What To Know
- The D90 was a popular DSLR that represented the pinnacle of Nikon’s APS-C lineup, while the Z6 is a mirrorless camera that ushered in a new era for Nikon’s full-frame cameras.
- The Nikon Z6 has a much better autofocus system than the Nikon D90, with more focus points and faster and more accurate focusing in a wider range of lighting conditions.
- The Nikon Z6 has a faster burst shooting speed than the Nikon D90, with a maximum burst shooting speed of 12 fps compared to 4.
The Nikon D90 and Z6 are two very different cameras, released over a decade apart. The D90 was a popular DSLR that represented the pinnacle of Nikon’s APS-C lineup, while the Z6 is a mirrorless camera that ushered in a new era for Nikon’s full-frame cameras. In this blog post, we will compare the Nikon D90 vs Z6 in terms of their key features, performance, and overall value.
Sensor and Image Quality
The Nikon D90 features a 12.3MP APS-C CMOS sensor, while the Z6 boasts a 24.5MP full-frame CMOS sensor. The larger sensor size of the Z6 gives it a significant advantage in terms of resolution, dynamic range, and low-light performance.
In practical terms, this means that the Z6 can produce images with more detail, better color accuracy, and less noise in low-light situations.
Autofocus System
The Nikon D90 uses a 11-point autofocus system, while the Z6 features a 273-point hybrid autofocus system. The Z6’s autofocus system is much more advanced and capable, offering faster and more accurate focusing in a wider range of lighting conditions.
This makes the Z6 a better choice for shooting fast-moving subjects or in low-light situations.
Burst Shooting Speed
The Nikon D90 has a maximum burst shooting speed of 4.5 frames per second (fps), while the Z6 can shoot up to 12 fps. This makes the Z6 a much better choice for shooting action or sports photography.
Video Capabilities
The Nikon D90 can shoot video at a maximum resolution of 1080p at 24 fps, while the Z6 can shoot 4K video at up to 30 fps. The Z6 also offers a variety of other video features, such as slow-motion recording and time-lapse photography.
This makes the Z6 a much more versatile camera for videographers.
Build Quality and Ergonomics
The Nikon D90 is a well-built camera with a weather-sealed magnesium alloy body. It is designed to withstand the rigors of professional use. The Z6 is also a well-built camera, but it is not weather-sealed. It is also slightly smaller and lighter than the D90, making it more comfortable to carry around.
Price and Value
The Nikon D90 was released in 2008 and is now discontinued. It can be found used for around $200-$300. The Nikon Z6 was released in 2018 and is currently available for around $1,999.
While the Z6 is significantly more expensive than the D90, it offers a much wider range of features and performance. For most photographers, the Z6 is the better value.
Which Camera Is Right for You?
The Nikon D90 is a good choice for budget-conscious photographers who are looking for a well-built camera with good image quality. The Nikon Z6 is a better choice for photographers who need a more advanced camera with better autofocus, burst shooting speed, video capabilities, and low-light performance.
Ultimately, the best way to decide which camera is right for you is to try them both out and see which one feels better in your hands and meets your specific needs.
The End of the DSLR Era?
The Nikon Z6 is a clear indication that the DSLR era is coming to an end. Mirrorless cameras offer a number of advantages over DSLRs, including smaller size and weight, better autofocus performance, and more advanced video capabilities.
While DSLRs will likely continue to be used by some photographers for years to come, it is clear that mirrorless cameras are the future of photography.
Popular Questions
Q: Which camera has better image quality, the Nikon D90 or the Nikon Z6?
A: The Nikon Z6 has better image quality due to its larger sensor size, which gives it an advantage in terms of resolution, dynamic range, and low-light performance.
Q: Which camera has a better autofocus system, the Nikon D90 or the Nikon Z6?
A: The Nikon Z6 has a much better autofocus system than the Nikon D90, with more focus points and faster and more accurate focusing in a wider range of lighting conditions.
Q: Which camera has a faster burst shooting speed, the Nikon D90 or the Nikon Z6?
A: The Nikon Z6 has a faster burst shooting speed than the Nikon D90, with a maximum burst shooting speed of 12 fps compared to 4.5 fps.
Q: Which camera is better for videography, the Nikon D90 or the Nikon Z6?
A: The Nikon Z6 is much better for videography than the Nikon D90, with the ability to shoot 4K video at up to 30 fps and a wider range of video features.
Q: Which camera is a better value, the Nikon D90 or the Nikon Z6?
A: The Nikon Z6 is a better value than the Nikon D90, as it offers a much wider range of features and performance for a relatively small price premium.
