Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-x

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Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-x

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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 369.7mm²
12.4 megapixels
ISO 200 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-x Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-x.

Succeeded by the Nikon D300S
Compare D300 vs D300S

Succeeded by the Pentax K-r
Compare K-x vs K-r

Compare NIKON D300S vs PENTAX K-R

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Differences

Nikon D300 advantages over Pentax K-x

Fast startup
~0.30 vs 0.6 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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 420 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Pentaprism viewfinder
Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
More dots on screen
922k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
More viewfinder magnification
0.63x vs 0.57x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Faster JPEG shooting
6.1 fps vs 4.3 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Pentax K-x advantages over Nikon D300

Less expensive
$650 vs $1800 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
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-x test data on DxO Mark D300 test data on DxO Mark

811 vs 679 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Less shutter lag
0.10 vs 0.23 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Higher extended ISO
12800 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
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
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

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Buy the Nikon D300

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Buy the Pentax K-x

Review Excerpt

Read our Nikon D300 Full Review

Read our Pentax K-x Full Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSLR-A330

Nikon D300

Sony DSLR-A330

$1800
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$530
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D300 vs Sony DSLR-A330

Pentax K-x

Sony DSLR-A330

$702
APS-C

Lens selection
Higher effective ISO

$530
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-x vs Sony DSLR-A330

Compared to Sony DSLR-A380

Nikon D300

Sony DSLR-A380

$1800
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$849
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D300 vs Sony DSLR-A380

Pentax K-x

Sony DSLR-A380

$702
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$849
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
HDMI out

Compare Pentax K-x vs Sony DSLR-A380

Compared to Pentax K-7

Nikon D300

Pentax K-7

$1800
APS-C

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

$1300
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-7

Pentax K-x

Pentax K-7

$702
APS-C

Less expensive
Higher effective ISO

$1300
APS-C

Longer stills battery life
Top deck display

Compare Pentax K-x vs Pentax K-7

Compared to Nikon D3000

Nikon D300

Nikon D3000

$1800
APS-C

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

$450
APS-C

Less expensive

Compare Nikon D300 vs Nikon D3000

Pentax K-x

Nikon D3000

$702
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Higher effective ISO

$450
APS-C

Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-x vs Nikon D3000

Compared to Pentax K-r

Nikon D300

Pentax K-r

$1800
APS-C

Longer stills battery life
Top deck display

$850
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-r

Pentax K-x

Pentax K-r

$702
APS-C

Less expensive
Shoots 24p video

$850
APS-C

Fast startup
External Mic Jack

Compare Pentax K-x vs Pentax K-r

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