Nikon D90 vs Sony RX1R III
The Nikon D90 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R III are two enthusiast cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in August 2008 and July 2025. The D90 is a DSLR, while the RX1R III is a fixed lens compact. The cameras are based on an APS-C (D90) and a full frame (RX1R III) sensor. The Nikon has a resolution of 12.2 megapixels, whereas the Sony provides 60.2 MP.
Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Check D90 offers at
ebay.com

Check RX1R III price at
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Nikon D90 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R III? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.
Body comparison
An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Nikon D90 and the Sony RX1R III is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.



If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Sony RX1R III is considerably smaller (43 percent) than the Nikon D90. It is noteworthy in this context that the RX1R III is splash and dust-proof, while the D90 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.
The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the RX1R III has a lens built in, whereas the D90 is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup. You can compare the optics available for the D90 and their specifications in the Nikon Lens Catalog.
Concerning battery life, the D90 gets 850 shots out of its Nikon EN-EL3e battery, while the RX1R III can take 300 images on a single charge of its Sony NP-FW50 power pack. The power pack in the RX1R III can be charged via the USB port, which can be very convenient when travelling.
The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

| Camera Model |
Camera Width |
Camera Height |
Camera Depth |
Camera Weight |
Battery Life |
Weather Sealing |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price |
Street Price |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Nikon D90 | 132 mm | 103 mm | 77 mm | 703 g | 850 | n | Aug 2008 | US$ 1 299 | ebay.com | |
| 2. | Sony RX1R III | 113 mm | 68 mm | 88 mm | 498 g | 300 | Y | Jul 2025 | US$ 5 099 | amazon.com | |
| 3. | Canon 40D | 146 mm | 108 mm | 74 mm | 822 g | 750 | n | Aug 2007 | US$ 1 299 | ebay.com | |
| 4. | Fujifilm GFX 100RF | 134 mm | 90 mm | 77 mm | 735 g | 820 | Y | Mar 2025 | US$ 4 899 | amazon.com | |
| 5. | Fujifilm X100V | 128 mm | 75 mm | 53 mm | 478 g | 420 | Y | Feb 2020 | US$ 1 399 | ebay.com | |
| 6. | Leica Q3 | 130 mm | 80 mm | 93 mm | 743 g | 350 | Y | May 2023 | US$ 5 999 | amazon.com | |
| 7. | Nikon D40X | 124 mm | 94 mm | 64 mm | 522 g | 520 | n | Mar 2007 | US$ 729 | ebay.com | |
| 8. | Nikon D60 | 126 mm | 94 mm | 64 mm | 522 g | 500 | n | Jan 2008 | US$ 629 | ebay.com | |
| 9. | Nikon D80 | 132 mm | 103 mm | 77 mm | 668 g | 600 | n | Aug 2006 | US$ 999 | ebay.com | |
| 10. | Nikon D3000 | 126 mm | 97 mm | 64 mm | 536 g | 500 | n | Jul 2009 | US$ 599 | ebay.com | |
| 11. | Nikon D5000 | 127 mm | 104 mm | 80 mm | 590 g | 510 | n | Apr 2009 | US$ 749 | ebay.com | |
| 12. | Nikon D7000 | 132 mm | 105 mm | 77 mm | 780 g | 1050 | Y | Sep 2010 | US$ 1 499 | ebay.com | |
| 13. | Nikon D7100 | 136 mm | 107 mm | 76 mm | 765 g | 950 | Y | Feb 2013 | US$ 1 199 | ebay.com | |
| 14. | Nikon D7200 | 136 mm | 107 mm | 76 mm | 765 g | 1110 | Y | Mar 2015 | US$ 1 199 | ebay.com | |
| 15. | Nikon D7500 | 136 mm | 104 mm | 73 mm | 720 g | 950 | Y | Apr 2017 | US$ 1 299 | amazon.com | |
| 16. | Sigma fp L | 113 mm | 70 mm | 45 mm | 427 g | 240 | Y | Mar 2021 | US$ 2 499 | amazon.com | |
| 17. | Sony RX1R II | 113 mm | 65 mm | 72 mm | 507 g | 220 | n | Oct 2015 | US$ 3 299 | ebay.com | |
| Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders. | |||||||||||
The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.
Sensor comparison
The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.
Of the two cameras under consideration, the Nikon D90 features an APS-C sensor and the Sony RX1R III a full frame sensor. The sensor area in the RX1R III is 128 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.5 and 1.0. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

