• APS-C 372.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Nikon D90 advantages over Pentax K-S2

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.50 vs 4.29 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 1.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 850 vs 410 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    158 mm vs 75 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Higher-res screen
    307k vs 230k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 28 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Pentax K-S2 advantages over Nikon D90

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Less expensive
    $800 vs $1300 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More cross-type AF points
    9 vs 1
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Newer
    10 years vs 16 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Lighter weight
    859g vs 1133g
    Lighter weight
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.12 vs 0.21 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    20.1 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
    Optional vs Fixed
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.2 fps vs 4.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    5.2 fps vs 4.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Faster shutter
    1/6000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 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
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • 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-S2
Body Only (White)
  • Body Only (White)
  • Body Only (Black)
  • Body Only (Black/Orange)
  • Kit with 18-50mm WR Lens (Black)
  • Kit with 18-50mm WR Lens (Black/Orange)
  • Kit with 18-50mm WR Lens (White)
All K-S2 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Very compact for a weather-sealed DSLR; Good ergonomics and great viewfinder; Excellent image quality; Decent performance for its class; Articulated screen is great for difficult compositions; Offers features not found in other Pentax DSLRs

  • 18-50mm kit lens is fiddly and prone to jamming when retracted; Wi-Fi is slow and unintuitive; Slow startup; Limited movie mode; Poor battery life for a DSLR; Priced too close to its enthusiast-grade sibling

  • Read our Pentax K-S2 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-S2
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-S2 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-S2
Sony DSLR-A500
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-S2 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-S2
Pentax K-5
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax K-5

Compared to Pentax K-500

Nikon D90
Pentax K-500
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Top deck display
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive

Compare Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-500

Pentax K-S2
Pentax K-500
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax K-500

Compared to Pentax K-S1

Nikon D90
Pentax K-S1
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive

Compare Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-S1

Pentax K-S2
Pentax K-S1
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Higher-res screen

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax K-S1

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