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Nikon D90 vs Pentax K20D

Portability
60
Imaging
51
Features
52
Overall
51
Nikon D90 front
 
Pentax K20D front
Portability
59
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Nikon D90 vs Pentax K20D Key Specs

Nikon D90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Expand to 6400)
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 703g - 132 x 103 x 77mm
  • Launched October 2008
  • Earlier Model is Nikon D80
  • Refreshed by Nikon D7000
Pentax K20D
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Boost to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 142 x 101 x 70mm
  • Revealed June 2008
  • Replaced the Pentax K10D
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Nikon D90 vs Pentax K20D Overview

In this article, we will be comparing the Nikon D90 vs Pentax K20D, both Advanced DSLR cameras by companies Nikon and Pentax. The resolution of the D90 (12MP) and the K20D (15MP) is pretty comparable and they use the same exact sensor size (APS-C).

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The D90 was brought out 4 months later than the K20D and they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before we go straight into a complete comparison, below is a concise overview of how the D90 scores versus the K20D in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D90 over the Pentax K20D

 D90 K20D 
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kCrisper screen (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K20D over the Nikon D90

 K20D D90 

Common features in the Nikon D90 and Pentax K20D

 D90 K20D 
RevealedOctober 2008June 2008Same generation
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Nikon D90 vs Pentax K20D Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to lug around your camera often, you'll need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Nikon D90 provides outside measurements of 132mm x 103mm x 77mm (5.2" x 4.1" x 3.0") having a weight of 703 grams (1.55 lbs) and the Pentax K20D has measurements of 142mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Compare the Nikon D90 vs Pentax K20D in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have attached during that time. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the D90 and the K20D.

Nikon D90 vs Pentax K20D size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the D90 and K20D is 60 and 59 respectively.

Nikon D90 vs Pentax K20D top view buttons comparison

Nikon D90 vs Pentax K20D Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's hard to see the contrast in sensor measurements purely by checking out technical specs. The graphic below will offer you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the D90 and K20D.

As you have seen, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Pentax K20D to show extra detail having its extra 3MP. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures far more aggressively.

Nikon D90 vs Pentax K20D sensor size comparison

Nikon D90 vs Pentax K20D Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D90 vs Pentax K20D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D90 Portrait photography features
Pentax K20D Portrait photography features
62
focusing manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12MP)
71
you can focus manually
decent MP (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D90 Street photography factors
Pentax K20D Street photography factors
54
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
65
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
screen does not articulate
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon D90
Sports photography with Pentax K20D
45
nice sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
slow frames per second (4.5 frames per second)
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12MP)
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (15MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
environment sealing
has phase detect autofocus
low fps (3.0 frames/s)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D90 Travel photography advice
Pentax K20D Travel photography advice
44
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
low resolution sensor (12MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
64
environment sealing
decent MP (15MP)
built-in flash
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D90 Landscape photography information
Pentax K20D Landscape photography information
57
focusing manually
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12MP)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
70
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (15MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
screen is small (2.7")
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D90 Vlogging info
Pentax K20D Vlogging info
21
comes with face detect focusing
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic port
9
lack of video recording
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Nikon D90 vs Pentax K20D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D90 and Pentax K20D
 Nikon D90Pentax K20D
General Information
Company Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D90 Pentax K20D
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2008-10-13 2008-06-25
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 15 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest resolution 4288 x 2848 4672 x 3104
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Highest boosted ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 309 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 920k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 96 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 4.5 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 17.00 m (at ISO 100) 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/200 secs 1/180 secs
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) -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 None
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 703 gr (1.55 pounds) 800 gr (1.76 pounds)
Dimensions 132 x 103 x 77mm (5.2" x 4.1" x 3.0") 142 x 101 x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 73 65
DXO Color Depth rating 22.7 22.9
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.5 11.1
DXO Low light rating 977 639
Other
Battery life 850 photographs -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID EN-EL3e D-LI50
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC SD/MMC/SDHC card
Storage slots One One
Launch price $1,199 $700