Updated (September, 2010): Compare the Nikon D3X vs Nikon D7000

Nikon D3X

80

Winner

Nikon D3X

Reasons to buy the Nikon D3X

Low light performance
Low noise at high ISO
1,992 ISO
Overall image quality
Great image quality
88.0
Color depth
Great color depth
24.7 bits
Dynamic range
Wide dynamic range
13.7 EV
Viewfinder size
Large viewfinder
0.70x
True resolution
High true resolution
24.4 MP
Nikon D90

62

Runner-up

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
Badge
Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses

differences

Advantages of the Nikon D3X

Low light performance Significantly lower noise at high ISO 1,992 ISO vs 977 ISO
Help
The D3X has excellent image quality 1 f-stop higher ISO than the D90
Overall image quality Significantly better image quality 88.0 vs 73.0
Help
More than 20% better image quality
Battery life Much longer battery life 4400 shots vs 850 shots
Help
More than 5x more shots per battery charge
Color depth Better color depth 24.7 bits vs 22.7 bits
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Distinguishes 2 more bits of color
True resolution Much higher true resolution 24.4 MP vs 12.2 MP
Help
Capture around 2x more detail in your photos
Sensor size Much larger sensor Full frame 35.9x24.0mm vs APS-C 23.6x15.8mm
Help
Around 2.5x larger sensor
Weather sealed Weather sealed Yes vs No
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Sealed to shoot in the rain
Focus points Many more focus points 51 vs 11
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Set focus accurately within the frame
Dynamic range More dynamic range 13.7 EV vs 12.5 EV
Help
1.2 f-stops more dynamic range
Viewfinder size Larger viewfinder 0.70x vs 0.63x
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More than 20% larger viewfinder
Cross type focus points More cross-type focus points 15 vs 1
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Grab focus in difficult situations
Viewfinder coverage Significantly better viewfinder coverage 100% vs 96%
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Almost the same
Shutter lag Less shutter lag 161 ms vs 208 ms
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More than 20% less delay when taking photos
Storage slots Has more storage slots 2 vs 1
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More slots allows storing more images without switching memory cards
Fastest shutter speed Much faster max shutter speed 1/8000s vs 1/4000s
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2x faster max shutter speed
Continuous shooting Shoots slightly faster 5 fps vs 4.5 fps
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More than 10% faster continuous shooting
Nikon D3X Learn more about
the Nikon D3X

Advantages of the Nikon D90

Sensor cleaning Has a self cleaning sensor Yes vs No
Help
Removes dust from the sensor automatically, avoiding spots in photos
Size Much smaller 132x103x77 mm vs 160x157x88 mm
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2.1x smaller
Lens availability Significantly more lenses available 169 lenses vs 121 lenses
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Around 40% more lenses available
Lowest price Much cheaper $896.95 vs $7,996.95
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The best price we've seen is $7,100 cheaper (8.9x less)
Weight Much lighter 703 g vs 1,260 g
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More than 40% lighter
Thickness Significantly thinner 3" vs 3.5"
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More than 10% thinner
Built-in flash Built-in flash Yes vs No
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A built-in flash is useful for taking indoor shots where there is little light
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 3,200 ISO vs 1,600 ISO
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The D90's maximum light sensitivity is 1 f-stop better
Light sensitivity (boost) Has boost ISO 6,400 ISO vs None
Help
Allows taking photos in darker situations, often at the cost of additional noise in the image
Nikon D90 Learn more about
the Nikon D90
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent DSLRs, and ignoring price

Nikon D3X Nikon D3X
80 vs 62
Explain scores
Nikon D90 Nikon D90
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Nikon D3X. 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 D3X or the D90,
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0
votes
by Deanna-Strieb last week
Canon T3i vs Nikon D90

I'm mainly taking pictures of my children but am super picky!  I don't want to do manual setting...

0
votes
by Lisa-Bunn last month
Canon T3i vs Nikon D90

been stealing my dad's d-slr for quite some time for mini photo shoots with my dogs and friends ...

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..."

1
votes
by Kate-Hughes 4 days ago
Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D90

I am a beginner is DSLR photography & have been researching entry level models. I kep coming bac...

