Nikon D90 Feature Comparison
The chart below compares the D90with other current Nikon "prosumer" models. What we've done below is to present something of a hybrid comparison between these three models. A red cell means that a given camera performs below the other two, a green cell means that it performs better than the other two, and a yellow cell means it falls between the other two. In cases where two cameras share a superior capability, both their cells will be colored green. Sharp-eyed readers may find some areas where we haven't chosen to highlight a particular difference. Those cases are simply ones that we don't feel are significant in typical use of the camera.
| Nikon D90 vs other "prosumer" Nikon SLRs | ||||
|
Manufacturer
|
Nikon
|
Nikon
|
Nikon | |
|
Model
|
D80
|
D90
|
D300 | |
| Imaging System |
Sensor
Manufacturer
|
Sony | Sony | Sony |
|
Sensor Type
|
CCD | CMOS | CMOS | |
|
Color Filter
Array
|
RGB | RGB | RGB | |
|
Total Megapixels
|
10.75
|
12.9
|
13.1 | |
|
Effective
Megapixels
|
10.2 | 12.3 | 12.3 | |
|
Effective Sensor Size (mm)
|
23.6 x 15.8
|
23.6 x 15.8
|
23.6 x 15.8 | |
|
Focal Length Multiplier (approx.)
|
1.5x
(Nikon DX) |
1.5x
(Nikon DX) |
1.5x (Nikon DX) |
|
|
Ultrasonic Dust Reduction
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes | |
|
Image Processor
|
Not stated
|
EXPEED
|
EXPEED | |
| Viewfinder |
Type
|
Eye-level pentaprism
|
Eye-level pentaprism
|
Eye-level pentaprism |
|
Coverage
|
95%
|
96%
|
100% | |
|
Magnification
(-1 diopter with 50mm lens at infinity) |
0.94x
|
0.94x
|
0.94x | |
|
Eyepoint (mm)
|
19.5
|
19.5
|
19.5 | |
|
Dioptric Adjustment Range (diopters)
|
-2.0 to +1.0
|
-2.0 to +1.0
|
-2.0 to +1.0 | |
|
Focusing Screen
|
Type-B BriteView clear matte screen Mark II,
with on-demand grid lines
|
Type-B BriteView clear matte screen Mark II,
with on-demand grid lines
|
Type-B BriteView clear matte screen Mark II, with on-demand grid lines | |
|
Depth of Field Preview
|
Enabled with depth-of-field preview button
|
Enabled with depth-of-field preview button
|
Enabled with depth-of-field preview button | |
|
Live View
(on LCD) |
No
|
Yes
(1 Mode: Uses contrast detect AF with face detection from image sensor) |
Yes (2 Modes: Hand-held mode uses conventional AF sensor; Tripod mode uses contrast detect AF from image sensor) |
|
| Recording System |
Recording Media / Quantity / Slot Type
|
Secure Digital card
(SDHC compatible) |
Secure Digital card
(SDHC compatible) |
Type I or II CF card / Microdrive (UDMA supported) |
|
Compatible File System
|
FAT 16 / FAT 32
|
FAT 16 / FAT 32
|
FAT 16 / FAT 32 | |
|
Recording Formats
|
RAW 12-bit (compressed NEF), JPEG
|
RAW 12-bit (compressed NEF), JPEG
|
RAW 12-bit or 14-bit (uncompressed, lossless compressed or compressed NEF), TIFF (32-bit), JPEG | |
|
Maximum Resolution
|
3872 x 2592
|
4288 x 2848
|
4288 x 2848 | |
|
Reduced Resolutions (JPEG only)
|
2896 x 1944;
1936 x 1296 |
3216 x 2136;
2144 x 1424 |
3216 x 2136; 2144 x 1424 |
|
|
RAW + JPEG Recording
|
Yes, selectable JPEG resolution / compression
|
Yes, selectable JPEG resolution / compression
|
Yes, selectable JPEG resolution / compression | |
| Color Space, Image Parameters & White Balance |
User-Selectable Color Space
|
Yes
sRGB (two variants) + Adobe RGB |
Yes
sRGB + Adobe RGB |
Yes sRGB + Adobe RGB |
|
Processing Parameters
(Contrast, Sharpness, Saturation, Hue) / # of Increments |
7 options each for sharpness and contrast, 4 options for saturation. 7-step hue adjustment.