With 60.2MP, the RX1R III offers a higher resolution than the D90 (12.2MP), but the RX1R III has smaller individual pixels (pixel pitch of 3.76μm versus 5.53μm for the D90). Yet, the RX1R III is a much more recent model (by 16 years and 10 months) than the D90, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the RX1R III has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.
The resolution advantage of the Sony RX1R III implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the RX1R III for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 47.5 x 31.7 inches or 120.7 x 80.5 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 38 x 25.3 inches or 96.6 x 64.4 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 31.7 x 21.1 inches or 80.5 x 53.6 cm. The corresponding values for the Nikon D90 are 21.4 x 14.2 inches or 54.5 x 36.2 cm for good quality, 17.2 x 11.4 inches or 43.6 x 28.9 cm for very good quality, and 14.3 x 9.5 inches or 36.3 x 24.1 cm for excellent quality prints.
The RX1R III has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.
The Nikon D90 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 200 to ISO 3200, which can be extended to ISO 200-6400. The corresponding ISO settings for the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R III are ISO 100 to ISO 32000, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 50-102400.
In terms of underlying technology, the D90 is build around a CMOS sensor, while the RX1R III uses a BSI-CMOS imager. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

| Camera Model |
Sensor Class |
Resolution (MP) |
Horiz. Pixels |
Vert. Pixels |
Video Format |
DXO Portrait |
DXO Landscape |
DXO Sports |
DXO Overall |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Nikon D90 | APS-C | 12.2 | 4288 | 2848 | 720/24p | 22.7 | 12.5 | 977 | 73 | |
| 2. | Sony RX1R III | Full Frame | 60.2 | 9504 | 6336 | 4K/30p | 25.4 | 14.9 | 3417 | 97 | |
| 3. | Canon 40D | APS-C | 10.1 | 3888 | 2592 | none | 22.1 | 11.3 | 703 | 64 | |
| 4. | Fujifilm GFX 100RF | Medium Format | 101.8 | 11648 | 8736 | 4K/30p | 25.9 | 15.1 | 3805 | 101 | |
| 5. | Fujifilm X100V | APS-C | 26.0 | 6240 | 4160 | 4K/30p | 24.2 | 13.6 | 1996 | 84 | |
| 6. | Leica Q3 | Full Frame | 60.3 | 9528 | 6328 | 8K/30p | 25.4 | 14.7 | 3216 | 96 | |
| 7. | Nikon D40X | APS-C | 10.0 | 3872 | 2592 | none | 22.4 | 11.4 | 516 | 63 | |
| 8. | Nikon D60 | APS-C | 10.0 | 3872 | 2592 | none | 22.5 | 11.4 | 562 | 65 | |
| 9. | Nikon D80 | APS-C | 10.0 | 3872 | 2592 | none | 22.1 | 11.2 | 524 | 61 | |
| 10. | Nikon D3000 | APS-C | 10.0 | 3872 | 2592 | none | 22.3 | 11.1 | 563 | 62 | |
| 11. | Nikon D5000 | APS-C | 12.2 | 4288 | 2848 | 720/24p | 22.7 | 12.5 | 868 | 72 | |
| 12. | Nikon D7000 | APS-C | 16.1 | 4928 | 3264 | 1080/24p | 23.5 | 13.9 | 1167 | 80 | |
| 13. | Nikon D7100 | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/60p | 24.2 | 13.7 | 1256 | 83 | |
| 14. | Nikon D7200 | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/60p | 24.5 | 14.6 | 1333 | 87 | |
| 15. | Nikon D7500 | APS-C | 20.7 | 5568 | 3712 | 4K/30p | 24.3 | 14.0 | 1483 | 86 | |
| 16. | Sigma fp L | Full Frame | 60.2 | 9520 | 6328 | 4K/30p | 25.3 | 14.4 | 3001 | 96 | |
| 17. | Sony RX1R II | Full Frame | 42.2 | 7952 | 5304 | 1080/60p | 25.8 | 13.9 | 3204 | 97 | |
| Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age. | |||||||||||
Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, but the RX1R III provides a better video resolution than the D90. It can shoot movie footage at 4K/30p, while the Nikon is limited to 720/24p.
Feature comparison
Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the RX1R III has an electronic viewfinder (2360k dots), while the D90 has an optical one. Both systems have their advantages, with the electronic viewfinder making it possible to project supplementary shooting information into the framing view, whereas the optical viewfinder offers lag-free viewing and a very clear framing image. The viewfinder in the RX1R III offers a wider field of view (100%) than the one in the D90 (96%), so that a larger proportion of the captured image is visible in the finder. In addition, the viewfinder of the RX1R III has a higher magnification (0.7x vs 0.63x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Nikon D90, the Sony RX1R III, and comparable cameras.

