Nikon
D90
 vs
Pentax
K-r

Updated (September, 2010): Compare the Nikon D7000 vs Pentax K-r

Pentax K-r

75
Winner

Pentax K-r
"The K-r produces, in almost any shooting situation, output that is virtually identical to the K-x's."
dpreview.com | talking about the K-r's image-quality
"The Pentax K-r offers excellent control over high ISO noise reduction."
dpreview.com | talking about the K-r's iso-noise

Reasons to buy the Pentax K-r

Dynamic range
 Wide dynamic range
12.4 EV
Image stabilization
 Image stabilization
Sensor shift
Light sensitivity
 High ISO
12,800 ISO
Sensor size
 Large sensor
APS-C 23.6x15.8mm
HDR
 In-camera HDR
Combines multiple exposures
Shutter lag
 Barely any delay taking photos
105 ms shutter lag
Nikon D90

70
Runner-up

Nikon D90
"Fast Autofocus with useful control options"
dpreview.com | talking about the D90's auto-focus
"The D90 feels very comfortable and natural, with a good grip and logical, ergonomic, button placement."
dpreview.com | talking about the D90's feel

Reasons to buy the Nikon D90

Dynamic range
 Wide dynamic range
12.5 EV
Viewfinder size
 Large viewfinder
0.63x
Sensor size
 Large sensor
APS-C 23.6x15.8mm
Badge
 Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses

differences

Advantages of the Nikon D90
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO 977 ISO vs 755 ISO
Help
 The D90 has a slight edge (0.4 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Supports 24p Supports 24p Yes vs No
Help
 Get that real film feel
Lens availability Significantly more lenses available 169 lenses vs 90 lenses
Help
 Around 90% more lenses available
Battery life Significantly longer battery life 850 shots vs 470 shots
Help
 More than 80% more shots per battery charge
Viewfinder size Larger viewfinder 0.63x vs 0.56x
Help
 Around 30% larger viewfinder
Viewfinder Has a pentaprism viewfinder Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
Help
 Pentaprism viewfinders are typically brighter
Overall image quality Slightly better image quality 73.0 vs 72.0
Help
 Almost the same
Nikon D90 Learn more about
the Nikon D90

Advantages of the Pentax K-r
Image stabilization Image stabilization Sensor shift vs None
Help
 Helps eliminate blur caused by small camera movements
Cross type focus points Many more cross-type focus points 9 vs 1
Help
 Grab focus in difficult situations
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 12,800 ISO vs 3,200 ISO
Help
 The K-r's maximum light sensitivity is 2 f-stops better
HDR Has in-camera HDR Yes vs No
Help
 Combines multiple exposures to capture high dynamic range
Shutter lag Significantly less shutter lag 105 ms vs 208 ms
Help
 Around 50% less delay when taking photos
Size Significantly smaller 125x97x68 mm vs 132x103x77 mm
Help
 More than 20% smaller
Light sensitivity (boost) Better boost ISO 25,600 ISO vs 6,400 ISO
Help
 The K-r's boost ISO is 2 f-stops better
Continuous shooting Shoots faster 6 fps vs 4.5 fps
Help
 More than 30% faster continuous shooting
Color depth Better color depth 22.9 bits vs 22.7 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 0.2 more bits of color
Thickness Significantly thinner 2.7" vs 3"
Help
 More than 10% thinner
Weight Lighter 598 g vs 703 g
Help
 More than 10% lighter
Fastest shutter speed Significantly faster max shutter speed 1/6000s vs 1/4000s
Help
 More than 30% faster max shutter speed
Lowest price Cheaper $630.89 vs $896.95
Help
 The best price we've seen is $266 cheaper (around 30% less)
Pentax K-r Learn more about
the Pentax K-r
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent entry-level DSLRs, and ignoring price

Nikon D90 Nikon D90
70 vs 75
Explain scores
Pentax K-r Pentax K-r
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Pentax K-r.

advice

Need help deciding?

Ask the community!
I am considering either the Nikon D90 or the Pentax K-r,
For example: Taking photos in low light or great family photos or ability to take great photos underwater

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Are you a camera expert? Share your knowledge!
0
votes
by Heather-and-Bree-Johnson this month
Canon T3i vs Pentax K-r

for sporting events, landscape, portraits

One person recommends the Pentax K-r:

" amazing image + microphone + video quality. never ending options in camera menus ===== i'm a k-x..."
One person recommends the Canon T3i:

" with canon t3i you get 720p x 60frames (slow it down to 30 frames to get smooth effect of slow m..."
0
votes
by Deanna-Strieb last week
Canon T3i vs Nikon D90

I'm mainly taking pictures of my children but am super picky!  I don't want to do manual setting...
0
votes
by Lisa-Bunn last month
Canon T3i vs Nikon D90

been stealing my dad's d-slr for quite some time for mini photo shoots with my dogs and friends ...
0
votes
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Was a very keen amateur photographer in the old days 35mm and had a few dslrs.
1
votes
by Lance-Villanueva-Ramos last month
Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D90

Beginner,capturing the moment of different events

2 people recommend the Nikon D3100:

" D3100 is going to have better video capabilities which you outlined as a need, image quality wil..."

