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Pentax K-1 vs Pentax W90

Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78
Pentax K-1 front
 
Pentax Optio W90 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax W90 Key Specs

Pentax K-1
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Released February 2016
  • Replacement is Pentax K-1 II
Pentax W90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 164g - 108 x 59 x 25mm
  • Launched February 2010
Photography Glossary

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax W90 Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Pentax K-1 vs Pentax W90, former being a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Waterproof and both are created by Pentax. There is a substantial difference between the sensor resolutions of the K-1 (36MP) and W90 (12MP) and the K-1 (Full frame) and W90 (1/2.3") offer different sensor size.

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The K-1 was announced 6 years later than the W90 and that is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-1 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax W90 being a Compact camera.

Before going straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the K-1 grades against the W90 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Pentax W90

 K-1 W90 
LaunchedFebruary 2016February 2010Fresher by 73 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display size3.2"2.7"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1037k230kCrisper display (+807k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax W90 over the Pentax K-1

 W90 K-1 

Common features in the Pentax K-1 and Pentax W90

 K-1 W90 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax W90 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry your camera regularly, you should think about its weight and volume. The Pentax K-1 features outside dimensions of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs) whilst the Pentax W90 has sizing of 108mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") along with a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs).

Check the Pentax K-1 vs Pentax W90 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have chosen during that time. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the K-1 against the W90.

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax W90 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the K-1 and W90 is 55 and 94 respectively.

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax W90 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax W90 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's difficult to imagine the gap between sensor sizing just by reading through a spec sheet. The visual below might provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the K-1 and W90.

Clearly, each of these cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The K-1 with its larger sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF simpler and the Pentax K-1 will give more detail with its extra 24MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop images way more aggressively. The younger K-1 provides a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax W90 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax W90 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax W90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-1 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax W90 as a Portrait photography camera
85
focusing manually
sensor resolution is amazing (36 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
offers face detection focusing
saves RAW files
27
manual focus
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax K-1
Street photography with Pentax W90
70
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW files
weather sealing
great high ISO (204,800)
more heavy than competition (1,010 grams)
54
weather proof
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-1 Sports photography info
Pentax W90 Sports photography info
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is amazing (36 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
weather sealing
supports phase detect AF
slow continuous shooting (4.4 fps)
terrible battery (760 per charge)
24
weather proof
max frames per second very slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-1 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax W90 as a Travel photography camera
53
weather sealing
sensor resolution is amazing (36 megapixels)
terrible battery (760 CIPA)
more heavy than competition (1,010g)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
64
weather proof
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K-1
Landscape photography with Pentax W90
81
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is amazing (36MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
does not have anti-alias filter
great high ISO (204,800)
saves RAW files
weather sealing
2 card slots
terrible battery (760 shots)
37
manual focus
really wide (28mm)
weather proof
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-1 Vlogging details
Pentax W90 Vlogging details
31
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with external microphone support
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
more heavy than competition (1,010g)
25
really wide (28mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic port
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Pentax K-1 vs Pentax W90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-1 and Pentax W90
 Pentax K-1Pentax Optio W90
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-1 Pentax Optio W90
Class Advanced DSLR Waterproof
Released 2016-02-17 2010-02-24
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Prime
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Full frame 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 24mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 861.6mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 36 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 7360 x 4912 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 204800 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 33 9
Cross type focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Amount of lenses 151 -
Crop factor 1 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3.2 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 1,037 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 4.4 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 3.90 m
Flash modes 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 Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/200 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Built-in None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1010g (2.23 pounds) 164g (0.36 pounds)
Physical dimensions 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") 108 x 59 x 25mm (4.3" 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 images -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI90 D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots Two 1
Price at release $1,499 $120