Upgrade Guide
Nikon D3→Nikon D90
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Situational
One clear hardware improvement over the D3. Worth it if that specific upgrade aligns with what you shoot.
What's new in the D90
-
Generation1 year newer (2008 vs 2007)
Unchanged or similar
-
ResolutionSimilar (12MP)
Suitability by genre
Base scores — computed from verified specs for an enthusiast shooting photo and video. The Upgrade Checker adjusts them for your skill level.
| Genre | D3 | D90 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | -0.3 | ||
| Street | +1.0 | ||
| Travel | +1.0 | ||
| Wedding & Events | -1.5 | ||
| Documentary | +0.1 | ||
| Sports & Action | -1.0 | ||
| Landscape | -0.3 | ||
| Wildlife | -0.2 | ||
| Casual | +0.8 | ||
| Food | — | ||
| Macro | +0.1 | ||
| Architecture | -0.3 | ||
| Astrophotography | -1.2 |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | D3 | D90 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £97 used | £42 used | |
| Released | 2007 | 2008 | ↑ |
| Sensor | 12.1MP full-frame CMOS | 12.3MP APS-C CMOS | |
| Resolution | 12MP | 12MP | ↑ |
| Video | No video | 720p/24 | |
| Autofocus | 51-point phase-detect (15 cross-type) via viewfinder; phase or contrast AF in live view | 11-point phase-detect (1 cross-type) via viewfinder; contrast AF with face priority in live view | |
| Stabilisation | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) | |
| Burst Rate | 9fps | 4.5fps | ↓ |
| Battery Life | ~4300 shots (CIPA) | ~850 shots (CIPA) | ↓ |
| Weight | 1240g (body only) | 700g (with battery) | ↑ |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | Not weather sealed | |
| Viewfinder | Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.7x | Optical pentaprism, 96% coverage, 0.94x | |
| Screen | 3.0" fixed LCD, 921k dots | 3.0" fixed LCD, 920k dots | |
| Mount | Nikon F mount | Nikon F-mount (DX) | |
| Memory Cards | Dual CompactFlash slots | Single SD slot |
Compare side-by-side
⚖️ Compare these cameras
See D3 and D90 next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.
Get a personalised upgrade score
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Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the D90 against your specific genres — not just specs.
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