| Camera Model |
Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots) |
Control Panel (yes/no) |
LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots) |
LCD Attach- ment |
Touch Screen (yes/no) |
Max Shutter Speed * |
Max Shutter Flaps * |
Built-in Flash (yes/no) |
Built-in Image Stab |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Nikon D90 | optical | Y | 3.0 / 920 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 4.5/s | Y | n | |
| 2. | Sony RX1R III | 2360 | n | 3.0 / 2360 | fixed | Y | 1/4000s | 5.0/s | n | n | |
| 3. | Canon 40D | optical | Y | 3.0 / 230 | fixed | n | 1/8000s | 6.5/s | Y | n | |
| 4. | Fujifilm GFX 100RF | 5760 | n | 3.2 / 2100 | tilting | Y | 1/4000s | 6.0/s | n | n | |
| 5. | Fujifilm X100V | 3690 | n | 3.0 / 1620 | tilting | Y | 1/4000s | 11.0/s | n | n | |
| 6. | Leica Q3 | 5760 | n | 3.0 / 1840 | tilting | Y | 1/2000s | 15.0/s | n | Y | |
| 7. | Nikon D40X | optical | n | 2.5 / 230 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 3.0/s | Y | n | |
| 8. | Nikon D60 | optical | n | 2.5 / 230 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 3.0/s | Y | n | |
| 9. | Nikon D80 | optical | n | 2.5 / 230 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 3.0/s | Y | n | |
| 10. | Nikon D3000 | optical | n | 3.0 / 230 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 3.0/s | Y | n | |
| 11. | Nikon D5000 | optical | n | 2.7 / 230 | full-flex | n | 1/4000s | 4.0/s | Y | n | |
| 12. | Nikon D7000 | optical | Y | 3.0 / 921 | fixed | n | 1/8000s | 6.0/s | Y | n | |
| 13. | Nikon D7100 | optical | Y | 3.2 / 1229 | fixed | n | 1/8000s | 6.0/s | Y | n | |
| 14. | Nikon D7200 | optical | Y | 3.2 / 1229 | fixed | n | 1/8000s | 6.0/s | Y | n | |
| 15. | Nikon D7500 | optical | Y | 3.2 / 922 | tilting | Y | 1/8000s | 8.0/s | Y | n | |
| 16. | Sigma fp L | optional | n | 3.2 / 2100 | fixed | Y | 1/8000s | 10.0/s | n | n | |
| 17. | Sony RX1R II | 2360 | n | 3.0 / 1229 | tilting | n | 1/4000s | 5.0/s | n | n | |
| Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one. | |||||||||||
One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The D90 has one, while the RX1R III does not. While the built-in flash of the D90 is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.
The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, the RX1R III is one of those camera that have an additional electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).
The Sony RX1R III has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.
The D90 writes its imaging data to SDHC cards, while the RX1R III uses SDXC cards. The RX1R III supports UHS-II cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 312 MB/s), while the D90 cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD cards.
Connectivity comparison
For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Nikon D90 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R III and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

