Nikon
D90
Historic enthusiast DX DSLR — first Nikon with HD video (720p24), 12.3MP sensor, 11-point AF, built-in flash commander, and proven F-mount ergonomics.
$999
Launch priceReleased Aug 2008
Nikon
Z5 IIC
Screen-first, viewfinder-free full-frame Z mount body: 24.5MP BSI sensor, EXPEED 7 AF with fish detection, 7.5-stop IBIS, 15 Scene Modes, and N-RAW video.
$1,399
Launch priceReleased Oct 2026
Z5 IIC is 18.2 years newer.
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Wins
D90
Wins
Z5 IIC
1 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AD90 has higher Burst (mechanical) (6 fps vs 0 fps)
- BZ5 IIC has higher Max video bit rate (420 Mbps vs 150 Mbps)
- BZ5 IIC has higher ISO max (native) (64,000 vs 25,600)
- AD90 has higher EVF resolution (2,360,000 vs 1,040,000)
- BZ5 IIC has higher Burst (electronic) (30 fps vs 15 fps)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareD90
138 × 98 × 88 mm
520 g (1.15 lb / 18.34 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
Z5 IIC
134 × 81 × 72 mm
620 g (1.37 lb / 21.87 oz)
D90 is 4mm wider, 17mm taller, and 16mm thicker than Z5 IIC.
D90 is 100 g lighter than Z5 IIC.
Depth (front-to-back): 88mm D90 · 72mm Z5 IIC
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
D90
138 × 98 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Z5 IIC
134 × 81 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
D90
138 × 88 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Z5 IIC
134 × 72 mm
Sensor size, to scale
D90
23.5 × 15.6 mm · APS-C
367 mm² area
Z5 IIC
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
2.3× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
D90
✓ more lensesNikon F
270+
native lenses available
Z5 IIC
Nikon Z
90+
native lenses available
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
D90
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Animal, Bird…
Burst (mechanical)
6 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 138, 98, 88
Card types
Adds SD UHS-II
EVF resolution
2,360,000 vs 1,040,000 — higher is better
Card slots
2 vs 1 — higher is better
Battery life (CIPA)
640 shots vs 350 shots — higher is better
AF points / zones
493 vs 273 — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Z5 IIC
AF low-light limit
-10 EV vs -8.5 EV — lower is better
Subject recognition
Adds People, Birds, Dogs…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 134, 80.7, 72
Card types
Adds SD, SDHC, SDXC
Max video bit rate
420 Mbps vs 150 Mbps — higher is better
ISO max (native)
64,000 vs 25,600 — higher is better
AA filter
Only Z5 IIC supports it
Burst (electronic)
30 fps vs 15 fps — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Pre-Capture / Pre-Release — Both support pre-capture / pre-release
- ✓In-body stabilization (IBIS) — Both support in-body stabilization (ibis)
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
D90
Pros
- ✓First Nikon DSLR with HD video
- ✓Built-in flash commander
- ✓Mature F-mount ecosystem
- ✓Strong used value for learning
- ✓Live View with contrast AF
Cons
- –12.3MP dated resolution
- –720p video only
- –4.5 fps burst
- –No modern connectivity
Z5 IIC
Pros
- ✓Lightest full-frame Z body (620g)
- ✓15 Scene Modes — first on a Nikon FX mirrorless
- ✓EXPEED 7 AF, 10 subject types incl. fish
- ✓7.5-stop IBIS + Focus Point VR
- ✓N-RAW internal recording, UVC/UAC webcam
Cons
- –No built-in EVF — rear screen only
- –Single SD UHS-II slot
- –No mechanical shutter
- –4K 60p is DX (APS-C) crop only
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the D90 and Z5 IIC at major authorized retailers.
Nikon Z5 IIC
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for landscape, D90 or Z5 IIC?
Z5 IIC scores 6.0/10 versus 3.5/10 for D90 — Full-frame sensor — wider dynamic range.
What's the resolution difference between the D90 and Z5 IIC?
D90 is 12.3 MP and Z5 IIC is 24.5 MP, so the Z5 IIC captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the D90 and Z5 IIC have in-body image stabilization?
D90 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization, while Z5 IIC has 7.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the D90 or the Z5 IIC?
D90 reaches 15 fps electronic. Z5 IIC reaches 30 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the D90 and Z5 IIC?
D90 weighs 520 g and Z5 IIC weighs 620 g, so the D90 is 100 g lighter.
Do the D90 and Z5 IIC record 4K video?
D90: 4K up to 60p. Z5 IIC: 4K up to 59.94p.
Are the D90 and Z5 IIC weather sealed?
D90: Yes. Z5 IIC: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the D90 and 350 shots for the Z5 IIC, giving the D90 the edge.
How much does each cost?
D90 launched at $999 and Z5 IIC at $1,399. The D90 is $400 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way D90 vs Z5 IIC vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed September 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon press materials.