|
9 options for sharpening, 7 options for contrast, 3 options for brightness, 7 options for saturation, 5-step hue adjustment.
|
9 options for sharpening, 7 options for contrast, 3 options for brightness, 7 options for saturation, 5-step hue adjustment. | |
|
Picture Control System
|
No | Yes | Yes | |
|
Active
D-Lighting |
No | Yes with new Auto and Extra High modes |
Yes | |
|
Preset WB Settings
|
Six presets with fine tuning; one Manual preset
|
Seven presets with fine tuning; one Manual preset
|
Seven presets with fine tuning; four Manual presets | |
|
Manual Color Temperature Setting Range
|
2,500 ~ 10,000K in increments of roughly 10
mired
|
2,500 ~ 10,000K in increments of roughly 10
mired
|
2,500 ~ 10,000K in increments of roughly 10 mired | |
|
WB Adjustment Range
|
±3 steps in 1-step increments
10 mireds per step |
±6 steps in 1-step increments
5 mireds per step |
±6 steps in 1-step increments 5 mireds per step |
|
| Autofocus System |
Type
|
TTL phase detection by Nikon Multi-CAM1000
autofocus module
|
TTL phase detection by Nikon Multi-CAM1000 autofocus module
|
TTL phase detection by Nikon Multi-CAM3500DX autofocus module |
|
# of Focusing Points (Focusing Point Type)
|
11 normal points or 1 wide point (1 cross-type, 2 horizontal-type, 8 vertical-type)
|
11 points, 1 wide or normal center point (1 cross-type, 2 horizontal-type, 8 vertical-type)
|
51 points (15 cross-type, 36 line type) | |
|
Superimposed
Focus Point Display
|
Yes | Yes | Yes | |
|
AF Working Range
|
EV -1 ~ 19 (ISO 100)
|
EV -1 ~ 19 (ISO 100)
|
EV -1 ~ 19 (ISO 100) | |
|
AF Servo Modes
|
AF-S (single one-shot),
AF-C (continuous tracking), AF-A (for auto selection of AF-S or AF-C modes). |
AF-S (single one-shot),
AF-C (continuous tracking), AF-A (for auto selection of AF-S or AF-C modes). |
AF-S (single one-shot), AF-C (continuous tracking). |
|
|
AF Area Modes
|
Single area, Dynamic area, Auto area.
|
Single area, Dynamic area, Auto area, 3D tracking
|
Single point (51 or 11), Dynamic Area [9 points, 21 points, 51 points, 51 points (3D-tracking)], Auto area. | |
|
AF-assist Beam
|
Yes
Bright incandescent lamp |
Yes
Bright incandescent lamp |
Yes Bright incandescent lamp |
|
|
Fine-tune Front/Back Focus Adjustment
|
No | No | Yes (settings for up to 12 lenses) | |
| Exposure Control |
Shooting Modes
|
11 - Program, shutter-priority AE, aperture-priority AE, Manual, Auto, Portrait, Landcape, Close up, Sports, Night Landscape, Night Portrait.
|
11 - Program, shutter-priority AE, aperture-priority AE, Manual, Auto, No Flash, Portrait, Landcape, Close up, Sports, Night Portrait.
|
4 - Program, shutter-priority AE, aperture-priority AE, manual mode. |
|
Metering Zones
|
420
|
420
|
1,005 | |
|
Metering Modes
|
1) 3D Color Matrix Metering II (type G
and D lenses); Color Matrix Metering II (other CPU lenses); metering
performed by 420-segment RGB sensor.
2) Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 6, 8, or 10 mm dia. circle in center of frame. 3) Spot: Meters 3.5 mm dia. circle (about 2.5% of frame) centered on active focus area. |
1) 3D Color Matrix Metering II (type G
and D lenses); Color Matrix Metering II (other CPU lenses); metering
performed by 420-segment RGB sensor.
2) Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 6, 8, or 10 mm dia. circle in center of frame. 3) Spot: Meters 3.5 mm dia. circle (about 2.5% of frame) centered on active focus area. |
1) 3D Color Matrix Metering II (type G and D
lenses); Color Matrix Metering II (other CPU lenses); color matrix
metering available with non-CPU lenses if user provides lens data;
metering performed by 1,005-segment RGB sensor. 2) Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 6, 8, 10, or 13mm dia. circle in center of frame. 3) Spot: Meters 3mm dia. circle (about 2.0% of frame) centered on active focus area (on center focus area when non-CPU lens is used). |
|
|
Metering System Working Range
|
1) EV 0 ~ 20 (Matrix or
center-weighted metering)
2) EV 2 ~ 20 (spot metering) (ISO 100 equivalent, f/1.4 lens, 20°C/68°F) |
1) EV 0 ~ 20 (Matrix or
center-weighted metering)
2) EV 2 ~ 20 (spot metering) (ISO 100 equivalent, f/1.4 lens, 20°C/68°F) |
1) EV 0 ~ 20 (Matrix or
center-weighted metering) 2) EV 2 ~ 20 (spot metering) (ISO 100 equivalent, f/1.4 lens, 20°C/68°F) |
|
|
Nikon Scene Recognition System
|
No | Yes | Yes | |
|
ISO Range / Extended
|
100 ~ 1600 / 3200
|
100 / 200 ~ 3200 / 6400
|
100 / 200 ~ 3200 / 6400 | |
|
Exposure Compensation
|
+/- 5EV in 1/2 or 1/3EV increments
|
+/- 5EV in 1, 1/2 or 1/3EV increments
|
+/- 5EV in 1, 1/2 or 1/3EV increments | |
|
Automatic Exposure Bracketing
|
2 or 3 shots, 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, 1 or 2 EV steps
|
2 or 3 shots, 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, 1 or 2 EV steps
|
2 to 9 exposures in increments of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1EV | |
| Shutter
Speeds, Frame Rate, Shutter Lag |
Shutter Type
|
Electronically controlled mechanical
|
Electronically controlled mechanical
|
Electronically controlled mechanical |
|
Shutter Speed Range
|
1/4000 ~ 30 sec. in steps of 1/3 or 1/2 EV,
bulb
|
1/4000 ~ 30 sec. in steps of 1/3 or 1/2 EV, bulb
|
1/8000 ~ 30 sec. in steps of 1/3 or 1/2 EV, bulb | |
|
Maximum Frames Per Second / Buffer depth
|
3 fps / 9 JPEG large/fine or 6 RAW frames
|
4.5 fps / >20 JPEG large/fine or 10 RAW frames
|
6.1 fps / 37 JPEG large/fine or 17 (12-bit) RAW fames (up to 8 fps with optional MB-D10 battery pack) |
|
|
Shutter lag, full AF (sec.)
|
0.25
|
0.21
|
0.23 | |
|
Shutter lag, prefocus (sec.)
|
0.083 |
0.067
|
0.057 | |
|
Approx. startup time (sec.)
|
0.2
|
0.3
|
0.3 | |
| Flash |
Built-in Flash / Guide Number (m) at ISO 100
|
Yes
(12, manual 13) |
Yes
(12, manual 13) |
Yes (12, manual 13) |
|
Max flash x-sync speed. (sec.)
