Nikon D300 vs Pentax KP

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Nikon D300 vs Pentax KP

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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
24.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 819,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax KP Review.
How does it shoot? Pentax KP in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the KP.

Succeeded by the Nikon D300S
Compare D300 vs D300S
Compare Nikon D300S vs Pentax KP

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Differences

Nikon D300 advantages over Pentax KP

Bigger pixels
~ 5.50 vs 3.91 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.30 vs 1.4 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 390 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Pentax KP advantages over Nikon D300

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
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Newer
8 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
0.09 vs 0.23 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
24.3 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
Faster JPEG shooting
7.1 fps vs 6.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/24000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
819200 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
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
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
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

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Adorama
Read KP User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

Read our Nikon D300 Full Review

We haven’t finished our review of the Pentax KP, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Pentax KP Shooter's Report

The Competition

Compared to Canon T6i

Nikon D300

Canon T6i

$1800
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$699
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D300 vs Canon T6i

Pentax KP

Canon T6i

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$699
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax KP vs Canon T6i

Compared to Pentax K-3 II

Nikon D300

Pentax K-3 II

$1800
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

$830
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-3 II

Pentax KP

Pentax K-3 II

$999
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

$830
APS-C

Less expensive
Built-in GPS

Compare Pentax KP vs Pentax K-3 II

Compared to Nikon D3400

Nikon D300

Nikon D3400

$1800
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

$497
APS-C

Built-in Bluetooth
Better color depth

Compare Nikon D300 vs Nikon D3400

Pentax KP

Nikon D3400

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$497
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Pentax KP vs Nikon D3400

Compared to Nikon D5600

Nikon D300

Nikon D5600

$1800
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Top deck display

$898
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D300 vs Nikon D5600

Pentax KP

Nikon D5600

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$898
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax KP vs Nikon D5600

Compared to Canon T7i

Nikon D300

Canon T7i

$1800
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$700
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D300 vs Canon T7i

Pentax KP

Canon T7i

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$700
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax KP vs Canon T7i

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