Updated (November, 2011): Compare the Nikon D7000 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

Nikon D90

62

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
Badge
Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

32

Reasons to buy the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

Size
Really small
Mid size 119x71x36 mm
Badge
Autofocuses shooting video
Contrast detection
Badge
Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses
Thickness
Thin
1.4"
Weight
Light-weight
330 g
Longest exposure
Long exposures
60 seconds

differences

Advantages of the Nikon D90

Overall image quality Significantly better image quality 73.0 vs 54.0
Help
Around 40% better image quality
Autofocus Faster autofocus Phase detection vs Contrast detection
Help
Catch candid moments easily
Screen resolution Significantly higher resolution screen 930k dots vs 460k dots
Help
More than 2x higher resolution screen
Supports 24p Supports 24p Yes vs No
Help
Get that real film feel
Dynamic range More dynamic range 12.5 EV vs 10.3 EV
Help
2.2 f-stops more dynamic range
Lens availability Much more lenses available 169 lenses vs 26 lenses
Help
6.5x more lenses available
Battery life Significantly longer battery life 850 shots vs 400 shots
Help
More than 2x more shots per battery charge
Color depth Better color depth 22.7 bits vs 21.2 bits
Help
Distinguishes 1.5 more bits of color
Startup delay Less startup delay 300 ms vs 1400 ms
Help
4.7x less delay when turning on
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO 977 ISO vs 513 ISO
Help
The D90 has a slight edge (0.9 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Sensor size Larger sensor APS-C 23.6x15.8mm vs Four thirds 18.0x13.5mm
Help
More than 50% larger sensor
Viewfinder Has a viewfinder Pentaprism vs None
Help
A viewfinder can help save battery life by keeping the screen turned off
Shutter lag Slightly less shutter lag 208 ms vs 409 ms
Help
Around 50% less delay when taking photos
Continuous shooting Shoots slightly faster 4.5 fps vs 3 fps
Help
50% faster continuous shooting
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
Lowest price Slightly cheaper $896.95 vs $1,125.00
Help
The best price we've seen is $228 cheaper (more than 20% less)
Nikon D90 Learn more about
the Nikon D90

Advantages of the Panasonic DMC-GF1

Size Significantly smaller 119x71x36 mm vs 132x103x77 mm
Help
3.4x smaller
Autofocus Video autofocus Contrast detection vs None
Help
Automatically focuses shooting video
Weight Significantly lighter 330 g vs 703 g
Help
2.1x lighter
Thickness Significantly thinner 1.4" vs 3"
Help
2.1x thinner
Focus points More focus points 23 vs 11
Help
Set focus accurately within the frame
Longest exposure Significantly longer exposures 60s vs 30s
Help
2x longer exposures
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Learn more about
the Panasonic DMC-GF1
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent digital cameras, and ignoring price

Nikon D90 Nikon D90
62 vs 32
Explain scores
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Nikon D90. This recommendation, however, should be taken with a grain of salt since it doesn't always make sense to compare a entry-level DSLR with a mirrorless interchangeable-lens.

advice

Need help deciding?

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I am considering either the Nikon D90 or the Panasonic DMC-GF1,
For example: Taking photos in low light or great family photos or ability to take great photos underwater

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0
votes
by Ehsan-Sharif1 last month
Nikon D90 vs Sony NEX-5N

I feel like d90 is a little old to use for the next 2-3 years.

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..."

similarities

Compared to recent digital cameras

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Interchangeable lenses Both support interchangeable lenses, which is uncommon in cameras similar to these Help
Many lenses to choose from
Sensor size Large sensors Help
D90:APS-C 23.6x15.8mm
DMC-GF1:Four thirds 18.0x13.5mm
Supports RAW RAW support Help
Better editing
External flash Support external flash Help
Better lighting
Sensor cleaning Self cleaning sensors Help
Avoids dust in your photos
Sensor type Better sensor types Help
Better in low light
Fastest shutter speed Fast max shutter speeds Help
1/4000 of a second
Longest exposure Long exposures Help
D90:30s
DMC-GF1:60s
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur
Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
Cross type focus points Few cross-type focus points Help
D90:1
DMC-GF1:0
HDR Neither has in-camera HDR Help
You could do HDR manually
3D Neither camera can take 3D photos Help
No 3d support
Movie format HD (720p) video Help
D90:720p @ 24fps
DMC-GF1:720p @ 30fps

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

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
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is slightly heavier

Nikon D90 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $597 body only

$600 - $697 with 18-55mm lens

Movie format Higher resolution movies
External mic jack Has an external mic jack
Lens focus motor Doesn't have a built-in focus motor
Viewfinder size Smaller viewfinder
Nikon D7000

Nikon D7000

Entry-level DSLR

$1,000 body only

$1,100 with 55-200mm lens

Weather sealed Weather sealed
Movie format Higher resolution movies
Weight Heavier
Viewfinder size Slightly smaller viewfinder
Canon EOS 60D

Canon EOS 60D

Pro DSLR

$848 - $1,304 body only

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

Movie format Higher resolution movies
External mic jack Has an external mic jack
Overall image quality Worse image quality
Dynamic range Less dynamic range
Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $547 with 18-55mm lens

Movie format Higher resolution movies
Autofocus Video autofocus
Screen resolution Much lower resolution screen
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 Higher resolution movies
External mic jack Has an external mic jack
Overall image quality Worse image quality
Battery life Significantly shorter battery life

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$643 - $1,125 body only

$731 - $964 with 14-42mm lens

Movie format Higher resolution movies
Touch screen Has a touch screen
Color depth Worse color depth
Battery life Shorter battery life
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$433 body only

Movie format Higher resolution movies
Touch screen Has a touch screen
Overall image quality Slightly worse image quality
Color depth Worse color depth
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$376 with 14-42mm lens

Movie format Higher resolution movies
Touch screen Has a touch screen
Battery life Shorter battery life
Sensor size Slightly smaller sensor
Sony Alpha NEX-5

Sony Alpha NEX-5

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$569 with 18-55mm lens

Movie format Higher resolution movies
Screen resolution Significantly higher resolution screen
Built-in flash No built-in flash
Lens availability Fewer lenses available
Olympus PEN E-PL1

Olympus PEN E-PL1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$260 - $279 with 14-42mm lens

External mic jack Has an external mic jack
Image stabilization Image stabilization
Screen size Significantly smaller screen
Screen resolution Lower resolution screen

appearance

Nikon D90 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1
Nikon D90 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1
Nikon D90 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

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