Nikon D90 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) | 
| Brand: Nikon
Buy New: $879.00
New (20) Used (2) Refurbished (1) from $869.99
Rating:  14 reviews
Sales Rank: 71
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Includes Software: Yes
Connectivity: AV
Display Size: 3
Maximum Resolution: 12300000
Shipping Weight (lbs): 4
Dimensions (in): 6 x 6 x 4
nv:Sensor: 12.3 Megapixel
Image Resolution: 4288 x 2848
Storage Media: SD/SDHC Memory Card
Compressed Format: DCF
Compressed Format: DPOF standard
Compressed Format: JPEG/EXIF v2.21
Compressed Format: NEF (RAW)
Compressed Format: NEF (RAW)+ JPEG
Movie File Format: HD
LCD Monitor: 3.0 inches
LCD Pixels: 920,000 pixels
LCD Coverage: 96%
Shutter Speed: 1/4000 sec. in steps of 1/3, 1/2, 1 EV
Light Metering Method: Spot Metering
Light Metering Method: Center Weighted
MPN: D90 Body
Model: D90 Body
UPC: 018208254460
EAN: 0018208254460
ASIN: B001ET5U92
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | 12.3-megapixel DX-format CMOS imaging sensor | | • | Body only; lenses sold separately | | • | D-Movie Mode; Cinematic 24fps HD with sound | | • | 3-inch super-density 920,000-dot color LCD monitor | | • | Capture images to SD/SDHC memory cards (not included) |
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Product Description
Fusing 12.3-megapixel image quality inherited from the award-winning D300 with groundbreaking features, the D90s breathtaking, low-noise image quality is further advanced with EXPEED image processing. Split-second shutter response and continuous shooting at up to 4.5 frames-per-second provide the power to capture fast action and precise moments perfectly, while Nikons exclusive Scene Recognition System contributes to faster 11-area autofocus performance, finer white balance detection and more. The D90 delivers the control passionate photographers demand, utilizing comprehensive exposure functions and the intelligence of 3D Color Matrix Metering II. Stunning results come to life on a 3-inch 920,000-dot color LCD monitor, providing accurate image review, Live View composition and brilliant playback of the D90s cinematic-quality 24-fps HD D-Movie mode.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 9 more reviews...
You can tell the D90 was designed by photographers and not just engineers! Wonderful user interface and image quality! September 29, 2008
E. Kim
108 out of 111 found this review helpful
I am far from a professional photographer, but I take it as seriously as possible while still referring to it as a hobby. I take mostly pictures of people at events and many of my baby son without flash in low light situations.
I had been using a Nikon D40x for 1 year and very early reached my limitation with that camera. The Nikon D40x has very nice image quality, but the camera's interface is not suited for a more serious shooter who wants quick single button or dial access to such shooting parameters such as white balance, shooting mode, metering mode, etc. I also felt very limited by the D40x not having an in-body focus motor that would allow me to use non AF-I/AF-S lenses (which are lenses without the focus motor built-in).
The Nikon D40x limitations were severe enough that I was about to consider purchasing a Canon 40D until the Nikon D90 appeared just in time.
PROS:
1. Fantastic set of separate buttons on the camera to control parameters like ISO, white balance, metering, autofocus, image quality, shooting mode, etc.
2. Two command dials
3. High resolution 920K pixel LCD screen (like the one on the Nikon D300)
4. 12.3 megapixel CMOS sensor
5. Low noise high ISO capability (for low light shooting) I can shoot ISO 1600 with good image quality with this camera, while on my D40x I could only shoot with ISO 400 and obtain acceptable IQ. I will even use ISO 3200 frequently with very usable results!
6. Separate top-viewing LCD screen in addition to the rear high res screen, to show shooting parameters constantly
7. In-body focus motor which allows the use of Nikon's non AF-I/S lenses, including wonderful and CHEAP prime lenses such as the Nikkor 50mm 1.8 (~$100 lens!)
8. Continuous shooting of 4.5 frames per second
9. Small size, although larger than the D40/D40x/D60, it is still substantially smaller in the hand than the D300/D3
10. 720p 24fps MPEG video shooting capability with incredible ability to use depth of field that I cannot achieve with my Sony High-Def camcorder.
