Nikon D300 vs Pentax K20D — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · DSLR · 12.3 MP · APS-C
Nikon D300
49
WINNER
|
Pentax · DSLR · 14.6 MP · APS-C
Pentax K20D
47
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon D300 and the Pentax K20D are APS-C DSLRs of the late 2000s, announced in August 2007 and January 2008 respectively. Each pairs an optical pentaprism viewfinder with weather sealing, so eye-level viewing and weather protection come standard on both. The K20D is the lighter camera to carry: it measures 142 x 101 x 70 mm and weighs 800 g, against 147 x 114 x 74 mm and 925 g for the D300. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2007 | 2008 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
August 23, 2007 | January 23, 2008 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 147 x 114 x 74 mm | 142 x 101 x 70 mm |
| Camera weight | 925 g | 800 g |
| Optics | 47/100 | 49/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe D300 is the stronger choice for fast-moving subjects, shooting at 6 fps against the K20D's 3, with 51 autofocus points spread across the frame where the K20D offers 11. For birds in flight or running athletes, the wider AF coverage gives far more places to position the active point, and the faster burst captures more of the peak action. The K20D answers with two stills advantages: 14.6 megapixels against 12.3 give more room to crop a landscape or portrait, and in-body stabilisation steadies every lens you mount. The D300 offers the shorter 1/8000 second top shutter for wide apertures in bright light, where the K20D stops at 1/4000. The lens mounts are separate systems, Nikon F DX and Pentax KAF. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
12.3 MP050 | 14.6 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4288 x 2848 | 4672 x 3104 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
15.8 x 23.6 | 16 x 23 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
6 fps045 | 3 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Nikon F DX | Pentax KAF |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Expeed | Prime |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
20030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
32003003280000 | 32003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
64003003280000 | 64003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
800080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
510300 | 110300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
No |  Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThis is a shared limitation rather than a difference: neither camera records video. If you need clips alongside stills, you will need to look beyond this pair. Both offer built-in timelapse, so either body can record a flower opening or clouds crossing the horizon on a tripod. That interval capability is the closest either camera comes to motion work. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
N/A | N/A |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
N/A | N/A |
| Features | 54/100 | 47/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe D300's rear screen is the better tool for checking focus on location: a 3-inch, 922,000-dot LCD against the K20D's 2.7-inch, 230,000-dot panel, which has 75.1 percent fewer dots. Portrait eyelashes and fine landscape branches show far more detail in playback. Live view is shared for tripod work and awkward angles, and both cameras include a built-in flash, external flash support and weather sealing. Neither offers GPS, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, so geotagging and wireless transfer are not available on either body. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 3" | 2.7" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
9220001150001500000 | 2300001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
✗ | ✗ |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 43/100 | 27/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe D300 is the stronger body for a long shooting day, rated for 1000 shots per charge against the K20D's 500. That rating favours the D300 on long event and travel days. Card formats differ: the D300 takes CompactFlash Type I or II, while the K20D takes SD, SDHC or MMC, so match the body to the cards you already own. Both have a single card slot. | ||
| Memory card | Compact Flash (Type I or II) | SD / SDHC / MMC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | EN-EL3e | D-LI50 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
1000 shots1505000 | 500 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Buy the D300 if action is your priority: 6 fps, 51 autofocus points and a 1/8000 second shutter make it the better tool for sports, wildlife and any fast subject. Its far more detailed rear screen and 1000-shot battery rating also support long working days.
Choose the K20D for resolution and stabilisation: 14.6 megapixels give more cropping room for landscapes and portraits, and in-body stabilisation steadies every lens you own. If you shoot mostly static subjects, the K20D is a satisfying choice; if your subjects move, the D300 is the one to buy.