| Camera Model |
Hotshoe Port |
Internal Mic / Speaker |
Microphone Port |
Headphone Port |
HDMI Port |
USB Port |
WiFi Support |
NFC Support |
Bluetooth Support |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Nikon D90 | Y | mono / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| 2. | Sony RX1R III | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | micro | 3.2 | Y | - | Y | |
| 3. | Canon 40D | Y | - / - | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| 4. | Fujifilm GFX 100RF | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | micro | 3.2 | Y | - | Y | |
| 5. | Fujifilm X100V | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | micro | 3.1 | Y | - | Y | |
| 6. | Leica Q3 | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 3.1 | Y | - | Y | |
| 7. | Nikon D40X | Y | - / - | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| 8. | Nikon D60 | Y | - / - | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| 9. | Nikon D80 | Y | - / - | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| 10. | Nikon D3000 | Y | - / - | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| 11. | Nikon D5000 | Y | mono / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| 12. | Nikon D7000 | Y | mono / mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| 13. | Nikon D7100 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| 14. | Nikon D7200 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | mini | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
| 15. | Nikon D7500 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | mini | 2.0 | Y | - | Y | |
| 16. | Sigma fp L | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | micro | 3.2 | Y | - | - | |
| 17. | Sony RX1R II | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | - |
It is notable that the RX1R III offers wifi support, which can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location. In contrast, the D90 does not provide wifi capability.
The RX1R III is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Sony. In contrast, the D90 has been discontinued (but can be found pre-owned on ebay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the D90 was succeeded by the Nikon D7000. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Nikon and Sony websites.
Review summary
So what conclusions can be drawn? Is there a clear favorite between the Nikon D90 and the Sony RX1R III? Which camera is better? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

Reasons to prefer the Nikon D90:
- Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
- Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
- Easier setting verification: Features an LCD display on top to control shooting parameters.
- More flexible: Can take a variety of interchangeable lenses, including specialty optics.
- Longer lasting: Can take more shots (850 versus 300) on a single battery charge.
- Easier fill-in: Is equipped with a small onboard flash to brighten deep shadow areas.
- More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in August 2008).

Arguments in favor of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R III:
- More detail: Has more megapixels (60.2 vs 12.2MP), which boosts linear resolution by 122%.
- Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
- Better image quality: Is equipped with a larger and more technologically advanced sensor.
- Richer colors: The sensor size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
- More dynamic range: Larger sensor captures a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
- Better low-light sensitivity: Larger sensor produces good images even in poorly lit environments.
- Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (4K/30p vs 720/24p).
- Better live-view autofocus: Features on-sensor phase-detection for more confident autofocus.
- Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
- Better sound control: Has a headphone port that enables audio monitoring while recording.
- More framing info: Has an electronic viewfinder that displays shooting data.
- More complete view: Has a viewfinder with a larger field of view (100% vs 96%).
- Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.7x vs 0.63x).
- More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (2360k vs 920k dots).
- Fewer buttons to press: Has a touchscreen to facilitate handling and shooting adjustments.
- Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
- Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
- Ready to shoot: Comes with an integrated lens, while the D90 requires a separate lens.
- More compact: Is smaller (113x68mm vs 132x103mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
- Less heavy: Has a lower weight even though it has a lens built in (unlike the D90).
- Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
- Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
- Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (3.2 vs 2.0).
- Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
- Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
- Faster buffer clearing: Has an SD card interface that supports the UHS-II standard.
- More modern: Reflects 16 years and 10 months of technical progress since the D90 launch.
If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the RX1R III is the clear winner of the contest (27 : 7 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.
How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Nikon D90 and the Sony RX1R III place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera and Best Prime Lens Compact Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.
In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the D90 or the RX1R III perform in practice. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.
Expert reviews
This is where reviews by experts come in. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

