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Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-1

Portability
60
Imaging
52
Features
52
Overall
52
Nikon D90 front
 
Pentax K-1 front
Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78

Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-1 Key Specs

Nikon D90
(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
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 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.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon D90 over the Pentax K-1

 D90 K-1 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Nikon D90

 K-1 D90 
RevealedFebruary 2016October 2008Fresher by 89 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k920kCrisper 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-1 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the D90 and K-1 is 60 and 55 respectively.

Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-1 top view buttons comparison

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.

Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-1 sensor size comparison

Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D90
Portrait photography with Pentax K-1
63
focusing manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
85
has manual focus
excellent MP (36MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
offers face detection focusing
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D90 Street photography details
Pentax K-1 Street photography details
54
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
70
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
great high ISO (204,800)
heavier than competitors (1,010 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D90 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-1 as a Sports photography camera
46
good sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
very slow continuous shooting (4.5 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent MP (36 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proofing
supports phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (4.4 fps)
low battery (760 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D90 Travel photography factors
Pentax K-1 Travel photography factors
44
built-in flash
no Timelapse recording
low MP (12MP)
does not offer selfie friendly display
53
environment proofing
excellent MP (36 megapixels)
low battery (760 CIPA)
heavier than competitors (1,010 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D90 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-1 as a Landscape photography camera
58
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3")
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
no Timelapse recording
81
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3.2")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent MP (36MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
no low pass filter
great high ISO (204,800)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
2 card slots
low battery (760 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D90 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-1 as a Vlogging camera
21
features face detection focusing
does not offer selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external microphone support
31
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with external mic support
screen isn't selfie friendly
heavier than competitors (1,010 grams)
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Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D90 and Pentax K-1
 Nikon D90Pentax 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