Nikon
D700
 vs
Nikon
D90

Updated (December, 2011): Compare the Nikon D800 vs Nikon D7000

Nikon D700

74

  
Nikon D90

58

  
Winner

Nikon D700

Reasons to buy the Nikon D700

Low light performance
 Low noise at high ISO
2,303 ISO
Viewfinder size
 Large viewfinder
0.72x
Weather sealed
 Weather sealed
Shoot in extreme weather
Sensor size
 Large sensor
Full frame 36.0x24.0mm
Shutter lag
 Barely any delay taking photos
197 ms shutter lag
Focus points
 Many focus points
51
 
Runner-up

Nikon D90

Reasons to buy the Nikon D90

Badge
 Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses
 

differences

Advantages of the Nikon D700
Low light performance Significantly lower noise at high ISO 2,303 ISO vs 977 ISO
Help
 The D700 has excellent image quality 1.2 f-stops higher ISO than the D90
Overall image quality Better image quality 80.0 vs 73.0
Help
 Around 10% better image quality
Weather sealed Weather sealed Yes vs No
Help
 Sealed to shoot in the rain
Sensor size Much larger sensor Full frame 36.0x24.0mm vs APS-C 23.6x15.8mm
Help
 Around 2.5x larger sensor
Focus points Significantly more focus points 51 vs 11
Help
 Set focus accurately within the frame
Viewfinder size Larger viewfinder 0.72x vs 0.63x
Help
 More than 30% larger viewfinder
Cross type focus points More cross-type focus points 15 vs 1
Help
 Grab focus in difficult situations
Color depth Better color depth 23.5 bits vs 22.7 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 0.8 more bits of color
Battery life Longer battery life 1000 shots vs 850 shots
Help
 Around 20% more shots per battery charge
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 6,400 ISO vs 3,200 ISO
Help
 The D700's maximum light sensitivity is 1 f-stop better
Fastest shutter speed Much faster max shutter speed 1/8000s vs 1/4000s
Help
 2x faster max shutter speed
Continuous shooting Shoots slightly faster 5 fps vs 4.5 fps
Help
 More than 10% faster continuous shooting
Light sensitivity (boost) Better boost ISO 25,600 ISO vs 6,400 ISO
Help
 The D700's boost ISO is 2 f-stops better
Shutter lag Slightly less shutter lag 197 ms vs 208 ms
Help
 Around 10% less delay when taking photos
Nikon D700 Learn more about
the Nikon D700

Advantages of the Nikon D90
Movie format Shoots movies 720p @ 24fps vs None
Help
 Shoots HD (720p) video as well as still pictures
Lens availability Significantly more lenses available 169 lenses vs 121 lenses
Help
 Around 40% more lenses available
Dynamic range More dynamic range 12.5 EV vs 12.2 EV
Help
 0.3 f-stops more dynamic range
Size Smaller 132x103x77 mm vs 147x123x77 mm
Help
 More than 20% smaller
Weight Significantly lighter 703 g vs 1,074 g
Help
 More than 30% lighter
Viewfinder coverage Better viewfinder coverage 96% vs 95%
Help
 Almost the same
Lowest price Cheaper $674.95 vs $3,499.99
Help
 The best price we've seen is $2,825 cheaper (5.2x less)
Startup delay Slightly less startup delay 300 ms vs 400 ms
Help
 Around 30% less delay when turning on
Nikon D90 Learn more about
the Nikon D90
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent DSLRs, and ignoring price

Nikon D700 Nikon D700
74 vs 58
Explain scores
Nikon D90 Nikon D90
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Nikon D700. 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.

