Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-S1

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Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-S1

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APS-C 372.9mm²
12.3 megapixels
ISO 200 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Nikon D300 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D300.

APS-C 366.6mm²
20.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-S1 Review.

Succeeded by the Nikon D300S
Compare D300 vs D300S
Compare Nikon D300S vs Pentax K-S1

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Differences

Nikon D300 advantages over Pentax K-S1

Bigger pixels
~ 5.50 vs 4.29 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

1000 vs 480 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Faster JPEG shooting
6.1 fps vs 5.4 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
37 vs 20 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Pentax K-S1 advantages over Nikon D300

Less expensive
$800 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-S1 test data on DxO Mark D300 test data on DxO Mark

1,061 vs 679 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Newer
10 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
More pixels
20.1 vs 12.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs Fixed
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 6400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Pentaprism viewfinder
Both provide
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Adorama
Read D300 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-S1 User Reviews

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Buy the Pentax K-S1

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-55mm and 50-200mm Lenses

All K-S1 Deals

Review Excerpt

Read our Nikon D300 Full Review

We haven’t reviewed the Pentax K-S1.
Read our Pentax K-S1 Preview

The Competition

Compared to Sony A58

Nikon D300

Sony A58

$1800
APS-C

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D300 vs Sony A58

Pentax K-S1

Sony A58

$502
APS-C

Lens selection
Higher effective ISO

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-S1 vs Sony A58

Compared to Pentax K-500

Nikon D300

Pentax K-500

$1800
APS-C

Longer stills battery life
Top deck display

$597
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-500

Pentax K-S1

Pentax K-500

$502
APS-C

HDMI out
More pixels

$597
APS-C

Less expensive
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax K-500

Compared to Nikon D3300

Nikon D300

Nikon D3300

$1800
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

$382
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D300 vs Nikon D3300

Pentax K-S1

Nikon D3300

$502
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$382
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
Higher effective ISO

Compare Pentax K-S1 vs Nikon D3300

Compared to Nikon D5500

Nikon D300

Nikon D5500

$1800
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

$697
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D300 vs Nikon D5500

Pentax K-S1

Nikon D5500

$502
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$697
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-S1 vs Nikon D5500

Compared to Pentax K-S2

Nikon D300

Pentax K-S2

$1800
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

$499
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-S2

Pentax K-S1

Pentax K-S2

$502
APS-C

Higher-res screen

$499
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax K-S2

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