Nikon D800 vs Nikon D90

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D800 and Nikon D90. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon D800 were released 2012 and Nikon D90 was released 2008. That is a 4 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D800 2012
Nikon D90 2008

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D800 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 D800 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 D800 has a 36,3 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 D800 36,3 MP
36152320 pixels
7360 x 4912
Nikon D90 12,3 MP
12212224 pixels
4288 x 2848

Nikon D800 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 D800 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D90. Nikon D800 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Nikon D90 has 200 to 6400.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D800 100-25600
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 D800
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 D800 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds and Nikon D90 can shoot up to 4,5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D800 6
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 D800 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 D800 weighs 900 gr (equal to 1.98 lb) which is 28% heavier than Nikon D90 and its 703 gr (or 1.55 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D800 900 gr
1.98 lb
Nikon D90 703 gr
1.55 lb

Nikon D800 vs Nikon D90 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D800 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 D800
Nikon D90
Name Nikon D800 Nikon D90
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D800
Nikon D90
Release Year 2012 2008
Release Date 2012-02-07 2008-08-27
MSRP 2999 USD 899 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D800
Nikon D90
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D800
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 CMOS CMOS
Resolution 7360 x 4912 pixels 4288 x 2848 pixels
Megapixels 36,3 MP 12,3 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 3 Nikon LSI (Large Scale Integration)
Image
Nikon D800
Nikon D90
ISO Range 100 - 25600 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 D800
Nikon D90
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus 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 51 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 D800
Nikon D90
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3,2” 3”
Screen dots 921000 920000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT Color LCD with 170 degrees wide-viewing angle 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 0.7× 0.96× (0.64× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Nikon D800
Nikon D90
Frames per second 6 fps 4,5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 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 Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Average
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 D800
Nikon D90
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
MPEG4
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
1280 x 720
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Nikon D800
Nikon D90
Memory Card Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon D800
Nikon D90
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port Yes No
Wireless Yes
Optional with Nikon Wireless Transmitter for D800 (WT-4A)
Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Yes (Optional, wired or wireless) Yes (Optional ML-L3 or MC-DC2)
GPS Yes
Optional with GP-1
Yes
Optional
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D800
Nikon D90
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion EN-EL15 rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL3e rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 900 shots 850 shots
Width 146 mm 132 mm
Height 123 mm 103 mm
Depth 82 mm 77 mm
Weight 900 gram 703 gram