• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 750.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 204,800

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Differences

Nikon S9900 advantages over Pentax K-1

  • Less expensive
    $350 vs $1800 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    39 mm vs 85 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    289g vs 1015g
    Lighter weight
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.0 fps vs 4.6 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Pentax K-1 advantages over Nikon S9900

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.88 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 760 vs 300 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Higher-res screen
    346k vs 230k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    36.4 vs 16.0 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
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 8 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    74 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    204800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in GPS
    Both provide
    Geotag your photos
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

  • Unlocks the full potential of full-frame Pentax lenses; Excellent image quality; Great ergonomics and build; Very compact for full-frame; Decent performance; Fast autofocus with great low-light capabilities; Very wide sensitivity range; Bright, accurate viewfinder; Articulated LCD; Stabilization, Wi-Fi and GPS in-camera

  • No built-in flash strobe; Quite heavy compared to APS-C flagships; Somewhat soft images and blown highlights by default in JPEG mode; Warm Auto white balance indoors; Slow startup and buffer clearing; Small top-deck status display; Weak viewfinder illumination; Below-average battery life for DSLR

The Competition

Compared to Sony HX50V

Nikon S9900
Sony HX50V
  • $280
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Manual focus
Pentax K-1
Sony HX50V
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Canon 5DS

Nikon S9900
Canon 5DS
  • $280
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1299
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Pentax K-1
Canon 5DS
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1299
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • More cross-type AF points

Compared to Sony WX500

Nikon S9900
Sony WX500
  • $280
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Built-in GPS
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Shoots 24p video
Pentax K-1
Sony WX500
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • NFC

Compared to Sony HX80

Nikon S9900
Sony HX80
  • $280
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Built-in GPS
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Longer stills battery life
Pentax K-1
Sony HX80
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • NFC

Compared to Pentax K-1 II

Nikon S9900
Pentax K-1 II
  • $280
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Pentax K-1
Pentax K-1 II
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Higher extended ISO
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