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Pentax K-1 vs Pentax E90

Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78
Pentax K-1 front
 
Pentax Optio E90 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
11
Overall
24

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax E90 Key Specs

Pentax K-1
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Revealed February 2016
  • New Model is Pentax K-1 II
Pentax E90
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 32-95mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 145g - 102 x 59 x 25mm
  • Released January 2010
Photography Glossary

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax E90 Overview

In this write-up, we are contrasting the Pentax K-1 and Pentax E90, former being a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are designed by Pentax. There is a sizable difference between the sensor resolutions of the K-1 (36MP) and E90 (10MP) and the K-1 (Full frame) and E90 (1/2.3") enjoy totally different sensor measurements.

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The K-1 was introduced 6 years later than the E90 and that is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Pentax K-1 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax E90 being a Compact camera.

Before we go through a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the K-1 scores against the E90 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Pentax E90

 K-1 E90 
ReleasedFebruary 2016January 2010More recent by 74 months
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display sizing3.2"2.7"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1037k230kSharper display (+807k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax E90 over the Pentax K-1

 E90 K-1 

Common features in the Pentax K-1 and Pentax E90

 K-1 E90 
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax E90 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to lug around your camera, you will need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-1 has got outside dimensions of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") having a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs) whilst the Pentax E90 has dimensions of 102mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0") with a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax K-1 and Pentax E90 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you use at the time. The following is the front view size comparison of the K-1 vs the E90.

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax E90 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the K-1 and E90 is 55 and 94 respectively.

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax E90 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax E90 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is difficult to envision the contrast between sensor measurements just by looking at a spec sheet. The visual below might provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-1 and E90.

As you can see, both of these cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The K-1 having a larger sensor will make shooting shallow DOF easier and the Pentax K-1 will give extra detail using its extra 26 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop pics far more aggressively. The fresher K-1 will have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax E90 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax E90 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax E90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-1 Portrait photography details
Pentax E90 Portrait photography details
85
has manual focus
high resolution (36 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
features face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
19
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-1 Street photography information
Pentax E90 Street photography information
70
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
very good ISO range (204,800)
heavier than others (1,010g)
47
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-1 Sports photography highlights
Pentax E90 Sports photography highlights
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high resolution (36MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
features tracking focus
environment proofing
supports phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (4.4 frames/s)
not so great battery pack (760 CIPA)
16
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-1 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax E90 as a Travel photography camera
53
environment proofing
high resolution (36 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (760 CIPA)
heavier than others (1,010g)
does not contain selfie friendly display
50
has built in flash
missing Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (32mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-1 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax E90 Landscape photography highlights
81
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high resolution (36MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
no anti-alias filter
very good ISO range (204,800)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
has double storage slots
not so great battery pack (760 CIPA)
22
no manual focus
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (32mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7 inch)
lack of manual mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-1 Vlogging information
Pentax E90 Vlogging information
31
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with mic port
does not contain selfie friendly display
heavier than others (1,010g)
22
wide angle not the best (32mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone socket
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Pentax K-1 vs Pentax E90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-1 and Pentax E90
 Pentax K-1Pentax Optio E90
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-1 Pentax Optio E90
Class Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2016-02-17 2010-01-25
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Prime
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Full frame 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 24mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 861.6mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 36 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 7360 x 4912 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 204800 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 33 3
Cross type focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 32-95mm (3.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing range - 6cm
Total lenses 151 -
Focal length multiplier 1 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 3.2" 2.7"
Resolution of display 1,037 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 4.4 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 3.50 m
Flash settings 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
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/200s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p) 1280 x 720 (15 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Built-in None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1010 grams (2.23 pounds) 145 grams (0.32 pounds)
Dimensions 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") 102 x 59 x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 96 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 25.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.6 not tested
DXO Low light rating 3280 not tested
Other
Battery life 760 shots -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI90 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots Dual One
Retail pricing $1,499 $100