Nikon D90 Feature Comparison

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D90 Overview Feature Comparison Press Release

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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
Body Structure	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
Power System	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
Dimensions & Weight	Weight (body only)	585 g	620 g	825 g
Operational Environment	Operating Temperature Range	0 ~ 40°C	0 ~ 40°C	0 ~ 40°C
Operational Environment	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	DX Nikkor: All functions supported; Type G- or D-AF Nikkor: All functions supported; Micro Nikkor 85mm F2.8D: All functions supported except some exposure modes; Other AF Nikkor (excluding lenses for F3AF): All functions supported except 3D Color Matrix Metering, i-TTL balanced Fill-Flash for digital SLR; AI-P Nikkor: All functions supported except 3D Color Matrix Metering, i-TTL balanced Fill-Flash for digital SLR and autofocus; Non-CPU: Can be used in exposure mode M, but exposure meter does not function; electronic range finder can be used if maximum aperture is f/5.6 or faster. IX Nikkor Lenses cannot be used.	DX Nikkor: All functions supported; Type G- or D-AF Nikkor: All functions supported; Micro Nikkor 85mm F2.8D: All functions supported except some exposure modes; Other AF Nikkor (excluding lenses for F3AF): All functions supported except 3D Color Matrix Metering, i-TTL balanced Fill-Flash for digital SLR; AI-P Nikkor: All functions supported except 3D Color Matrix Metering, i-TTL balanced Fill-Flash for digital SLR and autofocus; Non-CPU: Can be used in exposure mode M, but exposure meter does not function; electronic range finder can be used if maximum aperture is f/5.6 or faster. IX Nikkor Lenses cannot be used.	DX Nikkor: All functions supported; Type G- or D-AF Nikkor: All functions supported; Micro Nikkor 85mm F2.8D: All functions supported except some exposure modes; Other AF Nikkor (excluding lenses for F3AF): All functions supported except 3D Color Matrix Metering, i-TTL balanced Fill-Flash for digital SLR; AI-P Nikkor: All functions supported except 3D Color Matrix Metering, i-TTL balanced Fill-Flash for digital SLR and autofocus; Non-CPU: Can be used in exposure mode A and M with metering; electronic range finder can be used if maximum aperture is f/5.6 or faster. Up to 9 non-CPU lenses can be registered. IX Nikkor Lenses cannot be used.
Lens Compatibility	Meter Coupling	CPU	CPU	Combined CPU and AI