Nikon D90 vs Nikon D50

      Nikon D90

      Nikon D50
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      Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Nikon D90 and the Nikon D50, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Nikon D90 was introduced in October 2008 and Nikon D50 was introduced in July 2005. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Nikon D90 Highlights

      • 12.3 MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
      • 200 - 3,200 Native ISO
      • 11 Focus Points
      • 3.0" 920k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
      • 4.5 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1280 x 720 Video Shooting
      • Built-in Flash

      Nikon D50 Highlights

      • 6.1 MP APS-C CCD Sensor
      • 200 - 1,600 Native ISO
      • 2.0" 130k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentamirror) Viewfinder
      • 3.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • Built-in Flash
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Nikon D90
      4. Advantage of Nikon D50
      5. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      6. Screen and Viewfinder
      7. Sensor
      8. Photography Features
      9. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
      10. Other Features
      11. Physical Parameters
      12. For Different Types of Photography
      13. Evaluations
      14. Specifications  

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Nikon D90 and Nikon D50.

      PROS

      Nikon D90

      Nikon D50

      •   Video Capture
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Orientation Sensor
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   High Flash Sync Speed - 1/500 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor

      CONS

      Nikon D90

      Nikon D50

      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12.3 Megapixel
      •   200 Lowest Native ISO
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   No Video Capture
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 6.1 Megapixel
      •   200 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Small Screen - 2.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 130k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Low DxO Overall Score - 55
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Nikon D90

      Nikon D50

      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.5 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
      •   DxO Overall Score - 73
      •   Weight - 703 g (1.55 lb / 24.80 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 850 shots
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Weight - 620 g (1.37 lb / 21.87 oz)

      Advantage of Nikon D90

      Nikon D90
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon D90 over Nikon D50.

      Nikon D90 vs Nikon D50
      Video Capture vs
      Higher Sensor Resolution 12.3 Megapixel vs 6.1 Megapixel
      Higher Native ISO 3,200 vs 1,600
      Max Image Resolution 4288 x 2848 vs 3008 x 2000
      Face Detection vs
      Live View Autofocus vs
      Contrast Detection for Autofocus vs
      Larger Screen 3.0" vs 2.0"
      Higher Resolution Screen 920k dot vs 130k dot
      Live View vs
      Higher Viewfinder Coverage 96% vs 95%
      Higher Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent) 0.64x vs 0.50x
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 4.5 fps vs 3.0 fps
      Multi-Segment Metering vs
      Center Weighted Metering vs
      Spot Metering vs
      Higher DxO Low Light ISO 977 vs 560
      Higher DxO Color Depth 22.7 vs 20.9
      Higher DxO Dynamic Range 12.5 vs 10.8
      Higher DxO Overall Score 73 vs 55
      HDMI Output Mini Type C vs

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Nikon D90.

      Nikon D80
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      APS-C

      10.2 MP

      Nikon D70
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      APS-C

      6.1 MP

      Nikon D60
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      10.2 MP

      Nikon D40
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      6.1 MP

      Nikon D7000
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      16.2 MP

      Nikon D70s
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      6.1 MP

      Nikon D40X
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      10.2 MP

      Sony DSLR-A390
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      14.2 MP

      Sony DSLR-A380
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      14.2 MP

      Sony ZV-E10
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      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Fujifilm X-T20
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      APS-C

      24.3 MP

      Fujifilm X-T200
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      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Advantage of Nikon D50

      Nikon D50
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon D50 over Nikon D90.

      Nikon D90 vs Nikon D50
      Higher Flash Sync Speed 1/200 sec vs 1/500 sec
      Lighter 703 g (1.55 lb / 24.80 oz) vs 620 g (1.37 lb / 21.87 oz)

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Nikon D50.

      Nikon D70
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      APS-C

      6.1 MP

      Nikon D40
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      APS-C

      6.1 MP

      Nikon D60
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      APS-C

      10.2 MP

      Nikon D40X
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      APS-C

      10.2 MP

      Nikon D70s
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      APS-C

      6.1 MP

      Nikon D80
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      APS-C

      10.2 MP

      Nikon Z8
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      Full Frame

      45.7 MP

      Fujifilm X-T1
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      APS-C

      16.3 MP

      Canon 4000D
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      APS-C

      18.0 MP

      Canon Rebel SL1
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      APS-C

      18.0 MP

      Olympus E-400
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      Micro Four Thirds

      10.0 MP

      Epson R-D1
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      APS-C

      6 MP

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Nikon D90 Nikon D50
        Built-in Flash
        Orientation Sensor
      WEAKNESSES Nikon D90 Nikon D50
        Low Resolution Sensor12.3 Megapixel6.1 Megapixel
        High Native ISO200200
        Low Native ISO3,2001,600
        Timelapse Recording
        No Image Stabilization
        Screen TypeFixedFixed
        No Microphone Input
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi via Eye-Fi
        No Built-In Bluetooth
        No Environmental Sealing

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Nikon D90 has a 3.0" screen with 920k dot resolution and Nikon D50 has a 2.0" screen with 130k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens.


      Viewfinder

      Nikon D90 has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinderNikon D50 has a built-in Optical (pentamirror) viewfinder. Nikon D90 has 96% coverage with 0.96x (0.64x 35mm equivalent) magnification and Nikon D50 has 95% coverage with 0.75x (0.50x 35mm equivalent) magnification.

