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Canon 90D vs Pentax K-1

Portability
60
Imaging
73
Features
93
Overall
81
Canon EOS 90D front
 
Pentax K-1 front
Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78

Canon 90D vs Pentax K-1 Key Specs

Canon 90D
(Full Review)
  • 33MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Increase to 51200)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Canon EF/EF-S Mount
  • 701g - 141 x 105 x 77mm
  • Announced August 2019
  • Earlier Model is Canon 80D
Pentax K-1
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Revealed February 2016
  • Successor is Pentax K-1 II
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Canon 90D vs Pentax K-1 Overview

Its time to look a bit more in depth at the Canon 90D versus Pentax K-1, both Advanced DSLR cameras by brands Canon and Pentax. The image resolution of the 90D (33MP) and the K-1 (36MP) is pretty comparable but the 90D (APS-C) and K-1 (Full frame) have different sensor size.

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The 90D was unveiled 3 years later than the K-1 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before going straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief summary of how the 90D matches up vs the K-1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon 90D over the Pentax K-1

 90D K-1 
RevealedAugust 2019February 2016Fresher by 43 months
Screen resolution1040k1037kClearer screen (+3k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Canon 90D

 K-1 90D 
Screen size3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Canon 90D and Pentax K-1

 90D K-1 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated screen

Canon 90D vs Pentax K-1 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry your camera often, you'll have to consider its weight and proportions. The Canon 90D provides physical dimensions of 141mm x 105mm x 77mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.0") along with a weight of 701 grams (1.55 lbs) and the Pentax K-1 has measurements of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") having a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

Check out the Canon 90D versus Pentax K-1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have attached at that moment. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the 90D and the K-1.

Canon 90D vs Pentax K-1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the 90D and K-1 is 60 and 55 respectively.

Canon 90D vs Pentax K-1 top view buttons comparison

Canon 90D vs Pentax K-1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be hard to picture the contrast in sensor sizing simply by checking out a spec sheet. The visual below may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the 90D and K-1.

As you can see, both of the cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The 90D having a smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field more challenging and the Pentax K-1 will show greater detail having an extra 3MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The fresher 90D provides a benefit in sensor innovation.

Canon 90D vs Pentax K-1 sensor size comparison

Canon 90D vs Pentax K-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 90D vs Pentax K-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon 90D
Portrait photography with Pentax K-1
83
has manual focus
megapixel count amazing (33 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
85
you can focus manually
high sensor resolution (36MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Canon 90D as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-1 as a Street photography camera
72
screen articulates
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
includes focus by touch
environment proofing
great ISO range (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
70
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
great high ISO (204,800)
more heavy than others in class (1,010g)
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Sports Comparison

Canon 90D Sports photography factors
Pentax K-1 Sports photography factors
80
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent shooting (1/16,000s)
megapixel count amazing (33 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has tracking focus
environment proofing
great battery power (1,300 shots)
has phase detect autofocus
does not have image stabilization
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high sensor resolution (36MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
weather sealing
supports phase detect AF
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.4 fps)
low battery (760 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Canon 90D Travel photography highlights
Pentax K-1 Travel photography highlights
78
great battery power (1,300 shots)
environment proofing
connects via bluetooth
includes focus by touch
megapixel count amazing (33MP)
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
53
weather sealing
high sensor resolution (36 megapixels)
low battery (760 CIPA)
more heavy than others in class (1,010g)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 90D Landscape photography features
Pentax K-1 Landscape photography features
80
has manual focus
change lenses (Canon EF/EF-S mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
megapixel count amazing (33MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
great ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
great battery power (1,300 shots)
does not have image stabilization
81
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high sensor resolution (36MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
great high ISO (204,800)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
2 card slots
low battery (760 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 90D Vlogging highlights
Pentax K-1 Vlogging highlights
71
screen is selfie friendly
touch screen
has face detect autofocus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
has microphone support
does not have image stabilization
31
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with microphone support
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
more heavy than others in class (1,010g)
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Canon 90D vs Pentax K-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 90D and Pentax K-1
 Canon EOS 90DPentax K-1
General Information
Brand Name Canon Pentax
Model type Canon EOS 90D Pentax K-1
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2019-08-28 2016-02-17
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip DIGIC 8 -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 22.3 x 14.9mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 332.3mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 33 megapixel 36 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 6960 x 4640 7360 x 4912
Maximum native ISO 25600 204800
Maximum boosted ISO 51200 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 45 33
Cross type focus points 45 25
Lens
Lens mount type Canon EF/EF-S Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 326 151
Crop factor 1.6 1
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 3 inches 3.2 inches
Screen resolution 1,040 thousand dots 1,037 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.6x 0.7x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Maximum silent shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shooting rate 11.0 frames/s 4.4 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash modes - Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250 seconds 1/200 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 120 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes (With USB-PD compatible chargers) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Built-in
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 701g (1.55 pounds) 1010g (2.23 pounds)
Physical dimensions 141 x 105 x 77mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.0") 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 96
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 25.4
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 3280
Other
Battery life 1300 pictures 760 pictures
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LP-E6N D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Card slots Single Two
Cost at launch $1,199 $1,499