Nikon
D7000
 vs
Nikon
D90

Nikon D7000

91
Winner

Nikon D7000
"The D7000's Live View is certainly quite functional as a basic means of framing for stills and video shooting, as long as you understand its limitations"
dpreview.com | talking about the D7000's video-quality
"The 'feel' of the new camera is far closer to the D300S though, thanks to its heavy-duty magnesium alloy construction."
dpreview.com | talking about the D7000's build-quality

Reasons to buy the Nikon D7000

Overall image quality
 Great image quality
80.0
Movie format
 Full HD
1080p @ 24fps
Color depth
 Great color depth
23.5 bits
Dynamic range
 Wide dynamic range
13.9 EV
Weather sealed
 Weather sealed
Shoot in extreme weather
Movie continuous focus
 Movie continuous focus
Makes it easy to get in-focus movies
Nikon D90

70
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

Badge
 Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses

differences

Advantages of the Nikon D7000
Focus points Many more focus points 39 vs 11
Help
 Set focus accurately within the frame
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO 1,167 ISO vs 977 ISO
Help
 The D7000 has a slight edge (0.3 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Overall image quality Better image quality 80.0 vs 73.0
Help
 Around 10% better image quality
Movie format Higher resolution movies 1080p @ 24fps vs 720p @ 24fps
Help
 Shoots higher resolution Full HD (1080p) video
Weather sealed Weather sealed Yes vs No
Help
 Sealed to shoot in the rain
External mic jack Has an external mic jack Yes vs No
Help
 Record high quality audio with an external microphone
Cross type focus points Many more cross-type focus points 9 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
True resolution Significantly higher true resolution 16.1 MP vs 12.2 MP
Help
 Capture more than 30% more detail in your photos
Dynamic range More dynamic range 13.9 EV vs 12.5 EV
Help
 1.4 f-stops more dynamic range
Autofocus Video autofocus Contrast detection vs None
Help
 Automatically focuses shooting video
Battery life Longer battery life 1050 shots vs 850 shots
Help
 More than 20% more shots per battery charge
Viewfinder coverage Significantly better viewfinder coverage 100% vs 96%
Help
 Almost the same
Light sensitivity (boost) Better boost ISO 25,600 ISO vs 6,400 ISO
Help
 The D7000's boost ISO is 2 f-stops better
Continuous shooting Shoots faster 6 fps vs 4.5 fps
Help
 More than 30% faster continuous shooting
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 6,400 ISO vs 3,200 ISO
Help
 The D7000's maximum light sensitivity is 1 f-stop better
Storage slots Has more storage slots 2 vs 1
Help
 More slots allows storing more images without switching memory cards
Fastest shutter speed Much faster max shutter speed 1/8000s vs 1/4000s
Help
 2x faster max shutter speed
Nikon D7000 Learn more about
the Nikon D7000

Advantages of the Nikon D90
Shutter lag Less shutter lag 208 ms vs 238 ms
Help
 More than 10% less delay when taking photos
Viewfinder size Slightly larger viewfinder 0.63x vs 0.62x
Help
 Almost the same
Startup delay Slightly less startup delay 300 ms vs 400 ms
Help
 Around 30% less delay when turning on
Sensor size Slightly larger sensor APS-C 23.6x15.8mm vs APS-C 23.6x15.6mm
Help
 Almost the same
Weight Lighter 703 g vs 780 g
Help
 Around 10% lighter
Size Slightly smaller 132x103x77 mm vs 132x105x77 mm
Help
 Almost the same
Lowest price Slightly cheaper $896.95 vs $999.99
Help
 The best price we've seen is $103 cheaper (more than 10% less)
Nikon D90 Learn more about
the Nikon D90
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent entry-level DSLRs, and ignoring price

Nikon D7000 Nikon D7000
91 vs 70
Explain scores
Nikon D90 Nikon D90
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Nikon D7000.

advice

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0
votes
by Colleen-Wilburt last week
Nikon D7000 vs Nikon D90

I currently shoot with a D70 - only 6.5mp...  I really want the D800 but don't financially see t...
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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..."
1
votes
by Kelly-Charpie last week
Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D7000

I am not a beginner nor am I am expert.. in between I suppose. I've worked for professional phot...

