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
Z6 III
First partially stacked full-frame sensor with 6K N-RAW internal video.
$2,499
Launch priceReleased Jun 2024
Z6 III is 15.8 years newer.
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Wins
D90
Wins
Z6 III
3 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BZ6 III has higher RAW buffer depth (1000 frames vs 60 frames)
- BZ6 III has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 15 fps)
- BZ6 III has higher Burst (mechanical) (20 fps vs 6 fps)
- BZ6 III has higher ISO max (native) (64,000 vs 25,600)
- BZ6 III has higher EVF resolution (5,760,000 vs 2,360,000)
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
Z6 III
139 × 102 × 74 mm
760 g (1.68 lb / 26.81 oz)
D90 is 1mm narrower and 4mm shorter than Z6 III but it is also 14mm thicker.
D90 is 240 g lighter than Z6 III.
Depth (front-to-back): 88mm D90 · 74mm Z6 III
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
D90
138 × 98 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Z6 III
139 × 102 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
Z6 III
139 × 74 mm
Sensor size, to scale
D90
23.5 × 15.6 mm · APS-C
367 mm² area
Z6 III
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
Z6 III
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…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 138, 98, 88
Card types
Adds SD UHS-II
Battery life (CIPA)
640 shots vs 360 shots — higher is better
AF points / zones
493 vs 299 — higher is better
Weight
520 g vs 760 g — lower is better
Reasons to choose
Z6 III
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 138.5, 101.5, 74
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type B, XQD, SD…
RAW buffer depth
1000 frames vs 60 frames — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 15 fps — higher is better
Burst (mechanical)
20 fps vs 6 fps — higher is better
ISO max (native)
64,000 vs 25,600 — 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
Z6 III
Pros
- ✓Partially stacked CMOS reduces rolling shutter
- ✓6K N-RAW 60p internal — true filmmaking capability
- ✓5.76M dot EVF — best-in-class resolution
- ✓14fps mechanical burst
Cons
- –EN-EL15c battery life only 380 CIPA shots
- –Smaller lens ecosystem vs. Canon RF
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the D90 and Z6 III at major authorized retailers.
Nikon Z6 III
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for landscape, D90 or Z6 III?
Z6 III scores 7.0/10 versus 3.5/10 for D90 — Full-frame sensor — wider dynamic range.
What's the resolution difference between the D90 and Z6 III?
D90 is 12.3 MP and Z6 III is 24.5 MP, so the Z6 III captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the D90 and Z6 III have in-body image stabilization?
D90 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization, while Z6 III has 8-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the D90 or the Z6 III?
D90 reaches 15 fps electronic. Z6 III reaches 120 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the D90 and Z6 III?
D90 weighs 520 g and Z6 III weighs 760 g, so the D90 is 240 g lighter.
Do the D90 and Z6 III record 4K video?
D90: 4K up to 60p. Z6 III: 4K up to 120p.
Are the D90 and Z6 III weather sealed?
D90: Yes. Z6 III: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the D90 and 360 shots for the Z6 III, giving the D90 the edge.
How much does each cost?
D90 launched at $999 and Z6 III at $2,499. The D90 is $1,500 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way D90 vs Z6 III vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon press materials.