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Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-30

Portability
60
Imaging
52
Features
52
Overall
52
Nikon D90 front
 
Pentax K-30 front
Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
66
Overall
61

Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs

Nikon D90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Raise to 6400)
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 703g - 132 x 103 x 77mm
  • Released October 2008
  • Old Model is Nikon D80
  • Updated by Nikon D7000
Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Launched October 2012
  • New Model is Pentax K-50
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Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-30 Overview

Below, we are contrasting the Nikon D90 versus Pentax K-30, both Advanced DSLR cameras by rivals Nikon and Pentax. There is a crucial difference among the sensor resolutions of the D90 (12MP) and K-30 (16MP) but they come with the exact same sensor size (APS-C).

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The D90 was launched 5 years before the K-30 which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before we go straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a concise summary of how the D90 matches up vs the K-30 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D90 over the Pentax K-30

 D90 K-30 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Nikon D90

 K-30 D90 
LaunchedOctober 2012October 2008More modern by 49 months
Display resolution921k920kClearer display (+1k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D90 and Pentax K-30

 D90 K-30 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display size
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry around your camera, you are going to need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D90 features 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) while the Pentax K-30 has dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

See the Nikon D90 versus Pentax K-30 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the D90 and the K-30.

Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-30 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the D90 and K-30 is 60 and 63 respectively.

Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-30 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's difficult to see the gap in sensor sizes only by checking out a spec sheet. The pic underneath should offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the D90 and K-30.

Clearly, both of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Pentax K-30 to provide greater detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop images somewhat more aggressively. The more aged D90 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-30 sensor size comparison

Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D90 Portrait photography features
Pentax K-30 Portrait photography features
63
you can focus manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
74
you can focus manually
good resolution (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon D90
Street photography with Pentax K-30
54
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D90 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-30 as a Sports photography camera
46
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
slow continuous shooting (4.5 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
67
high shutter speed (1/6,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
environment proof
comes with phase detect AF
max fps very slow (6.0 frames per second)
terrible battery life (410 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D90 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-30 as a Travel photography camera
44
flash built-in
no Time Lapse function
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
60
environment proof
good resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
terrible battery life (410 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D90 Landscape photography information
Pentax K-30 Landscape photography information
58
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
no Time Lapse function
73
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
terrible battery life (410 per charge)
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D90 Vlogging information
Pentax K-30 Vlogging information
21
includes face detect autofocus
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic jack
30
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone support
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Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D90 and Pentax K-30
 Nikon D90Pentax K-30
General Information
Brand Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon D90 Pentax K-30
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2008-10-13 2012-10-29
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Prime M
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 372.9mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Peak resolution 4288 x 2848 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 25600
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 11 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 309 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 920 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 96% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 4.5fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 17.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/200 seconds 1/180 seconds
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 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 703 gr (1.55 lb) 650 gr (1.43 lb)
Dimensions 132 x 103 x 77mm (5.2" x 4.1" x 3.0") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 73 79
DXO Color Depth score 22.7 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 12.5 13.0
DXO Low light score 977 1129
Other
Battery life 850 shots 410 shots
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL3e D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost $1,199 $525