Nikon
D90
 vs
Pentax
K-x

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

Nikon D90

70
Tie

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
Startup delay
 Almost no delay when powering up
300 ms startup delay
Sensor size
 Large sensor
APS-C 23.6x15.8mm
Battery life
 Great battery life
850 shots
Badge
 Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses
Pentax K-x

70
"Image stabilisation via the camera body is a great feature that works very well when hand-holding the camera in low-light conditions."
photographyblog.com | talking about the K-x's image-stabilization
"The camera has a deep, contoured handgrip on the right-hand side, coated in a rubberized compound to aid grip, that enabled me to use three fingers to hold it and my right forefinger to operate the shutter button."
photographyblog.com | talking about the K-x's feel

Reasons to buy the Pentax K-x

Dynamic range
 Wide dynamic range
12.5 EV
Image stabilization
 Image stabilization
Sensor shift
Sensor size
 Large sensor
APS-C 23.6x15.8mm
HDR
 In-camera HDR
Combines multiple exposures
Shutter lag
 Barely any delay taking photos
97 ms shutter lag
Cross type focus points
 Many cross-type focus points
9

differences

Advantages of the Nikon D90
Screen size Much larger screen 3.0" vs 2.7"
Help
 More than 10% larger screen
Screen resolution Much higher resolution screen 930k dots vs 230k dots
Help
 More than 4x higher resolution screen
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO 977 ISO vs 811 ISO
Help
 The D90 has a slight edge (0.3 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
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 420 shots
Help
 More than 2x more shots per battery charge
Viewfinder size Larger viewfinder 0.63x vs 0.56x
Help
 Around 30% larger viewfinder
Startup delay Less startup delay 300 ms vs 600 ms
Help
 2x less delay when turning on
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-x
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
HDR Has in-camera HDR Yes vs No
Help
 Combines multiple exposures to capture high dynamic range
Shutter lag Significantly less shutter lag 97 ms vs 208 ms
Help
 2.1x less delay when taking photos
Size Much smaller 123x92x68 mm vs 132x103x77 mm
Help
 Around 30% smaller
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 6,400 ISO vs 3,200 ISO
Help
 The K-x's maximum light sensitivity is 1 f-stop better
Thickness Significantly thinner 2.7" vs 3"
Help
 More than 10% thinner
Light sensitivity (boost) Better boost ISO 12,800 ISO vs 6,400 ISO
Help
 The K-x's boost ISO is 1 f-stop better
Weight Lighter 580 g vs 703 g
Help
 Around 20% 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 $674.92 vs $896.95
Help
 The best price we've seen is $222 cheaper (more than 20% less)
Pentax K-x Learn more about
the Pentax K-x
vs

recommendations

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

Nikon D90 Nikon D90
70 vs 70
Explain scores
Pentax K-x Pentax K-x
Green arrow Too close to call! Snapsort considers these cameras too competitive to make a clear recommendation.

advice

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1
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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..."

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1
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by Kate-Hughes 5 days ago
Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D90

I am a beginner is DSLR photography & have been researching entry level models. I kep coming bac...

One person recommends the Nikon D3100:

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similarities

Compared to recent entry-level DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Dynamic range Good dynamic range Help
12.5 EV
Supports 24p 24p support Help
For that film look
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
Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
D90:3,200 ISO
K-x:6,400 ISO
Weather sealed Neither is weather sealed Help
Need to shelter it from weather
Movie format Both shoot high resolution HD movies Help
720p @ 24fps

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-x
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-x
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-x
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-x
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-x
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-x
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-x

Nikon D90 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

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

Pentax K-x Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Pentax K-x.

appearance

Nikon D90 Pentax K-x
Nikon D90 Pentax K-x
Nikon D90 Pentax K-x

discussion

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