"The D3100 is better for beginners because it has a great guide that will help you set up the camer..."

similarities

Compared to recent entry-level DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Dynamic range Good dynamic range Help
D90:12.5 EV
K-r:12.4 EV
Startup delay Minimal startup delay Help
300 ms startup delay
Screen resolution High resolution screens Help
D90:930k dots
K-r:920k dots
Sensor size Large sensors Help
APS-C 23.6x15.8mm
Storage slots Fewer storage slots Help
1
External mic jack Neither has an external mic jack Help
Limited to the in-camera mic
True resolution Capture low resolution images Help
12.2 MP
Autofocus No video autofocus Help
Manual focus only
Screen flips out No flip-out screens Help
Less flexible
Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
3D Neither camera can take 3D photos Help
No 3d support
Weather sealed Neither is weather sealed Help
Need to shelter it from weather
Movie format HD (720p) video Help
D90:720p @ 24fps
K-r:720p @ 25fps

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $597 body only

$600 - $697 with 18-55mm lens
Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the D5100 vs the D90
Compare the D5100 vs the K-r
Nikon D7000

Nikon D7000

Entry-level DSLR

$1,000 body only

$1,100 with 55-200mm lens
Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the D7000 vs the D90
Compare the D7000 vs the K-r
Canon EOS 60D

Canon EOS 60D

Pro DSLR

$848 - $1,304 body only

$1,177 - $1,342 with 18-135mm lens
Movie format Records higher quality movies
True resolution Takes significantly higher resolution photos
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is significantly heavier
Compare the EOS 60D vs the D90
Compare the EOS 60D vs the K-r
Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $547 with 18-55mm lens
Movie format Records higher quality movies
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the D3100 vs the D90
Compare the D3100 vs the K-r
Canon Rebel T3i

Canon Rebel T3i

Entry-level DSLR

$619 - $700 body only

$745 - $1,000 with 18-55mm lens
Movie format Records higher quality movies
True resolution Takes significantly higher resolution photos
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the D90
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the K-r
Canon EOS Rebel T2i

Canon Rebel T2i

Entry-level DSLR

$544 - $949 body only

$649 - $867 with 18-55mm lens
Movie format Records higher quality movies
True resolution Takes significantly higher resolution photos
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Sensor size Has a slightly smaller sensor
Compare the Rebel T2i vs the D90
Compare the Rebel T2i vs the K-r
Nikon D3200

Nikon D3200

Entry-level DSLR

$699 - $700 with 18-55mm lens
Movie format Records higher quality movies
True resolution Takes much higher resolution photos
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the D3200 vs the D90
Compare the D3200 vs the K-r

Nikon D90 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Nikon D90.

Pentax K-r Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Pentax K-x

Pentax K-x

Entry-level DSLR

$675 with 18-55mm lens
Supports 24p Supports 24p
Low light performance Slightly lower noise at high ISO
Screen size Much smaller screen
Screen resolution Much lower resolution screen
Compare the K-x vs the K-r

appearance

Nikon D90 Pentax K-r
Nikon D90 Pentax K-r
Nikon D90 Pentax K-r

discussion

Showing 4 comments

Joko (9:33 AM, May 18, 2012)
K-r has noise reduction on raw which leads to blobs at high ISO and no way to avoid it.
Never mind the ISO 12800 it's near useless D90 far better camera overall
 
Thatguyyousawonetime (6:15 AM, August 09, 2011)
If you look at the actual SNR 18% chart from DXO, the K-r outperforms the D90...
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (4:23 PM, March 10, 2011)
Got a link? We pull benchmarks from DXOMark. Their tests claim the D90 has slightly better image quality at high ISO than both the D300s and the Pentax K-x, however they results show the cameras being pretty close.
 
Fanboys (4:21 PM, March 10, 2011)
Are you people crazy ? d90 better in low light ? pentax k-r beats even d300s in low light and by far , look at dpreview images nikon fanboy's or fix the misinforming cause reviews are out there.