• APS-C 372.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Nikon D90 advantages over Leica V-LUX 2

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.33 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.50 vs 1.42 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Leica V-LUX 2 advantages over Nikon D90

  • Less expensive
    $850 vs $1300 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D90

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Leica V-LUX 2

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSLR-A550

Nikon D90
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D90 vs Sony DSLR-A550

Leica V-LUX 2
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $850
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer exposure
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Leica V-LUX 2 vs Sony DSLR-A550

Compared to Sony DSLR-A500

Nikon D90
Sony DSLR-A500
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D90 vs Sony DSLR-A500

Leica V-LUX 2
Sony DSLR-A500
  • $850
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Longer exposure
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Leica V-LUX 2 vs Sony DSLR-A500

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FZ100

Nikon D90
Panasonic DMC-FZ100
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D90 vs Panasonic DMC-FZ100

Leica V-LUX 2
Panasonic DMC-FZ100
  • $850
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Slow-motion videos
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 60p video

Compare Leica V-LUX 2 vs Panasonic DMC-FZ100

Compared to Pentax K-5

Nikon D90
Pentax K-5
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-5

Leica V-LUX 2
Pentax K-5
  • $850
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Longer exposure
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Leica V-LUX 2 vs Pentax K-5

Compared to Panasonic FZ150

Nikon D90
Panasonic FZ150
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $498
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D90 vs Panasonic FZ150

Leica V-LUX 2
Panasonic FZ150
  • $850
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More pixels
  • Longer exposure
  • $498
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 1080p video

Compare Leica V-LUX 2 vs Panasonic FZ150

Compare Other Cameras?