Nikon
D700
 vs
Nikon
D90

Updated (February, 2012): Compare the Nikon D800 vs Nikon D7000

Nikon D700

81
Winner

Nikon D700
"Fast and accurate 51 point auto-focus even in low light"
dpreview.com | talking about the D700's auto-focus
"Clean, artifact-free low ISO output with good resolution and detail"
dpreview.com | talking about the D700's image-quality

Reasons to buy the Nikon D700

Low light performance
 Low noise at high ISO
2,303 ISO
Overall image quality
 Great image quality
80.0
Color depth
 Great color depth
23.5 bits
Viewfinder size
 Large viewfinder
0.72x
Weather sealed
 Weather sealed
Shoot in extreme weather
Sensor size
 Large sensor
Full frame 36.0x24.0mm
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 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
Sensor size Much larger sensor Full frame 36.0x24.0mm vs APS-C 23.6x15.8mm
Help
 Around 2.5x larger sensor
Weather sealed Weather sealed Yes vs No
Help
 Sealed to shoot in the rain
Focus points Many 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
Color depth Better color depth 23.5 bits vs 22.7 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 0.8 more bits of color
Cross type focus points More cross-type focus points 15 vs 1
Help
 Grab focus in difficult situations
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
Battery life Slightly longer battery life 1000 shots vs 850 shots
Help
 Around 20% more shots per battery charge
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
Startup delay Slightly less startup delay 300 ms vs 400 ms
Help
 Around 30% less delay when turning on
Lowest price Cheaper $896.95 vs $2,649.00
Help
 The best price we've seen is $1,752 cheaper (3x less)
Nikon D90 Learn more about
the Nikon D90
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent DSLRs, and ignoring price

Nikon D700 Nikon D700
81 vs 62
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.

advice

Need help deciding?

Ask the community!
I am considering either the D700 or the 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!
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Nikon D40 vs Nikon D90

Was a very keen amateur photographer in the old days 35mm and had a few dslrs.

similarities

Compared to recent DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Viewfinder Both have pentaprism viewfinders Help
Pentaprism
Storage slots Fewer storage slots Help
1
Viewfinder coverage Below average viewfinder coverage Help
D700:95%
D90:96%
Autofocus No video autofocus Help
Manual focus only
HDR Neither has in-camera HDR Help
You could do HDR manually
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
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
D700:6,400 ISO
D90:3,200 ISO
Continuous shooting Slow continuous shooting Help
D700:5 fps
D90:4.5 fps
Movie format One shoots movies Help
D700:None
D90:720p @ 24fps

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
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 D7000

Nikon D7000

Entry-level DSLR

$1,000 body only

$1,100 with 55-200mm 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
Canon EOS 60D

Canon EOS 60D

Pro DSLR

$848 - $1,304 body only

$1,177 - $1,342 with 18-135mm lens
Movie format Records higher quality movies
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Shutter lag Has slightly more shutter lag
Color depth Has slightly less color depth
Compare the EOS 60D vs the D700
Compare the EOS 60D vs the D90
Nikon D800

Nikon D800

Pro DSLR

$2,999 - $3,000 body only
Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has significantly better image quality
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the D800 vs the D700
Compare the D800 vs the D90
Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Pro DSLR

$2,130 body only

$2,875 - $2,999 with 24-105mm lens
Movie format Records higher quality movies
True resolution Takes significantly higher resolution photos
Built-in flash Doesn't have a built-in flash
Weight Is slightly heavier
Compare the EOS 5D Mark II vs the D700
Compare the EOS 5D Mark II vs the D90
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
Compare the D3100 vs the D700
Compare the D3100 vs the D90
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
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Viewfinder Has a lower quality type of viewfinder
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the D700
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the D90

Nikon D700 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Nikon 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.