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Nikon D90 vs Pentax ist DL2

Portability
60
Imaging
52
Features
52
Overall
52
Nikon D90 front
 
Pentax ist DL2 front
Portability
69
Imaging
45
Features
33
Overall
40

Nikon D90 vs Pentax ist DL2 Key Specs

Nikon D90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Increase to 6400)
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 703g - 132 x 103 x 77mm
  • Released October 2008
  • Earlier Model is Nikon D80
  • Successor is Nikon D7000
Pentax ist DL2
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 565g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
  • Released January 2006
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Nikon D90 vs Pentax ist DL2 Overview

Here, we are matching up the Nikon D90 versus Pentax ist DL2, both Advanced DSLR cameras by rivals Nikon and Pentax. There exists a large gap among the image resolutions of the D90 (12MP) and ist DL2 (6MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The D90 was introduced 2 years later than the ist DL2 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving straight to a thorough comparison, here is a simple summary of how the D90 grades versus the ist DL2 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D90 over the Pentax ist DL2

 D90 ist DL2 
ReleasedOctober 2008January 2006More recent by 33 months
Display size3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution920k210kSharper display (+710k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DL2 over the Nikon D90

 ist DL2 D90 

Common features in the Nikon D90 and Pentax ist DL2

 D90 ist DL2 
Manual focus More accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Nikon D90 vs Pentax ist DL2 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you'll have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Nikon D90 provides exterior measurements of 132mm x 103mm x 77mm (5.2" x 4.1" x 3.0") and a weight of 703 grams (1.55 lbs) and the Pentax ist DL2 has proportions of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") accompanied by a weight of 565 grams (1.25 lbs).

Compare the Nikon D90 versus Pentax ist DL2 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you use at that time. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the D90 against the ist DL2.

Nikon D90 vs Pentax ist DL2 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the D90 and ist DL2 is 60 and 69 respectively.

Nikon D90 vs Pentax ist DL2 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D90 vs Pentax ist DL2 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is hard to picture the gap in sensor measurements purely by going through specifications. The graphic underneath should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the D90 and ist DL2.

To sum up, the two cameras come with the identical sensor size but different resolution. You can expect to see the Nikon D90 to provide greater detail using its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop images a good deal more aggressively. The more recent D90 should have an edge in sensor tech.

Nikon D90 vs Pentax ist DL2 sensor size comparison

Nikon D90 vs Pentax ist DL2 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D90 vs Pentax ist DL2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D90
Portrait photography with Pentax ist DL2
63
has manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
51
you can focus manually
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
MP count low (6MP)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon D90
Street photography with Pentax ist DL2
54
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
fixed screen
no image stabilization
60
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
lighter than competition (565g)
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D90 Sports photography highlights
Pentax ist DL2 Sports photography highlights
46
sensor size is good (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
max frames per second very slow (4.5 frames per second)
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12MP)
39
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
MP count low (6 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D90 Travel photography info
Pentax ist DL2 Travel photography info
44
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse function
low resolution sensor (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly screen
52
lighter than competition (565g)
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
MP count low (6 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D90 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax ist DL2 as a Landscape photography camera
58
has manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse function
47
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
doesn't have liveview
no image stabilization
MP count low (6MP)
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D90
Vlogging with Pentax ist DL2
21
supports face detect focus
does not have selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic port
22
lighter than competition (565g)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video res low ( resolution)
does not have mic jack
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Nikon D90 vs Pentax ist DL2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D90 and Pentax ist DL2
 Nikon D90Pentax ist DL2
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D90 Pentax ist DL2
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2008-10-13 2006-01-27
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 372.9mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 6 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Maximum resolution 4288 x 2848 3008 x 2008
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 200 200
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 5
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Pentax KAF
Total lenses 309 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 2.5"
Screen resolution 920k dot 210k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical
Viewfinder coverage 96 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.57x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 4.5 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 17.00 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/200s -
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) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 -
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected No
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 703 gr (1.55 lbs) 565 gr (1.25 lbs)
Physical dimensions 132 x 103 x 77mm (5.2" x 4.1" x 3.0") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
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 pictures -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID EN-EL3e 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/MMC card
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $1,199 -