Entry-level DSLR Entry-level DSLR
August, 2008
Nikon D90

NikonD90

Summary Nikon D90

Prices Price
Body only $849 - $897 With 18-105mm lens $1,099 - $1,200
all D90 prices
Score Snapsort rank
Within its price range #n/a of 13 Among similar cameras #n/a of 18
details details
Specifications Key specs
Sensor size Help APS-C 23.6x15.8mm Screen resolution Help 920k 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
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO
Focus points Many more focus points
Overall image quality Better image quality

Compare the new Nikon D7000 vs the D90

reviewsWhat are people saying about the D90

"The D90 feels very comfortable and natural, with a good grip and logical, ergonomic, button placement."
dpreview.com | talking about the camera's feel
"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
"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

Browse all Nikon D90 videos

Pros

The Nikon D90 vs other recent entry-level DSLRs

Overall image quality Great overall image quality Help
73.0
Dynamic range Wide dynamic range Help
12.5 EV
Screen size Above average sized screen Help
3.0"
Lens availability More lenses available Help
169 lenses
Sensor size Slightly larger than average sensor Help
APS-C 23.6x15.8mm
Battery life Above average battery life Help
850 shots
Popularity Very popular Help
Among snapsort users
Low light performance Low noise at high ISO Help
977 ISO
Screen resolution High resolution screen Help
920k dots
Viewfinder size Large viewfinder Help
0.63x
Supports 24p 24p movies Help
For that film look
Startup delay Short startup delay Help
300 ms startup delay
Viewfinder Doesn't use battery, see more detail Help
Pentaprism

Cons

The Nikon D90 vs other recent entry-level DSLRs

Autofocus Manual focus only Help
None
Movie continuous focus Lacks movie continuous focus Help
Requires attention to focus while recording
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
Announced Old Help
August, 2008
Light sensitivity (boost) Low boost light sensitivity Help
6,400 ISO
Weight Heavy Help
703 g
Fastest shutter speed Slow shutter speed Help
1/4000 of a second
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur
True resolution Lower true resolution Help
12.2 MP
Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
3,200 ISO
Screen flips out Fixed screen Help
Less flexible
Panorama Lacks in-camera panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
HDR Lacks in-camera HDR Help
You could do HDR manually
3D Doesn't take 3D photos Help
No 3d support
Storage slots Fewer storage slots Help
1

dxomark

DXOMark

Appearance

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

Discussion What do you think about the Nikon D90?

Speech is free, but discussion at Snapsort is moderated! Please discuss your opinion of this camera here, and discuss feedback for Snapsort at our support community.

Showing 25 comments

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.
 
Shiva (3:30 PM, September 07, 2010)
Thanks Alex.

However would you recommend a 2nd hand D90 body at all?
As in my reasearch its not helping me save any more than 200$.

Thanks again.
 
Tjuatco1127 (2:47 PM, September 07, 2010)
pentax k7. by far the best bang for the buck.
 
Avatar for Alex Black Alex Black (11:15 PM, September 06, 2010)
Hi Shiva, I have to admit I'm not too familiar with buying used cameras, perhaps someone else will chime in or you can do some further research on the net.

One thing you can check for us the 'shutter count', e.g. how many pictures have been taken with the camera, you can usually read this out of the EXIF information in a photo taken by the camera.

Also, you might consider getting the seller to send the camera to Nikon to confirm its all working well.