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Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-1 II

Portability
60
Imaging
52
Features
52
Overall
52
Nikon D90 front
 
Pentax K-1 Mark II front
Portability
55
Imaging
78
Features
82
Overall
79

Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-1 II Key Specs

Nikon D90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Boost to 6400)
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 703g - 132 x 103 x 77mm
  • Released October 2008
  • Succeeded the Nikon D80
  • Updated by Nikon D7000
Pentax K-1 II
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 819200
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF4 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Released February 2018
  • Superseded the Pentax K-1
Photography Glossary

Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-1 II Overview

On this page, we are reviewing the Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-1 II, both Advanced DSLR cameras by competitors Nikon and Pentax. There exists a substantial gap among the image resolutions of the D90 (12MP) and K-1 II (36MP) and the D90 (APS-C) and K-1 II (Full frame) boast totally different sensor sizing.

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The D90 was brought out 10 years before the K-1 II which is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the D90 scores vs the K-1 II when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D90 over the Pentax K-1 II

 D90 K-1 II 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 II over the Nikon D90

 K-1 II D90 
ReleasedFebruary 2018October 2008More modern by 113 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimensions3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1037k920kSharper display (+117k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D90 and Pentax K-1 II

 D90 K-1 II 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-1 II Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry around your camera often, you'll have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Nikon D90 enjoys physical measurements of 132mm x 103mm x 77mm (5.2" x 4.1" x 3.0") with a weight of 703 grams (1.55 lbs) and the Pentax K-1 II has measurements of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") with a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-1 II in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the D90 and the K-1 II.

Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-1 II size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the D90 and K-1 II is 60 and 55 respectively.

Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-1 II top view buttons comparison

Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-1 II Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be hard to visualise the contrast in sensor sizes simply by looking through a spec sheet. The picture below will give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the D90 and K-1 II.

As you can see, both cameras have different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The D90 featuring a smaller sensor will make achieving shallower DOF harder and the Pentax K-1 II will provide you with greater detail having its extra 24 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The more aged D90 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-1 II sensor size comparison

Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-1 II Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D90 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-1 II Portrait photography highlights
63
focusing manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
86
you can focus manually
great MP (36 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
features face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D90 Street photography factors
Pentax K-1 II Street photography factors
54
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
70
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
very good ISO range (819,200)
heavier than competition in class (1,010 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D90 Sports photography features
Pentax K-1 II Sports photography features
46
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
low fps (4.5 frames per second)
no image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
77
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great MP (36MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
weather proof
supports phase detect autofocus
max frames per second low (4.4 fps)
bad battery life (670 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D90 Travel photography information
Pentax K-1 II Travel photography information
44
built-in flash
no Timelapse function
low megapixels (12MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
53
weather proof
great MP (36 megapixels)
bad battery life (670 per charge)
heavier than competition in class (1,010g)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D90 Landscape photography details
Pentax K-1 II Landscape photography details
58
focusing manually
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
no Timelapse function
82
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF4 mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great MP (36MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
doesnt have low pass filter
very good ISO range (819,200)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
has double storage slots
bad battery life (670 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D90
Vlogging with Pentax K-1 II
21
features face detect autofocus
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone support
32
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with external mic port
display is not selfie friendly
heavier than competition in class (1,010 grams)
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Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-1 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D90 and Pentax K-1 II
 Nikon D90Pentax K-1 Mark II
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D90 Pentax K-1 Mark II
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2008-10-13 2018-02-22
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - PRIME IV
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 megapixels 36 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4288 x 2848 7360 x 4912
Maximum native ISO 3200 819200
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 11 33
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Pentax KAF4
Amount of lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1.5 1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3" 3.2"
Resolution of display 920 thousand dot 1,037 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 96% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter speed 4.5 frames per sec 4.4 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 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
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/200s 1/200s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected 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
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional Built-in
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 703 grams (1.55 pounds) 1010 grams (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 Overall rating 73 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.5 not tested
DXO Low light rating 977 not tested
Other
Battery life 850 pictures 670 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL3e D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Storage slots Single Two
Retail pricing $1,199 $1,737