| Camera Model |
AP score |
CL score |
DCW score |
DPR score |
EPZ score |
PB score |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price |
Street Price |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Nikon D90 | .. | + + | .. | + + | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Aug 2008 | US$ 1 299 | ebay.com | |
| 2. | Sony RX1R III | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | Jul 2025 | US$ 5 099 | amazon.com | |
| 3. | Canon 40D | .. | + + | .. | + + | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Aug 2007 | US$ 1 299 | ebay.com | |
| 4. | Fujifilm GFX 100RF | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | Mar 2025 | US$ 4 899 | amazon.com | |
| 5. | Fujifilm X100V | 5/5 | + + | 4.5/5 | 86/100 | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | Feb 2020 | US$ 1 399 | ebay.com | |
| 6. | Leica Q3 | 5/5 | .. | 4.5/5 | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | May 2023 | US$ 5 999 | amazon.com | |
| 7. | Nikon D40X | .. | 79/100 | .. | + + | 4/5 | 4/5 | Mar 2007 | US$ 729 | ebay.com | |
| 8. | Nikon D60 | .. | 80/100 | .. | + + | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Jan 2008 | US$ 629 | ebay.com | |
| 9. | Nikon D80 | .. | + | .. | + + | o | 4.5/5 | Aug 2006 | US$ 999 | ebay.com | |
| 10. | Nikon D3000 | .. | + | .. | 72/100 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Jul 2009 | US$ 599 | ebay.com | |
| 11. | Nikon D5000 | .. | + + | .. | 75/100 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Apr 2009 | US$ 749 | ebay.com | |
| 12. | Nikon D7000 | 4/5 | .. | .. | 80/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Sep 2010 | US$ 1 499 | ebay.com | |
| 13. | Nikon D7100 | 5/5 | + + | .. | 85/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Feb 2013 | US$ 1 199 | ebay.com | |
| 14. | Nikon D7200 | 4/5 | + + | .. | 84/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Mar 2015 | US$ 1 199 | ebay.com | |
| 15. | Nikon D7500 | 4.5/5 | + + | 4.5/5 | 86/100 | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | Apr 2017 | US$ 1 299 | amazon.com | |
| 16. | Sigma fp L | 4/5 | .. | 4/5 | .. | 4/5 | 4/5 | Mar 2021 | US$ 2 499 | amazon.com | |
| 17. | Sony RX1R II | 5/5 | .. | .. | 82/100 | .. | 4.5/5 | Oct 2015 | US$ 3 299 | ebay.com | |
| Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available. | |||||||||||
The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