One person recommends the Nikon D3100:

" Hi Kate, Since you are a beginner in DSLR photography and it seems you have a budget, I would..."

similarities

Compared to recent DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Dynamic range Good dynamic range Help
D3X:13.7 EV
D90:12.5 EV
Viewfinder Both have pentaprism viewfinders Help
Pentaprism
Startup delay Minimal startup delay Help
300 ms startup delay
External mic jack Neither has an external mic jack Help
Limited to the in-camera mic
Light sensitivity (boost) One has boost ISO Help
D3X:None
D90:6,400 ISO
Autofocus No video autofocus Help
Manual focus only
HDR Neither has in-camera HDR Help
You could do HDR manually
Screen flips out No flip-out screens Help
Less flexible
Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
D3X:1,600 ISO
D90:3,200 ISO
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
Continuous shooting Slow continuous shooting Help
D3X:5 fps
D90:4.5 fps

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $597 body only

$600 - $697 with 18-55mm lens

Movie format Records higher quality movies
Screen flips out Has a screen which flips out
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Lens focus motor Doesn't have a built-in focus motor
Nikon D7000

Nikon D7000

Entry-level DSLR

$1,000 body only

$1,100 with 55-200mm lens

Movie format Records higher quality movies
Movie continuous focus Can focus continuously while recording movies
Shutter lag Has slightly more shutter lag
Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $547 with 18-55mm lens

Movie format Records higher quality movies
Movie continuous focus Can focus continuously while recording movies
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Lens focus motor Doesn't have a built-in focus motor
Canon Rebel T3i

Canon Rebel T3i

Entry-level DSLR

$619 - $700 body only

$745 - $1,000 with 18-55mm lens

Movie format Records higher quality movies
Screen flips out Has a screen which flips out
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Viewfinder Has a lower quality type of viewfinder
Canon EOS Rebel T2i

Canon Rebel T2i

Entry-level DSLR

$544 - $949 body only

$649 - $867 with 18-55mm lens

Movie format Records higher quality movies
External mic jack Has an external mic jack
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Viewfinder Has a lower quality type of viewfinder
Nikon D3200

Nikon D3200

Entry-level DSLR

$699 - $700 with 18-55mm lens

Movie format Records higher quality movies
Movie continuous focus Can focus continuously while recording movies
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Lens focus motor Doesn't have a built-in focus motor
Nikon D300S

Nikon D300S

Pro DSLR

$1,690 - $1,700 body only

$2,547 - $4,295 with 18-200mm lens

Continuous shooting Shoots faster continuously
External mic jack Has an external mic jack
Weight Is slightly heavier
Shutter lag Has slightly more shutter lag

Nikon D3X Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Nikon D4

Nikon D4

Pro DSLR

$5,999 - $6,000 body only

Low light performance Significantly lower noise at high ISO
Screen size Significantly larger screen
Battery life Much shorter battery life
True resolution Significantly lower true resolution
Nikon D3S

Nikon D3S

Pro DSLR

$5,197 body only

Low light performance Significantly lower noise at high ISO
External mic jack Has an external mic jack
True resolution Much lower true resolution
Overall image quality Worse image quality
Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

Pro DSLR

$5,000 - $5,930 body only

Cross type focus points Significantly more cross-type focus points
Continuous shooting Shoots significantly faster
Overall image quality Significantly worse image quality
Low light performance More noise at high ISO
Canon EOS 5D Mark III

Canon EOS 5D Mark III

Pro DSLR

$3,499 - $3,500 body only

$4,299 - $4,300 with 24-105mm lens

Screen size Significantly larger screen
External mic jack Has an external mic jack
Battery life Much shorter battery life
Dynamic range Less dynamic range
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III

Canon EOS-1Ds

Pro DSLR

$9,135 - $9,321 body only

Sensor cleaning Has a self cleaning sensor
Viewfinder size Larger viewfinder
Screen resolution Much lower resolution screen
Autofocus Slower autofocus

Nikon D90 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Canon EOS 60D

Canon EOS 60D

Pro DSLR

$848 - $1,304 body only

$1,177 - $1,342 with 18-135mm lens

External mic jack Has an external mic jack
Movie format Higher resolution movies
Dynamic range Less dynamic range
Overall image quality Worse image quality

appearance

Nikon D3X Nikon D90
Nikon D3X Nikon D90
Nikon D3X Nikon D90

discussion

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