• APS-C 372.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 840.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Nikon D90
  • Canon PowerShot SX40 HS
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website
Nikon D90 webpage
Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Nikon D80
D80 vs D90
Canon SX30 IS
SX30 IS vs SX40 HS
Successor: Nikon D7000
D90 vs D7000
Canon SX50
SX40 HS vs SX50
General
Model Number: D90 SX40 HS
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: SLR EVF
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $1299.95 $429.99
Street Price:   $342.36
Date Available: 2008-09-15 2011-09-30
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 40.0 oz (1,133 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
21.4 oz (606 g)
includes batteries
Size: 5.2 x 4.1 x 3.0 in.
(132 x 103 x 77 mm)
4.8 x 3.6 x 4.2 in.
(123 x 92 x 108 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:    
Effective Megapixels: 12.3 12.1
Sensor Format: APS-C 1/2.3 inch
Sensor size: 372.88mm2 (23.60mm x 15.80mm) 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.50 microns 1.54 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x n/a
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 4:3
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed  
Self-Cleaning: Yes No
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 73  
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 22.7  
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.5  
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 977  
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4288 x 2848 (12.2 MP, Other),
3216 x 2136 (6.9 MP, Other),
2144 x 1424 (3.1 MP, Other)
4000 x 3000 (12.0 MP, 4:3),
4000 x 2664 (10.7 MP, 3:2),
4000 x 2248 (9.0 MP, 16:9),
2992 x 2992 (9.0 MP, 1:1),
2816 x 1880 (5.3 MP, 3:2),
2816 x 1584 (4.5 MP, 16:9),
2112 x 2112 (4.5 MP, 1:1),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1064 (1.7 MP, 3:2),
1200 x 1200 (1.4 MP, 1:1),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3),
640 x 424 (0.3 MP, Other),
480 x 480 (0.2 MP, 1:1)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.21), NEF (RAW), 12-bit; RAW+JPEG JPEG (EXIF 2.2)
Continuous-mode frames/second: 4.5 10.3
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1280x720 (24)
640x424 (24)
320x216 (24)
1920x1080 (24p)
1280x720 (30p)
640x480 (30/​120)
320x240 (30/​240)
Movie File Format: AVI (Motion JPEG) MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: Stereo PCM)
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: Yes
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Nikon F n/a
Lens: Nikkor AF-S 18-105mm f/3.5 -5.6G ED VR Canon Zoom Lens; 13 elements in 10 groups, Ultra Sonic Motor (USM)
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 27 - 158mm 24 - 840mm
Focal Length (actual): 18 - 105mm 4.3 - 150.5mm
Zoom Ratio: 5.80x 35.00x
Aperture Range: f/3.5 -22 (W), f/5.6 -38 (T) f/2.7 (W) / f/5.8 (T) - f/8.0
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 45 cm to Infinity
17.7 in to Infinity
5 cm to Infinity
2.0 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:   0 - 50 cm
0.0 - 19.7 in
Filter Thread: 67.0mm n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom: No Yes
Digital Zoom Values: n/a Up to 4x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 11 point TTL phase detection with 3D focus tracking by Nikon Multi-CAM 1000 Contrast Detect AF with Face Detection;
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD EVF / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; fixed eye-level pentaprism, 96% coverage, 0.94x mag., 19.5mm eyepoint, -2 to +1 diopter EVF type; 202K-dot LCD with diopter adjustment of -4 to +1
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a  
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.63x  
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.94x  
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 2.7
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots (307,200 px) 230,000 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 27.0x 10.0x
Top Deck Display: Yes
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 3200  
Minimum ISO (native): 200  
ISO Settings: Auto, ISO 200-3200, Lo-1=100, Hi-1=6400 Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, 7 manual modes with fine tuning, color temperature Auto (including Face Detection WB), Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Flash, Custom. Multi-area WB correction available in Smart Auto
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 30 sec 1/3200 - 15 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 3D Color Matrix Metering II (420-pixel RGB), Center-weighted, Spot Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot (centre or linked to Face Detection AF or FlexiZone AF frame)
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Sports, Night Portrait Custom1, Custom2, Sports, SCN (Movie Digest, Portrait, Landscape, Smart Shutter(Smile, Wink Self-Timer, FaceSelf-Timer), High-speed Burst HQ, Handheld Night Scene, Low Light (3.0MP), Beach, Foliage, Snow, Fireworks, Stich Assist), Creative Filters (Fish-eye Effect, Miniature Effect, Toy Camera Effect, Monochrome, Super Vivid, Poster Effect, Color Accent, Color Swap)
Self Timer: 2 to 20 seconds 2, 10, Custom seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Front-Curtain Sync, Red-Eye Reduction, Red-Eye Reduction with Slow Sync, Slow Sync, and Rear-Curtain Sync; supports Advanced Wireless Lighting system Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Auto Red-eye Correction, Flash On, Flash Off; FE lock, Slow Synchro, Smart Flash
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. n/a
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent Auto ISO: 1.6 - 23 ft. (W), 4.6 - 9.8 ft. (T), (50 cm - 7.0 m (W), 1.4 - 3.0 m (T))
Max Flash Sync: 1/200 1/2000
Flash Exposure Compensation: -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe Hot-Shoe (E-TTL)
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: Full TTL exposure  
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support: No UHS support  
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes No
Uncompressed Format: NEF (RAW), 12-bit; RAW+JPEG  
Movie File Format: AVI (Motion JPEG) MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: Stereo PCM)
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional wired or wireless  
Connections (extended): HDMI Out, DC In, 10-pin Accessory Port Mini HDMI
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.36 2.56
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.35  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 13  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): 0.32  
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 4.5 10.3
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): Unlimited 8
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 4.1  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): 10  
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 4.2  
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): 7  
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.21 seconds 0.46 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):   0.58 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR): 2.29 seconds  
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR): 0.519 seconds  
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.067 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.25 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.067 seconds 0.116 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Live View: Full autofocus: 2.294s Prefocused: 0.519s  
Startup Time: 0.3 seconds 2.6 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.3 seconds 1.9 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 2.2 seconds 5.4 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   380 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 850 shots  
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary EN-EL3e, optional MB-D80 battery pack Proprietary NB-10L
Usable Battery Types: Lithium Ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary EN-EL3e Lithium Ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NB-10L Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: PictureProject CD-ROM Digital Camera Solution CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS Windows 7 / 7 SP1 / Vista SP2 / XP SP3 Mac OS X v10.5 - 10.6
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Live View with Face Detection, Dust Reduction, HDMI Output, Scene Recognition System, Active D-Lighting, Picture Control, Extensive In-camera Editing, GPS support. Intelligent Image Stabilization, DIGIC 5 Processor, Full HD 1080p Videos, High-Speed Burst HQ (10.3fps at full resolution).