Canon EOS
60D
 vs
Nikon
D90

Updated (September, 2010): Compare the Canon EOS 60D vs Nikon D7000

Nikon D90

62
Winner

Nikon D90
"Fast Autofocus with useful control options"
dpreview.com | talking about the D90's auto-focus
"The D90 feels very comfortable and natural, with a good grip and logical, ergonomic, button placement."
dpreview.com | talking about the D90's feel

Reasons to buy the Nikon D90

Dynamic range
 Wide dynamic range
12.5 EV
Viewfinder size
 Large viewfinder
0.63x
Badge
 Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses
Canon EOS 60D

59
Runner-up

Canon EOS 60D
"Very good low-light performance, with low noise levels and good retention of detail"
dpreview.com | talking about the 60D's iso-noise
"It may have turned its back on the semi-pro, but the 60D is still a camera that should enthuse the enthusiasts."
dpreview.com | talking about the 60D's overall-performance

Reasons to buy the Canon EOS 60D

Screen flips out
 Flip-out screen
Great for movies
External mic jack
 External mic jack
Record higher quality audio with a microphone
Badge
 Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses
Fastest shutter speed
 Fast shutter speed
1/8000 of a second

differences

Advantages of the Canon 60D
External mic jack Has an external mic jack Yes vs No
Help
 Record high quality audio with an external microphone
Movie format Higher resolution movies 1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 24fps
Help
 Shoots higher resolution Full HD (1080p) video at a higher frame rate
Screen flips out Has a flip-out screen Yes vs No
Help
 Flip-out screens can be helpful when composing tricky shots or taking movies
True resolution Significantly higher true resolution 17.9 MP vs 12.2 MP
Help
 Capture around 50% more detail in your photos
Screen resolution Higher resolution screen 1,040k dots vs 930k dots
Help
 More than 10% higher resolution screen
Cross type focus points More cross-type focus points 9 vs 1
Help
 Grab focus in difficult situations
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 6,400 ISO vs 3,200 ISO
Help
 The 60D's maximum light sensitivity is 1 f-stop better
Battery life Longer battery life 1100 shots vs 850 shots
Help
 Around 30% more shots per battery charge
Continuous shooting Shoots slightly faster 5.3 fps vs 4.5 fps
Help
 Around 20% faster continuous shooting
Fastest shutter speed Much faster max shutter speed 1/8000s vs 1/4000s
Help
 2x faster max shutter speed
Light sensitivity (boost) Better boost ISO 12,800 ISO vs 6,400 ISO
Help
 The 60D's boost ISO is 1 f-stop better
Canon EOS 60D Learn more about
the Canon 60D

Advantages of the Nikon D90
Dynamic range More dynamic range 12.5 EV vs 11.5 EV
Help
 1 f-stop more dynamic range
Overall image quality Better image quality 73.0 vs 66.0
Help
 More than 10% better image quality
Color depth Better color depth 22.7 bits vs 22.2 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 0.5 more bits of color
Low light performance Slightly lower noise at high ISO 977 ISO vs 813 ISO
Help
 The D90 has a slight edge (0.3 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Viewfinder size Larger viewfinder 0.63x vs 0.59x
Help
 More than 10% larger viewfinder
Shutter lag Less shutter lag 208 ms vs 253 ms
Help
 Around 20% less delay when taking photos
Size Smaller 132x103x77 mm vs 145x106x79 mm
Help
 More than 10% smaller
Sensor size Slightly larger sensor APS-C 23.6x15.8mm vs APS-C 22.3x14.9mm
Help
 More than 10% larger sensor
Lens availability Slightly more lenses available 169 lenses vs 162 lenses
Help
 Almost the same
Focus points Slightly more focus points 11 vs 9
Help
 Set focus accurately within the frame
Thickness Thinner 3" vs 3.1"
Help
 Almost the same
Weight Slightly lighter 703 g vs 755 g
Help
 Around 10% lighter
Nikon D90 Learn more about
the Nikon D90
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent DSLRs, and ignoring price

Canon EOS 60D Canon EOS 60D
59 vs 62
Explain scores
Nikon D90 Nikon D90
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Nikon D90. This recommendation, however, should be taken with a grain of salt since it doesn't always make sense to compare a pro DSLR with a entry-level DSLR.

advice

Need help deciding?

