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Nikon D90 vs D850

The Nikon D90 and the Nikon D850 are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in August 2008 and July 2017. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are based on an APS-C (D90) and a full frame (D850) sensor. The D90 has a resolution of 12.2 megapixels, whereas the D850 provides 45.4 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
Nikon D850
Nikon D90   Nikon D850
Digital single lens reflex Digital single lens reflex
Nikon F mount lenses Nikon F mount lenses
12.2 MP – APS-C sensor 45.4 MP – Full Frame sensor
720/24p Video 4K/30p Video
ISO 200-3,200 (200 - 6,400) ISO 64-25,600 (32 - 102,400)
Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
3.0" LCD – 920k dots 3.2" LCD – 2359k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Tilting touchscreen
4.5 shutter flaps per second 9 shutter flaps per second
not weather sealedWeathersealed body
850 shots per battery charge1840 shots per battery charge
132 x 103 x 77 mm, 703 g 146 x 124 x 79 mm, 1005 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Nikon D90 and the Nikon D850? 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

The physical size and weight of the Nikon D90 and the Nikon D850 are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Size Nikon D90 vs Nikon D850
Compare D90 versus D850 top
Comparison D90 or D850 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Nikon D850 is notably larger (33 percent) than the Nikon D90. Moreover, the D850 is substantially heavier (43 percent) than the D90. It is noteworthy in this context that the D850 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 (as in the D850) will tend to go along with bigger and heavier lenses, while more compact options are available for the smaller-sensor camera (D90). You can compare the optics available in the Nikon Lens Catalog.

Concerning battery life, the D90 gets 850 shots out of its Nikon EN-EL3e battery, while the D850 can take 1840 images on a single charge of its Nikon EN-EL15a power pack.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

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Body Specifications
  empty 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.
 
Nikon D850 146 mm 124 mm 79 mm 1005 g 1840 Y Jul 2017 3,299 amazon.com
3.
 
Canon 5DS 152 mm 116 mm 76 mm 930 g 700 Y Feb 2015 3,699ebay.com
4.
 
Canon 5DS R 152 mm 116 mm 76 mm 930 g 700 Y Feb 2015 3,699ebay.com
5.
 
Canon 40D 146 mm 108 mm 74 mm 822 g 750 n Aug 2007 1,299ebay.com
6.
 
Nikon D5 160 mm 159 mm 92 mm 1415 g 3780 Y Jan 2016 6,499ebay.com
7.
 
Nikon D40X 124 mm 94 mm 64 mm 522 g 520 n Mar 2007 729ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon D60 126 mm 94 mm 64 mm 522 g 500 n Jan 2008 629ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon D80 132 mm 103 mm 77 mm 668 g 600 n Aug 2006 999ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D300 147 mm 114 mm 74 mm 925 g 1000 Y Aug 2007 1,799ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon D300S 147 mm 115 mm 81 mm 938 g 950 Y Jul 2009 1,799ebay.com
12.
 
Nikon D610 141 mm 113 mm 82 mm 850 g 900 Y Oct 2013 1,999ebay.com
13.
 
Nikon D810 146 mm 123 mm 82 mm 980 g 1200 Y Jun 2014 3,299ebay.com
14.
 
Nikon D3000 126 mm 97 mm 64 mm 536 g 500 n Jul 2009 599ebay.com
15.
 
Nikon D3100 124 mm 96 mm 75 mm 505 g 550 n Aug 2010 599ebay.com
16.
 
Nikon D5000 127 mm 104 mm 80 mm 590 g 510 n Apr 2009 749ebay.com
17.
 
Nikon D7000 132 mm 105 mm 77 mm 780 g 1050 Y Sep 2010 1,499ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.

The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The D90 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 61 percent) than the D850, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. 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. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its 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 Nikon D850 a full frame sensor. The sensor area in the D850 is 130 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.

