Nikon D300s vs Pentax K7 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · DSLR · 12.3 MP · APS-C · Standard HD video
Nikon D300s
53
WINNER
|
Pentax · DSLR · 14.6 MP · APS-C · Standard HD video
Pentax K7
52
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon D300s and the Pentax K7 are both 2009 DSLRs announced months apart, so neither holds an age advantage. The D300s is the larger and heavier body at 147 x 114 x 74 mm and 938 g. The K7 measures 131 x 97 x 73 mm and 750 g, some 188 g lighter, giving it the smaller footprint of the two. The mounts set the long-term course: Nikon F DX on the D300s and Pentax KAF on the K7, each drawing on a different native lens range. Because the mounts do not interchange, any lenses already owned should anchor the decision. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2009 | 2009 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
July 30, 2009 | May 20, 2009 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 147 x 114 x 74 mm | 131 x 97 x 73 mm |
| Camera weight | 938 g | 750 g |
| Optics | 50/100 | 51/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Pentax K7 is the stronger choice for heavy cropping, offering 14.6 megapixels against 12.3 on the D300s, so a distant bird or a tight landscape survives more trimming. The D300s is the stronger choice for action, shooting at 7 fps against 5.2 fps and aiming with 51 autofocus points against 11, for far denser coverage of a moving subject. The K7 offers in-body stabilisation, so any mounted lens gains stabilisation for handheld shooting at slower shutter speeds, while the D300s relies on the lens alone. The D300s reaches 6400 ISO natively where the K7 stops at 3200, though both expand to 6400. The remaining core optics match: both use an APS-C format CMOS sensor, a 1/8000 second top shutter speed and an optical pentaprism viewfinder. | ||
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 | 15.6 x 23.4 |
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 | 5.2 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 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 | 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 | 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 | 49/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe Pentax K7 is the better pick for smoother motion, because its video frame rate reaches 30 fps where the D300s tops out at 24 fps. The faster rate suits handheld and panning clips with less judder. Both cap at Standard HD resolution, and both support built-in timelapse. The D300s records MPEG4 and AVI, while the K7 writes Motion JPEG. | ||
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 | Standard 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 | 1536 x 1024 |
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 | 30 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 cameras are equipped for outdoor work, with weather sealing on each body. They also share a built-in flash, support for an external flash and live view on a fixed 3-inch screen of roughly 920,000 dots. Connectivity is basic on both, with no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or GPS, no touchscreen and no articulating screen, so images travel by card reader and locations must be logged separately. | ||
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 Nikon D300s is the safer choice for a long event, because its two card slots take Compact Flash alongside SD or SDHC, so more cards can stay loaded for extra capacity. The Pentax K7 has a single slot that accepts SD, SDHC or MMC cards. Battery ratings are close, at 980 shots for the K7 against 950 for the D300s under their standard test conditions. Neither body charges over USB. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC, Compact Flash | SD / SDHC / MMC |
| 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
Choose the D300s for fast-moving work: its 7 fps burst, 51 autofocus points and twin card slots suit sports, wildlife and all-day event photography. Choose the K7 for travel and landscapes instead. Its lighter body, stabilisation with any lens, 14.6 megapixels for cropping and 30 fps clips favour hand-carried mixed shooting. Because the Nikon F DX and Pentax KAF mounts do not interchange, lenses already owned should settle a close call.