• APS-C 372.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • Detailed specifications
  • Nikon D90
  • Nikon D5500
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website
Nikon D90 webpage
Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Nikon D80
D80 vs D90
Nikon D5300
D5300 vs D5500
Successor: Nikon D7000
D90 vs D7000
Nikon D5600
D5500 vs D5600
General
Model Number: D90 D5500
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: SLR SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $1299.95 $999.95
Street Price:   $596.95
Date Available: 2008-09-15 2015-02-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 40.0 oz (1,133 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
23.6 oz (668 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 5.2 x 4.1 x 3.0 in.
(132 x 103 x 77 mm)
4.9 x 3.8 x 2.8 in.
(124 x 97 x 70 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:   Sony
Effective Megapixels: 12.3 24.2
Sensor Format: APS-C APS-C
Sensor size: 372.88mm2 (23.60mm x 15.80mm) 366.6mm2 (23.50mm x 15.60mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.50 microns 3.92 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed None
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 73 84
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 22.7 24.1
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.5 14.0
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 977 1,438
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)
6000 x 4000 (24.0 MP, 3:2),
4496 x 3000 (13.5 MP, 3:2),
2992 x 2000 (6.0 MP, 3:2)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.21), NEF (RAW), 12-bit; RAW+JPEG JPEG (EXIF 2.3), RAW (12 or 14-bit .NEF), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 4.5 4.9
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1280x720 (24)
640x424 (24)
320x216 (24)
1920x1080 (60p/​50p/​30p/​25p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​50p)
640x424 (30p/​25p)
Movie File Format: AVI (Motion JPEG) MOV (Video: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC; Audio: Stereo Linear PCM)
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: Yes No
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Nikon F Nikon F
Lens: Nikkor AF-S 18-105mm f/3.5 -5.6G ED VR Nikkor AF-S DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 27 - 158mm 27 - 83mm
Focal Length (actual): 18 - 105mm 18 - 55mm
Zoom Ratio: 5.80x 3.05x
Aperture Range: f/3.5 -22 (W), f/5.6 -38 (T) f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - 36 (T); 7-blade (rounded) aperture
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 45 cm to Infinity
17.7 in to Infinity
28 cm to Infinity
11.0 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 67.0mm 52.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom: No No
Digital Zoom Values: n/a n/a
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 11 point TTL phase detection with 3D focus tracking by Nikon Multi-CAM 1000 OVF: 39-point (9 cross type) TTL phase detection with 3D focus tracking by Nikon Multi-CAM 4800 DX; Live View: Contrast detect with Face-priority AF, wide-area AF, normal-area AF, subject-tracking AF
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; fixed eye-level pentaprism, 96% coverage, 0.94x mag., 19.5mm eyepoint, -2 to +1 diopter SLR type; eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.82x mag., 17mm eyepoint, -1.7 to +0.5 diopter, Type B BriteView Clear Matte Mark VII screen; Eye sensor
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.63x 0.55x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.94x 0.82x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.2
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots (307,200 px) 1,036,800 dots (345,600 px)
Touchscreen: No Yes
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No Yes
Selfie Screen: No Yes
Max Playback Zoom: 27.0x  
Top Deck Display: Yes No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 3200 25600
Minimum ISO (native): 200 100
ISO Settings: Auto, ISO 200-3200, Lo-1=100, Hi-1=6400 Auto, 100 - 25600 in steps of 1/3 EV
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, 7 manual modes with fine tuning, color temperature Auto, Incandescent, Fluorescent (7 types), Direct Sunlight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade, Preset Manual; all except Preset Manual with fine tuning
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 30 sec 1/4000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 3D Color Matrix Metering II (420-pixel RGB), Center-weighted, Spot 2016-pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering II, Color Matrix Metering II, Center-weighted, Spot (2.5% of 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 Scene Modes: Autumn Colors, Beach/Snow, Blossom, Candlelight, Child, Close-up, Dusk/Dawn, Food, Landscape, Night Landscape, Night Portrait, Party/Indoor, Pet Portrait, Portrait, Sports, Sunset, Special Effects Mode (Night Vision, Super Vivid, Pop, Photo Illustration, Toy Camera, Miniature Effect, Selective Color, Silhouette, High Key, Low Key), HDR
Self Timer: 2 to 20 seconds 2s, 5s, 10s, 20s; 1 to 9 exposures seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):   Yes
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, auto with red-eye reduction, auto slow sync, auto slow sync with red-eye reduction, fill-flash, red-eye reduction, slow sync, slow sync with red-eye reduction, rear-curtain with slow sync, rear-curtain sync, off; Advanced Wireless Lighting supported with SB-910, SB-900, SB-800 as master
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. 12.0 m / 39.4 ft.
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent Lens dependent; Approx. 39/12 (ft/m, ISO 100, 68F/20C)
Max Flash Sync: 1/200 1/200
Flash Exposure Compensation: -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe Hot Shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: Full TTL exposure No
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support: No UHS support UHS-I
Other Memory:   UHS-I compliant
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: NEF (RAW), 12-bit; RAW+JPEG RAW (12 or 14-bit .NEF), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: AVI (Motion JPEG) MOV (Video: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC; Audio: Stereo Linear PCM)
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No Yes
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional wired or wireless Via Wi-Fi or optional ML-L3, WR-1, WR-T10/ WR-R10 or MC-DC2 remote cord
Connections (extended): HDMI Out, DC In, 10-pin Accessory Port Type C mini-HDMI with CEC, Accessory Terminal (MC-DC2 remote cord or GP-1 GPS unit), 3.5mm stereo mic jack
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.36 0.42
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 0.41
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 4.5 4.9
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): Unlimited 100
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 4.1 4.0
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): 10 7
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 4.2 3.9
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): 7 5
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.21 seconds 0.20 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR): 2.29 seconds 0.86 seconds
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR): 0.519 seconds 0.280 seconds
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.067 seconds 0.100 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.25 seconds 0.23 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.067 seconds 0.079 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Live View: Full autofocus: 2.294s Prefocused: 0.519s  
Startup Time: 0.3 seconds 0.4 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.3 seconds 0.2 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 2.2 seconds 1.8 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):    
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 850 shots 820 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary EN-EL3e, optional MB-D80 battery pack Proprietary EL14a
Usable Battery Types: Lithium Ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary EN-EL3e Lithium Ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary EL14a Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No No
Software
Included Software: PictureProject CD-ROM Nikon ViewNX 2 CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS Windows, Mac OS
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. Available in black or red, in two different kit configurations: with the AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II lens or the AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens.