Nikon D780 vs Nikon D90

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

D780 compared with D90
NikonD780NikonD90
Overview
ReleasedJanuary 2020September 2008
Image and sensor
Camera typeDSLRDSLR
Sensor formatFull frameAPS-C
Sensor typeBackside-illuminated CMOSCMOS
Sensor dimensions35.9 × 23.9 mm23.6 × 15.8 mm
Effective resolution24.5 MP12.3 MP
Largest image6048 × 40244288 × 2848
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range100–51200200–3200
Sensor detail25.28 million total pixels; sensor cleaning and image-dust-off reference data12.9 million total pixels; sensor cleaning and Image Dust Off reference data
Image formats12/14-bit NEF RAW with lossless or ordinary compression; JPEG and RAW plus JPEGNEF RAW, JPEG and RAW plus JPEG; Cameralabs confirms 12-bit compressed RAW
ISO detailExpandable to equivalent ISO 50–204800; Auto ISO availableExpanded equivalents ISO 100–6400; Auto ISO
Image processorEXPEED 6EXPEED
Lens and shooting
Lens mountNikon F mountNikon F mount
StabilisationOptical lens stabilisationOptical lens stabilisation
Maximum continuous burst12 fps4.5 fps
Lens detailF-mount G/E/D, supported AF, P and AI non-CPU lenses with restrictions; DX lenses use a crop; non-AI, IX and F3AF lenses unsupportedDX angle of view approximately 1.5× FX focal length; AF coupling supports compatible screw-drive lenses. Non-CPU lenses permit manual exposure without metering; IX and F3AF lenses unsupported
AutofocusViewfinder Advanced Multi-CAM 3500II phase detection with 51 points, 15 cross-type and 11 supporting f/8. Live-view hybrid phase/contrast detection provides 273 FX still-image single-point positions and eye detection. UK/Japan sensitivity −3 EV viewfinder, −5 EV live view or −7 EV low-light AF under maker conditions; US launch prose's −4 EV viewfinder claim conflicts with exact specs.Multi-CAM 1000 phase detection, 11 points including one cross-type; single, dynamic, auto-area and 3D tracking. Live view uses contrast detection with face-priority, wide and normal areas
ShutterMechanical, electronic front-curtain and electronic shutters; 1/8000 to 30 seconds, Bulb and Time; manual-mode extension to 900 seconds. Flash sync 1/200 second with compatible Auto FP support.1/4000 to 30 seconds and Bulb; flash sync 1/200 second; tested to 100000 releases
Burst detailUp to 7 fps through the optical viewfinder; silent live view up to 12 fps with 12-bit RAW or 8 fps with 14-bit RAW. Low-speed 1–6 fps viewfinder or 1–3 fps live view; quiet continuous 3 fps. Reduced-resolution movie-frame still captures at up to 120 fps are separate from full-resolution continuous shooting.High-speed continuous approximately 4.5 fps; low-speed 1–4 fps
Stabilisation detailNo sensor-shift stabilisation; optical VR depends on the attached lens; electronic movie VR availableOptical VR depends on the attached lens; no sensor-shift stabilisation
FlashNo built-in flash; ISO 518 hot shoe and compatible external i-TTL Speedlights; optional AS-15 provides a flash-sync terminalPop-up i-TTL flash, guide number approximately 17 at ISO 200 in metres; commander for two remote groups; ISO 518 hot shoe
Exposure controlsAuto, P/S/A/M, effects and U1/U2 settings; ±5 EV still-image or ±3 EV movie compensation; 180K-pixel RGB viewfinder metering sensorP/S/A/M, auto and scene modes; 420-pixel RGB metering; ±5 EV compensation
Video
Highest video resolution3840 × 2160 at 29.97 fps1280 × 720 at 24 fps
Video detailUHD 3840 × 2160 at 29.97/25/23.976p without extra FX crop, oversampled from 6K sensor data; Full HD up to 119.88p and separate silent slow-motion modes. H.264 MOV/MP4; limit 29 minutes 59 seconds. 10-bit N-Log and HLG require an external HDMI recorder and cannot simultaneously record that output to the camera card. UK prose's DX 50/60p statement does not mean UHD 50/60p; exact maker UHD table tops out at 30p.Motion-JPEG AVI at 24 fps; 720p limited to approximately five minutes, 640 × 424 and 320 × 216 to approximately 20 minutes; autofocus unavailable during recording
AudioBuilt-in stereo microphones, external 3.5 mm microphone input and headphone output; PCM or AAC depending on file format; microphone attenuatorMonaural movie sound
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderOpticalOptical
Screen size3.2″3″
Screen dots2,359,000920,000
TouchscreenYes–
Tilting screenYesNo
Display detailApproximately 100% coverage, 170° viewing angle and vertical tilt; maker UK states 2359K dots, Japan rounds to approximately 2.36 million; dots count subpixelsFixed TFT with approximately 100% coverage and 170° viewing angle; dots count subpixels
Viewfinder detailPentaprism, approximately 100% FX coverage, 0.7× magnification with 50mm f/1.4 at infinity, 21 mm eyepoint and −3 to +1 dioptre adjustmentPentaprism, approximately 96% coverage and 0.94× magnification with 50mm f/1.4 at infinity; 19.5 mm eyepoint; selectable grid
Connections and design
Wi-FiYes–
BluetoothYes–
Battery life (maker's claim)2260 photographs850 photographs
Body weight755 g620 g (better)
Release detailNikon US announced on 6 January 2020 and specified availability in late January; global announcement dated 7 January. Main uses the confirmed month without inferring a UK retail day.Nikon's original US announcement specifies September 2008 availability; Nikon Japan records 19 September there. Main retains the month without assigning the Japanese day to every region
Recording mediaTwo UHS-II SD/SDHC/SDXC slots; overflow, backup, RAW/JPEG separation and card copyingSD and SDHC cards
PortsUSB-C SuperSpeed USB, mini HDMI Type C, 3.5 mm microphone and headphone sockets, accessory terminal for MC-DC2; optional WT-7 provides network connectivityHi-Speed USB, analogue AV output, HDMI mini Type C and accessory terminal for optional MC-DC2 or GP-1
Wireless connectionsWi-Fi IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac and Bluetooth 4.2; SnapBridge–
Battery life detailEN-EL15b; approximately 2260 CIPA single-frame shots or 4570 shots under Nikon's separate continuous-shooting test; approximately 95 minutes of movie recording. EN-EL15a/15 compatibility with restrictions; EN-EL15c may be supplied.EN-EL3e; approximately 850 CIPA photographs with the 18–105mm VR lens and flash in half the exposures; optional MB-D80 grip
ChargingIn-camera charging with EN-EL15b and optional EH-7P; external MH-25a charger. Optional AC adapter and EP-5B power connector.External MH-18a charger; optional EH-5a AC adapter
DimensionsApproximately 143.5 × 115.5 × 76 mmApproximately 132 × 103 × 77 mm
Weight detailApproximately 755 g body only or 840 g including battery and SD card, excluding body capApproximately 620 g excluding battery, card, body cap and monitor cover
MaterialsWeather-sealed magnesium alloy construction; maker operating range 0–40°C–
In the boxEN-EL15-series battery, MH-25a charger, UC-E24 USB cable, AN-DC21 strap, BF-1B body cap, DK-5 eyepiece cap and DK-31 eyecup; battery revision may varyEN-EL3e battery, MH-18a charger, DK-5 eyepiece cap, DK-21 eyecup, UC-E4 USB cable, EG-D2 AV cable, AN-DC1 strap, BM-10 monitor cover, body and shoe caps; regional contents may differ

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