Nikon D300s vs Pentax K5 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · DSLR · 12.3 MP · APS-C · Standard HD video
Nikon D300s
53
SCORE
|
Pentax · DSLR · 16.3 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Pentax K5
57
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon D300s and the Pentax K5 are both APS-C DSLRs with optical pentaprism viewfinders. The K5 arrived in 2010, a year after the 2009 D300s, in a more compact frame, 131 x 97 x 73 mm against 147 x 114 x 74 mm. It is also the lighter body at 740 g against 938 g. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2009 | 2010 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
July 30, 2009 | September 20, 2010 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 147 x 114 x 74 mm | 131 x 97 x 73 mm |
| Camera weight | 938 g | 740 g |
| Optics | 50/100 | 60/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Pentax K5 gives you more room to crop and reframe distant subjects, with 16.3 megapixels against 12.3 on the D300s. The K5's standard ISO range runs to 12800 against 6400, and its expanded setting reaches 51200, giving you higher settings for dim interiors and dusk. Burst shooting is a shared 7 fps. The D300s is the stronger camera for moving subjects, offering 51 autofocus points against 11 on the K5, far more positions across the frame. The K5 counters with in-body stabilisation, so every lens you mount gains shake reduction for handheld work. The mounts differ, Nikon F DX and Pentax KAF2, so any lenses you already own decide where you start. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
12.3 MP050 | 16.3 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 | 4928 x 3264 |
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 | 15.7 x 23.7 |
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. |
7 fps045 | 7 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 KAF2 |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Expeed | Prime II |
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. |
10030200 | 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. |
64003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
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 | 8030200 |
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 | 512003003280000 |
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 | 800080032000 |
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 | 49/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe Pentax K5 is the better pick if video quality matters, recording Full HD while the D300s tops out at Standard HD. Its footage shows more detail on a modern screen. The K5 also records at up to 25 fps against 24 on the D300s. The D300s records MPEG4 and AVI files, and the K5 records Motion JPEG. A shared built-in interval timer lets each camera shoot a sunset timelapse without an external remote. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Standard HD |  Full HD |
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. |
1280×720 | 1920 x 1080 |
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. |
24 fps | 25 fps |
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. |
MPEG4, AVI | Motion JPEG |
| Features | 54/100 | 54/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesBoth bodies are weather sealed, offer live view and support built-in and external flash, so you can shoot in drizzle without packing a flash. Each has a fixed 3-inch screen, so neither suits overhead crowd shots or ground-level macro framing. Screen resolution differs by just 1000 dots, 921000 on the K5 against 920000 on the D300s. Neither camera has GPS, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, so neither geotags your files or sends them wirelessly. | ||
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 | TFT 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" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
9200001150001500000 | 9210001150001500000 |
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 | 76/100 | 43/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe D300s is the stronger choice for event shoots, pairing an SD slot with a Compact Flash slot so you can keep shooting while one card fills. The K5 has a single SD slot, but it accepts SDXC cards, so very large modern cards fit. Neither body supports USB charging. Ratings put the K5 slightly ahead on battery, at 980 shots against 950 for the D300s. Their battery packs differ, D-LI90 and EN-EL3e, so spares do not carry between bodies. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC, Compact Flash | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | No |
| Battery type | EN-EL3e | D-LI90 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
950 shots1505000 | 980 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
For most photographers, the Pentax K5 is the better buy. Its extra megapixels give more room to crop distant animals, and its higher ISO settings reach further in dim churches and evening streets. In-body stabilisation steadies every mounted lens for handheld work, and Full HD video suits family footage better than Standard HD.
Choose the Nikon D300s instead for fast subjects such as birds in flight or sports players, where its 51 autofocus points against 11 cover far more of the frame. Its dual card slots also suit all-day event shooting. Otherwise, the K5 covers the same weather-sealed, pentaprism DSLR role.