Nikon D90
Competitors

As well as being compared against other entry-level DSLRs, the Nikon D90 is also often compared to pro DSLRs and mirrorless. The Nikon D90's top rivals come from Nikon (such as the D5100 and the D7000) and Canon (such as the EOS 60D and the Rebel T3i)

Generally, some of the advantages of the Nikon D90 compared to other entry-level DSLR competitors include: it has slightly wider dynamic range (12.5 EV vs 11.5 EV), slightly larger viewfinder (0.63x vs 0.53x), has slightly less startup delay (300 ms vs 1500 ms), has a marginally larger sensor (APS-C 23.6x15.8mm vs APS-C 22.3x14.9mm) and has higher quality type of viewfinder (pentaprism vs pentamirror).

However, on average it records lower quality movies (720p @ 24fps vs 1080p @ 30fps), takes significantly lower resolution photos (12.2 MP vs 17.9 MP), slightly lower maximum light sensitivity (3,200 ISO vs 6,400 ISO), doesn't have a screen which flips out and lacks and external mic jack.

Nikon D5100 2 years newer $500 - $597 (body only) $600 - $697 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the D5100 (vs the D90) Lower noise at high ISO: 1,183 ISO vs 977 ISO Better image quality: 80.0 vs 73.0 Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 24fps Significant disadvantages of the D5100 (vs the D90) Significantly smaller viewfinder: 0.51x vs 0.63x More shutter lag: 273 ms vs 208 ms Doesn't have a built-in focus motor common strengths of the D5100 and D90 Relatively low noise at high ISO: 1,183 ISO vs 977 ISO Good dynamic range: 13 EV vs 12.5 EV High resolution screens: 920k dots vs 930k dots
	Compare the D5100 vs the D90
Nikon D7000 2 years newer $1,000 (body only) $1,100 55-200mm lens	Significant advantages of the D7000 (vs the D90) Many more focus points: 39 vs 11 Better image quality: 80.0 vs 73.0 Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 24fps vs 720p @ 24fps Significant disadvantages of the D7000 (vs the D90) None found common strengths of the D7000 and D90 Relatively low noise at high ISO: 1,167 ISO vs 977 ISO Good dynamic range: 13.9 EV vs 12.5 EV High resolution screens: 920k dots vs 930k dots
	Compare the D7000 vs the D90
Nikon D3100 2 years newer $500 - $547 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the D3100 (vs the D90) Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 24fps vs 720p @ 24fps Video autofocus: Contrast detection vs None Significantly smaller: Prosumer size 124x96x73 mm vs Professional size 132x103x77 mm Significant disadvantages of the D3100 (vs the D90) Less dynamic range: 11.3 EV vs 12.5 EV Much lower resolution screen: 230k dots vs 930k dots Significantly smaller viewfinder: 0.51x vs 0.63x common strengths of the D3100 and D90 Minimal startup delay: 400 ms vs 300 ms 24p support Many lenses available: 169 lenses vs 169 lenses
	Compare the D3100 vs the D90
Canon Rebel T3i 2 years newer $619 - $700 (body only) $745 - $1,000 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the T3i (vs the D90) Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 24fps Has an external mic jack Significantly higher true resolution: 17.9 MP vs 12.2 MP Significant disadvantages of the T3i (vs the D90) Worse image quality: 65.0 vs 73.0 Less dynamic range: 11.5 EV vs 12.5 EV Much more startup delay: 1500 ms vs 300 ms common strengths of the T3i and D90 High resolution screens: 1,040k dots vs 930k dots 24p support Many lenses available: 162 lenses vs 169 lenses
	Compare the Canon Rebel T3i vs the Nikon D90
Canon Rebel T2i 1 year newer $544 - $949 (body only) $649 - $867 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the T2i (vs the D90) Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 24fps Has an external mic jack Significantly higher true resolution: 17.9 MP vs 12.2 MP Significant disadvantages of the T2i (vs the D90) Less dynamic range: 11.5 EV vs 12.5 EV Worse image quality: 66.0 vs 73.0 Significantly smaller viewfinder: 0.54x vs 0.63x common strengths of the T2i and D90 High resolution screens: 1,040k dots vs 930k dots Minimal startup delay: 400 ms vs 300 ms 24p support
	Compare the Canon EOS Rebel T2i vs the Nikon D90
Nikon D3200 3 years newer $699 - $700 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the D3200 (vs the D90) Much higher true resolution: 24.1 MP vs 12.2 MP Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 24fps Has an external mic jack Significant disadvantages of the D3200 (vs the D90) Significantly smaller viewfinder: 0.50x vs 0.63x Significantly shorter battery life: 540 shots vs 850 shots Doesn't have a built-in focus motor common strengths of the D3200 and D90 High resolution screens: 921k dots vs 930k dots 24p support Many lenses available: 169 lenses vs 169 lenses
	Compare the D3200 vs the D90

Generally, some of the advantages of the Nikon D90 compared to pro DSLR competitors include: it has slightly more color depth (22.7 bits vs 22.1 bits), has slightly wider dynamic range (12.5 EV vs 11.7 EV), is slightly lighter (703 g vs 925 g) and is more popular.

However, on average it it's body is not weather sealed, doesn't shoot as fast continuously (4.5 fps vs 6.3 fps), lacks and external mic jack, has slightly fewer focus points (11 vs 51) and has slightly fewer cross-type focus points (1 vs 15).