|
1/200
|
1/200
|
1/250 (up to 1/320 at reduced GN) |
|
|
Flash Exposure Compensation
|
-3 to +1 EV, 1/3 or 1/2 EV steps
|
-3 to +1 EV, 1/3 or 1/2 EV steps
|
-3 to +1 EV, 1/3 or 1/2 EV steps | |
|
Slow-sync Flash
|
1st or 2nd curtain
|
1st or 2nd curtain
|
1st or 2nd curtain | |
|
PC Sync Terminal
|
Hot shoe only
|
Hot shoe only
|
Yes | |
|
Nikon Advanced Wireless Lighting Support
|
Yes, camera can act as wireless controller with multiple groups, modes and channels | Yes, camera can act as wireless controller with multiple groups, modes and channels | Yes, camera can act as wireless controller with multiple groups, modes and channels | |
| Playback System |
LCD Size / Pixel Count
|
2.5 in LCD / 230,000 pixels
|
3.0 in LCD / 920,000 pixels
|
3.0 in LCD / 920,000 pixels |
|
Enlarged Playback / Scroll
|
1.1 - 25x for large images, 19x for medium images, or 13x for small ones / Yes
|
1.1 - 27x for large images, 20x for medium images, or 13x for small ones / Yes
|
1.1 - 27x for large images, 20x for medium images, or 13x for small ones / Yes | |
|
LCD Monitor Brightness Adjustment Range
|
5 steps
|
7 steps
|
7 steps | |
|
Automatic Rotation for Vertical Shots
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes | |
|
Video Out
|
Analog NTSC/PAL | Analog NTSC/PAL, HDMI | Analog NTSC/PAL, HDMI | |
| Other Features |
Computer Connection
|
Yes, USB 2.0 High-Speed, PTP-compliant
|
Yes, USB 2.0 High-Speed, PTP-compliant
|
Yes, USB 2.0 High-Speed, PTP-compliant |
|
Direct Printing (PictBridge-compliant printers)
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes | |
|
Menu Languages
|
15 (Japanese, German, English, Spanish, Finnish,
French, Italian, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Swedish,
Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Korean)
|
15 (Japanese, German, English, Spanish, Finnish,
French, Italian, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Swedish,
Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Korean)
|
15 (Japanese, German, English, Spanish, Finnish, French, Italian, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Swedish, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Korean) | |
|
Camera Default Reset
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes | |
|
Custom Functions
(Quantity) |
Yes (32)
|
Yes (41)
|
Yes (48) | |
|
Multiple Exposures
|
Yes
(2~3 shots) |
Yes
(2~3 shots) |
Yes (2~10 shots) |
|
|
In-camera Image Retouching
|
Yes, D-lighting, Red-eye correction, Trim,
Monochrome, Filter effects, Small Picture, Image overlay
|
Yes, expanded over D300: additional filter effects options, new Distortion Control, Straighten and Fisheye Effect
|
Yes, expanded over D80 | |
|
Remote Control
|
Optional, compatible with MC-DC1 remote cord
or
ML-L3 wireless remote
|
Yes, 10-pin remote terminal for optional remote cords, or
ML-L3 wireless remote
|
Yes, 10-pin remote terminal for optional MC-20/30/36 remote cords or WT-4 wireless remote | |
|
Info LCD Panel / Illumination
|
Yes / Yes
(power switch) |
Yes / Yes
(power switch) |
Yes / Yes (power switch) |
|
|
Number of Command Dials
|
2
|
2
|
2 | |
|
Optional GPS Support
|
No | Yes, via optional GP-1 | Yes, via optional GPS Adapter Cord MC-35 | |
|
Programmable function button
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes | |
|
In-camera Lateral C.A. Correction
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes | |
|
D-Movie mode?
|
No | Yes, 3 modes: HD 1280x720 (16:9 ratio) - 5 min max, VGA 640x424 (3:2 ratio) - 20 min max, QVGA 320x216 (3:2 ratio) - 20 min max, with monaural audio |
No | |
| Body Structure |
Body Cover/Chassis
|
Largely Polycarbonate
|
Largely Polycarbonate
|
Largely Magnesium Alloy |
|
Environmental Seals
|
No | No | Yes | |
| Power System |
Battery Compatibility
|
EN-EL3e,
optional MB-D80 battery pack |
EN-EL3e,
optional MB-D80 battery pack |
EN-EL3e, optional MB-D10 battery pack |
|
Rated Shooting Capacity
(shots) |
50% Flash: 600
|
CIPA: 850
|
CIPA: 1000 | |
| Dimensions & Weight |
Dimensions (WxHxD, mm)
|
132 x 103 x 77
|
132 x 103 x 77
|
147 x 114 x 74 |
|
Weight (body only)
|
585 g
|
620 g
|
825 g | |
| Operational Environment |
Operating Temperature Range
|
0 ~ 40°C
|
0 ~ 40°C
|
0 ~ 40°C |
|
Operating Humidity Range
|
< 85%
|
< 85%
|
< 85% | |
| Kit Lens |
Focal Length / Aperture
|
18-135mm
f/3.5-5.6G ED |
18-105mm
f/3.5-5.6G VR |
- |
| Lens Compatibility |
Lens Mount / Compatibility
|
|
|
|
|
Meter Coupling
|
CPU
|
CPU
|
Combined CPU and AI
|
|
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Note: For details, test results, and analysis of the many tests done with this camera, please click on the tabs at the beginning of the review or below.
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