Decision tools · Compare
D300S vs K-S1
Quick take: The K-S1 has the highest resolution at 20MP; the K-S1 is the most affordable; only the D300S is weather sealed.
16 specs side by side·13 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras
How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.
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Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | D300SNikon · 2009 | K-S1Pentax · 2014 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £79 used | £72 usedBest |
| Sensor | 12.3MP APS-C CMOS | 20.12MP APS-C CMOS |
| Resolution | 12.3MP | 20.1MPBest |
| Video | 720p/24 | Full HD 1080p/30 |
| Autofocus | 51-point phase-detect (15 cross-type) via viewfinder; contrast AF in live view (tripod mode) | SAFOX IX i+ phase-detect AF, 11 points (9 cross-type) |
| Stabilisation | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) | Sensor-shift Shake Reduction |
| Burst Rate | 7fpsBest | 5.4fps |
| Battery Life | ~950 shots (CIPA)Best | ~410 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 920g (with battery) | 558g (with battery)Best |
| Dimensions | 147 × 114 × 74mm | 120 × 92.5 × 69.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | YesBest | Not weather sealed |
| Viewfinder | Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.94x | Pentaprism, ~100%, 0.95x |
| Screen | 3.0" fixed LCD, 920k dots | 3.0" fixed LCD, 921k dots |
| Mount | Nikon F-mount (DX) | Pentax KAF2 (K-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Dual slots: CompactFlash + SD | Single SD slot |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0, mini HDMI, 3.5mm mic jack, 10-pin remote | USB 2.0, micro HDMI |
Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.
How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
D300S
K-S1
Portrait
5.2/10
5.7/10
Street
4.4/10
5.5/10
Travel
4.5/10
4.9/10
Wedding & Events
6.0/10
4.2/10
Documentary
4.4/10
3.7/10
Sports & Action
5.9/10
4.8/10
Landscape
4.3/10
4.2/10
Wildlife
5.9/10
5.4/10
Casual
2.5/10
3.5/10
Food
3.4/10
4.6/10
Macro
3.1/10
4.4/10
Architecture
3.7/10
4.4/10
Astrophotography
5.5/10
4.2/10
Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →
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