• APS-C 372.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • 35mm 860.4mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

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Differences

Nikon D90 advantages over Nikon Df

  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 0.6 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • More telephoto lens reach
    158 mm vs 50 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Wider angle kit lens
    27 mm vs 50 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens

Nikon Df advantages over Nikon D90

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 7.31 vs 5.50 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Higher effective ISO
    3,279 vs 977 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1400 vs 850 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More cross-type AF points
    9 vs 1
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Newer
    11 years vs 16 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.70x vs 0.63x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    16.2 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • More AF points
    39 vs 11
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.4 fps vs 4.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    5.4 fps vs 4.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    29 vs 10 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    204800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Top deck display
    Both provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Both provide
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Same sensor and processor as professional D4; Great image quality; Arguably the best available-light shooter in its class; Handsome, retro styling; Weather-sealed design; Big, clear full-frame viewfinder; Excellent battery life

  • Expensive; Bulky, yet handgrip is quite modest; Some controls are clumsy; Plastic body panels don't gel with retro aesthetic; Autofocus isn't in the same league as image quality; No AF assist lamp; No movie capture; No portrait grip; Single card slot

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
Nikon Df
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $2768
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen

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
Nikon Df
Sony DSLR-A500
  • $2768
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Pentax K-5

Nikon D90
Pentax K-5
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Higher effective ISO
Nikon Df
Pentax K-5
  • $2768
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Nikon D90
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Internal flash
  • $2084
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher effective ISO
Nikon Df
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $2768
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $2084
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • External Mic Jack

Compared to Sony A99

Nikon D90
Sony A99
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
Nikon Df
Sony A99
  • $2768
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
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