Technology-wise, the D850 uses a more advanced image processing engine (EXPEED 5) than the D90 (EXPEED), with benefits for noise reduction, color accuracy, and processing speed.

Nikon D90 and Nikon D850 sensor measures

With 45.4MP, the D850 offers a higher resolution than the D90 (12.2MP), but the D850 has smaller individual pixels (pixel pitch of 4.35μm versus 5.53μm for the D90). Yet, the D850 is a much more recent model (by 8 years and 10 months) than the D90, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the D850 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Nikon D850 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the D850 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 41.3 x 27.5 inches or 104.9 x 69.9 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 33 x 22 inches or 83.9 x 55.9 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 27.5 x 18.3 inches or 69.9 x 46.6 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 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 Nikon D850 are ISO 64 to ISO 25600, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 32-102400.

In terms of underlying technology, the D90 is build around a CMOS sensor, while the D850 uses a BSI-CMOS imager. 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 D850 MP

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). Of the two cameras under consideration, the D850 offers substantially better image quality than the D90 (overall score 27 points higher). The advantage is based on 3.7 bits higher color depth, 2.3 EV in additional dynamic range, and 1.4 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
  empty 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.
 
Nikon D850 Full Frame 45.4 8256 55044K/30p26.414.82660100
3.
 
Canon 5DS Full Frame 50.3 8688 57921080/30p24.712.4238187
4.
 
Canon 5DS R Full Frame 50.3 8688 57921080/30p24.612.4230886
5.
 
Canon 40D APS-C 10.1 3888 2592none22.111.370364
6.
 
Nikon D5 Full Frame 20.7 5588 37124K/30p25.112.3234388
7.
 
Nikon D40X APS-C 10.0 3872 2592none22.411.451663
8.
 
Nikon D60 APS-C 10.0 3872 2592none22.511.456265
9.
 
Nikon D80 APS-C 10.0 3872 2592none22.111.252461
10.
 
Nikon D300 APS-C 12.2 4288 2848none22.112.067967
11.
 
Nikon D300S APS-C 12.2 4288 2848720/24p22.512.278770
12.
 
Nikon D610 Full Frame 24.2 6016 40161080/30p25.114.4292594
13.
 
Nikon D810 Full Frame 36.2 7360 49121080/60p25.714.8285397
14.
 
Nikon D3000 APS-C 10.0 3872 2592none22.311.156362
15.
 
Nikon D3100 APS-C 14.2 4608 30721080/24p22.511.391967
16.
 
Nikon D5000 APS-C 12.2 4288 2848720/24p22.712.586872
17.
 
Nikon D7000 APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/24p23.513.9116780

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, but the D850 provides a better video resolution than the D90. It can shoot movie footage at 4K/30p, while the D90 is limited to 720/24p.

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Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. The D90 and the D850 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 D850 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 D850 has a higher magnification (0.75x 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 Nikon D850 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

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Core Features
  empty 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.
 
Nikon D850optical Y3.2 / 2359 tilting Y 1/8000s 9.0/s n n
3.
 
Canon 5DSoptical Y3.2 / 1040 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s n n
4.
 
Canon 5DS Roptical Y3.2 / 1040 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s n n
5.
 
Canon 40Doptical Y3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 6.5/s Y n
6.
 
Nikon D5optical Y3.2 / 2359 fixed Y 1/8000s 14.0/s n n
7.
 
Nikon D40Xoptical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
8.
 
Nikon D60optical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
9.
 
Nikon D80optical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
10.
 
Nikon D300optical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/8000s 6.0/s Y n
11.
 
Nikon D300Soptical Y3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/8000s 7.0/s Y n
12.
 
Nikon D610optical Y3.2 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
13.
 
Nikon D810optical Y3.2 / 1229 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s Y n
14.
 
Nikon D3000optical n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
15.
 
Nikon D3100optical n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
16.
 
Nikon D5000optical n2.7 / 230 full-flex n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n
17.
 
