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Nikon D90 vs Nikon Z8

Portability
60
Imaging
51
Features
52
Overall
51
Nikon D90 front
 
Nikon Z8 front
Portability
55
Imaging
82
Features
83
Overall
82

Nikon D90 vs Nikon Z8 Key Specs

Nikon D90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Bump to 6400)
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 703g - 132 x 103 x 77mm
  • Released October 2008
  • Replaced the Nikon D80
  • Successor is Nikon D7000
Nikon Z8
(Full Review)
  • 46MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.20" Tilting Display
  • ISO 64 - 25600 (Push to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 910g - 144 x 119 x 83mm
  • Released May 2023
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Nikon D90 vs Nikon Z8 Overview

Here, we are analyzing the Nikon D90 and Nikon Z8, former is a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Pro Mirrorless and they are both produced by Nikon. There exists a considerable gap between the image resolutions of the D90 (12MP) and Z8 (46MP) and the D90 (APS-C) and Z8 (Full frame) provide different sensor size.

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The D90 was revealed 15 years earlier than the Z8 which is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Nikon D90 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Nikon Z8 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the D90 scores against the Z8 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D90 over the Nikon Z8

 D90 Z8 

Reasons to pick Nikon Z8 over the Nikon D90

 Z8 D90 
ReleasedMay 2023October 2008Newer by 177 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3.20"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2089k920kClearer display (+1169k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Nikon D90 and Nikon Z8

 D90 Z8 
Manual focus More accurate focus
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Nikon D90 vs Nikon Z8 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to travel with your camera frequently, you should consider its weight and proportions. The Nikon D90 has physical dimensions of 132mm x 103mm x 77mm (5.2" x 4.1" x 3.0") along with a weight of 703 grams (1.55 lbs) and the Nikon Z8 has measurements of 144mm x 119mm x 83mm (5.7" x 4.7" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 910 grams (2.01 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon D90 and Nikon Z8 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilising at that time. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the D90 against the Z8.

Nikon D90 vs Nikon Z8 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the D90 and Z8 is 60 and 55 respectively.

Nikon D90 vs Nikon Z8 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D90 vs Nikon Z8 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is hard to imagine the gap between sensor dimensions only by reviewing technical specs. The image underneath will give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the D90 and Z8.

As you have seen, both of those cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The D90 with its tinier sensor is going to make getting bokeh more difficult and the Nikon Z8 will deliver more detail because of its extra 34 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop images way more aggressively. The more aged D90 is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Nikon D90 vs Nikon Z8 sensor size comparison

Nikon D90 vs Nikon Z8 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D90 vs Nikon Z8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D90 Portrait photography factors
Nikon Z8 Portrait photography factors
62
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has face detect focus
saves RAW files
resolution not great (12MP)
89
focusing manually
excellent MP (46 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
comes with face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D90 as a Street photography camera
Nikon Z8 as a Street photography camera
54
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
72
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
saves RAW files
supports focus by touch
weather proof
great ISO range (25,600)
more heavy than competitors in class (910g)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D90 Sports photography factors
Nikon Z8 Sports photography factors
45
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.5 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
81
quiet mode (1/32,000s)
max frames per second high (30.0 frames per second)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent MP (46 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
weather proof
supports phase detect autofocus
low maximum shutter speed (1/s)
terrible battery (330 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D90 Travel photography features
Nikon Z8 Travel photography features
44
flash built-in
no Timelapse function
resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
61
weather proof
has bluetooth
supports focus by touch
excellent MP (46 megapixels)
terrible battery (330 shots)
more heavy than competitors in class (910g)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Nikon D90 Landscape photography details
Nikon Z8 Landscape photography details
57
has manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
no Timelapse function
83
focusing manually
switch lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen size is good (3.20")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent MP (46MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
great ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
weather proof
2 card slots
terrible battery (330 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D90 as a Vlogging camera
Nikon Z8 as a Vlogging camera
21
has face detect focus
doesn't have selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
no microphone port
33
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect autofocus
high quality video (7680 x 4320 pxls)
comes with microphone support
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
more heavy than competitors in class (910g)
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Nikon D90 vs Nikon Z8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D90 and Nikon Z8
 Nikon D90Nikon Z8
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Model Nikon D90 Nikon Z8
Class Advanced DSLR Pro Mirrorless
Released 2008-10-13 2023-05-10
Physical type Mid-size SLR SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS Stacked CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.8mm 35.9 x 23.9mm
Sensor surface area 372.9mm² 858.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 46 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4288 x 2848 8256 x 5504
Max native ISO 3200 25600
Max boosted ISO 6400 102400
Min native ISO 200 64
RAW support
Min boosted ISO - 32
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 11 493
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Nikon Z
Total lenses 309 46
Crop factor 1.5 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3 inch 3.20 inch
Resolution of display 920k dots 2,089k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,686k dots
Viewfinder coverage 96 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.8x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 900 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs -
Maximum quiet shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 4.5 frames/s 30.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 17.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Front-curtain sync, Rear-curtain sync, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction with slow sync, Slow sync Off
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/200 secs 1/200 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps), 320 x 216 (24 fps) 7680 x 4320 @ 30p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM7680 x 4320 @ 25p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM7680 x 4320 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 120p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 120p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 120p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 100p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 100p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 100p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.264, L
Max video resolution 1280x720 7680x4320
Video format Motion JPEG H.264, H.265
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 703 gr (1.55 lbs) 910 gr (2.01 lbs)
Physical dimensions 132 x 103 x 77mm (5.2" x 4.1" x 3.0") 144 x 119 x 83mm (5.7" x 4.7" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 73 98
DXO Color Depth score 22.7 26.3
DXO Dynamic range score 12.5 14.2
DXO Low light score 977 2548
Other
Battery life 850 images 330 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL3e EN-EL15c
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC one CFexpress Type B slot and one UHS-II SD slot
Card slots Single Two
Pricing at launch $1,199 $3,999