Nikon D90 Review
The Nikon D90 is the replacement for the D80 model and has been gaining headlines for its additional video capabilities. This camera was the first DSLR to have a movie mode which is standard in compact digital cameras. The buzz that was generated by the video in the D90 took away from the fact that it is not a video camera but merely a DSLR that happens to have a movie mode.
Overview of the Nikon D90
Like all Nikon DSLR’s, the D90 has the EXPEED processor with the camera also boasting a 12.3 megapixel sensor. This is the same megapixel count as the D300 so it is fair to assume that both cameras share the same hardware. This is excellent news when you consider that the D90 is relatively cheap.
The D90 also has the standard 3 inch high LCD monitor, 920,000 dots of color and ISO available from 100 to 6400. The continuous shooting rate is a reasonable 4.5 frames per second with the sensor boasting in-built cleaning capabilities. D90 accessories include eyepiece cap, monitor cover, CD-Rom software suite and quick charger.
Users get to choose between seven different modes when it comes to primary shooting such as:
The manual option which enables you to select aperture and shutter speed. The Picture Control (PC) menu is also available. This enables you to adjust elements of the picture such as contrast, brightening and saturation.
The scene option offers settings like sports, close-up and landscape to users. When you choose your favored setting, the camera optimizes its settings to suit your choice. The PC menu is disabled in this mode.
The auto option basically allows the camera to choose all the settings.
Camera Design
The D90 is the same size as the D80 it replaced though it is slightly smaller than the D300. This camera is designed to fit comfortably into your shooting hand and is made from durable materials like all Nikon cameras. One of the best things about the D90 is the fact that it manages to offer a wide range of controls on a relatively small camera while still allowing space for the shooting hand to be comfortable. The shutter button is easily reached by the index finger.
All the buttons relating to altering ISO, white balance and image quality are found on the back of the D90. The info button is also conveniently located and gives instant details of the current settings as well as offering extra settings.
Menu And Displays of the Nikon D90
As well as the standard 920,000 dot monitor and 3 inch screen, the monitor can be adjusted with seven different brightness levels to choose from. With good lighting conditions, the monitor allows for easy image review. The Live View options can be utilized for images while it is specifically designed for videos. Nonetheless, it is still a better idea to use the viewfinder with its 96% frame coverage for still shots.
Performance
The start-up time of the D90 is approximately 0.15 seconds which is a figure that cannot be argued with for a camera of this type. Shutter lag is also a non-issue at 0.03 seconds. Its continuous shooting speed is claimed by Nikon to be 4.5 frames per second but 4fps has been reported by several users. The D90 seems to go above the 4.5fps level for short bursts but dies off the longer you take the pictures.
The Nikon F bayonet lens mount is used for this as it is for virtually every Nikon camera for the last half a century. In terms of flash, the D90 has a built-in flash which has a range of roughly 16-18 feet when the ISO is at 200. This flash is ready to go about 4 seconds after being fully discharged. One thing that should be noted is that this camera does not allow you to shoot if your flash is not fully charged once the flash option is on.
Image And Video Quality
The photos produced by the D90 are sharp though this is no surprise when you consider that it has the same processor and sensor as the D300. It is the video function that has most intrigued people when it comes to the D90. The video runs at 24fps which ensures excellent quality. It is possible to use various Nikon lenses for the D90 meaning you can choose the field of view you wish to record.
The big downers with the video capability of the D90 are that you can only record up to five minutes worth of video and the 2GB maximum video limit does not change depending on the quality of the picture. Longer videos cause the camera to become overheated which adversely affects video quality.
Photos Taken With the Nikon D90
Overall
The D90 may appear to be better value than the D300. It produces pictures that are of similar quality to the D300 and has the all-important camera function. However, the overall performance does not come close to matching the D300 so its much lower price tag of approximately $1,100 is justified. Nonetheless, the D90 is an excellent camera for casual photographers.
