Nikon D90

APS-C, 12.2 MP, 3.0"
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        Summary Nikon D90

        Prices Price
        Body only $526 - $600 With 18-105mm lens $796 - $810
        all D90 prices
        Score Snapsort rank
        Within its price range #n/a of 7 Among similar cameras #n/a of 19
        details details
        Specifications Key specs
        Sensor size Help APS-C 23.6x15.8mm Screen resolution Help 930k dots
        Megapixels Help 12.2 MP Movie format Help 720p @ 24fps
        Screen size Help 3.0" Light sensitivity Help 3,200 ISO
        see all specifications
        Lenses Lenses
        Browse all Nikon D90 lenses at LensHero
        Nikon D90Nikon D90

        Replacement

        Nikon has replaced the D90 with the D7000.

        Nikon D7000
        Nikon D7000 announced September, 2010
        Movie format Higher resolution movies
        Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO
        Overall image quality Better image quality

        Compare the new Nikon D7000 vs the D90

        reviewsWhat are people saying about the D90

        "On a purely specification level, it's a highly competitive piece of kit, but it's the way the features have been chosen and put together that make it the camera that it is."
        dpreview.com | talking about the camera's overall-performance
        "High sensitivity performance up there with the best we've seen."
        dpreview.com | talking about the camera's iso-noise
        "Nobody quite does a quality plastic body like Nikon, it feels tight and solid, wrapped around a good metal chassis."
        dpreview.com | talking about the camera's build-quality

        Videos

        Video Review and Testing of th...

        Nikon D90 Unboxing Review

        Nikon D90 Macro Video
        Video Review and Testing of the Nikon D90 by Chase Jarvis
        • Sample video
        • Demo
        • Zoom
        • Manual focus
        		 Nikon D90 Unboxing Review
        • Review
        • Unboxing
        • Pro
        • Amateur
        		 Nikon D90 Macro Video
        • Sample video
        • Demo
        • Shallow DOF
        • Macro

        Pros

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        The Nikon D90 vs other recent entry-level DSLRs

        Startup delay Short startup delay Help
        300 ms startup delay
        Lens availability More lenses available Help
        205 lenses
        Lowest price Inexpensive Help
        $526.00
        Sensor size Slightly larger than average sensor Help
        APS-C 23.6x15.8mm
        Viewfinder Doesn't use battery, see more detail Help
        Pentaprism
        Battery life Above average battery life Help
        850 shots

        Cons

        Report a correction

        The Nikon D90 vs other recent entry-level DSLRs

        Movie format HD movies Help
        720p @ 24fps
        Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
        Risk of blur
        True resolution Lower true resolution Help
        12.2 MP
        Continuous shooting Slow continuous shooting Help
        4.5 fps
        Panorama Lacks in-camera panoramas Help
        You could stitch photos in post
        External mic jack Lacks an external mic jack Help
        Limited to the in-camera mic
        Cross type focus points Fewer cross-type focus points Help
        1
        Size Slightly large Help
        Professional size 132x103x77 mm
        Weight Heavy Help
        703 g
        Fastest shutter speed Slow shutter speed Help
        1/4000 of a second
        Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
        3,200 ISO
        Weather sealed No weather sealing Help
        Need to shelter it from weather
        Screen flips out Fixed screen Help
        Less flexible
        Autofocus Manual focus only Help
        None
        Focus points Fewer focus points Help
        11
        HDR Lacks in-camera HDR Help
        You could do HDR manually
        Announced Old Help
        August, 2008
        Viewfinder coverage Below average viewfinder coverage Help
        96%
        Light sensitivity (boost) Very low boost light sensitivity Help
        6,400 ISO

        dxomark

        DXOMark

        Appearance

        front photo of the Nikon D90back photo of the Nikon D90angle photo of the Nikon D90

        Discussion

        Nikon D90
        D90
        Nikon

        Report a correction

        Showing 25 comments

        Nabil (9:30 AM, September 04, 2013)
        i change from a D5100 to a D90 and am totally HAPPY :)
         
        Avatar for Ve3hbj Ve3hbj (4:13 AM, April 17, 2013)
        What can you tell me about the lack of weather shield in the D90 vs some of the other Nikon offerings. I shoot outdoors often and have always tried to keep my kit as dry as possible but realizing its not an underwater camera is a little spray or high humidity going to be an issue. Over a camera with the weather shielding. Would love a 7000 or 7100 can't justify the price. Thanks
         
        D90pricesiswrong (2:58 AM, June 27, 2012)
        Please update the price for the D90. It currently sells for around $600 not $1000+. The link to amazon is a bundle; it includes other accessories than just the camera itself. See pic below for reference.
         
