Nikon D90 vs Nikon D810A

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D90 and Nikon D810A. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon D90 were released 2008 and Nikon D810A was released 2015. That is a 7 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D90 2008
Nikon D810A 2015

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D90 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor while Nikon D810A has a "Nikon FX"-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 D90 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Nikon D810A 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** 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 D90 has a 12,3 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D810A has 36 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon D90 12,3 MP
12212224 pixels
4288 x 2848
Nikon D810A 36 MP
36152320 pixels
7360 x 4912

Nikon D810A has a 196 % 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 D810A has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D90. Nikon D810A has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 12800 while Nikon D90 has 200 to 6400.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D90 200-6400
Nikon D810A 200-12800

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 D90
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D810A

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D90 can shoot up to 4,5 pictures per seconds and Nikon D810A can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D90 4,5
Nikon D810A 5

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Nikon D90 and Nikon D810A 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 D810A weighs 880 gr (equal to 1.94 lb) which is 25% heavier than Nikon D90 and its 703 gr (or 1.55 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D90 703 gr
1.55 lb
Nikon D810A 880 gr
1.94 lb

Nikon D90 vs Nikon D810A Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D90 and Nikon D810A, 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 D90
Nikon D810A
Name Nikon D90 Nikon D810A
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D90
Nikon D810A
Release Year 2008 2015
Release Date 2008-08-27 2015-02-10
MSRP 899 USD 3799 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D90
Nikon D810A
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D90
Nikon D810A
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4288 x 2848 pixels 7360 x 4912 pixels
Megapixels 12,3 MP 36 MP
Image Processor Nikon LSI (Large Scale Integration) EXPEED 4
Image
Nikon D90
Nikon D810A
ISO Range 200 - 6400 200 - 12800
White Balance Presets 12 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW + TIFF
Optics & Focus
Nikon D90
Nikon D810A
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 11 51
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier 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
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
Screen & Viewfinder
Nikon D90
Nikon D810A
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3” 3.2”
Screen dots 920000 1229000
Touch screen No No
Screen type Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT-LCD (RGBW)
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (tunnel)
Viewfinder Coverage 96% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.96× (0.64× 35mm equiv.) 0.7×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Nikon D90
Nikon D810A
Frames per second 4,5 fps 5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 17 meters 12 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D90
Nikon D810A
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Nikon D90
Nikon D810A
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon D90
Nikon D810A
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Yes
Optional via WT-5A or Eye-Fi
Remote Control Yes (Optional ML-L3 or MC-DC2)
Yes
GPS Yes
Optional
Yes
Optional via GP-1 or GP-1A
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D90
Nikon D810A
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion EN-EL3e rechargeable battery & charger
EN-EL15 lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 850 shots 1200 shots
Width 132 mm 146 mm
Height 103 mm 123 mm
Depth 77 mm 82 mm
Weight 703 gram 880 gram