Nikon D90 vs Panasonic G6

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Nikon D90 vs Panasonic G6

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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.

4/3 224.9mm²
16.1 megapixels
ISO 160 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Panasonic G6 Review.

Succeeded by the Nikon D7000
Compare D90 vs D7000

Succeeded by the Panasonic G7
Compare G6 vs G7

Compare NIKON D7000 vs PANASONIC G7

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Differences

Nikon D90 advantages over Panasonic G6

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 5.50 vs 3.75 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.30 vs 0.9 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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 G6 test data on DxO Mark

977 vs 639 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
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

850 vs 350 shots
Capture more photos
More telephoto lens reach
158 mm vs 84 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Bigger RAW buffer
10 vs 7 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Panasonic G6 advantages over Nikon D90

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Newer
12 years vs 16 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Lighter weight
485g vs 1133g
Lighter weight
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
More viewfinder magnification
0.70x vs 0.63x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
16.1 vs 12.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
6.2 fps vs 4.5 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
5.3 fps vs 4.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Higher extended ISO
25600 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
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
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

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
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
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read D90 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read G6 User Reviews

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Kit with 14-42mm Lens

Kit with 14-42mm Lens
Body Only

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Review Excerpt

Read our Nikon D90 Full Review

We haven’t reviewed the Panasonic G6.
Read our Panasonic G6 Initial Test

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

Panasonic G6

Sony DSLR-A550

$399
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

$859
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic G6 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

Panasonic G6

Sony DSLR-A500

$399
4/3

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$850
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic G6 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

Panasonic G6

Pentax K-5

$399
4/3

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$800
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic G6 vs Pentax K-5

Compared to Panasonic G5

Nikon D90

Panasonic G5

$1300
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$500
4/3

Touchscreen
Tiltable Screen

Compare Nikon D90 vs Panasonic G5

Panasonic G6

Panasonic G5

$399
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$500
4/3

Compare Panasonic G6 vs Panasonic G5

Compared to Panasonic G7

Nikon D90

Panasonic G7

$1300
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$498
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D90 vs Panasonic G7

Panasonic G6

Panasonic G7

$399
4/3

Less expensive
NFC

$498
4/3

Shoot 4K video
Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Panasonic G6 vs Panasonic G7

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