• APS-C 372.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 32.00mm - 95.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Nikon D300S advantages over Pentax E80

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.33 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.50 vs 1.68 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 950 vs 600 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    12.3 vs 10.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.1 fps vs 0.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Pentax E80 advantages over Nikon D300S

  • Thinner
    25 mm vs 74 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    176g vs 951g
    Lighter weight

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

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
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Review Excerpt

  • Rugged construction; 51-point AF system capable of sophisticated AF tracking; Large, bright optical viewfinder; 7 fps JPEG or 12-bit RAW burst mode; HD Video capture.

  • 14-bit RAW mode slows continuous shooting from 7 fps to 2.7 fps; Somewhat slow AF for a camera at this level, especially in 51-point auto-area mode; Video capture tops out at 720p24.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D90

Nikon D300S
Nikon D90
  • $1663
  • APS-C
  • External Mic Jack
  • More cross-type AF points
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
Pentax E80
Nikon D90
  • $130
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Canon 50D

Nikon D300S
Canon 50D
  • $1663
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Less shutter lag
  • More pixels
Pentax E80
Canon 50D
  • $130
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Fujifilm A170

Nikon D300S
Fujifilm A170
  • $1663
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $95
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight
Pentax E80
Fujifilm A170
  • $130
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $95
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer exposure

Compared to Sony DSLR-A550

Nikon D300S
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $1663
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
Pentax E80
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $130
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Pentax E90

Nikon D300S
Pentax E90
  • $1663
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $100
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight
Pentax E80
Pentax E90
  • $130
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $100
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
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