similarities

Compared to recent DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Viewfinder Both have pentaprism viewfinders Help
Pentaprism
Startup delay Minimal startup delay Help
D700:400 ms
D90:300 ms
Built-in flash Each has a built-in flash Help
External flash not needed
Storage slots Fewer storage slots Help
1
Autofocus No video autofocus Help
Manual focus only
HDR Neither has in-camera HDR Help
You could do HDR manually
Viewfinder coverage Below average viewfinder coverage Help
D700:95%
D90:96%
True resolution Capture low resolution images Help
D700:12.1 MP
D90:12.2 MP
Screen flips out No flip-out screens Help
Less flexible
Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
D700:6,400 ISO
D90:3,200 ISO
Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
Continuous shooting Slow continuous shooting Help
D700:5 fps
D90:4.5 fps
3D Neither camera can take 3D photos Help
No 3d support
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur
Movie format One shoots movies Help
D700:None
D90:720p @ 24fps

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon D7000

Nikon D7000

Entry-level DSLR

$897 body only

$997 with 18-105mm lens
Movie format Records higher quality movies
Dynamic range Has slightly wider dynamic range
Shutter lag Has slightly more shutter lag
Compare the D7000 vs the D700
Compare the D7000 vs the D90
Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$497 body only

$597 - $805 with 18-55mm lens
Movie format Records higher quality movies
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
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 D700
Compare the D5100 vs the D90
Nikon D7100

Nikon D7100

Entry-level DSLR

$1,197 body only

$1,497 with 18-105mm lens
Movie format Records higher quality movies
Dynamic range Has slightly wider dynamic range
Compare the D7100 vs the D700
Compare the D7100 vs the D90
Canon EOS 60D

Canon EOS 60D

Pro DSLR

$699 - $899 body only

$999 - $1,279 with 18-135mm lens
Movie format Records higher quality movies
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Shutter lag Has slightly more shutter lag
Dynamic range Has significantly narrower dynamic range
Compare the EOS 60D vs the D700
Compare the EOS 60D vs the D90
Nikon D600

Nikon D600

Pro DSLR

$1,997 body only

$2,397 with 24-85mm lens
Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has significantly better image quality
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the D600 vs the D700
Compare the D600 vs the D90
Nikon D3200

Nikon D3200

Entry-level DSLR

$547 with 18-55mm lens
Movie format Records higher quality movies
True resolution Takes much higher resolution photos
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Lens focus motor Doesn't have a built-in focus motor
Compare the D3200 vs the D700
Compare the D3200 vs the D90
Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$447 - $740 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
Compare the D3100 vs the D700
Compare the D3100 vs the D90

Nikon D700 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Pro DSLR

$2,479 body only

$2,699 - $3,000 with 24-105mm lens
Movie format Shoots movies
True resolution Significantly higher true resolution
Low light performance More noise at high ISO
Focus points Many fewer focus points
Compare the EOS 5D Mark II vs the D700

Nikon D90 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

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

appearance

Nikon D700 Nikon D90
Nikon D700 Nikon D90
Nikon D700 Nikon D90

discussion

Showing 5 comments

Thebox4mail (11:29 PM, November 16, 2011)
Hi,

I have D90, and I capture indoors sport photography by using Speed priority mode (S), focus = AF-C,  3D tracking (11 points), shutter speed = 1/400, ISO = Auto, tripod, and remote control.
The images quality is excellent. 

Adi
 
Avatar for nancyschick nancyschick (5:34 AM, May 09, 2011)
I was looking for a camera for lowlight sports photography.My budget was $2000.I went for the D90.Though it is a good camera, it falls short for lowlight action photography.The ISO performance is bad above 1000, auto focus is inadequate with only 11 points.Now I realise that a full frame sensor camera like D700 is required for my needs.The budget should be increased to around $5,000 for buying the camera and couple of lenses. Others can let me know their thoughts and experiences….Thanks.
 
Graemski (9:45 AM, January 16, 2011)
yes I must admit I am very much admiring this webpage after just using it for one day! Its exactly the kind of webpage ive been wanting for quite some time. thankyou!
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (9:19 PM, October 13, 2010)
Glad you like the site, and good luck in your research!
 
Carole Smith99 (9:50 PM, October 06, 2010)
Many congratulations on a fantastic website. I want to upgrade my D40 camera and have been trying to research alternatives - so much easier now I've found your brilliant website. Many thanks ...and please keep up the good work.