Nikon D90 vs Nikon D70s

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Nikon D90 and the Nikon D70s, 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 D70s was introduced in April 2005. Let us first list highlights of the models.

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.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon D90 over Nikon D70s.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon D70s over Nikon D90.

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.

Screen

Nikon D90 has a 3.0" screen with 920k dot resolution and Nikon D70s has a 2.0" screen with 130k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens.

Viewfinder

Cameras have built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinders. Nikon D90 has 96% coverage with 0.96x (0.64x 35mm equivalent) magnification and Nikon D70s has 95% coverage with 0.75x (0.50x 35mm equivalent) magnification.

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 D70s 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
	Medium Format	44 x 33 mm	1452 mm2	4:3	0.79x
	Full Frame	36 x 24 mm	864 mm2	3:2	1x
	APS-H	27 x 18 mm	486 mm2	3:2	1.3x
	APS-C	23.6 x 15.6 mm	368.2 mm2	3:2	1.5x
	APS-C (Canon)	22.3 x 14.9 mm	332.3 mm2	3:2	1.6x
	Micro Four Thirds	17.4 x 13 mm	226.2 mm2	4:3	2x
	1-inch	13.2 x 8.8 mm	116.2 mm2	3:2	2.7x
	1/1.7-inch	7.44 x 5.58 mm	41.5 mm2	4:3	4.7x
	1/2.3-inch	6.17 x 4.55 mm	28.1 mm2	4:3	5.6x

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 D70s can take pictures up to 3008 x 2000 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 2240 x 1488, 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 D70s nothing can be done. On Nikon D70s it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Nikon D90 nothing can be done.

USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

Both models have USB 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 D70s comes with EN-EL3a battery pack.

External Storage Slots

Nikon D90 has a single SD/SDHC card slot. Nikon D70s has a single CompactFlash (Type I/II, compliant with UDMA), MicroDrive card slot.

Shutter

Nikon D90 has Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter. Nikon D70s has Combined mechanical and CCD electronic shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Nikon D90, and up to 1/8000 sec on Nikon D70s. Nikon D90 can shoot continuously up to 4.5 fps. Nikon D70s 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. 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 D70s.

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 D70s. They also accept external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe to Nikon D90. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/200 sec on Nikon D90 and 1/500 sec on Nikon D70s.

Nikon D90 body has dimensions of 132 x 103 x 77 mm (5.2 x 4.06 x 3.03") and Nikon D70s body has dimensions of 140 x 111 x 78 mm (5.51 x 4.37 x 3.07"). Nikon D90 weighs 703 g (1.55 lb / 24.80 oz) and Nikon D70s weighs 679 g (1.50 lb / 23.95 oz).

Nikon D90

Nikon D70s

132 mm

103 mm

140 mm

111 mm

103 mm

111 mm

77 mm

78 mm