• APS-C 372.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 819,200

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Differences

Nikon D90 advantages over Pentax K-1 II

  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 1.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 850 vs 670 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    158 mm vs 105 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 77 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Pentax K-1 II advantages over Nikon D90

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More cross-type AF points
    25 vs 1
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Newer
    7 years vs 16 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.10 vs 0.21 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.70x vs 0.63x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    36.4 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • More AF points
    33 vs 11
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
    Optional vs Fixed
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
  • Faster RAW shooting
    4.6 fps vs 4.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    17 vs 10 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    819200 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Top deck display
    Both provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Both provide
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Buy the Nikon D90

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Buy the Pentax K-1 II
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 28-105mm Lens
All K-1 II Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent build and comfortable handling; Bright, roomy viewfinder and articulated LCD; Great image quality; Good performance for the class; In-camera stabilization, GPS and Wi-Fi; Incredibly feature-rich design.

  • Bulkier than APS-C DSLRs; Top ISOs are for the spec sheet, not the real world; JPEGs are a bit punchy by default; Slow startup; Below-average battery life; Only a relatively modest update to the K-1.

  • Read our Pentax K-1 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSLR-A550

Nikon D90
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D90 vs Sony DSLR-A550

Pentax K-1 II
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Sony DSLR-A550

Compared to Sony DSLR-A500

Nikon D90
Sony DSLR-A500
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D90 vs Sony DSLR-A500

Pentax K-1 II
Sony DSLR-A500
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Sony DSLR-A500

Compared to Pentax K-5

Nikon D90
Pentax K-5
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-5

Pentax K-1 II
Pentax K-5
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Pentax K-5

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Nikon D90
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Internal flash
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Nikon D90 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Pentax K-1 II
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Compared to Nikon D850

Nikon D90
Nikon D850
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Internal flash
  • $2597
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon D90 vs Nikon D850

Pentax K-1 II
Nikon D850
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • High resolution composite
  • $2597
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Nikon D850

Compare Other Cameras?