        Avatar for Saiful Izuan Saiful Izuan (5:49 AM, January 24, 2012)
        d90....
         
        Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (2:20 PM, January 18, 2012)
        Did you see our comparison of the Nikon D90 vs Canon 60D, they are close, but according to DxOMark tests, the Nikon D90 has slightly better image quality at high ISO.
         
        Vinayakadurkar (2:17 PM, January 18, 2012)
        hello,please help me to find out which camera is better in low light condition ? Nikon D90 or  Canon 60D
         
        Avatar for Aatara Johnson Aatara Johnson (6:32 AM, December 19, 2011)
        Hi, I have been wanting to take up photography for some time now i have the money and time and idk what type of camera to buy... And should i take classes????? 
         
        Kevin_who1225 (8:37 PM, October 26, 2011)
        D5100 is more of a video camera with full 1080p HD movies with full time autofocus. Up to 16.2MP at 4fps.

        D90 is a better pics camera. Has only 720p, no autofocus while recording, and only up to 5 mins (idk how long is d5100)

        I own a D90 and since I take more pics than videos, D90 is better because of that extra sub-command dial that will be helpful for creative photography.
         
        J_mgeorgi (2:28 AM, September 22, 2011)
        HI there.... am getting dslr in 2 days and i really want to know


        should i get d90 or d5100 ?
        or there is another better camera in the same price?

        Snapsort please answer me quickly

        thank u :)
         
        sylum (1:25 PM, July 27, 2011)
        I'm torn between the d5100 and the d90, can someone help me decide? the d5100 might seem to have a better video quality and is very popular amongst snapsort users, but the d90 has pentaprism and a built in auto focus motor. aren't those important factors too? it's going to be my first dslr, thought you guys might be able to help. thanks!
         
        Robb_Stanley (2:11 PM, July 20, 2011)
        Hi There,

        I used to have the NIKON D3100 but I sold it just last week coz I want to upgrade it to D90. Is my decision's okay or it's my lose for selling my D3100?

        Anyway, can anyone help me suggest which of these offer is the best. I have a tight budget so I don't care if I'll purchased the used Camera as long as it works properly:

        Offer 1: Brand New with 1-year warranty Camera Body sell for US$ 905
        Offer 2: Used Camera Body for 8 months with 13k Shutter actuations sell for US$ 685
        Offer 3: Used Camera for 6 months with 10k Shutter but comes with full kit lens Nikkor 18-105mm VR, the box and all accessories sell for US$ 960

        If you Guys, which Great Offer would you choose?

        Your great comments, advice and suggestions are welcome.

        Thanks,
        Robb
         
        Avatar for Clar Clar (7:40 AM, July 13, 2011)
        Is it alright to sacrifice those advantages of D90 over D5100 for those advantages of D5100 over D90, specifically the lack of built-in focus motor in D5100?
         
        Shirlie (11:50 PM, July 09, 2011)
         Hi can you suggest a good entry level - mid range DSLR please. I'm fairly new to DSLR's although I do not want anything too basic, pref something I can grow with. Prob a good allrounder would be good. I would pref something with min shutter lag, as I take action shots (horses) as well as arty type stills, so something with enough scop...e to play about with but with the priority on shutter speed and aperture. Also I was wondering what the B/W in camera features were like in DSLR's or am I better using P.S? I been looking at the Nikon D90 and did glance my eye over the D5100 and even the D3100 but I don't really want video or should this not be a worry? I was worried about losing quality i.e jack of all trades master of none as photo's are all I want to take. Can you still get the D60? Sorry if this is too many q's just need some advice, as it would be much welcome as i'm getting a bit overwhelmed. Thanks :)
         
