Allen D S

My advice: Go buy the best FX lens that you can afford to put it on a new camera. I'm partial to the Tamron 16-300 and 175-600 gen 2 lenses. Pop those lenses on your D90 and I believe you will be impressed. Maybe to the point you won't need to buy a new camera for awhile.

I say this because I went a different direction. I had a D90 for years. I was not happy with auto focus and image quality. I wandered into the camera store one day and bought a D500 and the lenses mentioned above. ($ou.ch) I was simultaneously blown away at the increase in image quality, and at the same time, just how good the pictures were with the new lenses on my old D90.

I learned that the D90 was capable of taking far better pictures than I was getting. Two reasons: Crappy Nikon kit lens and my own skill level. Putting the new lenses on my D90 made a huge difference! Had I done that first, I would not have bought the D500. Now that said, I do not regret buying the D500. It is a significant upgrade from the D90 and I'm pleased with camera system I have. Now, when I take a marginal photo, I do not have to wonder if it is the hardware or some mistake I made. As a result, I have had to really improve as a photographer. For me, buying a new camera and a new lens was the best thing I could have done because with a lens-only I may have had a tendency to continue to blame the camera. (am I the only one?) Certainly my previous hardware had issues, but most of the blame is equally split between me and the poor quality kit lens. I have a couple of other Nikon DX lenses, the 10-24 and the 85 macro. Neither lens is as good as the Tamron equivalents and my plans are to move away from Nikon glass UNLESS I win the lottery and can afford the holy trinity, which in my opinion IS better than the competition but for twice the price.

People will say why compromise the Nikon camera with an aftermarket lens. That is only true for the holy trinity of Nikon lenses. When asked "why did you buy Tamron" my answer is "because they don't make bodies". Nikon is great, but the competition is very stiff.

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

This really isn't about splitting hairs, if you think the D90 and D7100 are closely matched, you haven't been reading up about those two cameras. The D90 was a fine camera back in the day. Today, the D7100 is a much better camera in every way.

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

You need to upgrade--but don't be impulsive. Before you pull the trigger on a new body, be certain of your aspirations with photography. There are great DX bodies, that might forever fill your needs; but, will you be considering an FX down the road?

Vince68 Loc: Wappingers Falls, NY

The D7100 has an APS-C sensor, same as your D90. The D7100 sensor is 24.1 megapixels vs. 12.3 for the D90. If you can afford it, the D7200 would be a step up from the D7100. Right now, the D7200 is about $300.00 more than the D7100. That price may drop further once the D7500 or whatever Nikon decides to call it is announced. Here is a link that compares the D7200 vs the D7100 for you to look at if you have not done so already. https://photographylife.com/nikon-d7200-vs-d7100/

The D7100 would be a nice step up from your D90. The D7200 is a pretty decent step up from the D7100 too. I would keep your D90 as a second body/backup, as it is a good camera.

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

I've owned both. The D90 is a great camera, as is the D7100. The D7100 does have some serious improved features. I think I would actually go for a Nikon refurb D7200. Nikon factory refurbs are fine machines, cost less and carry a Nikon 90day warranty, increased to one year by Cameta.

Greenmachine Loc: Chicago, IL

You're preachin to the choir with me here in the Windy City...I had worked with several Nikon DX cameras and lenses before lucking up on a refurbished D750 body, and my camera guy threw in a clean
Tamron 24-70mm FX 2.8 lens with VR to go along with it, and I LOVE it, and kept my 7200 with a 18mm-140mm lens and a 12-24mm lens so I have the best of both worlds!
---Greenmachine

Soul Dr. Loc: Beautiful Shenandoah Valley

The D90 does have an internal focusing motor and is able to use older Nikon lenses that don't have focusing motors in them.
I don't know where some people get their information, as the same thing has been said by several people in this post.

mrpentaxk5ii

One thing to keep in mind if you go from an APS-C crop sensor your D-90 to a full fram FX you may not be able to use your DX glass on a FX body, full Frame glass is larger, hevy and cost more than glass for your D-90.

tusketwedge Loc: Nova Scotia Canada

the sensor on the d90 is in reality bigger but the difference in the real world would never be noticed. D90 size 23.6 x 15.8 ==d7100 23.5 x 15.6 . If you are really serious about upgrading to a better dx camera I would look at the d500.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

The D90 sensor is 23.6 x 15.8mm, the D7100 sensor is 23.5 x 15.6mm.
Edit: Sorry, tusketwedge, I didn’t refresh the page before posting, and didn’t see yours. Seems strange to me that they're both considered APS-C, though Nikon calls them DX, yet Canon calls the 70D APS-C, but that sensor is 22.5 x 15.0. Guess there really is no standard.

Nikonuser Loc: South Dakota

The sensor isn't bigger, but the pixels in the sensor are. However, the later processor on the 7100 make up for it and give much better results at higher ISO's. This just means you have a little more latitude with light.

BlackRipleyDog

The real point is why use neutered glass built and optimized for a dx sensor on an FX sensor? Only 2/3rd of the sensor will be painted by the image projected. Buy the 7100 or later. An FX body is wasted on it.

mrpentaxk5ii

The Nikon APS-C sensor is a crop factor of 1.5 and the Canon is a crop factor of 1.6.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

Some Canons have different crop factors.
http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=xql376&s=5#.WOQKIPkrIdW

mrpentaxk5ii

The D7100 can be picked up for under 800$ as it is an older camera, the D7200 is around 900$ and the D750 and D500 come in at about 2000$ buy what you can afford, you will not go wrong with any of them as an upgrade, if you stay with the 7100 or 7200 you can set your D90 with a wide angle and the other with a longer lens. If you decide to photograph any event you won't have to change your lens, at the Correctional Facility that I work at I photographed the Memorial Day event for the last 4 years and I use a two body setup.