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Nikon D90 vs Canon 1D X Mark II

The Nikon D90 and the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in August 2008 and February 2016. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are based on an APS-C (D90) and a full frame (1DX Mark II) sensor. The Nikon has a resolution of 12.2 megapixels, whereas the Canon provides 20 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Nikon D90
versus
Canon 1D X Mark II
Nikon D90   Canon 1D X Mark II
Digital single lens reflex Digital single lens reflex
Nikon F mount lenses Canon EF mount lenses
12.2 MP – APS-C sensor 20 MP – Full Frame sensor
720/24p Video 4K/60p Video
ISO 200-3,200 (200 - 6,400) ISO 100-51,200 (50 - 409,600)
Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
3.0" LCD – 920k dots 3.2" LCD – 1620k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Fixed touchscreen
4.5 shutter flaps per second 16 shutter flaps per second
not weather sealedWeathersealed body
850 shots per battery charge1210 shots per battery charge
132 x 103 x 77 mm, 703 g 158 x 168 x 83 mm, 1530 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Nikon D90 and the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

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Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Nikon D90 and the Canon 1D X Mark II is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Size Nikon D90 vs Canon 1D X Mark II
Compare D90 versus 1DX Mark II top
Comparison D90 or 1DX Mark II rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Canon 1D X Mark II is considerably larger (95 percent) than the Nikon D90. Moreover, the 1DX Mark II is substantially heavier (118 percent) than the D90. It is noteworthy in this context that the 1DX Mark II is splash and dust-proof, while the D90 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. A larger imaging sensor will tend to go along with bigger and heavier lenses, although exceptions exist. You can compare the optics available for the two cameras in the Nikon Lens Catalog (D90) and the Canon EF Lens Catalog (1DX Mark II).

Concerning battery life, the D90 gets 850 shots out of its Nikon EN-EL3e battery, while the 1DX Mark II can take 1210 images on a single charge of its Canon LP-E19 power pack. As can be seen in the images above, the 1DX Mark II has a battery grip built in. This facilitates image-taking in portrait orientation and gives it additional battery power. In order to provide similar functionality for the D90, Nikon provides the MB-D80 vertical grip as an optional accessory (see here on ebay).

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

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Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Nikon D90 132 mm 103 mm 77 mm 703 g 850 n Aug 2008 1,299ebay.com
2.
 
Canon 1D X Mark II 158 mm 168 mm 83 mm 1530 g 1210 Y Feb 2016 5,999ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 1D X Mark III 158 mm 168 mm 83 mm 1440 g 2850 Y Jan 2020 6,499 amazon.com
4.
 
Canon 6D Mark II 144 mm 111 mm 75 mm 765 g 1200 Y Jun 2017 1,999 amazon.com
5.
 
Canon 5DS 152 mm 116 mm 76 mm 930 g 700 Y Feb 2015 3,699ebay.com
6.
 
Canon 1D X 158 mm 168 mm 83 mm 1551 g 1120 Y Oct 2011 6,799ebay.com
7.
 
Canon 40D 146 mm 108 mm 74 mm 822 g 750 n Aug 2007 1,299ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon D5 160 mm 159 mm 92 mm 1415 g 3780 Y Jan 2016 6,499ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon D7000 132 mm 105 mm 77 mm 780 g 1050 Y Sep 2010 1,499ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D3100 124 mm 96 mm 75 mm 505 g 550 n Aug 2010 599ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon D300S 147 mm 115 mm 81 mm 938 g 950 Y Jul 2009 1,799ebay.com
12.
 
Nikon D3000 126 mm 97 mm 64 mm 536 g 500 n Jul 2009 599ebay.com
13.
 
Nikon D5000 127 mm 104 mm 80 mm 590 g 510 n Apr 2009 749ebay.com
14.
 
Nikon D60 126 mm 94 mm 64 mm 522 g 500 n Jan 2008 629ebay.com
15.
 
Nikon D40X 124 mm 94 mm 64 mm 522 g 520 n Mar 2007 729ebay.com
16.
 
Nikon D300 147 mm 114 mm 74 mm 925 g 1000 Y Aug 2007 1,799ebay.com
17.
 
Nikon D80 132 mm 103 mm 77 mm 668 g 600 n Aug 2006 999ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The D90 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 78 percent) than the 1DX Mark II, which puts it into a different market segment. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Nikon D90 features an APS-C sensor and the Canon 1D X Mark II a full frame sensor. The sensor area in the 1DX Mark II is 132 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.5 and 1.0. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Nikon D90 and Canon 1D X Mark II sensor measures

With 20MP, the 1DX Mark II offers a higher resolution than the D90 (12.2MP), but the 1DX Mark II nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 6.57μm versus 5.53μm for the D90) due to its larger sensor. Moreover, the 1DX Mark II is a much more recent model (by 7 years and 5 months) than the D90, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units.

The resolution advantage of the Canon 1D X Mark II implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the 1DX Mark II for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 27.4 x 18.2 inches or 69.5 x 46.3 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 21.9 x 14.6 inches or 55.6 x 37.1 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 18.2 x 12.2 inches or 46.3 x 30.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Nikon D90 are 21.4 x 14.2 inches or 54.5 x 36.2 cm for good quality, 17.2 x 11.4 inches or 43.6 x 28.9 cm for very good quality, and 14.3 x 9.5 inches or 36.3 x 24.1 cm for excellent quality prints.

The 1DX Mark II has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.

The Nikon D90 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 200 to ISO 3200, which can be extended to ISO 200-6400. The corresponding ISO settings for the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II are ISO 100 to ISO 51200, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 50-409600.

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

D90 versus 1DX Mark II MP

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. Of the two cameras under consideration, the 1DX Mark II offers substantially better image quality than the D90 (overall score 15 points higher). The advantage is based on 1.4 bits higher color depth, 1 EV in additional dynamic range, and 1.7 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Nikon D90 APS-C 12.2 4288 2848720/24p22.712.597773
2.
 
Canon 1D X Mark II Full Frame 20.0 5472 36484K/60p24.113.5320788
3.
 
Canon 1D X Mark III Full Frame 20.0 5472 36484K/60p24.214.5324891
4.
 
Canon 6D Mark II Full Frame 26.0 6240 41601080/60p24.411.9286285
5.
 
Canon 5DS Full Frame 50.3 8688 57921080/30p24.712.4238187
6.
 
Canon 1D X Full Frame 17.9 5184 34561080/30p23.811.8278682
7.
 
Canon 40D APS-C 10.1 3888 2592none22.111.370364
8.
 
Nikon D5 Full Frame 20.7 5588 37124K/30p25.112.3234388
9.
 
Nikon D7000 APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/24p23.513.9116780
10.
 
Nikon D3100 APS-C 14.2 4608 30721080/24p22.511.391967
11.
 
Nikon D300S APS-C 12.2 4288 2848720/24p22.512.278770
12.
 
Nikon D3000 APS-C 10.0 3872 2592none22.311.156362
13.
 
Nikon D5000 APS-C 12.2 4288 2848720/24p22.712.586872
14.
 
Nikon D60 APS-C 10.0 3872 2592none22.511.456265
15.
 
Nikon D40X APS-C 10.0 3872 2592none22.411.451663
16.
 
Nikon D300 APS-C 12.2 4288 2848none22.112.067967
17.
 
Nikon D80 APS-C 10.0 3872 2592none22.111.252461
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Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, but the 1DX Mark II provides a better video resolution than the D90. It can shoot movie footage at 4K/60p, while the Nikon is limited to 720/24p.

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Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The D90 and the 1DX Mark II are similar in the sense that both have an optical viewfinder. The latter is useful for getting a clear image for framing even in brightly lit environments. The viewfinder in the 1DX Mark II offers a wider field of view (100%) than the one in the D90 (96%), so that a larger proportion of the captured image is visible in the finder. In addition, the viewfinder of the 1DX Mark II has a higher magnification (0.76x vs 0.63x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Nikon D90 and Canon 1D X Mark II along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

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Core Features
# image Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Nikon D90optical Y3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 4.5/s Y n
2.
 
Canon 1D X Mark IIoptical Y3.2 / 1620 fixed Y 1/8000s 16.0/s n n
3.
 
Canon 1D X Mark IIIoptical Y3.2 / 2100 fixed Y 1/8000s 20.0/s n n
4.
 
Canon 6D Mark IIoptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 6.5/s n n
5.
 
Canon 5DSoptical Y3.2 / 1040 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s n n
6.
 
Canon 1D Xoptical Y3.2 / 1040 fixed n 1/8000s 14.0/s n n
7.
 
Canon 40Doptical Y3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 6.5/s Y n
8.
 
Nikon D5optical Y3.2 / 2359 fixed Y 1/8000s 14.0/s n n
9.
 
Nikon D7000optical Y3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/8000s 6.0/s Y n
10.
 
Nikon D3100optical n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
11.
 
Nikon D300Soptical Y3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/8000s 7.0/s Y n
12.
 
Nikon D3000optical n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
13.
 
Nikon D5000optical n2.7 / 230 full-flex n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n
14.
 
Nikon D60optical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
15.
 
Nikon D40Xoptical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
16.
 
Nikon D300optical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/8000s 6.0/s Y n
17.
 
Nikon D80optical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
padding

One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The D90 has one, while the 1DX Mark II does not. While the built-in flash of the D90 is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.

The D90 writes its imaging data to SDHC cards, while the 1DX Mark II uses Compact Flash or CFast cards. The 1DX Mark II features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the D90 only has one slot.

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Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Nikon D90 and Canon EOS-1D X Mark II and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Nikon D90Ymono / mono--mini2.0---
2.
 
Canon 1D X Mark IIYmono / monoYYmini3.0---
3.
 
Canon 1D X Mark IIIYmono / monoYYmini3.1Y-Y
4.
 
Canon 6D Mark IIYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY
5.
 
Canon 5DSYmono / monoY-mini3.0---
6.
 
Canon 1D XYmono / -Y-mini2.0---
7.
 
Canon 40DY- / ----2.0---
8.
 
Nikon D5Ystereo / monoYYmini3.0---
9.
 
Nikon D7000Ymono / monoY-mini2.0---
10.
 
Nikon D3100Ymono / mono--mini2.0---
11.
 
Nikon D300SYstereo / monoY-mini2.0---
12.
 
Nikon D3000Y- / ----2.0---
13.
 
Nikon D5000Ymono / mono--mini2.0---
14.
 
Nikon D60Y- / ----2.0---
15.
 
Nikon D40XY- / ----2.0---
16.
 
Nikon D300Y- / ---mini2.0---
17.
 
Nikon D80Y- / ----2.0---
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It is notable that the 1DX Mark II has a headphone jack, which makes it possible to attach external headphones and monitor the quality of sound during the recording process. The D90 lacks such a headphone port.

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Canon 1D X Mark II (unlike the D90) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

Travel and landscape photographers will find it useful that the 1DX Mark II has an internal geolocalization sensor and can record GPS coordinates in its EXIF data.

Both the D90 and the 1DX Mark II have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The D90 was replaced by the Nikon D7000, while the 1DX Mark II was followed by the Canon 1DX Mark III. Further information on the features and operation of the D90 and 1DX Mark II can be found, respectively, in the Nikon D90 Manual (free pdf) or the online Canon 1D X Mark II Manual.

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Review summary

So how do things add up? Which of the two cameras – the Nikon D90 or the Canon 1D X Mark II – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

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Advantages of the Nikon D90:

  • More compact: Is smaller (132x103mm vs 158x168mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
  • Less heavy: Is lighter (by 827g or 54 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
  • Easier fill-in: Is equipped with a small onboard flash to brighten deep shadow areas.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (78 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in August 2008).

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Arguments in favor of the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II:

  • More detail: Has more megapixels (20 vs 12.2MP), which boosts linear resolution by 28%.
  • Better image quality: Scores substantially higher (15 points) in the DXO overall evaluation.
  • Richer colors: Generates noticeably more natural colors (1.4 bits more color depth).
  • More dynamic range: Captures a broader range of light and dark details (1 EV of extra DR).
  • Better low-light sensitivity: Can shoot in dim conditions (1.7 stops ISO advantage).
  • Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (4K/60p vs 720/24p).
  • Better live-view autofocus: Features on-sensor phase-detection for more confident autofocus.
  • Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
  • Better sound control: Has a headphone port that enables audio monitoring while recording.
  • More complete view: Has a viewfinder with a larger field of view (100% vs 96%).
  • Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.76x vs 0.63x).
  • Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.2" vs 3.0") for image review and settings control.
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1620k vs 920k dots).
  • Fewer buttons to press: Has a touchscreen to facilitate handling and shooting adjustments.
  • Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (16 vs 4.5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • More portrait friendly: Features an integrated vertical grip for easier portrait shooting.
  • Longer lasting: Gets more shots (1210 versus 850) out of a single battery charge.
  • Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
  • Easier geotagging: Features an internal GPS sensor to log localization data.
  • Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (3.0 vs 2.0).
  • Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
  • Greater peace of mind: Features a second card slot as a backup in case of memory card failure.
  • More modern: Reflects 7 years and 5 months of technical progress since the D90 launch.

