
  Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
• Higher extended ISO
  51200 vs 6400 ISO
  Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility