Nikon D90 vs Canon EOS 5D Mark II

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D90 and Canon EOS 5D Mark II. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Nikon D90

Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Manufacturing

Nikon D90 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS 5D Mark II is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

These two camera models were both released 2008.

Camera	Released
Nikon D90	2008
Canon EOS 5D Mark II	2008

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 Canon EOS 5D Mark II has a "Canon Full Frame"-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
Canon EOS 5D Mark II	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)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Nikon D90 has a 12,3 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 5D Mark II has 21,1 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
Canon EOS 5D Mark II	21,1 MP 21026304 pixels 5616 x 3744

Canon EOS 5D Mark II has a 72 % 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

Canon EOS 5D Mark II has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D90. Canon EOS 5D Mark II has an ISO range that stretches from 50 to 25600 while Nikon D90 has 200 to 6400.

Camera	ISO Range
Nikon D90	200-6400
Canon EOS 5D Mark II	50-25600

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 Canon EOS 5D Mark II

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 Canon EOS 5D Mark II can shoot up to 3,9 pictures per seconds.

Camera	FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D90	4,5
Canon EOS 5D Mark II	3,9

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Nikon D90 and Canon EOS 5D Mark II 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.

Canon EOS 5D Mark II weighs 850 gr (equal to 1.87 lb) which is 21% heavier than Nikon D90 and its 703 gr (or 1.55 lb).

Camera	Weight
Nikon D90	703 gr 1.55 lb
Canon EOS 5D Mark II	850 gr 1.87 lb