11. Eleven auto-focus points (not as nice as the 51 points on the D300, but substantially better than my D40x with its 3 points)
12. GPS option
13. HDMI output
14. Enormous number of options to customize camera and shooting settings to fit your style of shooting
15. Fantastic image quality right out-of-box if you don't want to do any post processing
16. Terrific build quality
17. Top notch camera ergonomics (but this will be a very personal opinion that differs for each shooter)
CONS:
1. "Rolling shutter" phenomenon while recording video: The D90 CMOS sensor has the same problem that other CMOS video recorders have when recording video. If you move the camera, especially horizontally, you get a "jelly" or "rubberbanding" effect where the image wobbles significantly. It is nice to have the video features, which looks very sharp at 720p, but it is NOT a substitute for a video camera. If you use a tripod, and do not do quick zooms/pans, the video quality is excellent. Without a tripod, however, you may get nauseas watching a wobbly video. The sound is also in monoaural.
2. 1/200 flash synch: Not a problem for me, but it might be for you.
3. No weather sealing: This is found on the Nikon D300/D3 and even on similarly priced models from other camera companies
4. The buffer will fill up after about 8 continuous RAW + JPG (FINE) shots. This number differs depending on the shooting parameters that you will choose. If you shoot primarily JPG, the buffer seems to allow a very large number of continuous shots, but I have not quantified this for JPG only.
TIPS:
1. Get the FREE Nikon ViewNX software from Nikon's site as your 1st step in your workflow. This will let you examine your RAW images that you can process for either Nikon CaptureNX2 to do further RAW processing or just export to JPG for a JPG editor such as PhotoShop.
2. Recommend buying the Nikon CaptureNX2. It is a RAW converter (if you shoot in RAW) that will read the camera settings properly for export to JPG. Capture NX2, however, is not as slick as the Adobe products and Capture NX2 requires a fairly powerful computer, otherwise it can run pretty slowly on a PC > 3 years old.
3. If you use JPEGs out-of-camera, consider increasing the sharpness above the default 3 or 4. Nikon uses a very conservative sharpening default setting. Nikon has decided to change the default JPEG images to match the higher end D3/D700/D300 cameras which produce more neutral images. Consequently, the D90 images that are less punchy than the D40/D40x/D60/D80, so you may also want to turn up the in-camera saturation and contrast.
The Nikon D90 has all of the interface features that serious and even professional photographers need with wonderful image quality.
Amazazing!! September 10, 2008
J. T. Wooten (North Richland Hills, TX USA)
46 out of 57 found this review helpful
I bought the D80 a couple months ago and was having major noise issues. My Nikon D50 (a lesser model) took better quality photos. After exchanging the D80 several times and even sending it in for service, the issue still remained. I was so fortunate that the D90 was released this week....I have already exchanged the D80 for the D90. After using it for just one day, I am amazed at the quality. I took photos at ISO 3200, and they are nearly the same quality as the D50 at ISO 400. Nikon has finally solved their noise issues!!
Fabulous upgrade! October 7, 2008
ellen (usa)
25 out of 27 found this review helpful
I received the D40 last year, and while I enjoyed it immensely I was ready to upgrade for more creative control. I ordered the D90 as soon as it was available, and I cannot say enough good things about it! The pictures are incredibly sharp, clear, and Nikon colorful. I have gone as high as ISO 2000 with no recognizable noise (unless zoomed in). Even at ISO 3200, it was comparable to my D40 at ISO >800. I loved my D40 and still think it is a great camera for someone who is just starting out, or for use as a 2nd lightweight camera, or who wants something a little nicer than a point and shoot but still really simple. However, once you are ready for more, this is the camera to buy. I have already used the video recorder several times, and while it isn't going to replace your video camera altogether it is wonderful to have. It is great for the quick video shots, such as at little league baseball -- I don't want to film an entire ball game, but it's nice to have video of my son when he is batting. (The sound of the crack of the bat just can't be captured on a still!) So I have been getting great stills at games as well as fun batting videos and end of game celebrations. Also, I have used it at school programs, at the moment when my son is reeling in a fish, at special moments at the zoo and park, etc. Some people may think it's just a gimmick for a serious shooter, and I probably won't use it when I am out seriously shooting. But it's great to have for the user who also has a family and wants to use it to capture memories in their everyday lives. And that's why I think it's brilliant. I can't think of any other purchase that I have made in recent years that has as much versatility and opportunity for use as this camera. Plus, as previously mentioned, I am absolutely thrilled with the photographs that it is producing, and that's what really matters at the end of the day. If you're thinking about getting it, just do it! You won't be disappointed!
