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Nikon D90 vs Olympus E-5

Portability
60
Imaging
51
Features
52
Overall
51
Nikon D90 front
 
Olympus E-5 front
Portability
58
Imaging
48
Features
76
Overall
59

Nikon D90 vs Olympus E-5 Key Specs

Nikon D90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Expand to 6400)
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 703g - 132 x 103 x 77mm
  • Released October 2008
  • Superseded the Nikon D80
  • Successor is Nikon D7000
Olympus E-5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 800g - 143 x 117 x 75mm
  • Announced February 2011
  • Replaced the Olympus E-3
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Nikon D90 vs Olympus E-5 Overview

Here, we will be looking at the Nikon D90 vs Olympus E-5, both Advanced DSLR cameras by competitors Nikon and Olympus. The sensor resolution of the D90 (12MP) and the E-5 (12MP) is relatively comparable but the D90 (APS-C) and E-5 (Four Thirds) provide totally different sensor size.

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The D90 was launched 3 years earlier than the E-5 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before we go right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the D90 scores against the E-5 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D90 over the Olympus E-5

 D90 E-5 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-5 over the Nikon D90

 E-5 D90 
AnnouncedFebruary 2011October 2008Newer by 28 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Nikon D90 and Olympus E-5

 D90 E-5 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Screen resolution920k920kIdentical screen resolution
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Nikon D90 vs Olympus E-5 Physical Comparison

If you're going to travel with your camera, you're going to have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Nikon D90 enjoys physical measurements of 132mm x 103mm x 77mm (5.2" x 4.1" x 3.0") having a weight of 703 grams (1.55 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-5 has proportions of 143mm x 117mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Check the Nikon D90 vs Olympus E-5 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have at that moment. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the D90 against the E-5.

Nikon D90 vs Olympus E-5 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the D90 and E-5 is 60 and 58 respectively.

Nikon D90 vs Olympus E-5 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D90 vs Olympus E-5 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very tough to see the gap in sensor dimensions purely by seeing specs. The picture here may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the D90 and E-5.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras come with the identical resolution albeit not the same sensor dimensions. The D90 offers the bigger sensor which is going to make getting shallow depth of field simpler. The more aged D90 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon D90 vs Olympus E-5 sensor size comparison

Nikon D90 vs Olympus E-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D90 vs Olympus E-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D90 Portrait photography features
Olympus E-5 Portrait photography features
62
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
low MP (12MP)
60
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has face detect focus
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon D90
Street photography with Olympus E-5
54
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
71
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D90 Sports photography factors
Olympus E-5 Sports photography factors
45
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
max frames per second low (4.5 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
59
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
environment proof
has phase detect auto focus
slow fps (5.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D90 as a Travel photography camera
Olympus E-5 as a Travel photography camera
44
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
low MP (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
56
environment proof
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D90 Landscape photography information
Olympus E-5 Landscape photography information
57
has manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
65
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
2 card slots
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D90 Vlogging features
Olympus E-5 Vlogging features
21
provides face detection autofocus
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic socket
64
screen is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focus
has mic support
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
Photography Glossary

Nikon D90 vs Olympus E-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D90 and Olympus E-5
 Nikon D90Olympus E-5
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Olympus
Model type Nikon D90 Olympus E-5
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2008-10-13 2011-02-03
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - TruePic V+
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 372.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4288 x 2848 4032 x 3024
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Max boosted ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 11 11
Cross type focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 309 45
Focal length multiplier 1.5 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 920k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle HyperCrystal transmissive LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 96 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.58x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 4.5fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 17.00 m (at ISO 100) 18.00 m (at ISO 200)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/200 seconds 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps), 320 x 216 (24 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 703g (1.55 lbs) 800g (1.76 lbs)
Physical dimensions 132 x 103 x 77mm (5.2" x 4.1" x 3.0") 143 x 117 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 73 56
DXO Color Depth rating 22.7 21.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.5 10.5
DXO Low light rating 977 519
Other
Battery life 850 photos 870 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL3e BLM-5
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC Compact Flash (Type I or II)/SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One Dual
Pricing at launch $1,199 $1,700