• APS-C 372.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • APS-C 372.1mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • Detailed specifications
  • Nikon D300S
  • Pentax K-500
Links
Prices: Compare Prices Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Nikon D300
D300 vs D300S
 
Successor: Nikon D500
D300S vs D500
 
General
Model Number: D300S K-500
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Pro SLR SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $1799.95 $599.95
Street Price: $1,696.95 $596.95
Date Available: 2009-08-31 2013-07-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 33.5 oz (951 g)
includes batteries
30.1 oz (852 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 5.8 x 4.5 x 2.9 in.
(147 x 114 x 74 mm)
5.1 x 3.8 x 2.8 in.
(130 x 97 x 71 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony Sony
Effective Megapixels: 12.3 16.3
Sensor Format: APS-C APS-C
Sensor size: 372.88mm2 (23.60mm x 15.80mm) 372.09mm2 (23.70mm x 15.70mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.50 microns 4.81 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 70 79
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 22.5 23.7
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.2 13.1
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 787 1,087
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4288 x 2848 (12.2 MP, Other),
3216 x 2136 (6.9 MP, Other),
2144 x 1424 (3.1 MP, Other)
4928 x 3264 (16.1 MP, Other),
4224 x 2816 (11.9 MP, 3:2),
3456 x 2304 (8.0 MP, 3:2),
2688 x 1792 (4.8 MP, 3:2)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.21), NEF (RAW), 12 or 14 bit, lossless compressed, compressed, or uncompressed; RAW+JPEG, TIFF JPEG (EXIF 2.3), 12-bit RAW (.DNG), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 7.1 6.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1280x720 (24)
640x424 (24)
320x216 (24)
1920x1080 (30p/​25p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​50p/​30p/​25p/​24p)
640x480 (30p/​25p/​24p)
Movie File Format: AVI Motion JPEG MOV MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) with monaural audio
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: Yes No
HD Video Out: Yes No
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Nikon F Pentax K (KA/KAF/KAF2/3)
Lens: n/a smc PENTAX-DA L 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL; 11 elements in 8 groups, 6 bladed diaphragm
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):   27 - 83mm
Focal Length (actual):   18 - 55mm
Zoom Ratio:   3.06x
Aperture Range:   f/3.5 - f/22 (wide) / f/5.6 - f/38 (tele)
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:   25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: n/a 52.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: No No
Digital Zoom Values: n/a n/a
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 51 point (15 cross-type sensors) TTL phase detection with 3D focus tracking by Nikon Multi-CAM 3500DX Phase Detect:: SAFOX IXi+, 11 point (9 cross type focus point in the center), with light wavelength sensor and diffraction lens; Live View: Contrast detection AF (face detection, tracking, select, spot)
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type: eye-level pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.94x mag., 19.5mm eyepoint, -2 to +1 diopter SLR type; eye-level pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.92x mag., -2.5 to +1.5 diopter, 21.7mm eyepoint (from view window), Natural-Bright-Matte III focusing screen (interchangeable)
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.63x 0.61x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.94x 0.92x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots 921,600 dots (307,200 px)
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 27.0x 16.0x
Top Deck Display: Yes No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 3200 51200
Minimum ISO (native): 200 100
ISO Settings: Auto, ISO 200-3200, Lo-1=100, Hi-1=6400 Auto, 100-51200 (1, 1/2 or 1/3 EV steps)
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, 7 manual modes with fine tuning, color temperature Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Fluorescent (D, N, W, L), Tungsten, Flash, CTE, 3 Manual and 3 Kelvin temperature presets
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/6000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 3D Color Matrix Metering II, Center-weighted, Spot TTL open-aperture: 77-segment, Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: N/A Sensitivity Priority, Shutter and Aperture Priority, Scene (Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Moving Object, Night Scene Portrait, Sunset, Blue Sky, Forest, Night Scene, Night Scene HDR*, Night Snap, Food, Pet, Kids, Surf & Snow, Backlight Silhouette, Candlelight, Stage Lighting, Museum, *JPEG only); Extract Color, Toy Camera, Retro, High Contrast, Shading, Invert Color, Color; Dynamic range adjustment (Highlight, Shadow); HDR: Auto, HDR 1, HDR 2, HDR 3
Self Timer: 2 to 20 seconds 2 or 12 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer): Yes Yes
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Front-Curtain Sync, Red-Eye Reduction, Red-Eye Reduction with Slow Sync, Slow Sync, and Rear-Curtain Sync; supports Advanced Wireless Lighting system P-TTL: On, Redeye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync + Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. 12.0 m / 39.4 ft.
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent Depends on lens
Max Flash Sync: 1/250 1/180
Flash Exposure Compensation: -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps -2 to +1 EV in 0.5EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe, Sync Terminal Hot Shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: Full TTL exposure Full TTL exposure
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 / SD / SDHC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory: Dual slots, CF+SD  
Dual Card Slots: Yes No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: NEF (RAW), 12 or 14 bit, lossless compressed, compressed, or uncompressed; RAW+JPEG, TIFF 12-bit RAW (.DNG), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: AVI Motion JPEG MOV MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) with monaural audio
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: Yes No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes No
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional wired Optional Wired or IR
Connections (extended): Type-C HDMI Out, DC In, PC Sync, 10-pin Remote Terminal Wired remote port
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.48  
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.48  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): Unlimited  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): 0.47  
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 7.1 6.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 26 30
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 7.1  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): 17  
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 7.1  
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): 15  
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.23 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR): 0.47 seconds  
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR): 0.053 seconds  
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.150 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.27 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.053 seconds  
Shutter Lag (notes): Live View lags Hand-held mode Phase-detect AF: 0.473s Hand-held mode Prefocused: 0.053s Tripod mode Contrast-detect AF: 2.5s Tripod mode Prefocused: 0.419s  
Startup Time: 0.3 seconds  
Play -> Record Time: 0.3 seconds  
Flash cycle time, full power: 1.7 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):    
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 950 shots 710 shots (Lithium AA)
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary EN-EL3e, optional MB-D10 battery pack 4 x AA or proprietary D--LI109 Lithion-ion
Usable Battery Types: Lithium Ion rechargeable AA (Alkaline, NiMH, Lithium) or optional D-LI109 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary EN-EL3e Lithium-ion rechargeable 4 x AA Lithium disposables
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes No
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: PictureProject CD-ROM Software CDROM (SILKYPIX Developer Studio for PENTAX included)
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS X  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Upgrade to D300 adding 720p HD movies, faster burst rate, and other minor improvements. Entry-level model: Similar to K-50 in IQ and performance, but not weather sealed, comes with 4 Energizer lithium AAs, and only available in black.