• APS-C 372.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

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Differences

Nikon D90 advantages over Pentax K-01

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 2.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 850 vs 500 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    158 mm vs 61 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
  • Less shutter lag
    0.21 vs 0.80 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Wider angle kit lens
    27 mm vs 61 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 9 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Pentax K-01 advantages over Nikon D90

  • Less expensive
    $900 vs $1300 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,135 vs 977 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Thinner
    58 mm vs 77 mm
    Thinner
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Lighter weight
    611g vs 1133g
    Lighter weight
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    16.3 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.9 fps vs 4.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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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Review Excerpt

  • Very good image quality and excellent high ISO performance. Premium build quality. In-body image stabilization. Lots of creative features. Full HD movie capture with manual exposure control.

  • Barely any smaller than a standard SLR, but lacks viewfinder and phase-detect autofocus. Contrast-detect AF is slow and unreliable. Body design is clumsy and uncomfortable. Very slow raw burst shooting.

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
Pentax K-01
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $359
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen

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
Pentax K-01
Sony DSLR-A500
  • $359
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Pentax K-5

Nikon D90
Pentax K-5
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Higher effective ISO
Pentax K-01
Pentax K-5
  • $359
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Fast startup

Compared to Fujifilm X-Pro1

Nikon D90
Fujifilm X-Pro1
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
Pentax K-01
Fujifilm X-Pro1
  • $359
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Samsung NX20

Nikon D90
Samsung NX20
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels
  • $400
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Pentax K-01
Samsung NX20
  • $359
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $400
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
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