Nikon D850 vs Nikon D90
This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D850 and Nikon D90. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.
Nikon D850 were released 2017 and Nikon D90 was released 2008. That is a 9 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Nikon D850 | 2017 |
Nikon D90 | 2008 |
Type of camera
Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.
Sensors / crop factor
These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D850 has a "Nikon FX"-sensor while Nikon D90 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.
Camera | Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 ** |
Nikon D850 | 50 mm Full-frame sensor No crop factor/focal length multiplier |
Nikon D90 | 75 mm Nikon DX sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5 |
** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"
Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)
Resolution
Nikon D850 has a 46 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D90 has 12,3 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:
Camera | Megapixels |
Nikon D850 |
46 MP
45441024 pixels 8256 x 5504 |
Nikon D90 |
12,3 MP
12212224 pixels 4288 x 2848 |
Nikon D850 has a 272 % larger resolution than Nikon D90. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.
ISO range
Nikon D850 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D90. Nikon D850 has an ISO range that stretches from 64 to 25600 while Nikon D90 has 200 to 6400.
Camera | ISO Range |
Nikon D850 | 64-25600 |
Nikon D90 | 200-6400 |
Autofocus and lens compatibility
Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.
Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D850
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D90
Pictures per second
Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D850 can shoot up to 9 pictures per seconds and Nikon D90 can shoot up to 4,5 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Nikon D850 | 9 |
Nikon D90 | 4,5 |
Ability to record movies
It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.
In this case, both Nikon D850 and Nikon D90 can shoot movies.
Weight
The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.
Nikon D850 weighs 1005 gr (equal to 2.22 lb) which is 43% heavier than Nikon D90 and its 703 gr (or 1.55 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Nikon D850 | 1005 gr 2.22 lb |
Nikon D90 | 703 gr 1.55 lb |
Nikon D850 vs Nikon D90 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D850 and Nikon D90, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.
Product |
Nikon D850 |
Nikon D90 |
Name | Nikon D850 | Nikon D90 |
Manufacturer | Nikon | Nikon |
Release Date and Price |
Nikon D850 |
Nikon D90 |
Release Year | 2017 | 2008 |
Release Date | 2017-07-25 | 2008-08-27 |
MSRP | 3299 USD | 899 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Nikon D850 |
Nikon D90 |
Camera Type | DSLR | DSLR |
Sensor |
Nikon D850 |
Nikon D90 |
Sensor Size |
Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm) Also known as "FX" |
APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm) Also known as "DX" |
Sensor Type | BSI-CMOS | CMOS |
Resolution | 8256 x 5504 pixels | 4288 x 2848 pixels |
Megapixels | 46 MP | 12,3 MP |
Image Processor | EXPEED 5 | Nikon LSI (Large Scale Integration) |
Image |
Nikon D850 |
Nikon D90 |
ISO Range | 64 - 25600 | 200 - 6400 |
White Balance Presets | 14 | 12 |
Custom White Balance | Yes | Yes |
Image Stabilization | No | No |
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating | 0 stops | 0 stops |
Uncompressed format | RAW + TIFF | RAW |
Optics & Focus |
Nikon D850 |
Nikon D90 |
Autofocus Motor | Yes | Yes |
Autofocus |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Center Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Touch Face Detection LiveView |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView |
Focus Points | 151 | 11 |
Lens Mount |
Nikon F See Compatible Lenses |
Nikon F See Compatible Lenses |
Focal Length Multiplier |
FX (Full frame) No multiplier Example: 24 mm remains 24 mm 50 mm remains 50 mm 100 mm remains 100 mm 200 mm remains 200 mm |
DX / APS-C (1.5x) 1.5x multiplier Example: 24 mm becomes 36 mm 50 mm becomes 75 mm 100 mm becomes 150 mm 200 mm becomes 300 mm |
Screen & Viewfinder |
Nikon D850 |
Nikon D90 |
Articulated LCD | Tilting | Fixed |
Screen size | 3.2” | 3” |
Screen dots | 2359000 | 920000 |
Touch screen | Yes | No |
Screen type | TFT LCD | Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle |
Live view | Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 96% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.75× | 0.96× (0.64× 35mm equiv.) |
Viewfinder Resolution | 0 | N/A |
Photography features |
Nikon D850 |
Nikon D90 |
Frames per second | 9 fps | 4,5 fps |
Minimum Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Built-in Flash | No | Yes |
Built-in Flash Range | N/A | 17 meters |
External Flash | Yes | Yes |
Self-Timer | Yes | Yes |
Time-lapse | Yes | Yes |
Metering modes |
Multi Center Weighted Highlight Weighted Spot |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Exposure Compensation | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps) | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Nikon D850 |
Nikon D90 |
Video recording | Yes | Yes |
Video format |
MPEG4 |
MPEG4 |
Video resolution |
1280 x 720 1920 x 1080 3840 x 2160 |
1280 x 720 |
Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
Built-in Speakers | Yes | Yes |
Storage |
Nikon D850 |
Nikon D90 |
Memory Card |
SD/SDHC XQD |
SD/SDHC |
Connectivity |
Nikon D850 |
Nikon D90 |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | Yes | No |
Headphone Port | Yes | No |
Wireless |
Yes Built-In ( 802.11b/g + NFC + Bluetooth 4.1 LE) |
Yes Eye-Fi Connected |
Remote Control | Yes (wired, wireless, smartphone) |
Yes (Optional ML-L3 or MC-DC2)
|
GPS | No |
Yes Optional |
Body & Dimensions |
Nikon D850 |
Nikon D90 |
Enviromentally sealed | Yes | No |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
EN-EL15a lithium-ion battery & charger
|
Lithium-Ion EN-EL3e rechargeable battery & charger
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 1840 shots | 850 shots |
Width | 146 mm | 132 mm |
Height | 124 mm | 103 mm |
Depth | 79 mm | 77 mm |
Weight | 1005 gram | 703 gram |