Nikon D90 Body Only
Wednesday, January 21st, 2009 at
3:36 am
- The D90 boasts a powerful 12.3-megapixel CMOS sensor, a fantastic Expeed image processor and an amazing sensitivity of up to ISO 6400. You’ll be able to take great photos in low lighting conditions without any loss in resolution, and view what you’re shooting before and after taking the photo on its LCD screen. The Live View mode means you can focus in on your scene directly on the screen, while scene and face recognition technologies, as well as a burst mode of 4.5 frames per second, ensure yo
- u never miss a thing. The D90 is also equipped with a high definition video mode, as well as a host of image editing functions so you can add your own personal stamp to all your creations. Like all Nikon cameras, the D90 has a sturdy yet lightweight aluminium and plastic casing. The Nikon D90 was voted “Best Digital SLR Advanced Camera 2009″ at the TIPa Awards.
Fusing 12
3-megapixel image quality and a cinematic 24fps D-Movie Mode, the Nikon D90 exceeds the demands of passionate photographers
Product Description Nikon D90 – digital camera Product Type Digital camera – SLR with Live View mode, movie recording Dimensions (WxDxH) 13.2 cm x 7.7 cm x 10.3 cm Weight 0.62 kg Supported Flash Memory SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card Sensor Dust Reduction … more >>
Rating: 
(out of 74 reviews)
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Review by G. Murphy for Nikon D90 Body Only
Rating:
This is a superb camera that I have been happily shooting on since its release, and given the chance again now, it is still the camera I would choose. Why only four stars then? Let me explain.
The background to this camera is what makes it so great. They incorporated many of the features from the more expensive D300, and managed to fit it and more into its predecessor’s, the D80, body. This includes most importantly the sensor in the camera. The sensor in the D90 is superb, and the 12 MP’s are more than adequate for prints A2 size (this is the largest I have gone, but I am sure you can go bigger). Better than this is the noise handling of the sensor. The default setting is ISO 200, but the camera is perfectly usable up to ISO 1600, with very little noise present, and it is expandable beyond that. This gives really high quality pictures even in very dim conditions without the need for flash.
The shape and feel of the camera are great as well. It just fits and all of the buttons are exactly where they should be. This is really something you have to try for yourself holding it. The viewfinder is also just so big (96% coverage), and the weight of the camera is balanced without it being heavy.
These are the major things that set it apart, but you really begin to notice the small things the more you shoot with it. The top down display gives you all the information in a really nice and compact way. This small display is also the reason the battery life is so great, as you do not need the brilliant 3″ screen every time you change a setting. It is possible to go on about the positives for a long time, but there are some drawbacks to keep in mind.
First of these is the video. Don’t get me wrong the video in many ways is brilliant (first time seen on DSLR, and it is high definition 720p.) HOWEVER, you get a phenomenon called a rolling shutter, which gives the images a jelly like appearance(it wobbles if you move quickly). It is therefore really only suited to being kept on a tripod and everything moving in the frame rather than moving the camera. The sound is also only in mono and is not the best quality, and you have to manually focus during the video (though with some practice this is not too hard).
The other main thing while looking at this camera is that it is only an “advanced amateur” camera, and whilst it borrows heavily from the D300 it is not a D300 in a smaller body. The D300 still maintains a better build quality, better auto-focus (with proper tracking for sport), a higher frames per second, and a better processor giving higher quality pictures, and correspondingly it is matched with a higher body only price tag.
In saying all of that, this camera will be more than adequate for the majority of us, and you will love it if you use it. Leaving it on full auto and shooting will leave you happy, but it has so many options that you can tailor it to specifically suit your style, and the way you want to use it. Also don’t forget that the sound of the shutter (actually the mirror rotating up) is addictive satisfyingly solid. For this price there is no better camera.
