Updated (September, 2010): Compare the Nikon D80 vs Nikon D7000

Nikon D90

70

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
Startup delay
Almost no delay when powering up
300 ms startup delay
Sensor size
Large sensor
APS-C 23.6x15.8mm
Shutter lag
Barely any delay taking photos
208 ms shutter lag
Battery life
Great battery life
850 shots
Nikon D80

32

Runner-up

Nikon D80

Reasons to buy the Nikon D80

Viewfinder size
Large viewfinder
0.62x
Sensor size
Large sensor
APS-C 23.6x15.8mm
Badge
Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses

differences

Advantages of the Nikon D80

Lowest price Cheaper $700.00 vs $896.95
Help
The best price we've seen is $197 cheaper (more than 20% less)
Weight Lighter 668 g vs 703 g
Help
Almost the same
Nikon D80 Learn more about
the Nikon D80

Advantages of the Nikon D90

Low light performance Much lower noise at high ISO 977 ISO vs 524 ISO
Help
The D90 has a slight edge (0.9 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Screen size Much larger screen 3.0" vs 2.5"
Help
More than 20% larger screen
Overall image quality Significantly better image quality 73.0 vs 61.0
Help
Around 20% better image quality
Autofocus Faster autofocus Phase detection vs Contrast detection
Help
Catch candid moments easily
Dynamic range More dynamic range 12.5 EV vs 11.2 EV
Help
1.3 f-stops more dynamic range
Screen resolution Much higher resolution screen 930k dots vs 230k dots
Help
More than 4x higher resolution screen
Live view Has live view Yes vs No
Help
Preview your photos on the camera's screen before taking them
Movie format Shoots movies 720p @ 24fps vs None
Help
Shoots HD (720p) video as well as still pictures
Color depth Better color depth 22.7 bits vs 22.1 bits
Help
Distinguishes 0.6 more bits of color
Sensor type Has a CMOS-family sensor CMOS vs CCD
Help
CMOS-family sensors often produce better quality images
True resolution Higher true resolution 12.2 MP vs 10 MP
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Capture more than 20% more detail in your photos
Continuous shooting Shoots faster 4.5 fps vs 3 fps
Help
50% faster continuous shooting
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 3,200 ISO vs 1,600 ISO
Help
The D90's maximum light sensitivity is 1 f-stop better
Viewfinder coverage Better viewfinder coverage 96% vs 95%
Help
Almost the same
Light sensitivity (boost) Better boost ISO 6,400 ISO vs 3,200 ISO
Help
The D90's boost ISO is 1 f-stop better
Nikon D90 Learn more about
the Nikon D90
vs

recommendations

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

Nikon D80 Nikon D80
32 vs 70
Explain scores
Nikon D90 Nikon D90
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Nikon D90.

advice

Need help deciding?

Ask the community!

I am considering either the D80 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!

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
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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 5 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 entry-level DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Lens availability Many lenses available Help
169 lenses
Viewfinder Both have pentaprism viewfinders Help
Pentaprism
Viewfinder size Above average viewfinder size Help
D80:0.62x
D90:0.63x
Sensor size Large sensors Help
APS-C 23.6x15.8mm
Fastest shutter speed Slow max shutter speed Help
1/4000 of a second
Weight Heavy Help
D80:668 g
D90:703 g
Storage slots Fewer storage slots Help
1
Light sensitivity (boost) Poor boost ISO Help
D80:3,200 ISO
D90:6,400 ISO
Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
D80:1,600 ISO
D90:3,200 ISO
True resolution Capture low resolution images Help
D80:10 MP
D90:12.2 MP
HDR Neither has in-camera HDR Help
You could do HDR manually
Autofocus No video autofocus Help
Manual focus only
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
Weather sealed Neither is weather sealed Help
Need to shelter it from weather
Movie format One shoots movies Help
D80: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

Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Lens focus motor Doesn't have a built-in focus motor
Viewfinder Has a lower quality type of viewfinder
Nikon D7000

Nikon D7000

Entry-level DSLR

$1,000 body only

$1,100 with 55-200mm lens

Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Weight Is slightly heavier
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 significantly higher resolution photos
Weight Is slightly heavier
Size Is significantly larger
Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $547 with 18-55mm lens

Movie format Records higher quality movies
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Lens focus motor Doesn't have a built-in focus motor
Sensor size Has a marginally smaller sensor
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 significantly higher resolution photos
Sensor size Has a slightly smaller sensor
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
True resolution Takes significantly higher resolution photos
Sensor size Has a slightly smaller sensor
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
True resolution Takes much higher resolution photos
Lens focus motor Doesn't have a built-in focus motor
Sensor size Has a marginally smaller sensor

Nikon D80 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Nikon D80.

Nikon D90 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

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

appearance

Nikon D80 Nikon D90
Nikon D80 Nikon D90
Nikon D80 Nikon D90

discussion

Showing 1 comments

amateur (3:41 PM, September 29, 2011)
both of them must have 96% viewfinder coverage.