Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-1 II
60 Imaging
51 Features
52 Overall
51


55 Imaging
77 Features
82 Overall
79
Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-1 II Key Specs
(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
(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- Superseded the Pentax K-1

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.

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.

Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-1 II Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon D90 & Pentax K-1 Mark II. The entire galleries are available at Nikon D90 Gallery & Pentax K-1 II Gallery.
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 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | February 2018 | ![]() | October 2008 | More modern by 113 months |
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
Display dimensions | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Larger display (+0.2") |
Display resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 920k | Sharper 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-1 II Specifications
Nikon D90 | Pentax 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 |