Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D90

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D3100 and Nikon D90. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon D3100 were released 2010 and Nikon D90 was released 2008. That is a 2 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D3100 2010
Nikon D90 2008

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Nikon DX") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Neither of the cameras has a Full frame sensor which means that you will get a "crop factor" where the camera's sensor size affect the focal length with a multiplier.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Nikon D3100 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
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 D3100 has a 14,2 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 D3100 14,2 MP
14155776 pixels
4608 x 3072
Nikon D90 12,3 MP
12212224 pixels
4288 x 2848

Nikon D3100 has a 16 % 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 D3100 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D90. Nikon D3100 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 12800 while Nikon D90 has 200 to 6400.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D3100 100-12800
Nikon D90 200-6400

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Nikon D90 has a built-in autofocus motor but Nikon D3100 does not. If you want to be able to use autofocus on Nikon D3100 there is a need for having an autofocus motor inside the lens. We really encourage you to look closely at our lens compatibility charts at the links below.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D3100
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 D3100 can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds and Nikon D90 can shoot up to 4,5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D3100 3
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 D3100 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 D90 weighs 703 gr (equal to 1.55 lb) which is 39% heavier than Nikon D3100 and its 505 gr (or 1.11 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D3100 505 gr
1.11 lb
Nikon D90 703 gr
1.55 lb

Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D90 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D3100 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 D3100
Nikon D90
Name Nikon D3100 Nikon D90
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D3100
Nikon D90
Release Year 2010 2008
Release Date 2010-08-19 2008-08-27
MSRP 699 USD 899 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D3100
Nikon D90
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D3100
Nikon D90
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4608 x 3072 pixels 4288 x 2848 pixels
Megapixels 14,2 MP 12,3 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 2 Nikon LSI (Large Scale Integration)
Image
Nikon D3100
Nikon D90
ISO Range 100 - 12800 200 - 6400
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
Optics & Focus
Nikon D3100
Nikon D90
Autofocus Motor No Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 11 11
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
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 D3100
Nikon D90
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 230000 920000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT LCD monitor Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 96%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.) 0.96× (0.64× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Nikon D3100
Nikon D90
Frames per second 3 fps 4,5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 12 meters 17 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Average
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D3100
Nikon D90
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
MPEG4
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
1280 x 720
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Nikon D3100
Nikon D90
Memory Card SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon D3100
Nikon D90
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Optional
Yes (Optional ML-L3 or MC-DC2)
GPS Yes
Optional
Yes
Optional
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D3100
Nikon D90
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion EN-EL14 rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL3e rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) N/A 850 shots
Width 124 mm 132 mm
Height 96 mm 103 mm
Depth 75 mm 77 mm
Weight 505 gram 703 gram