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Nikon D90 vs Sony A99 II

Portability
60
Imaging
51
Features
52
Overall
51
Nikon D90 front
 
Sony Alpha A99 II front
Portability
57
Imaging
77
Features
92
Overall
83

Nikon D90 vs Sony A99 II 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
  • Revealed October 2008
  • Superseded the Nikon D80
  • Updated by Nikon D7000
Sony A99 II
(Full Review)
  • 42MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Push to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 849g - 143 x 104 x 76mm
  • Revealed September 2016
  • Previous Model is Sony A99
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Nikon D90 vs Sony A99 II Overview

The following is a comprehensive review of the Nikon D90 vs Sony A99 II, both Advanced DSLR cameras by companies Nikon and Sony. There is a large difference among the image resolutions of the D90 (12MP) and A99 II (42MP) and the D90 (APS-C) and A99 II (Full frame) come with different sensor sizing.

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The D90 was revealed 9 years before the A99 II which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before we go in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a short summary of how the D90 grades against the A99 II in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D90 over the Sony A99 II

 D90 A99 II 

Reasons to pick Sony A99 II over the Nikon D90

 A99 II D90 
RevealedSeptember 2016October 2008Newer by 96 months
Screen typeFully articulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1229k920kCrisper screen (+309k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Nikon D90 and Sony A99 II

 D90 A99 II 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurement
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Nikon D90 vs Sony A99 II Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to travel with your camera, you'll have to factor its weight and volume. The Nikon D90 offers external dimensions of 132mm x 103mm x 77mm (5.2" x 4.1" x 3.0") with a weight of 703 grams (1.55 lbs) and the Sony A99 II has sizing of 143mm x 104mm x 76mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.0") and a weight of 849 grams (1.87 lbs).

Compare the Nikon D90 vs Sony A99 II in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you select during that time. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the D90 against the A99 II.

Nikon D90 vs Sony A99 II size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the D90 and A99 II is 60 and 57 respectively.

Nikon D90 vs Sony A99 II top view buttons comparison

Nikon D90 vs Sony A99 II Sensor Comparison

Often, its difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by researching specs. The pic below might give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the D90 and A99 II.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The D90 having a smaller sensor is going to make getting bokeh more difficult and the Sony A99 II will render greater detail because of its extra 30 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures much more aggressively. The more aged D90 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Nikon D90 vs Sony A99 II sensor size comparison

Nikon D90 vs Sony A99 II Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D90 vs Sony A99 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D90 Portrait photography information
Sony A99 II Portrait photography information
62
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection focus
exports RAW formats
low resolution (12 megapixels)
86
focusing manually
fantastic MP (42 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
has face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Nikon D90 Street photography information
Sony A99 II Street photography information
54
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
76
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
above average high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D90 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A99 II as a Sports photography camera
45
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
max frames per second low (4.5 fps)
no image stabilization
low resolution (12MP)
82
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
fantastic MP (42MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
has tracking autofocus
weather proofing
has phase detect AF
low battery power (490 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D90 Travel photography details
Sony A99 II Travel photography details
44
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse recording
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
70
weather proofing
has bluetooth
fantastic MP (42 megapixels)
selfie friendly screen
low battery power (490 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D90
Landscape photography with Sony A99 II
57
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3")
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no image stabilization
low resolution (12MP)
missing Time Lapse recording
82
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
fantastic MP (42MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
doesnt have low pass filter
above average high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
two card slots
low battery power (490 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D90 Vlogging highlights
Sony A99 II Vlogging highlights
21
comes with face detection focus
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic socket
78
selfie friendly screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detection focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
has external microphone socket
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Nikon D90 vs Sony A99 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D90 and Sony A99 II
 Nikon D90Sony Alpha A99 II
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon D90 Sony Alpha A99 II
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2008-10-13 2016-09-19
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.8mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 42 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4288 x 2848 7952 x 5304
Max native ISO 3200 25600
Max boosted ISO 6400 102400
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW files
Min boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 11 399
Cross type focus points - 79
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 309 143
Crop factor 1.5 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully articulated
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 920 thousand dots 1,229 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 96% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.78x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 4.5fps 12.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 17.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Off, auto, fill, slow sync, redeye reduction, rear sync, high-speed sync, wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest 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) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 703 grams (1.55 pounds) 849 grams (1.87 pounds)
Dimensions 132 x 103 x 77mm (5.2" x 4.1" x 3.0") 143 x 104 x 76mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 73 92
DXO Color Depth rating 22.7 25.4
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.5 13.4
DXO Low light rating 977 2317
Other
Battery life 850 photos 490 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack NP-FM500H lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery ID EN-EL3e -
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC/MS Duo slots
Card slots Single Dual
Launch price $1,199 $3,198