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), has a slightly larger screen (3.0" vs 2.5"), has a slightly higher resolution screen (920k dots vs 230k dots), significantly larger viewfinder (0.63x vs 0.54x) and has slightly less startup delay (300 ms vs 1500 ms).

However, on average it records lower quality movies (720p @ 24fps vs 1080p @ 24fps), takes slightly lower resolution photos (12.2 MP vs 16.1 MP), doesn't have a screen which flips out, doesn't focus continuously while recording movies and lacks and external mic jack.

Nikon D5100 2 years newer $650 - $749 (body only) $600 - $750 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the D5100 (vs the D90) Lower noise at high ISO: 1,183 ISO vs 977 ISO Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 24fps Has an external mic jack Significant disadvantages of the D5100 (vs the D90) Much 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 image quality: 80.0 vs 73.0 Good dynamic range: 13.6 EV vs 12.5 EV
	Compare the D5100 vs the D90
Nikon D7000 2 years newer $1,097 (body only) $1,227 55-200mm lens	Significant advantages of the D7000 (vs the D90) Many more focus points: 39 vs 11 Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 24fps vs 720p @ 24fps Weather sealed 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 image quality: 80.0 vs 73.0 Good dynamic range: 13.9 EV vs 12.5 EV
	Compare the D7000 vs the D90
Nikon D3100 2 years newer $500 - $984 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 lighter: 505 g vs 703 g Significant disadvantages of the D3100 (vs the D90) Less dynamic range: 11.3 EV vs 12.5 EV Significantly lower resolution screen: 230k dots vs 920k dots Much smaller viewfinder: 0.51x vs 0.63x common strengths of the D3100 and D90 Relatively low noise at high ISO: 919 ISO vs 977 ISO Larger than average screens: 3.0" vs 3.0" Minimal startup delay: 400 ms vs 300 ms
	Compare the D3100 vs the D90
Canon Rebel T3i 2 years newer $609 - $800 (body only) $709 - $1,180 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the T3i (vs the D90) Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 24fps Has an external mic jack Much higher true resolution: 17.9 MP vs 12.2 MP Significant disadvantages of the T3i (vs the D90) Much more startup delay: 1500 ms vs 300 ms Worse image quality: 65.0 vs 73.0 Less dynamic range: 11.5 EV vs 12.5 EV common strengths of the T3i and D90 High resolution screens: 1,040k dots vs 920k dots Larger than average screens: 3.0" vs 3.0" 24p support
	Compare the Canon Rebel T3i vs the Nikon D90
Canon Rebel T2i 1 year newer $499 - $949 (body only) $579 - $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 Much 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 Significantly smaller viewfinder: 0.54x vs 0.63x Significantly shorter battery life: 440 shots vs 850 shots common strengths of the T2i and D90 High resolution screens: 1,040k dots vs 920k dots Larger than average screens: 3.0" vs 3.0" Minimal startup delay: 400 ms vs 300 ms
	Compare the Canon EOS Rebel T2i vs the Nikon D90
Nikon D80 2 years older $700 (body only)	Significant advantages of the D80 (vs the D90) None found Significant disadvantages of the D80 (vs the D90) Much more noise at high ISO: 524 ISO vs 977 ISO Much smaller screen: 2.5" vs 3.0" Significantly worse image quality: 61.0 vs 73.0 common strengths of the D80 and D90 Above average viewfinder size: 0.62x vs 0.63x Many lenses available: 169 lenses vs 169 lenses Both have pentaprism viewfinders: Pentaprism vs Pentaprism
	Compare the D80 vs the D90

Generally, some of the advantages of the Nikon D90 compared to pro DSLR competitors include: it has slightly better image quality (73.0 vs 67.0), 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 significantly fewer cross-type focus points (1 vs 15).