      Sensor

      Nikon D90 features a 12.3 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.6 x 15.8 mm and a total area of 372.9 mm2. Its native ISO range is 200 - 3,200 and expands to 200 - 6,400 in boosted mode. Nikon D50 features a 6.1 megapixel APS-C CCD sensor with dimensions of 23.7 x 15.6 mm and a total area of 243.4 mm2. Its native ISO range is 200 - 1,600.


      Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

      Sensor size chart
      Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
      Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
      Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.6 mm368.2 mm23:21.5x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
      Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
      Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

      Photography Features

      Nikon D90 can take pictures up to 4288 x 2848 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3216 x 2136, 2144 x 1424 with 3:2 aspect ratios. Nikon D50 can take pictures up to 3008 x 2000 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 2256 x 1496, 1504 x 1000 with 3:2 aspect ratios.


      Lens Mount

      Cameras have Nikon F lens mount. Due to their APS-C sensor their crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is equal to 1.5x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.5.


      No Image Stabilization

      The cameras do not have image stabilization. On Nikon D90 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Nikon D50 nothing can be done. On Nikon D50 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Nikon D90 nothing can be done.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

      Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Nikon D90 comes with EN-EL3e battery pack with battery life of 850 shots and Nikon D50 comes with EN-EL3 battery pack.


      External Storage Slots

      Nikon D90 has a single SD/SDHC card slot. Nikon D50 has a single SD card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Nikon D90 has Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter. Nikon D50 has Combined mechanical and CCD electronic shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Nikon D90, and up to 1/4000 sec on Nikon D50. Nikon D90 can shoot continuously up to 4.5 fps. Nikon D50 can shoot continuously up to 3.0 fps.


      Exposure

      Exposure meterings of Nikon D90 ranges from 0 to +20 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±5 EV range on Nikon D90 and ±5 EV range on Nikon D50. You can also do exposure lock, exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Nikon D90 and exposure lock, exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Nikon D50.


      Flash

      Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 17.00 m at ISO 100 on Nikon D90 and 11.00 m at ISO 100 on Nikon D50. They also accept external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe to Nikon D90 and via Standard ISO hot-shoe contact with safety lock provided to Nikon D50. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/200 sec on Nikon D90 and 1/500 sec on Nikon D50.

      Physical Parameters

      Nikon D90 body has dimensions of 132 x 103 x 77 mm (5.2 x 4.06 x 3.03") and Nikon D50 body has dimensions of 133 x 102 x 76 mm (5.24 x 4.02 x 2.99"). Nikon D90 weighs 703 g (1.55 lb / 24.80 oz) and Nikon D50 weighs 620 g (1.37 lb / 21.87 oz).

      Nikon D90

      Nikon D50

      132 mm

      103 mm

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      133 mm

      102 mm

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      103 mm

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      102 mm

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      77 mm

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      76 mm

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      Size comparisons of Nikon D90 and Nikon D50

      Nikon D90 and Nikon D50 for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Nikon D90

      Nikon D50

      GOOD
      70
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      AVERAGE
      62
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 130k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Nikon D90

      Nikon D50

      AVERAGE
      67
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.5 fps
      •   Battery Life - 850 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      POOR
      53
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 130k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Wildlife Photography

      Nikon D90

      Nikon D50

      AVERAGE
      58
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.5 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Battery Life - 850 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      POOR
      52
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 130k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Portrait Photography

      Nikon D90

      Nikon D50

      GOOD
      79
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      72
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Small Screen - 2.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 130k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   High Flash Sync Speed - 1/500 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Street Photography

      Nikon D90

      Nikon D50

      GOOD
      77
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 703 g (1.55 lb / 24.80 oz)
      GOOD
      77
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 130k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 620 g (1.37 lb / 21.87 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Nikon D90

      Nikon D50

      GOOD
      74
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 703 g (1.55 lb / 24.80 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 850 shots
      GOOD
      78
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 130k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 620 g (1.37 lb / 21.87 oz)

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Nikon D90 and Nikon D50 and give them scores of 62 and 54 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Nikon D90

      Nikon D50

      OVERALL
      62
      OVERALL
      54

      Sensor

      Nikon D90

      Nikon D50

      AVERAGE
      67
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12.3 Megapixel
      •   200 Lowest Native ISO
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 73
      AVERAGE
      67
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 6.1 Megapixel
      •   200 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   Low DxO Overall Score - 55

      Photo

      Nikon D90

      Nikon D50

      AVERAGE
      63
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.5 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
      POOR
      52
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   High Flash Sync Speed - 1/500 sec

      Video

      Nikon D90

      Nikon D50

      BAD
      7
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      BAD
      0
      •   No Image Stabilization

      Focusing

      Nikon D90

      Nikon D50

      GOOD
      81
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      GOOD
      75
      •   No Face Detection

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Nikon D90

      Nikon D50

      GOOD
      72
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      AVERAGE
      61
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Small Screen - 2.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 130k dot

      Connectivity

      Nikon D90

      Nikon D50

      AVERAGE
      61
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      POOR
      41
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Nikon D90

      Nikon D50

      POOR
      44
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 703 g (1.55 lb / 24.80 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 850 shots
      POOR
      42
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 620 g (1.37 lb / 21.87 oz)


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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