Nikon D90 vs Canon 6D

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Nikon D90 vs Canon 6D

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APS-C 372.9mm²
12.3 megapixels
ISO 200 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Nikon D90 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D90.

35mm 855.6mm²
20.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Canon 6D Review.
How does it shoot? Canon 6D in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the 6D.
Compare Canon 6D image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon 6D conclusion.

Succeeded by the Nikon D7000
Compare D90 vs D7000

Succeeded by the Canon 6D Mark II
Compare 6D vs 6D Mark II

Compare NIKON D7000 vs CANON 6D MARK II

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Differences

Nikon D90 advantages over Canon 6D

Fast startup
~0.30 vs 0.5 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
More telephoto lens reach
158 mm vs 105 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 1250 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Canon 6D advantages over Nikon D90

Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 6.54 vs 5.50 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
6D test data on DxO Mark D90 test data on DxO Mark

2,340 vs 977 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

1090 vs 850 shots
Capture more photos
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
More viewfinder magnification
0.71x vs 0.63x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
20.2 vs 12.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 27 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Bigger RAW buffer
17 vs 10 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
102400 vs 6400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Top deck display
Both provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Pentaprism viewfinder
Both provide
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Adorama
Read D90 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read 6D User Reviews

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Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 24-105mm Lens

All 6D Deals

Review Excerpt

Read our Nikon D90 Full Review

Excellent image quality on par to more expensive full-frame DSLRs (including the 5D Mark III); Responsive all-around performer; Superior HD video-shooting chops; Built-in Wi-Fi with remote control and sharing features, Built-in GPS and geotagging.
Lacks a built-in, pop-up flash; No external headphone jack; Rather basic 11-point autofocus system; Mediocre burst speed.
Read our Canon 6D Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Nikon D90

Canon 5D Mark III

$1300
APS-C

Fast startup
Internal flash

$2799
35mm

Larger sensor
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D90 vs Canon 5D Mark III

Canon 6D

Canon 5D Mark III

$1699
35mm

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

$2799
35mm

More cross-type AF points
Less shutter lag

Compare Canon 6D vs Canon 5D Mark III

Compared to Nikon D610

Nikon D90

Nikon D610

$1300
APS-C

More telephoto lens reach
Bigger JPEG buffer

$1198
35mm

Larger sensor
Better color depth

Compare Nikon D90 vs Nikon D610

Canon 6D

Nikon D610

$1699
35mm

Built-in Wi-Fi
Built-in GPS

$1198
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 6D vs Nikon D610

Compared to Canon 7D Mark II

Nikon D90

Canon 7D Mark II

$1300
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1597
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Built-in GPS

Compare Nikon D90 vs Canon 7D Mark II

Canon 6D

Canon 7D Mark II

$1699
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1597
APS-C

On-sensor phase detect
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon 6D vs Canon 7D Mark II

Compared to Sony DSLR-A550

Nikon D90

Sony DSLR-A550

$1300
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$859
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D90 vs Sony DSLR-A550

Canon 6D

Sony DSLR-A550

$1699
35mm

Lens selection
Larger sensor

$859
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Tiltable Screen

Compare Canon 6D vs Sony DSLR-A550

Compared to Sony DSLR-A500

Nikon D90

Sony DSLR-A500

$1300
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$850
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D90 vs Sony DSLR-A500

Canon 6D

Sony DSLR-A500

$1699
35mm

Lens selection
Larger sensor

$850
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Tiltable Screen

Compare Canon 6D vs Sony DSLR-A500

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