One person recommends the Nikon D7000:

" I've owned both the D3100 and the D7000, the D7000 is my current camera and It's miles above the..."

similarities

Compared to recent entry-level DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Low light performance Relatively low noise at high ISO Help
D7000:1,167 ISO
D90:977 ISO
Dynamic range Good dynamic range Help
D7000:13.9 EV
D90:12.5 EV
Lens availability Many lenses available Help
169 lenses
Screen resolution High resolution screens Help
D7000:920k dots
D90:930k dots
Battery life Great battery life Help
D7000:1050 shots
D90:850 shots
Viewfinder Both have pentaprism viewfinders Help
Pentaprism
Supports 24p 24p support Help
For that film look
Startup delay Minimal startup delay Help
D7000:400 ms
D90:300 ms
Viewfinder size Above average viewfinder size Help
D7000:0.62x
D90:0.63x
Weight Heavy Help
D7000:780 g
D90:703 g
HDR Neither has in-camera HDR Help
You could do HDR manually
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
D7000:6,400 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
Screen flips out Has a screen which flips out
HDR Has in-camera HDR
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 D7000
Compare the D5100 vs the D90
Canon EOS 60D

Canon EOS 60D

Pro DSLR

$848 - $1,304 body only

$1,177 - $1,342 with 18-135mm lens
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Screen flips out Has a screen which flips out
Size Is significantly larger
Sensor size Has a slightly smaller sensor
Compare the EOS 60D vs the D7000
Compare the EOS 60D 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
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Continuous shooting Shoots faster continuously
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Weight Is significantly heavier
Compare the EOS 7D vs the D7000
Compare the EOS 7D vs the D90
Nikon D700

Nikon D700

Pro DSLR

$2,649 body only
Low light performance Is much less noisy at high ISO
Viewfinder size Significantly larger viewfinder
Lowest price Is much more expensive
Weight Is much heavier
Compare the D700 vs the D7000
Compare the D700 vs the D90
Nikon D300S

Nikon D300S

Pro DSLR

$1,690 - $1,700 body only

$2,547 - $4,295 with 18-200mm lens
Focus points Has significantly more focus points
Cross type focus points Has significantly more cross-type focus points
Lowest price Is significantly more expensive
Weight Is much heavier
Compare the D300S vs the D7000
Compare the D300S vs the D90
Canon Rebel T3i

Canon Rebel T3i

Entry-level DSLR

$619 - $700 body only

$745 - $1,000 with 18-55mm lens
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Screen flips out Has a screen which flips out
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Sensor size Has a slightly smaller sensor
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the D7000
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the D90
Nikon D3200

Nikon D3200

Entry-level DSLR

$699 - $700 with 18-55mm lens
True resolution Takes much higher resolution photos
Size Is slightly smaller
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 D7000
Compare the D3200 vs the D90

Nikon D7000 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Nikon D7000.

Nikon D90 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

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

appearance

Nikon D7000 Nikon D90
Nikon D7000 Nikon D90
Nikon D7000 Nikon D90

discussion

Showing 17 comments

Un1qu3 (1:48 PM, May 05, 2012)
Under "Reasons to get the D90" it says "has a built-in focus motor - works with a greater number of lenses".
Well, so does the D7000.
 
Mariusz (9:51 AM, April 07, 2012)
 I was upgrading from D80 and the choice I made was the same. And the reason the same too ;-)
 
Songyi (4:06 AM, February 28, 2012)
The D7000 was made to replace and eventually phase out the D90. The D5000 was an upgrade from the D60 (as the D3000 for the D40/D40X)
 
Avatar for Ccashbha Ccashbha (4:13 AM, October 19, 2011)
Isn't Nikon D7000 a new line up of Nikon and not a replacement of the D90 or any past DSLR?? Atleast thats what nikon said..something like how the D5000 came to be with swivel LCD..just a new line up.. confuse here 0.o
 
Jimkartubi (3:25 PM, October 10, 2011)
D7000 sensor made by sony, D90 too.... except D3, D700, D3S, & D3100 the sensor made by nikon,
its that true?
 
Jimkartubi (3:19 PM, October 10, 2011)
D3S not D3D sorry...:D
 
Jimkartubi (3:17 PM, October 10, 2011)
D7000 sensor make sony, D90 too...except D3, D3D, & D3100.. it's that true???
 