Review by Joseph Downing for Nikon D90 Body Only
Rating:
Upgraded from a D40 to the D90 as needed more focus points and an inbuilt auto focus motor to use with more advanced lenses. My only regret is not getting the camera sooner as its results are amazing. Excellent, quick focusing system, great image processing for JPEGs, amazing LCD screen and great, low noise images. Some even go as far as to say that, under most conditions, this camera even out performs the much more expensive D300, although the D300 does have a magnesium body and some weather sealing.
The D90 is slightly heavier (about 100g more) than the D40, and this could be a concern if weight is a concern. However, I can carry it around all day with the wonderful Nikon 18-200mm VR lens, and the two together is a dream combination! Only possible downside, is the quality of the video mode which is not great. However, I must say that I was reluctant to even mention this in this review for two reasons: Firstly, no one seems to use SLR’s to shoot videos, and Secondly, because this is such a great camera its a shame to detract from it for an issue with something none of us are realistically going to use.
Review by Peter Roxburgh for Nikon D90 Body Only
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It is only fitting that my 100th review on Amazon is for my D90.
I bought it at Christmas time to replace my Nikon D40 which I had for 2 years and died on me.
Very pleased I paid the money to go for the D90 rather than the D5000.
I did a LOOOOT of research before I decided on the Nikon D90. Initially it was a fight between Canon and Nikon. I decided to stick with the Nikon as I already had some Nikon accessories. There are some cheaper models of the Canon that will allow quick change for things like ISO settings and so on.
Then it was a fight between D5000 and the more expensive D90.
The D90 spec was obviously higher than the D5000. But everyone everywhere was advertising the D5000. And the D5000 has the tilt screen and so on.
After all the research I decided that although the D90 did not have the tilt screen, everything else was worth paying the extra money.
The D90 is built better than the D5000. The D90 feels and is aimed at those who are slightly more than just the rich casual photographer. The D90 is aimed much for the ‘prosumer’ market. People who enjoy photography as an art, a hobby and take it that little bit more seriously than just someone who wants nice holiday snaps.
The thing that really sold it for me (as a budding wedding photographer) was the fact that changing settings on the D90 is really easy. There are dedicated buttons for ISO, Quality, Flash Settings, Picture mode (i.e. self-timer, burst), Exposure compensation.
With the two dial jogs, it is really easy to change the settings. So for example, if you wanted to change the flash settings, you press the dedicated flash button with your left hand. With your thumb you rotate the back jog to change from ‘Red-eye’ to ‘Rear’, ‘Slow’ and so on. And with your forefinger of your right hand you can dial up or down the level of the flash! As easy as that! And the process works similarly for other settings!
For wedding photography this is brilliant, rather than having to dive into a Menu like I used to with my D40.
It has endless other options and features which would be too lengthy for me to write about. One of the other useful feature is ‘bracketing’. This is where you set the camera to take a series of photos each at different exposure levels. That way you can quickly take the same picture three times, without having to constantly adjust exposure compensation. Hopefully at least one of them will be the right exposure. Fantastic again for when a Bride is walking down the aisle with her father etc or trying to take photos of a sunset.
The other great thing about going for the D90 over the D5000 is that the AF motor is in the body. So for example, I bought only the body and for the time being I am using the body kit lens from my D40. On the D5000, that would render that lens non-auto focus. However, because the AF motor is in the D90, my D40 lens still has auto focus!
It also worked fine with my Nikon SB-400 flash.
When I bought it, I didn’t think I would use the video all that much and in fact was worried that by adding video, Nikon might compromise on the still photography. However, I have found for personal use the video quite fun. There are times when you wish you had a video camera – and now you do!
Sure, the video doesn’t autofocus, so I always flick it onto Manual AF and use it that way. The sound and picture quality are fine and I love the option of being able to capture a short video as well as taking stills.
Just recently, I shot a wedding with a friend of mine. He was using a Canon 50D (which is a lovely camera too – more comfortable to hold than the D90), however, he said to me at the end of the 4 hours or so that he had changed his main camera battery twice! I, on the other hand, had only lost 1 bar on my battery indicator!! No idea what the Canon 50D is doing but the Nikon D90 does seem to have a considerably better battery-life!
