Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-1
60 Imaging
51 Features
52 Overall
51
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55 Imaging
75 Features
82 Overall
77
Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-1 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 200 - 3200 (Raise to 6400)
- 1280 x 720 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 703g - 132 x 103 x 77mm
- Introduced October 2008
- Previous Model is Nikon D80
- Renewed by Nikon D7000
(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 Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
- Revealed February 2016
- Renewed by Pentax K-1 II
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Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-1 Overview
On this page, we will be analyzing the Nikon D90 versus Pentax K-1, both Advanced DSLR cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Pentax. There is a sizeable difference among the resolutions of the D90 (12MP) and K-1 (36MP) and the D90 (APS-C) and K-1 (Full frame) have different sensor measurements.
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The D90 was brought out 8 years prior to the K-1 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).
Before we go right into a more detailed comparison, here is a simple view of how the D90 scores against the K-1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
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Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-1 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon D90 and Pentax K-1. The entire galleries are available at Nikon D90 Gallery and Pentax K-1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D90 over the Pentax K-1
D90 | K-1 |
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Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Nikon D90
K-1 | D90 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | February 2016 | ![]() | October 2008 | Fresher by 89 months |
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Screen dimensions | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Screen resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 920k | Crisper screen (+117k dot) |
Common features in the Nikon D90 and Pentax K-1
D90 | K-1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial accurate focusing | ||
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither comes with selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither comes with Touch friendly screen |
Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-1 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is intending to carry your camera often, you'll have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Nikon D90 comes with physical dimensions of 132mm x 103mm x 77mm (5.2" x 4.1" x 3.0") and a weight of 703 grams (1.55 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-1 has proportions of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") with a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).
Examine the Nikon D90 versus Pentax K-1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have chosen at the time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the D90 against the K-1.
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Using size and weight, the portability rating of the D90 and K-1 is 60 and 55 respectively.
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Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-1 Sensor Comparison
Often, it can be hard to imagine the difference in sensor sizing merely by researching a spec sheet. The graphic here might give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the D90 and K-1.
Clearly, both the cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The D90 featuring a smaller sensor is going to make getting bokeh more challenging and the Pentax K-1 will result in more detail having its extra 24 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs more aggressively. The older D90 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.
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Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-1 Screen and ViewFinder
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Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
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Street Comparison
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Sports Comparison
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Travel Comparison
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Landscape Comparison
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Vlogging Comparison
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Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-1 Specifications
Nikon D90 | Pentax K-1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Nikon | Pentax |
Model | Nikon D90 | Pentax K-1 |
Type | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Introduced | 2008-10-13 | 2016-02-17 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | Full frame |
Sensor dimensions | 23.6 x 15.8mm | 35.9 x 24mm |
Sensor area | 372.9mm² | 861.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 36 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 |
Maximum resolution | 4288 x 2848 | 7360 x 4912 |
Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 204800 |
Maximum boosted ISO | 6400 | - |
Minimum native ISO | 200 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 33 |
Cross focus points | - | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Nikon F | Pentax KAF2 |
Amount of lenses | 309 | 151 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fully Articulated |
Screen diagonal | 3" | 3.2" |
Resolution of screen | 920 thousand dots | 1,037 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Screen technology | Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 96% | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.64x | 0.7x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 4.5 frames/s | 4.4 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 17.00 m (at ISO 100) | no built-in flash |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | 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 | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/200 seconds | 1/200 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps), 320 x 216 (24 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | Optional | Built-in |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 703g (1.55 pounds) | 1010g (2.23 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 132 x 103 x 77mm (5.2" x 4.1" x 3.0") | 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 73 | 96 |
DXO Color Depth score | 22.7 | 25.4 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 12.5 | 14.6 |
DXO Low light score | 977 | 3280 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 850 images | 760 images |
Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | EN-EL3e | D-LI90 |
Self timer | Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) |
Card slots | 1 | Two |
Launch cost | $1,199 | $1,499 |