It's really really great, but not quite quite perfect. November 5, 2008
Mark Twain
23 out of 25 found this review helpful
Look, this is an outstanding camera. It really is. I think others have probably already expounded on its greatness better than I can so I will keep this review (reasonably) short.
Here are the three things that jump out at me, and I will be comparing this camera to the Canon 5D (full frame) which I used previously to this.
Sharpness: Good god this camera is sharp. To me it is noticeably better than the 5D in terms of definition, detail and sharpness. I have gone back and pulled out similar pictures taken with the 5D (5D with L series lenses) and they are not as sharp. I am a sharpness whore and a pixel peeper so trust me on this. It's amazingly sharp.
Auto Exposure: very good; but not blow me away great. It will take some getting used to and I think perhaps I will have to fine tune it more than I thought I would have to. I'm really just nitpicking here; it's not a big deal and it's not bad; again just not blow me away great right out of the box.
Low-light performance: I'm sorry, but the 3-year old 5D has it beat big time here. I know it's unfair in a certain sense since the 5D is full frame, but as I said I think this camera has it beat in sharpness which is not supposed to happen when comparing a cropped sensor to a full frame. The fact that it wins sharpness is huge. Unfortunately, the low-light performance is nothing to write home about here. It is certainly better than the D200/D80/D70/D60/D50 (all previous Nikons I have used) but noticeably worse than the 5D. I'm not sure if Nikon was marketing this camera as a good low-light performer like the D3 and the D700 (I don't pay much attention to the marketing stuff) so this might not be a detraction but I just thought I would mention it since people care about low-light performance more and more these days. Of course also I am speaking from the standpoint of someone who has to market/sell most of my pictures. I rarely take pictures for fun unfortunately. I am quite sure that for anyone not using the low-light feature for professional work intending to be sold, it will be more than fine. Frankly it will even be fine for some professional work at ISO 400-800 but nowhere near the level of competence of the D700/D3.
Bottom line, in most situations this camera is superior to the 5D which really is saying a lot since the price is half and the sensor is cropped. At the end of the day, however, if low-light performance is key to you then I would recommend the Nikon FF D700/D3 or the Canon full frame offerings such as the 5D.
I haven't used the video feature yet (and probably won't for a while since I bought this to take pictures) so I don't have anything to report there.
Ergonomics are great and battery life is awesome.
Overall after shooting a few thousand pictures with it my rating would be 92/100. Again please take any of my seemingly negative opinions as what they are--my attempt to be thorough because I know some people want to know the finer points of some of these issues. I do not have a negative opinion of this awesome camera by any means.
Expensive, but worth the wait, NOTE: DEAD PIXELS! October 16, 2008
Erik R. Hilde (Orange County, CA)
14 out of 19 found this review helpful
Addendum 11/4/08: I'm in the process of exchanging my original D90 for a replacement. I noticed a dead pixel, which I'm reading is common, but I feel that for $1000, the sensor should perform at least as well as my 3-yr old Canon 8MP S80, which has yet to reveal any issues whatsoever... and that's after being dropped and brutalized by our toddler. Only time will tell if the replacement D90 performs any better.
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To be honest, the D90 is a bit expensive compared its competition, and had I started from scratch I might have opted for the Canon 450D or perhaps the 40D, both of which have slightly better image quality (the 450D being much cheaper). But as I determined 18 years ago when I purchased my fist 35mm SLR after high-school, I found that Nikons just seem engineered for those who desire function over form. In this regard you could compare Nikon and Canon to the PC and Mac. Canon's seem a bit too plastic and lightweight, with default image settings built to "wow" the customer right out of the box. That's great, but I sense Nikon has a bit more respect for their customers who want to do more than simply point-n-shoot, especially with a D-SLR.
In addition to fit/finish/features, there's an important technical issue I considered. The crop factor is 1.6 on all amateur Canons DSLRs whereas it's 1.5 on all DX Nikons. At 1.5, my favorite wide zoom lens, the Nikkor 16-85 DX, equates to 24-127mm. Very wide with decent telephoto. Canon's closest lens is the 17-85mm zoom, which at first seems practically identical, but it has an equivalent wide-angle focal length of 27mm. Those missing 3mm are VERY noticeable (which is why you pay dearly for incremental millimeters of wide angle improvement on either platform). The D90 was a no-brainer (not mention I already had two good lenses and a flash unit).
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