        Shirlie (11:48 PM, July 09, 2011)
        DSLR's although I do not want anything too basic, pref something I can grow with. Prob a good allrounder would be good. I would pref something with min shutter lag, as I take action shots (horses) as well as arty type stills, so something with enough scope to play about with but with the priority on shutter speed and aperture. Also I was wondering what the B/W in camera features were like in DSLR's or am I better using P.S?
        I been looking at the Nikon D90 and did glance my eye over the D5100 and even the D3100 but I don't really want video or should this not be a worry? I was worried about losing quality i.e jack of all trades master of none as photo's are all I want to take. Can you still get the D60?  Sorry if this is too many q's just need some advice, as it would be much welcome as i'm getting a bit overwhelmed. Thanks :)
         
        Alriod2011 (8:51 PM, June 19, 2011)
        the D90 (and D7000) are great cameras
         
        Is2sik (6:24 PM, May 04, 2011)
        Nikon D7000 all the way
         
        Avatar for GRAFIX-DZIGNER GRAFIX-DZIGNER (0:59 PM, January 17, 2011)
        d90 the best from last 2 years! :D
         
        daniel (8:08 PM, January 06, 2011)
        nikon d3100 cheap and great
         
        delo77777 (1:04 AM, December 22, 2010)
        Hi - In my experience with Nikon, lenses stay and bodies come and go ;) A good lens is a long-term investment if you can take the plunge financially. At least the zoom will get you shooting, but save up and buy a constant aperture zoom, I love my 28-75, 2.8 from Tamron.
         
        Revo (5:26 AM, November 06, 2010)
        me got nikon d90..
         
        Avatar for PJ PJ (4:54 AM, November 06, 2010)
        I need a DSLR that comes with a lens and under about $1,200. The size doesn't quite matter that much, what I need in order is:
        1) Great picture quality, like D90
        2) Great video quality, like T2i
        3) Great auto focus, fast auto focus?
        4) Fast speed, for pictures and following subject in video
        Cameras I currently have in mind are Canon EOS Rebel T2i, Canon EOS 60D, Nikon D90, and Sony Alpha DSLR-A580
         
        Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (0:35 PM, September 12, 2010)
        Hi, check out Snapsort's comparison of the D90 and 550D. Both have great image quality for their price, but the D90 has a slight edge in color depth, dynamic range, and image quality at high ISO.
         
        Rhyxie01 (6:20 AM, September 12, 2010)
        ahmm, im new here. i would like to know if which is better, Nikon D90 or Canon 550D, in terms of their image quality. im planning to buy one.

        a comment of you will help me decide on what to buy.

        THANK YOU.
         
        Avatar for Alex Black Alex Black (3:55 PM, September 07, 2010)
        I agree with Tjuatco1127, the Pentax K-X is great value. I'd generally recommend that you stick with Nikon or Canon though, they have a wider selection of cameras, lenses, flashes, accessories etc.

        You mentioned image quality - my experience is that the most of the DSLRs have the same image quality, except when you bump up the ISO. So, if you're shooting in daylight at say ISO 200, then your image is going to look the same whether you used a D3000, D90, or a D3 (for example). However, if you are running out of light and need a faster shutter speed, and you bump up the ISO to say 1600, then you are going to start noticing differences. You'll notice bigger differences in features, such as responsiveness, focusing speed, viewfinder size, continuous fps, # of features accessible via buttons (instead of slow to use menus).

        I don't think you'll find the D90 too complex - you can easily use it in auto mode, and start to use more complex features as you need them.

        If you don't need video, you might get the D3000, and invest a bit more in lenses.
         
        Avatar for Alex Black Alex Black (3:44 PM, September 07, 2010)
        I think buying a 2nd hand body is a great idea, it just depends on whether or not you can find yourself one in good condition that hasn't been used much, then you're basically getting the same thing you'd get with a new camera, but for a lower price.