Nikon D7000optical Y3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/8000s 6.0/s Y n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The D90 has one, while the D850 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 Nikon D850 has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

The D90 writes its imaging data to SDHC cards, while the D850 uses SDXC or XQD cards. The D850 features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the D90 only has one slot. The D850 supports UHS-II cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 312 MB/s), while the D90 cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD cards.

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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 Nikon D850 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
  empty 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.
 
Nikon D850Ystereo / monoYYmini3.0YYY
3.
 
Canon 5DSYmono / monoY-mini3.0---
4.
 
Canon 5DS RYmono / monoY-mini3.0---
5.
 
Canon 40DY- / ----2.0---
6.
 
Nikon D5Ystereo / monoYYmini3.0---
7.
 
Nikon D40XY- / ----2.0---
8.
 
Nikon D60Y- / ----2.0---
9.
 
Nikon D80Y- / ----2.0---
10.
 
Nikon D300Y- / ---mini2.0---
11.
 
Nikon D300SYstereo / monoY-mini2.0---
12.
 
Nikon D610Ymono / monoYYmini2.0---
13.
 
Nikon D810Ystereo / monoYYmini3.0Y--
14.
 
Nikon D3000Y- / ----2.0---
15.
 
Nikon D3100Ymono / mono--mini2.0---
16.
 
Nikon D5000Ymono / mono--mini2.0---
17.
 
Nikon D7000Ymono / monoY-mini2.0---

It is notable that the D850 offers wifi support, which can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location. In contrast, the D90 does not provide wifi capability.

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Nikon D850 (unlike the D90) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

The D850 is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Nikon. In contrast, the D90 has been discontinued (but can be found pre-owned on ebay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the D90 was succeeded by the Nikon D7000. Further information on the features and operation of the D90 and D850 can be found, respectively, in the Nikon D90 Manual (free pdf) or the online Nikon D850 Manual.

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Review summary

So how do things add up? Which of the two cameras – the Nikon D90 or the Nikon D850 – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.


Advantages of the Nikon D90:

  • Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
  • More compact: Is smaller (132x103mm vs 146x124mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
  • Less heavy: Is lighter (by 302g or 30 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 (61 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in August 2008).


Arguments in favor of the Nikon D850:

  • More detail: Has more megapixels (45.4 vs 12.2MP), which boosts linear resolution by 93%.
  • Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
  • Better image quality: Scores substantially higher (27 points) in the DXO overall evaluation.
  • Richer colors: Generates noticeably more natural colors (3.7 bits more color depth).
  • More dynamic range: Captures a broader range of light and dark details (2.3 EV of extra DR).
  • Better low-light sensitivity: Can shoot in dim conditions (1.4 stops ISO advantage).
  • Better jpgs: Has a more modern image processing engine (EXPEED 5 vs EXPEED).
  • Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (4K/30p vs 720/24p).
  • 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 (0.75x 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 (2359k vs 920k dots).
  • More flexible LCD: Has a tilting screen for odd-angle shots in landscape orientation.
  • 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 (9 vs 4.5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
  • Longer lasting: Gets more shots (1840 versus 850) out of a single battery charge.
  • Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
  • Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (3.0 vs 2.0).
  • Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
  • Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
  • Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
  • 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.
  • Faster buffer clearing: Has an SD card interface that supports the UHS-II standard.
  • More modern: Reflects 8 years and 10 months of technical progress since the D90 launch.

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the D850 is the clear winner of the contest (29 : 6 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. 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 06:29 D850

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Nikon D90 and the Nikon D850 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 comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the D90 and the D850 in practical situations. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.

Expert reviews

This is why expert reviews are important. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular 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
  empty  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.
 
Nikon D8504.5/5+ +5/589/1004.5/55/5 Jul 2017 3,299 amazon.com
3.
 
Canon 5DS..+..83/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2015 3,699ebay.com
4.
 
Canon 5DS R5/5+..83/1005/54.5/5 Feb 2015 3,699ebay.com
5.
 
