Nikon D90 vs Leica S (Typ 006)

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Nikon D90 vs Leica S (Typ 006)

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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.

Medium format 1,350.0mm²
37.5 megapixels
ISO 100 - 1600

Go in depth with our full Leica S (Typ 006) Review.

Succeeded by the Nikon D7000
Compare D90 vs D7000
Compare Nikon D7000 vs Leica S (Typ 006)

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Differences

Nikon D90 advantages over Leica S (Typ 006)

Lens selection
Excellent vs Limited
Better lens selection gives you more options
Less expensive
$1300 vs $21950 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
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.
D90 test data on DxO Mark S (Typ 006) test data on DxO Mark

977 vs 824 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Higher max flash sync
1/200 vs 1/125 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
More AF points
11 vs 1
More AF points improve autofocus
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Faster JPEG shooting
4.5 fps vs 1.5 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
6400 vs 1600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Leica S (Typ 006) advantages over Nikon D90

Larger sensor
Medium format vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
More viewfinder magnification
1.09x vs 0.63x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
37.5 vs 12.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos

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

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
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
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
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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Read D90 User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

Read our Nikon D90 Full Review

We haven’t reviewed the Leica S (Typ 006).
Read our Leica S (Typ 006) Preview

The Competition

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

Leica S (Typ 006)

Sony DSLR-A550

$10535
Medium format

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$859
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Leica S (Typ 006) 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

Leica S (Typ 006)

Sony DSLR-A500

$10535
Medium format

Larger sensor
Top deck display

$850
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Leica S (Typ 006) vs Sony DSLR-A500

Compared to Pentax K-5

Nikon D90

Pentax K-5

$1300
APS-C

Fast startup
More telephoto lens reach

$800
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-5

Leica S (Typ 006)

Pentax K-5

$10535
Medium format

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$800
APS-C

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica S (Typ 006) vs Pentax K-5

Compared to Leica S (Typ 007)

Nikon D90

Leica S (Typ 007)

$1300
APS-C

Less expensive
Lens selection

$19995
Medium format

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Nikon D90 vs Leica S (Typ 007)

Leica S (Typ 006)

Leica S (Typ 007)

$10535
Medium format

$19995
Medium format

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

Compare Leica S (Typ 006) vs Leica S (Typ 007)

Compared to Leica S-E (Typ 006)

Nikon D90

Leica S-E (Typ 006)

$1300
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$16900
Medium format

Larger sensor
Built-in GPS

Compare Nikon D90 vs Leica S-E (Typ 006)

Leica S (Typ 006)

Leica S-E (Typ 006)

$10535
Medium format

$16900
Medium format

Less expensive
Built-in GPS

Compare Leica S (Typ 006) vs Leica S-E (Typ 006)

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