Constructing accurate finite element models for engineering structures plays a key role in structural dynamic design and analysis. Finite element model updating using frequency response function data arises great attention. In this paper, a comparison of two model updating approaches by using frequency response function data is investigated. The first method is based on sensitivity analysis, which has been regarded as one of the most successful approaches in model updating. The second one is based on the representation of modeling errors as linear combinations of the individual element matrices, which can be used for both error locating and model updating. The basic formulations of these two methods are introduced and the possible solution strategies are discussed. Numerical simulations are conducted to compare the two model updating methods employing the GARTEUR Truss, two aspects effect on the updating solution including magnitude of initial modeling errors and the completeness of measured coordinates are studied. At last, an experimental cantilever beam is updated by adopting the sensitivity method with tested frequency response function, it is shown that the sensitivity method is effective even when the test data are extremely incomplete