Canon EOS 60D 2 years newer $899 - $1,304 (body only) $1,138 - $1,342 18-135mm lens	Significant advantages of the 60D (vs the D90) Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 24fps Has an external mic jack Has a flip-out screen 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 Inexpensive: $898.75 vs $869.00
	Compare the Canon EOS 60D vs the Nikon D90
Nikon D300S 1 year newer $1,700 (body only) $2,547 - $4,295 18-200mm lens	Significant advantages of the D300S (vs the D90) Has an external mic jack Many more focus points: 51 vs 11 Weather sealed Significant disadvantages of the D300S (vs the D90) Heavier: 938 g vs 703 g common strengths of the D300S and D90 Many lenses available: 169 lenses vs 169 lenses Fairly small: Professional size 147x114x74 mm vs Professional size 132x103x77 mm Inexpensive: $1,699.99 vs $869.00
	Compare the D300S vs the D90
Canon EOS 7D 1 year newer $1,329 - $1,821 (body only) $1,498 - $1,800 28-135mm lens	Significant advantages of the 7D (vs the D90) Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 24fps Has an external mic jack Weather sealed 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 Inexpensive: $1,329.00 vs $869.00
	Compare the Canon EOS 7D vs the Nikon D90
Nikon D300 1 year older $1,673 - $1,816 (body only) $2,639 16-85mm lens	Significant advantages of the D300 (vs the D90) Many more focus points: 51 vs 11 Weather sealed Significantly more cross-type focus points: 15 vs 1 Significant disadvantages of the D300 (vs the D90) Does not take movies: None vs 720p @ 24fps common strengths of the D300 and D90 Many lenses available: 169 lenses vs 169 lenses Fairly small: Professional size 147x114x74 mm vs Professional size 132x103x77 mm Inexpensive: $1,672.81 vs $869.00
	Compare the D300 vs the D90
Nikon D700 similar age $2,750 (body only)	Significant advantages of the D700 (vs the D90) Much 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 Many more focus points: 51 vs 11 Significant disadvantages of the D700 (vs the D90) Does not take movies: None vs 720p @ 24fps 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 Thin: 3" vs 3" Each has a built-in flash
	Compare the D700 vs the D90
Canon EOS 50D similar age $1,282 - $1,299 (body only) $1,625 28-135mm lens	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) Significantly worse image quality: 63.0 vs 73.0 Worse color depth: 21.8 bits vs 22.7 bits Less dynamic range: 11.4 EV vs 12.5 EV common strengths of the 50D and D90 Many lenses available: 162 lenses vs 169 lenses Fairly small: Professional size 146x108x74 mm vs Professional size 132x103x77 mm Inexpensive: $1,281.99 vs $869.00
	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 is slightly less noisy at high ISO (977 ISO vs 346 ISO), has slightly better image quality (73.0 vs 54.0), has higher quality type of viewfinder (pentaprism vs none), has slightly more color depth (22.7 bits vs 21.3 bits) and has slightly wider dynamic range (12.5 EV vs 11 EV).

However, on average it records lower quality movies (720p @ 24fps vs 1080p @ 60fps), doesn't record high-speed movies (none vs 1,200 fps), significantly lower maximum light sensitivity (3,200 ISO vs 25,600 ISO), doesn't have a touch screen and doesn't shoot as fast continuously (4.5 fps vs 60 fps).

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 Has a flip-out screen Much smaller: Compact 111x59x38 mm vs Professional size 132x103x77 mm 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 Relatively low noise at high ISO: 796 ISO vs 977 ISO Good image quality: 69.0 vs 73.0 High resolution screens: 920k dots vs 920k dots
	Compare the Sony Alpha NEX-5 vs the Nikon D90
Sony NEX-5N 3 years newer $599 - $600 (body only) $698 - $699 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 Video autofocus: Contrast detection vs None Significant disadvantages of the NEX-5N (vs the D90) Much fewer lenses available: 8 lenses vs 169 lenses Much shorter battery life: 460 shots vs 850 shots Much more startup delay: 1900 ms vs 300 ms common strengths of the NEX-5N and D90 Very 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 920k dots
	Compare the Sony NEX-5N vs the Nikon D90
Nikon 1 V1 3 years newer $847 10-30mm lens	Significant advantages of the V1 (vs the D90) Video autofocus: Phase detection vs None Records high-speed movies: 1,200 fps vs None Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 60fps vs 720p @ 24fps Significant disadvantages of the V1 (vs the D90) Much fewer lenses available: 4 lenses vs 169 lenses Much more noise at high ISO: 346 ISO vs 977 ISO Much shorter battery life: 350 shots vs 850 shots common strengths of the V1 and D90 High resolution screens: 921k dots vs 920k dots Viewfinders: Digital vs Pentaprism Both use faster phase detection autofocus which is uncommon: Phase detection vs Phase detection
	Compare the 1 V1 vs the D90