• APS-C 372.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • Detailed specifications
  • Nikon D90
  • Pentax K-5 II
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website
Nikon D90 webpage
Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Nikon D80
D80 vs D90
Pentax K-5
K-5 vs K-5 II
Successor: Nikon D7000
D90 vs D7000
 
General
Model Number: D90 K-5 II
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: SLR Pro SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $1299.95 $1449.95
Street Price:   $699.00
Date Available: 2008-09-15 2012-10-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 40.0 oz (1,133 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
42.3 oz (1,200 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 5.2 x 4.1 x 3.0 in.
(132 x 103 x 77 mm)
5.2 x 3.8 x 2.9 in.
(131 x 97 x 73 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:   Sony
Effective Megapixels: 12.3 16.3
Sensor Format: APS-C APS-C
Sensor size: 372.88mm2 (23.60mm x 15.80mm) 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.50 microns 4.81 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 73 82
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 22.7 23.8
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.5 14.1
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 977 1,235
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4288 x 2848 (12.2 MP, Other),
3216 x 2136 (6.9 MP, Other),
2144 x 1424 (3.1 MP, Other)
4928 x 3264 (16.1 MP, Other),
3936 x 2624 (10.3 MP, 3:2),
3072 x 2048 (6.3 MP, 3:2),
1728 x 1152 (2.0 MP, 3:2)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.21), NEF (RAW), 12-bit; RAW+JPEG JPEG (EXIF 2.21), 14-bit RAW (.PEF, .DNG)
Continuous-mode frames/second: 4.5 6.7
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1280x720 (24)
640x424 (24)
320x216 (24)
1920x1080 (25p)
1280x720 (30p/​25p)
640x480 (30p/​25p)
Movie File Format: AVI (Motion JPEG) AVI (Motion JPEG)
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: Yes No
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Nikon F Pentax K (KA/KAF/KAF2)
Lens: Nikkor AF-S 18-105mm f/3.5 -5.6G ED VR smc Pentax 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 ED AL [IF] DC DA WR
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 27 - 158mm 27 - 203mm
Focal Length (actual): 18 - 105mm 18 - 135mm
Zoom Ratio: 5.80x 7.50x
Aperture Range: f/3.5 -22 (W), f/5.6 -38 (T) f/3.5 - f/22 (wide) / f/5.6 - f/40 (tele)
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 45 cm to Infinity
17.7 in to Infinity
40 cm to Infinity
15.7 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 67.0mm 62.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes No
Digital Zoom: No No
Digital Zoom Values: n/a n/a
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 11 point TTL phase detection with 3D focus tracking by Nikon Multi-CAM 1000 TTL phase-difference: new SAFOX X AF sensor, 11 point (9 cross type focus point in the center) with light wavelength sensor; Auto 11 Point, Auto 5 Point, User-Selectable, Center
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; fixed eye-level pentaprism, 96% coverage, 0.94x mag., 19.5mm eyepoint, -2 to +1 diopter SLR type; eye-level pentaprism, ~100% coverage, 0.92x mag., 21.7mm eyepoint, -2.5 to +1.5 diopter
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.63x 0.61x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.94x 0.92x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots (307,200 px) 921,000 dots (307,000 px)
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 27.0x 32.0x
Top Deck Display: Yes Yes
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 3200 12800
Minimum ISO (native): 200 100
ISO Settings: Auto, ISO 200-3200, Lo-1=100, Hi-1=6400 Auto, 100-12800, expandable 80 to 51200
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, 7 manual modes with fine tuning, color temperature Auto, daylight, shade, cloudy, fluorescent (D, N, W, L), tungsten, flash, CTE, manual (up to 3 settings), Kelvin temperature (up to 3 settings)
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 30 sec 1/8000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 3D Color Matrix Metering II (420-pixel RGB), Center-weighted, Spot TTL open-aperture: 77-segment, Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Sports, Night Portrait Sensitivity Priority, Shutter and Aperture Priority; Digital filters (capture): Toy Camera, Retro, High Contrast, Extract Color, Soft, Starburst, Fisheye, Custom
Self Timer: 2 to 20 seconds 2 or 12 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):   Yes
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Front-Curtain Sync, Red-Eye Reduction, Red-Eye Reduction with Slow Sync, Slow Sync, and Rear-Curtain Sync; supports Advanced Wireless Lighting system P-TTL, Red-eye reduction, Slow-speed sync, Rear Curtain Sync. High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync also available with PENTAX dedicated external flash.
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. 13.0 m / 42.7 ft.
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent Depends on lens
Max Flash Sync: 1/200 1/180
Flash Exposure Compensation: -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps -2 to +1 EV in 0.5EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe Hot Shoe, PC Sync socket
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: Full TTL exposure Full TTL exposure
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support: No UHS support No UHS support
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: NEF (RAW), 12-bit; RAW+JPEG 14-bit RAW (.PEF, .DNG)
Movie File Format: AVI (Motion JPEG) AVI (Motion JPEG)
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No Yes
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes No
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional wired or wireless Optional Wired or IR
Connections (extended): HDMI Out, DC In, 10-pin Accessory Port Mini (Type C) HMDI, DC input, wired remote, 3.5mm external stereo mic jack
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.36 0.38
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.35 0.39
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 13 Unlimited
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): 0.32 0.39
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 4.5 6.7
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): Unlimited 28
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 4.1 6.7
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): 10 22
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 4.2 6.7
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): 7 22
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.21 seconds 0.23 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR): 2.29 seconds 1.25 seconds
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR): 0.519 seconds 0.403 seconds
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.067 seconds 0.204 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.25 seconds 0.25 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.067 seconds 0.091 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Live View: Full autofocus: 2.294s Prefocused: 0.519s OVF: Full AF lag, wide-area mode = 0.242s Live View: Full AF lag, phase-detect = 1.269s Full AF lag, contrast-detect = 1.250s Prefocused = 0.403s
Startup Time: 0.3 seconds 0.6 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.3 seconds 0.3 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 2.2 seconds 2.1 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):    
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 850 shots 740 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary EN-EL3e, optional MB-D80 battery pack Proprietary D-LI90; optional D-BG4 Battery Grip
Usable Battery Types: Lithium Ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary EN-EL3e Lithium Ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary D-LI90 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No No
Software
Included Software: PictureProject CD-ROM Software CD-ROM S-SW132
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Live View with Face Detection, Dust Reduction, HDMI Output, Scene Recognition System, Active D-Lighting, Picture Control, Extensive In-camera Editing, GPS support. Essentially a K-5 with improved LCD, and updated SAFOX X AF sensor for better low-light autofocus performance.