The D90 is a mixed bird. Market wise it replaces the D80, yet offers slightly better image quality than the D300. In many ways it's a step ahead, and is the first DSLR on the market to offer a movie mode.
Anyone who's used the most recent Nikon DSLR's will be at home on the D90, and it even uses the same battery grip as the D80. It's main advances as a still camera over the D80 and D200 is a higher burst rate, better high ISO performance, and the much anticipated movie mode. However, the movies may be disappointing.
Strengths:
Improved high ISO performance over the D300.
Keeps the same battery grip as the D80.
Use the larger and clearer LCD display that is a huge improvement over earlier ones.
A HD (720P) movie mode, which allows using Nikon lenses and superb low light performance, but see below.
SDHC card compatible.
Weaknesses:
Aside from the movie mode it's another DX Nikon.
The movie mode is really a tacked on accessory, and it wasn't explained very well in the manual how to use it. I finally figured out you go into Live View, prefocus the camera, and then press OK. The focus is stopped while filming, so any zooming or focusing has to be done manually.
The camera has to be moved as little as possible, as any side to side movement will cause the movie to "wiggle," and if it's moved back and forth quickly you'll get a nice waving motion that'll make you seasick. This is because the movie frames are being scanned off the CCD and can't keep up with rapid movement. This is a big problem that Nikon should have addressed before putting this camera on the market.
Used within it's limits the movies can be amazing, with the ability to use interchangeable lenses shots can be achieved that formerly required expensive professional video cameras. Independent movie makers, artists, and generally talented people will have a lot of fun with this camera, but the average user stepping up from a compact camera will likely see the movie mode as a step backward.
However, all the interest in this camera may be short lived, as everything I've heard and seen about the upcoming Canon 5D Mark II is that it will do everything the Nikon can do at a higher resolution and better quality.
I bought the D90 kit to replace my D80 at weddings. Yes, I'm a wedding photographer. So why would a pro, who can write off any camera in his taxes, settle for a mid-grade camera? Size, weight, feel, and reasonable costs on accessories (MB-D80 battery pack is half the price of the one for the D300)! Prosumer cameras also seem to have far more usable whistles and bells.
Nearly two years ago, I chose the D80 over the D200, because the D200 felt (and weighed) much like a brick. When shooting a wedding, one has the camera around one's neck for 6 hours, so I really didn't want to add any chiropracters to my contact list. Besides, I baby my gear, and I don't need it constructed from Adamantium. Leave that for the paparazzi. The mid-grade line is also more user-friendly, with wonderful toys like Night-mode, perfect for capturing the newlyweds against white christmas lights with a star filter on the lens. The D90 has a cross filter in it's software! Now I don't have to keep that filter in my pocket, which tends to blur and halo the photos anyway. With active D-lighting, I have wider dynamic range than ever before.
The biggest reason for me to upgrade from the D80 was the noise reduction from switching to a CMOS sensor. Don't get me wrong, the noise is still there at ISO 800 with 65% unsharp masking, but it is a bit smoother and more natural than the D80, far less noticable. You have to look harder to find it, and no one will ever see it on their prints anyway.
The second reason for upgrade, is the 3-inch LCD screen, with Live-View capability. I sometimes shoot over the heads of the crowds at receptions, and with Live-View, I can now see what I'm framing, even if from a sharp angle. It is also easier for me to see if anyone blinked in that last group shot. The bride can squint a lot less now to view the photos on the 3-inch screen. NOTE: Set that LCD to -2 in the menu, if you want a closer representation of what you captured. That seems to go for most Nikon SLRs. While you are in the menu, increase the sharpening by a notch or two.
Video? Well, useful I suppose, but if video is what you are into, it won't replace a 29 frame-per-second video camera. However, if I find myself shooting nature photos in the woods of Washington state, and see Bigfoot, I will thank the makers for the Hi-def video option!
What would I change? How about a Custom setting on the Mode Dial? Portrait Mode is all well and fine, but you can't set it to center spot focus, or spot meter mode. Nor can you limit the auto-ISO maximum. I'm sorry, but I don't see myself choosing ISO 3200 very often, on anyone's camera. I emailed Nikon about it, and they emailed back within 8 hours, with a work-around: Set the camera to Aperature Priority (which I usually use anyway), set the NEW Picture Control to Portrait, and then cutomize everything I've mentioned so far! Now if I could just save it as a separate custom setting on the Mode Dial...
Unlike Canon, Nikons have a better, tighter spot meter, traditional names for their controls, and controls in places that make sense, like the On/Off switch next to shutter, rather than the back 40. I've slept in the Canon camp for years, but switched to Nikon when Canon bacame too cheap to include spot meters on $1000 Rebels and $1500 20Ds. When you Photograph a white-veiled bride against white backlit windows, only a Nikon 2% spot meter will do.
In conclusion: sharpen the photos a notch or two in the menu, lower the LCD intensity to -2, and it will be an awesome, easy to use camera that won't break your back or your credit line.
Strengths:
The strengths are many:
1. Live View mode for shooting over your head, ground level, or around a corner.
2. new CMOS sensor with EXPEED processor equals less grain at higher ISOs
3. 5 minutes of Hi-def video in case you see Bigfoot.
4. Built in filters and active D-lighting (brings out shadows, increases dynamic range)
5. Uses the same batteries and battery pack as the D80
6. More menu options than the D80
7. More megapixels on a decent sensor!
8. Features a quieter (sexier sounding) shutter than the hand-claps from Sonys and Pentax.
9. VR lens included in kit, and it is normally a $400 lens!
10. 2% spot meter! Where's that on a Canon? Theirs is 3.8%!
Weaknesses:
1. Only 5 minutes segments of Hi-def video if you see Bigfoot.
2. Live View has to get the mirror out of the way for use. When you snap the shutter, there is noticable shutter lag, but only when using live-view.
3. Auto modes won't let you customize all aspects, like meter type or focus point.
4. So $1300 doesn't include a 1GB SD card? What, Nikon's buying power can't pick them up for $5 and include them in the kit?
5. 12MP: Canon's comparable new 50D has 15MP, Sony has one coming out with 24MP!
Similar Products Used:
Nikon D50
Nikon D70
Nikon D80
Customer Service:
I emailed Nikon with a question about custom menus, and they answered back in a few hours, on a Saturday! Thanks Nikon!
This is a step up from our very old (for a DSLR) D70 with 15K clicks on its odometer. So far, I like the DSLR improvements. I'm not sure how often I will use the video.
Strengths:
1) 12MP - Kind of like the street racer's rule: "You can't beat cubic inches".
The D70's crops very quickly ran out of pixels. Not so with the D90 crops.
2) The three inch display screen - Unlike the D70 screen, its actually usable outdoors. You must see one of these displays.
3) Better focus ability - Better than the D70 but they held back a bit from the D300's
screen full of focus points.
4) Multiple (up to 3, with compensation) - Nice feature. But I was hoping for time lasp.
Weaknesses:
1) Adobe doesn't have an ACR for it yet. Is this because Nikon tries to sell more of its poor software by not using any RAW standard and making everyone else scramble to catch up?
2) Live View - This would be a very nice feature if the mirror would stay up when an exposure is made. Maybe Nikon wanted to save something for the D90S.
3) D-Movie - Well if I put the 50mm F1.4 on it, set it on the tripod, manual focus, and
push the 'OK' button, the resulting MPEG is viewable and it would be fun to play with 'pulling focus' but then I would need to go under a hood outside.
4) Strap - For your 1000 USD you get a 4 USD camera strap without swivels.
5) Viewfinder - After 25 years, the F3HP still has a better viewfinder.
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