Canon 40D..+ +..+ +4.5/54.5/5 Aug 2007 1,299ebay.com
6.
 
Nikon D5....4/589/1004.5/55/5 Jan 2016 6,499ebay.com
7.
 
Nikon D40X..79/100..+ +4/54/5 Mar 2007 729ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon D60..80/100..+ +4/54.5/5 Jan 2008 629ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon D80..+..+ +o4.5/5 Aug 2006 999ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D300..+ +..+ +5/54.5/5 Aug 2007 1,799ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon D300S5/5+ +..82/1004/54.5/5 Jul 2009 1,799ebay.com
12.
 
Nikon D6104/5+ +..87/1004.5/54.5/5 Oct 2013 1,999ebay.com
13.
 
Nikon D8105/5..5/586/1005/54.5/5 Jun 2014 3,299ebay.com
14.
 
Nikon D3000..+..72/1004/54.5/5 Jul 2009 599ebay.com
15.
 
Nikon D31005/5+ +..72/1004.5/54.5/5 Aug 2010 599ebay.com
16.
 
Nikon D5000..+ +..75/1004/54.5/5 Apr 2009 749ebay.com
17.
 
Nikon D70004/5....80/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2010 1,499ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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    Specifications: Nikon D90 vs Nikon D850

    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 Nikon D850
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Nikon F mount lenses Nikon F mount lenses
    Launch Date August 2008 July 2017
    Launch Price USD 1,299 USD 3,299
    Sensor Specs Nikon D90 Nikon D850
    Sensor Technology CMOS BSI-CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor Full Frame Sensor
    Sensor Size 23.6 x 15.8 mm 35.9 x 23.9 mm
    Sensor Area 372.88 mm2 858.01 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 28.4 mm 43.1 mm
    Crop Factor 1.5x 1.0x
    Sensor Resolution 12.2 Megapixels 45.4 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4288 x 2848 pixels 8256 x 5504 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 5.53 μm 4.35 μm
    Pixel Density 3.28 MP/cm2 5.30 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter no AA filter
    Movie Capability 720/24p Video 4K/30p Video
    ISO Setting 200 - 3,200 ISO 64 - 25,600 ISO
    ISO Boost 200 - 6,400 ISO 32 - 102,400 ISO
    Image Processor EXPEED EXPEED 5
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 73 100
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 22.7 26.4
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 12.5 14.8
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 977 2660
    Screen Specs Nikon D90 Nikon D850
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 96% 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.63x 0.75x
    Top-Level Screen Control Panel Control Panel
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.2inch
    LCD Resolution 920k dots 2359k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Tilting screen
    Touch Input no Touchscreen Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs Nikon D90 Nikon D850
    Focus System Phase-detect AF Phase-detect AF
    Continuous Shooting 4.5 shutter flaps/s 9 shutter flaps/s
    Shutter Life Expectancy100 000 actuations200 000 actuations
    Time-Lapse Photographyno IntervalometerIntervalometer built-in
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash no On-Board Flash
    Storage Medium SDHC cards SDXC or XQD cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Dual card slots
    UHS card support no UHS-II
    Connectivity Specs Nikon D90 Nikon D850
    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 Wifi built-in
    Near-Field Communication no NFC NFC built-in
    Bluetooth Support no Bluetooth Bluetooth built-in
    Body Specs Nikon D90 Nikon D850
    Environmental Sealingnot weather sealedWeathersealed body
    Battery Type Nikon EN-EL3e Nikon EN-EL15a
    Battery Life (CIPA)850 shots per charge1840 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 132 x 103 x 77 mm
    (5.2 x 4.1 x 3.0 in)
    146 x 124 x 79 mm
    (5.7 x 4.9 x 3.1 in)
    Camera Weight 703 g (24.8 oz) 1005 g (35.5 oz)
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    Check D90 offers at
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    Check D850 price at
    amazon.com

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