The Canon EOS 60D and the Nikon D90 are two enthusiast cameras that were announced, respectively, in August 2010 and August 2008. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are equipped with an APS-C sensor. The Canon has a resolution of 17.9 megapixels, whereas the Nikon provides 12.2 MP.
Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.
Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon EOS 60D and the Nikon D90? 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
The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Canon 60D and the Nikon D90. 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 Nikon D90 is notably smaller (12 percent) than the Canon 60D. Moreover, the D90 is markedly lighter (7 percent) than the 60D. It is worth mentioning in this context that the 60D is splash and dust resistant, while the D90 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.
The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Yet, since both cameras are based around an APS-C sensor, their respective lenses will tend to have similar dimensions and heft. You can compare the optics available for the two cameras in the Canon EF Lens Catalog (60D) and the Nikon Lens Catalog (D90).
Concerning battery life, the 60D gets 1100 shots out of its LP-E6 battery, while the D90 can take 850 images on a single charge of its EN-EL3e power pack.
The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.
Body Specifications # Camera Model Camera Width Camera Height Camera Depth Camera Weight Battery Life Weather Sealing Camera Launch Launch Price (USD) Street Price 1. Canon 60D 145 mm 106 mm 79 mm 755 g 1100 Y Aug 2010 1,399ebay.com2. Nikon D90 132 mm 103 mm 77 mm 703 g 850 n Aug 2008 1,299ebay.com3. Canon 80D 139 mm 105 mm 79 mm 730 g 960 Y Feb 2016 1,199ebay.com4. Canon G3 X 123 mm 77 mm 105 mm 733 g 300 Y Jun 2015 999ebay.com5. Canon 7D II 149 mm 112 mm 78 mm 910 g 670 Y Sep 2014 1,799ebay.com6. Canon 70D 139 mm 104 mm 79 mm 755 g 920 Y Jul 2013 1,199ebay.com7. Canon 1D Mark IV 156 mm 157 mm 80 mm 1230 g 1500 Y Oct 2009 4,999ebay.com8. Canon 7D 148 mm 111 mm 74 mm 860 g 800 Y Sep 2009 1,699ebay.com9. Canon 50D 146 mm 108 mm 74 mm 822 g 800 Y Aug 2008 1,299ebay.com10. Canon 40D 146 mm 108 mm 74 mm 822 g 750 n Aug 2007 1,299ebay.com11. Nikon D7000 132 mm 105 mm 77 mm 780 g 1050 Y Sep 2010 1,499ebay.com12. Nikon D3000 126 mm 97 mm 64 mm 536 g 500 n Jul 2009 599ebay.com13. Nikon D5000 127 mm 104 mm 80 mm 590 g 510 n Apr 2009 749ebay.com14. Nikon D80 132 mm 103 mm 77 mm 668 g 600 n Aug 2006 999ebay.com15. Sony RX10 II 129 mm 88 mm 102 mm 813 g 400 Y Jun 2015 1,299ebay.com16. Sony RX10 129 mm 88 mm 102 mm 813 g 420 Y Oct 2013 1,299ebay.com Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. 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. The D90 was somewhat cheaper (by 7 percent) than the 60D at launch, but both cameras fall into the same price category. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. 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. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider , and richer than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.
Both cameras under consideration feature an APS-C sensor, but their sensors differ slightly in size. The sensor area in the D90 is 12 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have format factors, respectively, of 1.6 (60D) and 1.5. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.
Despite having a smaller sensor, the Canon 60D offers a higher resolution of 17.9 megapixels, compared with 12.2 MP of the Nikon D90. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a of 4.31μm versus 5.53μm for the D90). However, it should be noted that the 60D is a somewhat more recent model (by 1 year and 11 months) than the D90, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that partly offset its pixel-size disadvantage.
The resolution advantage of the Canon 60D implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the 60D for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 25.9 x 17.3 inches or 65.8 x 43.9 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 20.7 x 13.8 inches or 52.7 x 35.1 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 17.3 x 11.5 inches or 43.9 x 29.3 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 Canon EOS 60D has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 6400, which can be extended to ISO 100-12800. The corresponding ISO settings for the Nikon D90 are ISO 200 to ISO 3200, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 200-6400.
Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. 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. Of the two cameras under consideration, the D90 has a markedly higher DXO score than the 60D (overall score 7 points higher), which will translate into better image quality. The advantage is based on 0.5 bits higher color depth, 1 EV in additional dynamic range, and 0.3 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.
Sensor Characteristics # Camera Model Sensor Class Resolution (MP) Horiz. Pixels Vert. Pixels Video Format DXO Portrait DXO Landscape DXO Sports DXO Overall 1. Canon 60D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.211.5813662. Nikon D90 APS-C 12.2 4288 2848720/24p22.712.5977733. Canon 80D APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.613.21135794. Canon G3 X 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p21.412.3521635. Canon 7D II APS-C 20.0 5472 36481080/60p22.411.81082706. Canon 70D APS-C 20.0 5472 36481080/30p22.511.6926687. Canon 1D Mark IV APS-H 16.0 4896 32641080/30p22.812.01320748. Canon 7D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.011.7854669. Canon 50D APS-C 15.1 4752 3168none21.811.46966310. Canon 40D APS-C 10.1 3888 2592none22.111.37036411. Nikon D7000 APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/24p23.513.911678012. Nikon D3000 APS-C 10.0 3872 2592none22.311.15636213. Nikon D5000 APS-C 12.2 4288 2848720/24p22.712.58687214. Nikon D80 APS-C 10.0 3872 2592none22.111.25246115. Sony RX10 II 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p23.012.65317016. Sony RX10 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p22.912.647469
Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, but the 60D provides a higher video resolution than the D90. It can shoot video footage at 1080/30p, 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. The 60D and the D90 are similar in the sense that both have an optical viewfinder. The latter is useful for getting a clear image for framing even in brightly lit environments. The viewfinders of both cameras offer the same field of view (96%), but the viewfinder of the D90 has a higher magnification than the one of the 60D (0.63x vs 0.59x), 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 Canon 60D, the Nikon D90, and comparable cameras.
Core Features # 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. Canon 60Doptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel n 1/8000s 5.3/s Y n 2. Nikon D90optical Y3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 4.5/s Y n 3. Canon 80Doptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/8000s 7.0/s Y n 4. Canon G3 Xoptional n3.2 / 1620 tilting Y 1/2000s 5.9/s Y Y 5. Canon 7D IIoptical Y3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/8000s 10.0/s Y n 6. Canon 70Doptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/8000s 7.0/s Y n 7. Canon 1D Mark IVoptical Y3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/8000s 10.0/s n n 8. Canon 7Doptical Y3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/8000s 8.0/s Y n 9. Canon 50Doptical Y3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/8000s 6.3/s Y n 10. Canon 40Doptical Y3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 6.5/s Y n 11. Nikon D7000optical Y3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/8000s 6.0/s Y n 12. Nikon D3000optical n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n 13. Nikon D5000optical n2.7 / 230 full-flex n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n 14. Nikon D80optical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n 15. Sony RX10 II2359 Y3.0 / 1229 tilting n 1/3200s 14.0/s Y Y 16. Sony RX101440 Y3.0 / 1229 tilting n 1/3200s 10.0/s Y Y Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
The 60D has an articulated LCD that can be turned to be front-facing. This characteristic will be appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in snapping selfies. In contrast, the D90 does not have a selfie-screen.
The 60D writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the D90 uses SDHC 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 Canon EOS 60D and Nikon D90 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.
Input-Output Connections # Camera Model Hotshoe Port Internal Mic / Speaker Microphone Port Headphone Port HDMI Port USB Port WiFi Support NFC Support Bluetooth Support 1. Canon 60DYmono / monoY-mini2.0- 2. Nikon D90Ymono / mono--mini2.0- 3. Canon 80DYstereo / monoYYmini2.0YY- 4. Canon G3 XYstereo / monoYYmini2.0YY- 5. Canon 7D IIYstereo / monoYYmini3.0- 6. Canon 70DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0Y 7. Canon 1D Mark IVYstereo / -Y-mini2.0- 8. Canon 7DYmono / -Y-mini2.0- 9. Canon 50DY- / ---mini2.0- 10. Canon 40DY- / ----2.0- 11. Nikon D7000Ymono / monoY-mini2.0- 12. Nikon D3000Y- / ----2.0- 13. Nikon D5000Ymono / mono--mini2.0- 14. Nikon D80Y- / ----2.0- 15. Sony RX10 IIYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY- 16. Sony RX10Ystereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
It is notable that the 60D has a microphone port, which is missing on the D90. Such an external microphone input can help to substantially improve the quality of audio recordings when a good external microphone is used.
Studio photographers will appreciate that the Canon 60D (unlike the D90) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.
Both the 60D and the D90 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The D90 was replaced by the Nikon D7000, while the 60D was followed by the Canon 70D. Further information on the features and operation of the 60D and D90 can be found, respectively, in the Canon 60D Manual (free pdf) or the online Nikon D90 Manual.
Review summary
So how do things add up? Which of the two cameras – the Canon 60D or the Nikon D90 – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.
Arguments in favor of the Canon EOS 60D:
- More detail: Offers more megapixels (17.9 vs 12.2MP) with a 21% higher linear resolution.
- Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (1080/30p vs 720/24p).
- Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
- More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1040k vs 920k dots).
- More flexible LCD: Has a swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
- More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
- Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
- Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (5.3 vs 4.5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
- Longer lasting: Can take more shots (1100 versus 850) on a single battery charge.
- Better sealing: Is weather sealed to enable shooting in dusty or wet environments.
- Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
- More modern: Is somewhat more recent (announced 1 year and 11 months after the D90).
Advantages of the Nikon D90:
- Better image quality: Scores markedly higher (7 points) in the DXO overall evaluation.
- More dynamic range: Captures a broader range of light and dark details (1 EV of extra DR).
- Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.63x vs 0.59x).
- More compact: Is smaller (132x103mm vs 145x106mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
- More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in August 2008).
If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the 60D is the clear winner of the match-up (12 : 5 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.
60D 12:05 D90
How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon 60D and the Nikon D90 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.
In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the 60D or the D90. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.
Expert reviews
This is why expert reviews are important. 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.
Expert Camera Reviews # Camera Model AP score CL score DCW score DPR score EPZ score PB score Camera Launch Launch Price (USD) Street Price 1. Canon 60D5/5+..79/1004/54.5/5 Aug 2010 1,399ebay.com 2. Nikon D90..+ +..+ +4/54.5/5 Aug 2008 1,299ebay.com 3. Canon 80D4/5+ +4.5/584/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2016 1,199ebay.com 4. Canon G3 X3.5/5+....4.5/54/5 Jun 2015 999ebay.com 5. Canon 7D II4.5/5+3.5/584/1004/54.5/5 Sep 2014 1,799ebay.com 6. Canon 70D5/5+ +..83/1004.5/55/5 Jul 2013 1,199ebay.com 7. Canon 1D Mark IV5/5....89/100.... Oct 2009 4,999ebay.com 8. Canon 7D5/5+ +..84/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2009 1,699ebay.com 9. Canon 50D..+ +..+ +4.5/54.5/5 Aug 2008 1,299ebay.com 10. Canon 40D..+ +..+ +4.5/54.5/5 Aug 2007 1,299ebay.com 11. Nikon D70004/5....80/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2010 1,499ebay.com 12. Nikon D3000..+..72/1004/54.5/5 Jul 2009 599ebay.com 13. Nikon D5000..+ +..75/1004/54.5/5 Apr 2009 749ebay.com 14. Nikon D80..+..+ +o4.5/5 Aug 2006 999ebay.com 15. Sony RX10 II5/5+ +..82/1004.5/54/5 Jun 2015 1,299ebay.com 16. Sony RX105/5+..80/1004.5/54.5/5 Oct 2013 1,299ebay.com Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.
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 use the search menu below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.
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Specifications: Canon 60D vs Nikon D90
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.