• APS-C 372.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.6 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Detailed specifications
  • Nikon D90
  • Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website
Nikon D90 webpage
Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Nikon D80
D80 vs D90
 
Successor: Nikon D7000
D90 vs D7000
 
General
Model Number: D90 A850
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: SLR Pro SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $1299.95 $1999.95
Street Price:   $2,219.00
Date Available: 2008-09-15 2009-10-08
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 40.0 oz (1,133 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
30.0 oz (850 g)
Size: 5.2 x 4.1 x 3.0 in.
(132 x 103 x 77 mm)
6.2 x 4.6 x 3.2 in.
(156 x 117 x 82 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:   Sony
Effective Megapixels: 12.3 24.6
Sensor Format: APS-C 35mm
Sensor size: 372.88mm2 (23.60mm x 15.80mm) 861.6mm2 (35.90mm x 24.00mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.50 microns 5.94 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x 1.0x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2, 16:9
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 73 79
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 22.7 23.8
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.5 12.2
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 977 1,415
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)
6048 x 4032 (24.4 MP, 3:2),
6048 x 3408 (20.6 MP, Other),
4400 x 2936 (12.9 MP, 3:2),
4400 x 2472 (10.9 MP, 16:9),
3984 x 2656 (10.6 MP, 3:2),
3024 x 2016 (6.1 MP, 3:2),
2896 x 1928 (5.6 MP, 3:2),
3024 x 1704 (5.2 MP, Other),
1984 x 1320 (2.6 MP, 3:2)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.21), NEF (RAW), 12-bit; RAW+JPEG JPEG (EXIF 2.21), RAW, cRAW, RAW+JPEG; (ARW 2.0)
Continuous-mode frames/second: 4.5 3.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes No
Movie Resolution: 1280x720 (24)
640x424 (24)
320x216 (24)
Movie File Format: AVI (Motion JPEG)  
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 Sony Alpha (Minolta A)
Lens: Nikkor AF-S 18-105mm f/3.5 -5.6G ED VR n/a
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 27 - 158mm  
Focal Length (actual): 18 - 105mm  
Zoom Ratio: 5.80x  
Aperture Range: f/3.5 -22 (W), f/5.6 -38 (T)  
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 45 cm to Infinity
17.7 in to Infinity
 
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 67.0mm n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes No
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 9-point TTL phase detection with 10 assist points, center dual-cross at f/2.8.
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD Optical / LCD (playback only)
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; fixed eye-level pentaprism, 96% coverage, 0.94x mag., 19.5mm eyepoint, -2 to +1 diopter SLR type; eye-level pentaprism with 98% coverage, 0.74x mag., 20mm eyepoint, -3 to +1 diopter
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.63x 0.74x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.94x 0.74x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots (307,200 px) 921,600 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 27.0x 19.0x
Top Deck Display: Yes Yes
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 3200 3200
Minimum ISO (native): 200 200
ISO Settings: Auto, ISO 200-3200, Lo-1=100, Hi-1=6400 Auto, 200-3200, Extensions to 100 and 6400
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, 7 manual modes with fine tuning, color temperature Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Color Temperature from 2,500K to 9,900K, Custom (3)
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 30 sec 1/8000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 3D Color Matrix Metering II (420-pixel RGB), Center-weighted, Spot 40-segment Honeycomb Pattern, Center-weighted, Spot
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  
Self Timer: 2 to 20 seconds 2 or 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes No
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 n/a
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. n/a
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent n/a
Max Flash Sync: 1/200 1/250
Flash Exposure Compensation: -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe Hot shoe, PC-sync
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: Full TTL exposure  
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC CF1 / CF2 / MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / Microdrive
UHS Support: No UHS support  
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No Yes
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: NEF (RAW), 12-bit; RAW+JPEG RAW, cRAW, RAW+JPEG; (ARW 2.0)
Movie File Format: AVI (Motion JPEG)  
Included Memory: No memory included  
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: 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 Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional wired or wireless Optional wired or wireless
Connections (extended): HDMI Out, DC In, 10-pin Accessory Port DC input, Multi-connector, Sync termimal, Remote terminal, HDMI Type-C minijack
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.36 0.40
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.35 0.50
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 13 23
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): 0.32  
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No Yes
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 4.5 3.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): Unlimited 23
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 0.18 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
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 0.154 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.25 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.067 seconds 0.074 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Live View: Full autofocus: 2.294s Prefocused: 0.519s  
Startup Time: 0.3 seconds 0.5 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.3 seconds 0.3 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 2.2 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):    
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 850 shots 880 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary EN-EL3e, optional MB-D80 battery pack Proprietary
Usable Battery Types: Lithium Ion rechargeable NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary EN-EL3e Lithium Ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H 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 Image Data Converter SR, Image Data Lightbox SR, Remote Camera Control (all Windows & Macintosh), Picture Motion Browser (Windows only).
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS Windows 2000Pro/XP/Vista; Mac OS X (v 10.1.3+)
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. Cost reduced Sony A900. Smaller viewfinder (98% vs 100%), slower burst mode (3 fps vs 5), wireless remote not included.