Canon EOS 60D 2 years newer $848 - $1,304 (body only) $1,177 - $1,342 18-135mm lens	Significant advantages of the 60D (vs the D90) Has an external mic jack Has a flip-out screen Significantly higher true resolution: 17.9 MP vs 12.2 MP Significant disadvantages of the 60D (vs the D90) Less dynamic range: 11.5 EV vs 12.5 EV common strengths of the 60D and D90 Many lenses available: 162 lenses vs 169 lenses Fairly small: Professional size 145x106x79 mm vs Professional size 132x103x77 mm Supports RAW
	Compare the Canon EOS 60D vs the Nikon D90
Nikon D300S 1 year newer $1,690 - $1,700 (body only) $2,547 - $4,295 18-200mm lens	Significant advantages of the D300S (vs the D90) Has an external mic jack Weather sealed Many more focus points: 51 vs 11 Significant disadvantages of the D300S (vs the D90) None found common strengths of the D300S and D90 Minimal startup delay: 300 ms vs 300 ms Many lenses available: 169 lenses vs 169 lenses Fairly small: Professional size 147x114x74 mm vs Professional size 132x103x77 mm
	Compare the D300S vs the D90
Canon EOS 7D 1 year newer $1,549 - $1,821 (body only) $1,620 - $1,849 18-135mm lens	Significant advantages of the 7D (vs the D90) Has an external mic jack Weather sealed Significantly more cross-type focus points: 19 vs 1 Significant disadvantages of the 7D (vs the D90) Less dynamic range: 11.7 EV vs 12.5 EV common strengths of the 7D and D90 Many lenses available: 162 lenses vs 169 lenses Fairly small: Professional size 148x111x74 mm vs Professional size 132x103x77 mm Supports RAW
	Compare the Canon EOS 7D vs the Nikon D90
Nikon D300 1 year older $1,000 (body only)	Significant advantages of the D300 (vs the D90) Weather sealed Many more focus points: 51 vs 11 More cross-type focus points: 15 vs 1 Significant disadvantages of the D300 (vs the D90) None found common strengths of the D300 and D90 Minimal startup delay: 300 ms vs 300 ms Many lenses available: 169 lenses vs 169 lenses Fairly small: Professional size 147x114x74 mm vs Professional size 132x103x77 mm
	Compare the D300 vs the D90
Nikon D700 similar age $2,649 (body only)	Significant advantages of the D700 (vs the D90) Significantly lower noise at high ISO: 2,303 ISO vs 977 ISO Much larger sensor: Full frame 36.0x24.0mm vs APS-C 23.6x15.8mm Weather sealed Significant disadvantages of the D700 (vs the D90) Significantly fewer lenses available: 121 lenses vs 169 lenses Significantly heavier: 1,074 g vs 703 g common strengths of the D700 and D90 Fairly small: Large 147x123x77 mm vs Professional size 132x103x77 mm Supports RAW Inexpensive: $2,649.00 vs $896.95
	Compare the D700 vs the D90
Canon EOS 50D similar age $1,282 - $1,300 (body only)	Significant advantages of the 50D (vs the D90) Much faster max shutter speed: 1/8000 of a second vs 1/4000 of a second Significant disadvantages of the 50D (vs the D90) Worse color depth: 21.8 bits vs 22.7 bits Less dynamic range: 11.4 EV vs 12.5 EV Worse image quality: 63.0 vs 73.0 common strengths of the 50D and D90 Minimal startup delay: 300 ms vs 300 ms Many lenses available: 162 lenses vs 169 lenses Fairly small: Professional size 146x108x74 mm vs Professional size 132x103x77 mm
	Compare the Canon EOS 50D vs the Nikon D90

Generally, some of the advantages of the Nikon D90 compared to mirrorless interchangeable-lens competitors include: it has a viewfinder (pentaprism vs none), records movies in 24p, has much less startup delay (300 ms vs 1900 ms), has slightly less shutter lag (208 ms vs 441 ms) and much more lenses available (169 lenses vs 8 lenses).

However, on average it records lower quality movies (720p @ 24fps vs 1080p @ 60fps), takes slightly lower resolution photos (12.2 MP vs 16 MP), much lower maximum light sensitivity (3,200 ISO vs 25,600 ISO), doesn't have a touch screen and doesn't have a screen which flips out.

Sony NEX-5N 3 years newer $598 - $600 (body only) $698 - $700 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the NEX-5N (vs the D90) Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 60fps vs 720p @ 24fps Better maximum light sensitivity: 25,600 ISO vs 3,200 ISO Much smaller: Compact 111x59x38 mm vs Professional size 132x103x77 mm Significant disadvantages of the NEX-5N (vs the D90) Much fewer lenses available: 8 lenses vs 169 lenses Much more startup delay: 1900 ms vs 300 ms No viewfinder: None vs Pentaprism common strengths of the NEX-5N and D90 Relatively low noise at high ISO: 1,079 ISO vs 977 ISO Good image quality: 77.0 vs 73.0 High resolution screens: 920k dots vs 930k dots
	Compare the Sony NEX-5N vs the Nikon D90
Sony Alpha NEX-5 1 year newer $569 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the NEX-5 (vs the D90) Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 24fps Much smaller: Compact 111x59x38 mm vs Professional size 132x103x77 mm Has a flip-out screen Significant disadvantages of the NEX-5 (vs the D90) Much fewer lenses available: 8 lenses vs 169 lenses Much shorter battery life: 330 shots vs 850 shots No viewfinder: None vs Pentaprism common strengths of the NEX-5 and D90 Good image quality: 69.0 vs 73.0 High resolution screens: 920k dots vs 930k dots Good dynamic range: 12.2 EV vs 12.5 EV
	Compare the Sony Alpha NEX-5 vs the Nikon D90