Ask the community!
I am considering either the Canon 60D or the Nikon D90,
For example: Taking photos in low light or great family photos or ability to take great photos underwater

Select aspects that are most important to you: (max 3)

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Are you a camera expert? Share your knowledge!
0
votes
by Neelam-Dhar last month
Canon 60D vs Nikon D90

Yes i am a biggner. i am looking for image quality. i want to buy a camera for multipurpose

One person recommends the Nikon D90:

" They both are pretty evenly matched with tradeoffs. I personally have always been a Nikon perso..."
One person recommends the Canon 60D:

"Why you recommended canon EOS 60D?"
0
votes
by Baskar-studio last month
Canon 60D vs Nikon D90

Expert, Live photos With HD qualities in studio potrai photos and outddor marriage photos....we ...
0
votes
by Laurie-Verbridge last month
Canon 60D vs Nikon D90

Can I use these lenses on a Canon 60 D? I inherited a beautiful film camera and lenses from my ...
0
votes
by Howard-Ridge last month
Nikon D40 vs Nikon D90

Was a very keen amateur photographer in the old days 35mm and had a few dslrs.
1
votes
by Lance-Villanueva-Ramos last month
Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D90

Beginner,capturing the moment of different events

2 people recommend the Nikon D3100:

" D3100 is going to have better video capabilities which you outlined as a need, image quality wil..."

"The D3100 is better for beginners because it has a great guide that will help you set up the camer..."

similarities

Compared to recent DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Lens availability Many lenses available Help
60D:162 lenses
D90:169 lenses
Viewfinder Both have pentaprism viewfinders Help
Pentaprism
Supports 24p 24p support Help
For that film look
Storage slots Fewer storage slots Help
1
Viewfinder coverage Below average viewfinder coverage Help
96%
Light sensitivity (boost) Poor boost ISO Help
60D:12,800 ISO
D90:6,400 ISO
Autofocus No video autofocus Help
Manual focus only
HDR Neither has in-camera HDR Help
You could do HDR manually
Weather sealed Neither is weather sealed Help
Need to shelter it from weather
Focus points Few focus points Help
60D:9
D90:11
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur
Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
3D Neither camera can take 3D photos Help
No 3d support
Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
60D:6,400 ISO
D90:3,200 ISO

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $597 body only

$600 - $697 with 18-55mm lens
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Color depth Has slightly more color depth
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Lens focus motor Doesn't have a built-in focus motor
Compare the D5100 vs the EOS 60D
Compare the D5100 vs the D90
Nikon D7000

Nikon D7000

Entry-level DSLR

$1,000 body only

$1,100 with 55-200mm lens
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Color depth Has slightly more color depth
Compare the D7000 vs the EOS 60D
Compare the D7000 vs the D90
Canon Rebel T3i

Canon Rebel T3i

Entry-level DSLR

$619 - $700 body only

$745 - $1,000 with 18-55mm lens
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Viewfinder Has a lower quality type of viewfinder
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the EOS 60D
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the D90
Canon EOS 7D

Canon EOS 7D

Pro DSLR

$1,549 - $1,821 body only

$1,620 - $1,849 with 18-135mm lens
Weather sealed Has a weather sealed body
Continuous shooting Shoots faster continuously
Weight Is slightly heavier
Compare the EOS 7D vs the EOS 60D
Compare the EOS 7D vs the D90
Canon EOS Rebel T2i

Canon Rebel T2i

Entry-level DSLR

$544 - $949 body only

$649 - $867 with 18-55mm lens
Size Is slightly smaller
Thickness Is thinner
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Viewfinder Has a lower quality type of viewfinder
Compare the Rebel T2i vs the EOS 60D
Compare the Rebel T2i vs the D90
Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $547 with 18-55mm lens
Movie continuous focus Can focus continuously while recording movies
Autofocus Focuses automatically while shootting video
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Lens focus motor Doesn't have a built-in focus motor
Compare the D3100 vs the EOS 60D
Compare the D3100 vs the D90
Canon EOS 50D

Canon EOS 50D

Pro DSLR

$1,282 - $1,300 body only
Shutter lag Has slightly less shutter lag
Thickness Is thinner
Movie format Doesn't record movies
Color depth Has significantly less color depth
Compare the EOS 50D vs the EOS 60D
Compare the EOS 50D vs the D90

Canon EOS 60D Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Canon EOS 60D.

Nikon D90 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Nikon D90.

appearance

Canon EOS 60D Nikon D90
Canon EOS 60D Nikon D90
Canon EOS 60D Nikon D90

discussion

Showing 25 comments

Alwynjsmit (6:23 AM, May 14, 2012)
To some the flip out screen would be the best thing since Spongebob. Others will just get down and dirty. Grip is in the eye of the beholder. Some will prefer Canon grip, some would prefer Nikon grip. Some will have small hands and some will have large hands. Some will like blue jelly tots and some will like black winegums. Yes, these 2 cameras are in different 'levels'. That doesn't mean the 60d is holier than thou. I wanted a camera, not a camcorder that could take pictures. So therefore the video and the flip out screen wasn't important to me. Yes I have video on the D90, but I don't use it. Now, you will find a lot of people with different needs to mine and what a wonderful world it is that we have this variety. I'm just reporting on what I found in my own words. You'll find a lot of ppl commenting on these cameras and each to their own. But how many of these ppl who have strong opinions on both have actually shot with both? To me I found I also liked the grip of the 60d, but this was because the 60d body is slightly longer in length than the D90. I like the grip of the D300 and D700 as well due to them being longer and I have my bigger hands to thank for that. I liked the speed of the 60d, but this was a slight difference. It would have been nice if the D90 shutter was 1/8000 instead of 1/4000. AF was slightly better 
(almost unnoticeable the difference) on the 60d until I started having issues with my 60d bringing me question the quality of the 60d. On paper the 60d is heavier than the D90, but in real life the D90 feels heavier and the build is just superior. In the end I looked at my own requirements and made a choice that suited ME. My choice may not suit your needs, but I can still share my experiences with both. For me the choice I made to go Nikon was confirmed to be the correct one by Canon themselves. With the couldn't care less attitude I got from Canon's South African head office staff and the after sales service I got thus far from Nikon I can say with earnest I made the right decision for me. I value the still image quality, the build quality and the after sales service. That's important to me, not some category label or gimmick. Lastly, I am not saying by purchasing the 60d someone would be experiencing the same issues as I had and the same level of after sales service. I'm just saying that was MY experience. Having had the Nikon D90 now for little over a year does not make me a Nikon fanboy or a Canon basher. It makes me someone who values ALL the different systems because I think competition serves us (the customers) best.  
 
Allwynjsmit (5:36 AM, May 14, 2012)
Go try them all out at the shop and see which one fits better in your hand. Then buy good glass and practice 
 
Alwynjsmit (5:32 AM, May 14, 2012)
Low light, both are on par. AF 60d is marginally ahead. Colors, D90. Body, D90. I had both so YES I can comment from personal experience and not just say so coz I'm a fanboy of either
 
Mouaz (3:22 PM, May 02, 2012)
well i think that the D90 is a good camera but from my point of view,I think that the 60D is better since its flip out screen giving the photographer using it a flexablity to take pictures from a low or high point, and the grip of the 60D is by far better than that of the D90; another thing is that the 60D is classified into intermediate level, while D90 is half the way between beginner and intermediate.finally,vedios taken by 60D are better than those of the D90 since the maximum time of the D90 is 5 min...otherwise it would be certain that the D90 is better apart from technical issue.
-this is my point of view and am not saying that it is the true judgment of both cameras...thak you   
 
Shooter83 (1:46 AM, April 21, 2012)
 i am a professional photographer n videoshooter. i've got Nikon D3s n 5D mark II. well thats for official workhorse  :P
for simple equipment  for simple and easy task and also for personal gear i tell you D90 is way too good !!   its very limited now in Malaysia. what make me soo proud about D90 . its the first HD video DSLR (mark 2 few month late )   ( its the last two digit series)
the best autofocus display ( just like D200 ) very clear, which is very good for everyone.. noob, amateur  or even pro. nowdays the dot on autofocus way too small.. and dont expect newbie or stranger that you handed your camera to take your photo to understand
the autofocus in new system like D7000.  i've use 60D. borrow it from my friend..  damn i hate it so much.
the focus is faster than D90 but back focus happen sometimes and sharpness is low compare to D90. in the dark canon have to use Pop-up flash to assist focusing. while nikon got the af light.. its really reliable.
i am not a fanboy i use camera to make  my job easier..  i am looking to add some of my equipment later and its a "canon"

my advice..  better buy D90 now before its too late.
 
Avatar for Kim Taylor Kim Taylor (1:59 PM, March 22, 2012)
Owned the d90 for 2 years. Great for stills which is what I used it for.
I've recently started working more with moving image and so have explored using the d90 to capture basic video. I have to say I find the quality horrendous. I find it difficult to walk around while focussing manually and get some serious 'jelly effect' on my picture. I realize this effect can appear on all DSLRs to a certain extent but having tried the 60D I had far better results.

I tried out my friend's 60D last night. I much prefer the nikon build and ergonomics, however the video mode is far superior and it has a flip out screen.

So it's a tough call. I wanted to like the 60D, and the video does seem great... But I'm not sure if it's enough of a benefit to warrant the upheaval of changing cameras, glass, flash gun etc. All I want is slightly better video from my Nikon! D7000?
 
navymom (3:23 PM, March 02, 2012)
Everyone has a brand preference.  I grew up with Canon and have a hard time with Nikon.  I have friends that are the opposite.  It's a matter of choice.  I borrowed a friend's 60D to try because I really want that camera.  I have an old Rebel.  I've talked with several pros and they did recommend the 60D for what I use it for, football games, pep rallies, etc.  I took the borrowed camera to shoot an indoor drill team dance event.  I had my monopod also.  Love that thing!  Once I got my camera set, the pictures were amazing!!  To catch a dancer in mid-leap and have everything crytal clear was such a thrill! 
 
