Nikon D90 - Detailed Review

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Review of The Nikon D90

The Nikon D90 is a Digital SLR camera which provides its user the easiest way to take professional looking photos. It was released by Nikon on August 27, 2008. It was meant to be the replacement for the D80 (another highly awarded Nikon D-SLR). The D90 offers great image quality and great user controls for the advanced amateur. It was the first D-SLR to offer a full HD Video capability.

The Nikon D90 is a professional quality camera with tons of new features that can only be found on higher end camera bodies. The difference with the D90 is that you get all the features you want for under $1000 (body only). If you're looking to get a new Digital SLR the D90 may be just what you are looking for. Don't wait 12 months for the latest and greatest DSLR... Start taking pictures of the people you love, the things you enjoy, and the moments you can never get back.

The D90 is best suited for these individuals... 

  • Photographers interested in still life photography
  • It is great for landscapes and portraits
  • The D90 is also a less expensive alternative for those who enjoy low light photography but can not afford or do not want to buy the Nikon D300.
  • If you already own a D40, D40x, D60, or D80 and want to upgrade the body of your camera... the D90 is an incredible upgrade.
  • The D90 is also ideal for those who want the capability to shoot HD video with their digital SLR
  • If the individual does not have image editing software on their computer the D90 offers great in camera editing.
  • Finally the D90 is for the photographer that does not want to spend the money for an elite professional camera but still wants the performance.

Nikon D90 - In the Spotlight 

Body Only 

Nikon D90 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)

Amazon Price: Too low to display (as of 01/02/2010) Buy Now

If you are looking to use it is these situations... 

you may want to look at a more advanced camera. For example the D300 or D3

  • If you will frequently be using the camera outdoors you should not buy the D90. The D90 does not have rubber sealants to keep the dust and dirt out of the camera. The D300 is much more durable than the D90 because of its Magnesium build. If you need a better built and durable camera the choice is clear... the Nikon D300.
  • The D90 also only offers 4.5 frames per second. If you want to shoot sporting events it may be better to have the D300 because of its 6 frames per second continuous shooting or a possible 8 frames per second when it is used with the extra battery pack.
  • The D90 can be used if you are a professional photographer but it is generally made for the advanced amateur. Professionals should either buy the Nikon D300 or the Nikon D3 (or D3x).

Things to Know About the Nikon D90 

12.3-megapixel DX-format CMOS imaging sensor

First D-SLR with an HD Video Mode: 720p (1280 x 720 pixels)

3-inch super-density 920,000-dot color LCD monitor

Sensor Size: 15.8 x 23.6mm

One-button Live View

Comprehensive exposure control

Low noise ISO sensitivity from 200 to 3200

11-point AF system

Auto Active D-Lighting

Durable, high precision shutter

Built-in image sensor cleaning

Continuous shooting as fast as 4.5 frames-per-second

GPS geo-tagging

In-Camera Image Editing

Takes Photos in JPEG or RAW

170-degree wide viewing angle

Advanced Scene Modes: Portrait, landscape, close-up, sports, night portrait

Exposure Bracketing: 2 or 3 frames in steps of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, 1, or 2 EV

White Balance Bracketing

Built in Flash: Pops up from Body

Lens attachment size: 67mm

1 Year Manufactures Warranty

In the Box:
Camera, lens, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, quick charger, eyepiece cap, rubber eyecup, USB cable, AV cable, camera strap, LCD monitor cover, body cap, snap-on front lens cap, rear lens cap, Bayonet lens hood, flexible lens pouch, accessory shoe cover, software CD-ROM, user's man

Alternative Lenses 

for your D90

All of these lenses are compatible with the Nikon D90.

Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens

Amazon Price: $188.91 (as of 01/02/2010) Buy Now

Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras

Amazon Price: $124.88 (as of 01/02/2010) Buy Now

The Nikon D90 Kit Lens

The 18-105mm kit lens that comes with the Nikon D90 is a great lens because of the range it provides and for the price you receive the lens for. The only other option for a better lens range is the 18-200mm VR I or VR II. The VR II was just released but they both sell for upwards of $800. When you purchase the D90 with the Kit lens you are receiving the lens for less than $300 dollars. The kit lens is a great value.

Other Great Nikon Cameras 

Nikon DSLR Line

Nikon D40
Nikon D3000
Nikon D60
Nikon D5000
Nikon D90
Nikon D300
Nikon D300s
Nikon D700
Nikon D3
Nikon D3x

Nikon D90 18-200mm 

textbookx.com (Akademos, Inc.)

Photos from Flickr Taken with the D90 

ricoh film camera day 2 by Vincent Damiano Photography

ricoh film camera da...

Electrify by Moon by dannyc ::2010::

Electrify by Moon

Berlin Town Hall by Vinay Deep

Berlin Town Hall

mighty by Vinay Deep

mighty

one off case by Vinay Deep

one off case

zipping though the bavarian countryside by Vinay Deep

zipping though the b...

enlightened by Vinay Deep

enlightened

merry christmas by Vinay Deep

merry christmas

revival by Vinay Deep

revival

Made by N.R.

Made

Pete's by daviddesign

Pete's

field by daviddesign

field

thanks for your tips. by daviddesign

thanks for your tips...

Taqueria Guadalajara by daviddesign

Taqueria Guadalajara

used tires by daviddesign

used tires

mexican food by daviddesign

mexican food

The House by bulliver

The House

Switchback Road by bulliver

Switchback Road

Bright to the South by bulliver

Bright to the South

Fire Kettle by bulliver

Fire Kettle

Bearing No Fruit by bulliver

Bearing No Fruit

Used Car Lot by bulliver

Used Car Lot

Moon Through Tree by bulliver

Moon Through Tree

Bright House by bulliver

Bright House

automatically generated by Flickr

The D90 on Wikipedia 

The Nikon D90 is a 12.3 megapixel digital single-lens reflex camera model announced by Nikon on August 27, 2008. It is a prosumer model meant as a replacement for the Nikon D80, fitting between the company's entry-level and professional DSLR models. Nikon gives the D90's Estimated Selling Price in the U.S. as $899.95 US for the body only and as $1299.99 with the Nikkor AF-S DX 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, which by itself sells for $399.95. Actual prices are generally lower.Google Product Search: Nikon D90Google Product Search: Nikon D90 with Nikkor AF-S 18-105mm

In May 2009, the D90 won the TIPA European Photo & Imaging Award, in the "Best D-SLR Advanced" category.

Nikon D90 Related Links 

Nikon Rumors
A rumor site on Nikon
Nikon D90 @ NikonUSA
The official Nikon Site
Ken Rockwell
A great Review on the D90
DP Review - Nikon D90 Review
Another D90 Review

Reccommended D90 Accessories 

Protective Cases for the D90 

Don't carry your Nikon around without one

A Nikon D90 Video Tour 

powered by Youtube

Nikon D90 Logo 

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Nikon Rumors 

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Great Items for your Camera 

I will add to this as I find great values

The Hoya HMC UV filter was the winner of a filter review, it is a great value at only 32 dollars via amazon. I was looking for a filter myself and did about an hour of research to find this one.

Hoya HMC Haze UV(0) - Filter - UV - 67 mm

Amazon Price: $32.85 (as of 01/02/2010) Buy Now

Links for Accessories 

I will add to this list

The Filter test from Lenstip.com
A great filter test. A must read before you purchase any filter for any lens.