Overall, this is a fantastic camera. If you just want a nice camera for taking pictures when on holiday then I would probably save the money and buy the D5000. However, if you want more from your DSLR and want to develop your photography skills, you want to photograph fast-changing subjects like birds, try new things out or start out in wedding photography etc then this is fantastic camera and gives you amazing value for money.
Review by D. Plummer for Nikon D90 Body Only
Rating:
The Nikon D90 is a good Digital SLR and I have to say I’m satisfied with the picture quality, feel/weight of the camera and the way the function buttons are layed out. The only problem I have with the camera is the error mesages. Two appear intermittantly. “F–” is the least severe as all it takes to free that is a little twist to the lens as this will make good the contacts between the lens contacts and camera’s contact ring. The other “Err” code that appears, again intermittantly with no warning can only be freed by removing and re-installing the battery.The camera completly locks-up and won’t turn off from the switch. There are reports of users having to do this a few times but once always cures the problem for me. I’m very disapointed with Nikon as this really is the achilles heel of a very good camera. I purchaed the camera a week ago with the 18-105 kit lens and this has occured at leats 6 times. I’m taking it back to Jessops today to get a full refund. I’ll have no problems buying the D90 again but only once this problem has been sorted. If your happy to remove the bettery in the middle of shooting or to give the lens a little twist to cure either, then I can’t think of anything else that would deter you from buy it.
05/02/2010 D90 Update.
OK. I bit the bullet and decided to purchase another D90 with kit 18-105vr lens a month later. I’m pleased to say I’ve had it for several months now and used it extensively without a single error code appearing. No locks up’s or any other problems. Sounds to me Nikon have/had some quality issues. Purchase from a supplier with a good returns policy who will allow you to return the camera if faulty and repurchase with no problems . 5 stars for my 2nd and new D90.
Review by Mullet for Nikon D90 Body Only
Rating:
As a DSLR newbie I thought long and hard about my purchase i.e. Canon/Nikon/Sony, lenses in future, accessories etc. and eventually settled for the D90 VR Kit.
After a month of casual use familiarising with the innumerable settings I have to say I am hugely impressed with the user-friendly design and image quality. The default settings are sensible and capture great images, but when you want to take control the camera allows you to do so with minimal fuss. As a beginner I especially liked the info button which explains the various menu options in more detail.
The LCD screen offers amazing clarity with 4x the resolution of most of its nearest price point rivals, making the live view option a real advantage when composing images. The only issue I found with this was the lack of a live histogram to check exposure but as this can be viewed after capture perhaps more an inconvenience than a real problem.
The kit lens provided is great for most general scenarios offering acceptable wide angle and zoom options but be aware that for Macro photography or sports for example you will need to expand your lens set and invest in a proper flashgun and tripod etc etc so if you’re on a limited budget consider a cheaper body and invest in the glass instead.
HD Video is also a nice option but since there’s no autofocus and it only receives mono sound the usability is limited for advanced shooting. But considering there is only one other DSLR camera which currently offers HD video (and that’s a Pro level Canon comfortably costing four figures) you have to recognise this is an added bonus rather than a disappointment.
On the software side this package is a bit of a let down. Nikon do not provide their own full image editing program in the same vein as Canon, and the file transfer tool was clunky to install and didn’t even recognise my camera as a device. Coupled with the baffling decision to not allow the D90 to be recognised as a USB flash device, I was left having to buy a card reader to transfer data. This wasn’t actually a bad idea anyway, as I find this method much more user friendly. As an existing Photoshop CS3 user and with my card reader costing just £15, I hardly felt the impact of the sub-par software, but it’s a consideration if on a budget. Also note that Adobe RAW support only exists on Photoshop CS4 for the D90, so if using a previous version like me, you’ll need a .dng converter which, fortunately, is free from Adobe.
Overall, the minor niggles don’t come close to detracting from the quality of the main product.