Debsander1 (5:18 AM, August 27, 2011)
So glad to have found this site & particularly this discussion. Trying to decide between these 2 Nikons. Main hold-back against the D7000? I've read about some AF problems and other owners reporting OIL splashes/droplets inside the lens. ???

At least the D90 has been around long enough to have any bugs worked out. (And I haven't heard of any, actually.)

Can anyone confirm/refute these ugly rumors I've heard about the D7000?
 
Richard (11:33 PM, February 13, 2011)
I was torn between these two, upgrading from my D70S. I went for the D90 because of cost. I couldn't justify the extra £400 for the newer 7000 even with its improved features - the D90 doing very well and on its own being a good step up from the 70s.

One significant feature is sensor cleaning which they both have. The 7000 also records movies for longer with focusing. On the 90 it's small snapshot movies but won't replace a camcorder. So the 7000 is the more polished and more complete product, but the 90 is very good and at the moment the price is the big decider.
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (2:19 PM, November 29, 2010)
Nhan Ngo recently decided between the D90 or D7000, he wrote:

I was faced with the same decision a month ago: D90 or D7000?

Because it was my first DSLR, I ended up buying a D90 for $680 CAD. The D7000 was nearly twice as much at $1250 CAD. Although the performance of the D7000 is superb, I was on a tight budget and wanted the best bang for my buck. The way I treated this dilemma, I compared to it buying a first car (start cheaper so you can better appreciate the more expensive ones in the future). Ultimately, this choice is up to you and will depend on how much you can spend for new technology.

As for the prime lens, I would agree that it’s a great first lens. If I can also suggest the Nikon 35mm f/1.8, which is ~30% sharper than the 50mm f/1.8, but almost twice the cost. I got it for around $190 US, no warranty. (+$60 would have gotten me warranty but the lens is cheap enough to replace).
 
John (7:18 PM, October 02, 2010)
Nikon announced that D7000 body is gonna come out 29th of october at $1099.99 and Kit with Nikkor 18-200 f/3.5-5.6 at $1299.99
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (8:50 PM, September 17, 2010)
A couple of other differences:
- D7000 has startup time of 0.13s, compared to 0.15s on the D90 (so both startup very fast :)
- D7000's shutter lag is 50ms, down from 65ms on the D90 (to put this in comparison, the flagship D3s has shutter lag of 40ms)
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (3:32 PM, September 16, 2010)
As you pointed out, Snapsort has the prices at the top, currently USD $1199 body only for the D7000 body only and USD $846 for the Nikon D90 body only.
 
AJD (3:16 PM, September 16, 2010)
Ooops, I jumped to the last page before reading the first page with price indicators. Sorry. :)
 
Jdade8 (3:13 PM, September 16, 2010)
Why is there no discussion of price even at the approximation or guess level?
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (2:23 PM, September 16, 2010)
Hi Shiva, we've updated the site, it no longer makes recommendations without full data - we don't have have image quality scores for the D7000.

The D7000 looks like an impressive upgrade over the D90. Some differences not captured by Snapsort above include:
- 39 AF points with 9 cross-type (vs the D90's 11 AF points and 1 cross-type)
- Multi-CAM 4800DX autofocus module (vs the D90's Multi-CAM 1000), its hard to say what this means, but given the numbering I this points to faster and more accurate focusing, possibly even better than the D300s/D700/D3s lineup featuring Multi-CAM DX3500 and FX3500?
- Magnesium alloy body (vs polycabonate)
- Upgraded matrix metering system (2,016 pixels vs 420 pixels)

Given the 2 f-stop increase in boost ISO (up to 25,600 from 6,400) and 1 f-stop increase in max ISO (up to 6,400 from 3,200), hopefully we'll see significant low light image quality improvements. Currently the D3s is about 2 f-stops ahead of the D90 (image quality on the D3s as ~3200 ISO is as good as on the D90 at ~800 ISO). I hope we might see the D7000 about halfway inbetween, shooting the same quality at 1600 ISO that the D90 does at 800 ISO.
 
Shiva (2:45 AM, September 16, 2010)
Does D7000 really scores so bad compared to D90? After reading about the better AF-Points, Sturdy Body, Higher resolution, Great shutter speed, Lens compatibility etc 53 looks like a bad score...
Is it the price difference reason for the margin or D7000 still needs to be further rated?