Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-3
60 Imaging
51 Features
52 Overall
51


59 Imaging
65 Features
85 Overall
73
Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 200 - 3200 (Increase to 6400)
- 1280 x 720 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 703g - 132 x 103 x 77mm
- Announced October 2008
- Succeeded the Nikon D80
- Newer Model is Nikon D7000
(Full Review)
- 24MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3.2" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 51200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
- Launched April 2014
- Refreshed by Pentax K-3 II

Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-3 Overview
Below is a in depth analysis of the Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-3, both Advanced DSLR cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Pentax. There is a sizable difference among the image resolutions of the D90 (12MP) and K-3 (24MP) but both cameras boast the identical sensor dimensions (APS-C).

The D90 was launched 6 years earlier than the K-3 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).
Before we go right into a in-depth comparison, here is a short highlight of how the D90 matches up against the K-3 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-3 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon D90 & Pentax K-3. The complete galleries are viewable at Nikon D90 Gallery & Pentax K-3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D90 over the Pentax K-3
D90 | K-3 |
---|
Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Nikon D90
K-3 | D90 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | April 2014 | ![]() | October 2008 | More recent by 66 months |
Screen size | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Screen resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 920k | Clearer screen (+117k dot) |
Common features in the Nikon D90 and Pentax K-3
D90 | K-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very accurate focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither contains selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Absent Touch screen |
Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison
If you're aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you will want to factor its weight and proportions. The Nikon D90 has got exterior measurements of 132mm x 103mm x 77mm (5.2" x 4.1" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 703 grams (1.55 lbs) and the Pentax K-3 has measurements of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).
Analyze the Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-3 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilising at the time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the D90 against the K-3.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the D90 and K-3 is 60 and 59 respectively.

Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it can be hard to visualise the contrast in sensor measurements purely by looking through specifications. The graphic below will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the D90 and K-3.
To sum up, each of these cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You can expect the Pentax K-3 to render extra detail utilizing its extra 12MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop photographs way more aggressively. The older D90 will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-3 Specifications
Nikon D90 | Pentax K-3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Nikon | Pentax |
Model type | Nikon D90 | Pentax K-3 |
Category | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Announced | 2008-10-13 | 2014-04-10 |
Body design | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | - | Prime III |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 23.6 x 15.8mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 372.9mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 24 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 |
Peak resolution | 4288 x 2848 | 6016 x 4000 |
Highest native ISO | 3200 | 51200 |
Highest enhanced ISO | 6400 | - |
Lowest native ISO | 200 | 100 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 27 |
Cross type focus points | - | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Nikon F | Pentax KAF2 |
Total lenses | 309 | 151 |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3" | 3.2" |
Resolution of display | 920 thousand dot | 1,037 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Display tech | Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle | TFT LCD monitor |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 96% | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.64x | 0.64x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/8000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 4.5fps | 8.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 17.00 m (at ISO 100) | 13.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | 1/200 secs | 1/180 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
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, 30p, 25p, 24p) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) |
GPS | Optional | Optional |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 703 grams (1.55 lbs) | 800 grams (1.76 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 132 x 103 x 77mm (5.2" x 4.1" x 3.0") | 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 73 | 80 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 22.7 | 23.7 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 12.5 | 13.4 |
DXO Low light rating | 977 | 1216 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 850 photographs | 560 photographs |
Type 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 seconds) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | One | 2 |
Retail price | $1,199 | $639 |