Check D90 offers at
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Check RX1R III price at
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Other camera comparisons
Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just make your choice using the following search menu. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.
- Canon 1D Mark II N vs Nikon D90
- Canon 450D vs Sony RX1R III
- Fujifilm X-H1 vs Sony RX1R III
- Leica M-E Typ 240 vs Nikon D90
- Leica TL2 vs Sony RX1R III
- Nikon D3X vs Nikon D90
- Nikon D7500 vs Nikon D90
- Nikon D90 vs Nikon W300
- Nikon D90 vs Olympus TG-6
- Panasonic S1 II vs Sony RX1R III
- Sony A7R IIIA vs Sony RX1R III
- Sony A900 vs Sony RX1R III
Specifications: Nikon D90 vs Sony RX1R III
Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.
| Camera Model | Nikon D90 | Sony RX1R III |
|---|---|---|
| Camera Type | Digital single lens reflex | Fixed lens compact camera |
| Camera Lens | Nikon F mount lenses | 35mm f/2.0 |
| Launch Date | August 2008 | July 2025 |
| Launch Price | USD 1,299 | USD 5,099 |
| Sensor Specs | Nikon D90 | Sony RX1R III |
| Sensor Technology | CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
| Sensor Format | APS-C Sensor | Full Frame Sensor |
| Sensor Size | 23.6 x 15.8 mm | 35.7 x 23.8 mm |
| Sensor Area | 372.88 mm2 | 849.66 mm2 |
| Sensor Diagonal | 28.4 mm | 42.9 mm |
| Crop Factor | 1.5x | 1.0x |
| Sensor Resolution | 12.2 Megapixels | 60.2 Megapixels |
| Image Resolution | 4288 x 2848 pixels | 9504 x 6336 pixels |
| Pixel Pitch | 5.53 μm | 3.76 μm |
| Pixel Density | 3.28 MP/cm2 | 7.09 MP/cm2 |
| Moiré control | Anti-Alias filter | no AA filter |
| Movie Capability | 720/24p Video | 4K/30p Video |
| ISO Setting | 200 - 3,200 ISO | 100 - 32,000 ISO |
| ISO Boost | 200 - 6,400 ISO | 50 - 102,400 ISO |
| Image Processor | EXPEED | BIONZ XR |
| DXO Sensor Quality (score) | 73 | .. |
| DXO Color Depth (bits) | 22.7 | .. |
| DXO Dynamic Range (EV) | 12.5 | .. |
| DXO Low Light (ISO) | 977 | .. |
| Screen Specs | Nikon D90 | Sony RX1R III |
| Viewfinder Type | Optical viewfinder | Electronic viewfinder |
| Viewfinder Field of View | 96% | 100% |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.63x | 0.7x |
| Viewfinder Resolution | 2360k dots | |
| Top-Level Screen | Control Panel | no Top Display |
| LCD Framing | Live View | Live View |
| Rear LCD Size | 3.0inch | 3.0inch |
| LCD Resolution | 920k dots | 2360k dots |
| LCD Attachment | Fixed screen | Fixed screen |
| Touch Input | no Touchscreen | Touchscreen |
| Shooting Specs | Nikon D90 | Sony RX1R III |
| Focus System | Phase-detect AF | On-Sensor Phase-detect |
| Manual Focusing Aid | no Peaking Feature | Focus Peaking |
| Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
| Continuous Shooting | 4.5 shutter flaps/s | 5 shutter flaps/s |
| Electronic Shutter | no E-Shutter | up to 1/8000s |
| Time-Lapse Photography | no Intervalometer | Intervalometer built-in |
| Fill Flash | Built-in Flash | no On-Board Flash |
| Storage Medium | SDHC cards | SDXC cards |
| Single or Dual Card Slots | Single card slot | Single card slot |
| UHS card support | no | UHS-II |
| Connectivity Specs | Nikon D90 | Sony RX1R III |
| External Flash | Hotshoe | Hotshoe |
| USB Connector | USB 2.0 | USB 3.2 |
| HDMI Port | mini HDMI | micro HDMI |
| Microphone Port | no MIC socket | External MIC port |
| Headphone Socket | no Headphone port | Headphone port |
| Wifi Support | no Wifi | Wifi built-in |
| Bluetooth Support | no Bluetooth | Bluetooth built-in |
| Body Specs | Nikon D90 | Sony RX1R III |
| Environmental Sealing | not weather sealed | Weathersealed body |
| Battery Type | Nikon EN-EL3e | Sony NP-FW50 |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 850 shots per charge | 300 shots per charge |
| In-Camera Charging | no USB charging | USB charging |
| Body Dimensions |
132 x 103 x 77 mm (5.2 x 4.1 x 3.0 in) |
113 x 68 x 88 mm (4.4 x 2.7 x 3.5 in) |
| Camera Weight | 703 g (24.8 oz) | 498 g (17.6 oz) |

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