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Nikon D800 vs Nikon D90

Portability
54
Imaging
73
Features
80
Overall
75
Nikon D800 front
 
Nikon D90 front
Portability
60
Imaging
51
Features
52
Overall
51

Nikon D800 vs Nikon D90 Key Specs

Nikon D800
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Boost to 25600)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 900g - 146 x 123 x 82mm
  • Revealed June 2012
  • Replaced the Nikon D700
  • Replacement is Nikon D810
Nikon D90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Increase to 6400)
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 703g - 132 x 103 x 77mm
  • Launched October 2008
  • Earlier Model is Nikon D80
  • Renewed by Nikon D7000
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Nikon D800 vs Nikon D90 Overview

On this page, we are looking at the Nikon D800 vs Nikon D90, both Advanced DSLR cameras and both of them are built by Nikon. There is a significant difference among the resolutions of the D800 (36MP) and D90 (12MP) and the D800 (Full frame) and D90 (APS-C) boast different sensor dimensions.

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The D800 was unveiled 3 years later than the D90 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving into a in depth comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the D800 matches up versus the D90 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D800 over the Nikon D90

 D800 D90 
LaunchedJune 2012October 2008More recent by 45 months
Display dimensions3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution921k920kCrisper display (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon D90 over the Nikon D800

 D90 D800 

Common features in the Nikon D800 and Nikon D90

 D800 D90 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Nikon D800 vs Nikon D90 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to lug around your camera frequently, you need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D800 provides exterior measurements of 146mm x 123mm x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") having a weight of 900 grams (1.98 lbs) whilst the Nikon D90 has dimensions of 132mm x 103mm x 77mm (5.2" x 4.1" x 3.0") and a weight of 703 grams (1.55 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon D800 vs Nikon D90 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the D800 and the D90.

Nikon D800 vs Nikon D90 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the D800 and D90 is 54 and 60 respectively.

Nikon D800 vs Nikon D90 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D800 vs Nikon D90 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's tough to imagine the contrast in sensor measurements simply by seeing specifications. The photograph below should give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the D800 and D90.

To sum up, the 2 cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The D800 using its larger sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF less difficult and the Nikon D800 will produce more detail having an extra 24MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos more aggressively. The more recent D800 should have an edge in sensor technology.

Nikon D800 vs Nikon D90 sensor size comparison

Nikon D800 vs Nikon D90 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D800 vs Nikon D90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D800 Portrait photography factors
Nikon D90 Portrait photography factors
83
focusing manually
high MP (36MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
62
focusing manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Nikon D800 Street photography advice
Nikon D90 Street photography advice
60
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
54
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon D800
Sports photography with Nikon D90
74
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
high MP (36 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports tracking focus
weather proof
comes with phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (4.0 fps)
no image stabilization
45
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
max fps low (4.5 fps)
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon D800
Travel photography with Nikon D90
66
weather proof
high MP (36MP)
flash built-in
does not feature selfie friendly screen
44
flash built-in
missing Timelapse recording
megapixel count low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D800
Landscape photography with Nikon D90
79
focusing manually
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2 inches)
high MP (36MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
has dual storage slots
no image stabilization
57
focusing manually
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D800 Vlogging info
Nikon D90 Vlogging info
30
supports face detect focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have mic jack
does not feature selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
21
comes with face detection autofocus
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone jack
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Nikon D800 vs Nikon D90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D800 and Nikon D90
 Nikon D800Nikon D90
General Information
Make Nikon Nikon
Model type Nikon D800 Nikon D90
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2012-06-11 2008-10-13
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed 3 -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 24mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 861.6mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 36 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 5:4 and 3:2 3:2
Full resolution 7360 x 4912 4288 x 2848
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Max boosted ISO 25600 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 51 11
Cross type focus points 15 -
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Nikon F
Amount of lenses 309 309
Focal length multiplier 1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3.2 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 921k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech TFT Color LCD with 170 degrees wide-viewing angle Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 4.0 frames per second 4.5 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 17.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain, High-speed sync Auto, On, Off, Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/250 secs 1/200 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps) 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps), 320 x 216 (24 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 900g (1.98 pounds) 703g (1.55 pounds)
Physical dimensions 146 x 123 x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") 132 x 103 x 77mm (5.2" x 4.1" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 95 73
DXO Color Depth rating 25.3 22.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.4 12.5
DXO Low light rating 2853 977
Other
Battery life 900 images 850 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL15 EN-EL3e
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec, 1 to 9 exposures at intervals of 0.5, 1, 2 or 3 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I), SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-I compliant SD/SDHC
Storage slots 2 One
Launch cost $2,999 $1,199