Nikon D90 ~ Simply put this digital camera might just be the best bang for your buck as of this writing.
This Nikon DSLR Camera is the first digital camera in the world with the ability to record video. Truth be told among professionals and seasoned amateur photographers their camera of choice usually boils down to a Nikon or a Canon, and what often keeps the photographer loyal is his/her already huge investment in lenses and flashes. And with high quality lenses often costing in excess of the price of the camera body switching is quite often just impractical.
For the first time camera buyer, however, the Nikon D90 Price and amazing features may just make it irresistible. Add to this the new 18-200mm 3.5-5.6 lens and you have one solid Nikon Digital SLR that is being used even by many seasoned pros.
Nikon D90 Review
While this camera replaces the Nikon D80 it is near identical on the outside. However that’s where the similarity ends. Positioned right between the Nikon D60 and the Nikon D300, the Nikon D90 Digital SLR features a brand new CMOS sensor which Nikon claims delivers image capture capabilities comparable to those found in its more expensive sibling, the Nikon D300. In fact this is just one of many features that have been incorporated into the D90 from more expensive Nikon Digital Cameras. Below is a list of some of the main features of this camera.
- 12.9 megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor (effective pixels: 12.3 million)
- 3.0-inch 920,000 pixel (VGA x 3 colors) TFT-LCD (same as D3 and D300)
- Built in flash
- Live View featuring contrast-detect AF (face detection)
- Image sensor cleaning utilizing Sensor Shake Technology
- Illuminated focus points
- Movie capture up to 1280 x 720 (720p) 24 fps with mono sound
- IS0 200-3200 range expandable to 100-6400 expanded
- 4.5 frames per second continuous shooting (buffer: 7 RAW, 25 JPEG fine, 100 JPEG Normal)
- Expeed image processing engine
- 3D tracking AF over 11 tracking points
- Short startup time, viewfinder blackout and shutter lag
- Extensive in-camera retouching including raw development and image straightening
- An improved user interface
- Optional compact GPS unit that fits on hot shoe
- Same battery and vertical grip as D80
- Vignetting control in-camera
- 72 thumbnail and calendar view in playback
Camera Configurations
This camera can be purchased in a variety of configurations. Here are some of the most popular ones with an explanation about what exactly you will get with each. For explanations of all relevant Nikon lens terms see the notes at the end of this section.
- Body Only
- Body with AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR Lens
- Body with Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S ED VR II Telephoto Zoom Lens for Nikon DX-Format Digital SLR Cameras
Body Only…This is the purchase to make when you already own Nikon lenses
Body with Nikkor 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR Lens. This is a nice general purpose lens that will give you coverage from 27-157.5mm actual range, and vibration reduction is an added plus
Body with Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S ED VR Lens. This is a really high end lens giving you coverage up to 300mm, ideal for sports and wildlife.
Where To Buy Nikon D90
Personally I shop for Cameras and camera equipment at Amazon as they can’t be beat for price when you factor in their FREE Super Saver Shipping and other benefits from their Amazon.com Store Card.
And when all else fails I use either Wolf Camera or Ritz Camera, which are pretty much one and the same.
However I’m always on the lookout for more ways to help you save a buck so if you find a better deal please let me know so that together we can help someone else save a buck or 2
Nikon Terms Explained
AF-S: Autofocus Silent
Focusing is driven by a "Silent Wave" motor in the lens instead of the focus drive motor in the camera. AF-S lenses focus faster than standard AF-Nikkors and almost completely silently. AF-S lenses with a "II" designation weigh less and are generally smaller than their equivalent predecessors.
DX: The lens is specifically designed for use on Nikon digital SLR cameras. It produces a smaller image circle for more efficient coverage of the imaging sensor in these cameras, which is smaller than the 35mm film frame.
ED: Extra-Low Dispersion glass
High-quality glass that corrects for chromatic aberration, a type of image and color distortion that occurs when light rays of varying wavelengths pass through optical glass and don't converge or focus at the same point. Nikkor lenses with ED glass deliver superior sharpness and contrast, even at maximum aperture. Super ED glass is a new type that is used together with ED glass in some lenses to achieve an even higher degree of freedom from chromatic aberration.
G: The lens has no aperture control ring and is designed to be used with cameras that allow setting the aperture from the camera body. G lenses also provide Distance information to the camera.
VR: Vibration Reduction
An optical innovation that minimizes image blur caused by camera shake and offers the equivalent of shooting at a shutter speed three stops faster, allowing sharper handheld pictures with longer lenses. The system even automatically detects when a photographer pans while photographing a moving subject. VR operation is available only with specific Nikon cameras.