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the 1DX Mark II is the clear winner of the contest (24 : 5 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

D90 05:24 1DX Mark II

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Nikon D90 and the Canon 1D X Mark II place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the D90 and the 1DX Mark II in practical situations. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is why expert reviews are important. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

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Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Nikon D90..+ +..+ +4/54.5/5 Aug 2008 1,299ebay.com
2.
 
Canon 1D X Mark II....4.5/589/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2016 5,999ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 1D X Mark III..+ +5/5..4.5/54/5 Jan 2020 6,499 amazon.com
4.
 
Canon 6D Mark II4/5+4/580/1004.5/54/5 Jun 2017 1,999 amazon.com
5.
 
Canon 5DS..+..83/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2015 3,699ebay.com
6.
 
Canon 1D X5/5......4.5/54.5/5 Oct 2011 6,799ebay.com
7.
 
Canon 40D..+ +..+ +4.5/54.5/5 Aug 2007 1,299ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon D5....4/589/1004.5/55/5 Jan 2016 6,499ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon D70004/5....80/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2010 1,499ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D31005/5+ +..72/1004.5/54.5/5 Aug 2010 599ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon D300S5/5+ +..82/1004/54.5/5 Jul 2009 1,799ebay.com
12.
 
Nikon D3000..+..72/1004/54.5/5 Jul 2009 599ebay.com
13.
 
Nikon D5000..+ +..75/1004/54.5/5 Apr 2009 749ebay.com
14.
 
Nikon D60..80/100..+ +4/54.5/5 Jan 2008 629ebay.com
15.
 
Nikon D40X..79/100..+ +4/54/5 Mar 2007 729ebay.com
16.
 
Nikon D300..+ +..+ +5/54.5/5 Aug 2007 1,799ebay.com
17.
 
Nikon D80..+..+ +o4.5/5 Aug 2006 999ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

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    Specifications: Nikon D90 vs Canon 1D X Mark II

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Nikon D90 Canon 1D X Mark II
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Nikon F mount lenses Canon EF mount lenses
    Launch Date August 2008 February 2016
    Launch Price USD 1,299 USD 5,999
    Sensor Specs Nikon D90 Canon 1D X Mark II
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor Full Frame Sensor
    Sensor Size 23.6 x 15.8 mm 36.0 x 24.0 mm
    Sensor Area 372.88 mm2 864 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 28.4 mm 43.3 mm
    Crop Factor 1.5x 1.0x
    Sensor Resolution 12.2 Megapixels 20 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4288 x 2848 pixels 5472 x 3648 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 5.53 μm 6.57 μm
    Pixel Density 3.28 MP/cm2 2.31 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 720/24p Video 4K/60p Video
    ISO Setting 200 - 3,200 ISO 100 - 51,200 ISO
    ISO Boost 200 - 6,400 ISO 50 - 409,600 ISO
    Image Processor EXPEED DIGIC 6+ (Dual)
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 73 88
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 22.7 24.1
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 12.5 13.5
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 977 3207
    Screen Specs Nikon D90 Canon 1D X Mark II
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 96% 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.63x 0.76x
    Top-Level Screen Control Panel Control Panel
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.2inch
    LCD Resolution 920k dots 1620k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Fixed screen
    Touch Input no Touchscreen Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs Nikon D90 Canon 1D X Mark II
    Focus System Phase-detect AF Phase-detect AF
    Continuous Shooting 4.5 shutter flaps/s 16 shutter flaps/s
    Shutter Life Expectancy100 000 actuations500 000 actuations
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash no On-Board Flash
    Storage Medium SDHC cards CF or CFAST cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Dual card slots
    Connectivity Specs Nikon D90 Canon 1D X Mark II
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    Studio Flash no PC Sync PC Sync socket
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 3.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI mini HDMI
    Microphone Port no MIC socket External MIC port
    Headphone Socket no Headphone port Headphone port
    Wifi Support no Wifi no Wifi
    Geotagging no internal GPS GPS built-in
    Body Specs Nikon D90 Canon 1D X Mark II
    Environmental Sealingnot weather sealedWeathersealed body
    Battery Type Nikon EN-EL3e Canon LP-E19
    Battery Life (CIPA)850 shots per charge1210 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 132 x 103 x 77 mm
    (5.2 x 4.1 x 3.0 in)
    158 x 168 x 83 mm
    (6.2 x 6.6 x 3.3 in)
    Camera Weight 703 g (24.8 oz) 1530 g (54.0 oz)
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    Check D90 offers at
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    Check 1DX Mark II offers at
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