Nikon D300 vs Pentax K20D

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Nikon D300 vs Pentax K20D

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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 368.2mm²
14.6 megapixels
ISO 100 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K20D Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K20D.

Succeeded by the Nikon D300S
Compare D300 vs D300S

Succeeded by the Pentax K-7
Compare K20D vs K-7

Compare NIKON D300S vs PENTAX K-7

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Differences

Nikon D300 advantages over Pentax K20D

Fast startup
~0.30 vs 0.4 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 530 shots
Capture more photos
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
More dots on screen
922k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Faster JPEG shooting
6.1 fps vs 2.8 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Pentax K20D advantages over Nikon D300

Less expensive
$800 vs $1800 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
More pixels
14.6 vs 12.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos

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
Top deck display
Both provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
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

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
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
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
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
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
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

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Buy the Nikon D300

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Buy the Pentax K20D

Review Excerpt

Read our Nikon D300 Full Review

Read our Pentax K20D Full Review

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K200D

Nikon D300

Pentax K200D

$1800
APS-C

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

$800
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D300 vs Pentax K200D

Pentax K20D

Pentax K200D

$800
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Longer stills battery life

$800
APS-C

Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K20D vs Pentax K200D

Compared to Samsung GX-20

Nikon D300

Samsung GX-20

$1800
APS-C

HDMI out
More dots on screen

$1400
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D300 vs Samsung GX-20

Pentax K20D

Samsung GX-20

$800
APS-C

Less expensive

$1400
APS-C

Higher effective ISO

Compare Pentax K20D vs Samsung GX-20

Compared to Sony DSLR-A380

Nikon D300

Sony DSLR-A380

$1800
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$849
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D300 vs Sony DSLR-A380

Pentax K20D

Sony DSLR-A380

$800
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$849
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
HDMI out

Compare Pentax K20D vs Sony DSLR-A380

Compared to Pentax K-7

Nikon D300

Pentax K-7

$1800
APS-C

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

$1300
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D300 vs Pentax K-7

Pentax K20D

Pentax K-7

$800
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

$1300
APS-C

Longer stills battery life
HDMI out

Compare Pentax K20D vs Pentax K-7

Compared to Sony DSLR-A500

Nikon D300

Sony DSLR-A500

$1800
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$850
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D300 vs Sony DSLR-A500

Pentax K20D

Sony DSLR-A500

$800
APS-C

Lens selection
Top deck display

$850
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
Higher effective ISO

Compare Pentax K20D vs Sony DSLR-A500

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