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Nikon D850 vs Nikon D90

Portability
54
Imaging
77
Features
87
Overall
81
Nikon D850 front
 
Nikon D90 front
Portability
60
Imaging
51
Features
52
Overall
51

Nikon D850 vs Nikon D90 Key Specs

Nikon D850
(Full Review)
  • 46MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 64 - 25600 (Expand to 102400)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1015g - 146 x 124 x 79mm
  • Revealed August 2017
  • Replaced the Nikon D810
Nikon D90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Raise to 6400)
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 703g - 132 x 103 x 77mm
  • Introduced October 2008
  • Replaced the Nikon D80
  • Later Model is Nikon D7000
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Nikon D850 vs Nikon D90 Overview

Lets look closer at the Nikon D850 versus Nikon D90, both Advanced DSLR cameras and both of them are produced by Nikon. There is a crucial difference among the image resolutions of the D850 (46MP) and D90 (12MP) and the D850 (Full frame) and D90 (APS-C) possess different sensor sizes.

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The D850 was brought out 8 years after the D90 which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before going straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the D850 matches up against the D90 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D850 over the Nikon D90

 D850 D90 
IntroducedAugust 2017October 2008Newer by 108 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2359k920kCrisper display (+1439k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Nikon D90 over the Nikon D850

 D90 D850 

Common features in the Nikon D850 and Nikon D90

 D850 D90 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Nikon D850 vs Nikon D90 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to travel with your camera frequently, you will have to factor in its weight and size. The Nikon D850 comes with outside measurements of 146mm x 124mm x 79mm (5.7" x 4.9" x 3.1") with a weight of 1015 grams (2.24 lbs) and the Nikon D90 has specifications of 132mm x 103mm x 77mm (5.2" x 4.1" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 703 grams (1.55 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon D850 versus Nikon D90 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you choose during that time. Here is the front view size comparison of the D850 against the D90.

Nikon D850 vs Nikon D90 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the D850 and D90 is 54 and 60 respectively.

Nikon D850 vs Nikon D90 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D850 vs Nikon D90 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very tough to visualize the gap in sensor dimensions only by looking through specs. The picture below may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the D850 and D90.

All in all, each of the cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The D850 featuring a larger sensor is going to make getting bokeh simpler and the Nikon D850 will render extra detail having its extra 34MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop images far more aggressively. The more modern D850 provides a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon D850 vs Nikon D90 sensor size comparison

Nikon D850 vs Nikon D90 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D850 vs Nikon D90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D850 Portrait photography factors
Nikon D90 Portrait photography factors
86
manual focus
high megapixels (46MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
comes with face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
62
manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Nikon D850 as a Street photography camera
Nikon D90 as a Street photography camera
66
screen tilts
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
features focus via touch
environment proofing
very good high ISO (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competitors in class (1,015 grams)
54
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon D850
Sports photography with Nikon D90
82
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
high megapixels (46 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
environment proofing
good battery life (1,840 CIPA)
supports phase detect autofocus
lack of image stabilization
45
sensor size is good (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
max frames per second low (4.5 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (12MP)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D850 Travel photography advice
Nikon D90 Travel photography advice
65
good battery life (1,840 shots)
environment proofing
supports bluetooth
features focus via touch
high megapixels (46MP)
more heavy than competitors in class (1,015 grams)
does not have selfie friendly display
44
flash built-in
missing Timelapse function
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly display
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D850
Landscape photography with Nikon D90
82
manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2")
high megapixels (46 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
no anti aliasing filter
very good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
good battery life (1,840 CIPA)
has double storage slots
lack of image stabilization
57
manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D850
Vlogging with Nikon D90
29
screen is touchscreen
comes with face detect autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
comes with microphone port
does not have selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competitors in class (1,015 grams)
21
offers face detect focusing
does not offer selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone support
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Nikon D850 vs Nikon D90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D850 and Nikon D90
 Nikon D850Nikon D90
General Information
Brand Nikon Nikon
Model type Nikon D850 Nikon D90
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2017-08-24 2008-10-13
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 5 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 23.9mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 858.0mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 46 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 8256 x 5504 4288 x 2848
Max native ISO 25600 3200
Max enhanced ISO 102400 6400
Minimum native ISO 64 200
RAW pictures
Minimum enhanced ISO 32 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 153 11
Cross type focus points 99 -
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Nikon F
Available lenses 309 309
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.2 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 2,359 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech - Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 96%
Viewfinder magnification 0.75x 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 7.0fps 4.5fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 17.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Front-curtain sync (normal), Rear-curtain sync, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction with slow sync, Slow sync Auto, On, Off, Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250s 1/200s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps), 320 x 216 (24 fps)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1015 grams (2.24 lb) 703 grams (1.55 lb)
Dimensions 146 x 124 x 79mm (5.7" x 4.9" x 3.1") 132 x 103 x 77mm (5.2" x 4.1" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 100 73
DXO Color Depth rating 26.4 22.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.8 12.5
DXO Low light rating 2660 977
Other
Battery life 1840 shots 850 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL15a EN-EL3e
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10, 20 secs) Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II supported) + XQD SD/SDHC
Card slots Two 1
Cost at release $2,997 $1,199