Yerbol (9:28 PM, February 11, 2012)
Dear all,
I am a Canon guy and I have a few questions to those lucky people who probably have both, Canon 60D and Nikon D90.
1. Who really shoots better in low light condition?
2. Who got accurate and faster autofocus?
3. Which one of them gives better and accurate colors even with kit lenses [18-135mm Canon, 18-105mm Nikon]?
4. Who got stronger body? I am not going to use it as a hammer ;-) Just curious.
Thanks for help in advance!
 
bLank (7:44 AM, January 15, 2012)
Polycarbonate resin with glass fibre on aluminum chassis 
 
Rocky (3:39 PM, December 10, 2011)
canon d60
 
Linkxs (3:58 AM, December 01, 2011)
in fact, it is plastic. For sure
 
vorin (1:30 AM, November 03, 2011)
I own a Nikon D90 and had the opp to play w/ a friend's new Canon 60D: I did not like it. I couldn't find the 60D's most basic of functions, e.g. ev adjustment, which appears to be trapped in the Q menu. The feel of it was ok, but I don't like the contour of the grip, but that's a minor. IQ was very nice, of course. I really wanted to like the Canon, but I kept trying to change things with the wheel and realized I missed the Nikon's D90 secondary wheel. My major photographically prohibitive issues were all about not being able to quickly changed things via preprogrammed buttons and wheels like WB, EV, ISO and other menu-trapped items. D90 for me.  
 
Test (0:18 PM, October 27, 2011)
Not plastic body on 60d, it is magnezyum.
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (9:15 PM, June 16, 2011)
Thanks again, our mistake, should be all fixed up now.
 
Xsshssh (9:09 PM, June 16, 2011)
I now see the votes have been recovered, thanks!
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (8:54 PM, June 16, 2011)
Hmm, you're right.. We'll look into that, thanks! The vote #s look really low on all of the comparisons, I think they may have been reset recently.
 
Xsshssh (8:49 PM, June 16, 2011)
I mean the porformance vote result have been reseted.
The oldest comment is about 6 months ago, then it is unlikely that both cameras got voted for less than 10 times within the last 6 month.
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (1:01 PM, June 15, 2011)
Hi Xsshssh, Snapsort's recommendation is based partly on popularity of the camera, which changes over time.  
 
Xsshssh (11:24 AM, June 15, 2011)
I checked this page several times. Last time, D90 was ranked higher than the 60D. However, this time I found that the vote was reseted, and 60D is ranked higher. Is snapsort interfering the vote result?
 
swcv2 (5:36 AM, May 22, 2011)
I will consider to buy Niko D90 .  
 
Alfred (5:28 PM, April 25, 2011)
Personally, it depends on personal demands. If your beginner and would use ur dslr for video recording more than taking good photographs, 60D is much superior than the D90. However, if your serious into real photography, then dont hesitate to go for D90. Personally, I prefer the 60D as I would do more video recording than become a professional protographer, but at the same time, i would also love to take some decent photos. Such as motion capture etc. Afterall, Still very much depends on personal requirement. >video = 60D / >photograph quality = D90
 
inquirer (10:55 AM, April 18, 2011)
correct ka dyan
 
Hawkwooch (6:24 AM, April 14, 2011)
Full Control of Image,
Idel For Profestional Camer Man
Nikon Had Metal Boby Whereas Canon in PVC Boby
Nikon heavery Firm Grid , Good Control, Stable
 
Alwyn_42 (7:18 PM, April 03, 2011)
I bought the D90, returned it for the 60d because I felt the Canon gave me sharper detail. Now I've got the D90 back again. Why? Because I figured out I can get similar results with either. It's not so much about the camera as it is about the person behind the camera. I also figured out that build quality is important as well. I hated the cheap plastic body of the Canon 60d and most of all that cheap sounding shutter button. Not only did it sound like it was going to stop working any second, but it felt like it was going to break any second as well. I also liked the handling of the D90. Everything where you want it when you want it. At the end you have to ask yourself, how much do I want to spend and how honest do I want to be with myself? I'm no professional photographer, so why do I need an expensive piece of equipment when I'm going to get the same results with something cheaper in a stronger body? If you're not a professional, then keep it simple. What do you want the camera to be able to do?
 
Guest (11:28 AM, February 10, 2011)
and why?