|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We clicked with:
720p HD video with the benefit of whichever lens you chose to attach!
Live View with auto focus, AE lock and full controls
High image quality, low noise
'Rangey' kit lens (18-105mm)
Compatible with huge range of lenses, Nikon's creative lighting system and even a new GPS unit (all sold separately)
Shots in the dark:
Autofocusing can be slow (especially Live View AF)
No autofocus option for video
Kit lens could be improved
 |
| |
Index
Page 1:
Features & Operation
Picture Quality
Page 2:
Video Quality
HD Video - an understanding
D90 vs D300
Conclusion
There's no two ways about it, the Nikon D90 is a landmark camera. As the world's first DSLR to sport 720p high definition video, the D90 has ruffled the photography world's feathers; grabbing the much vexed 'video in a stills camera' question by the giblets and firmly setting it home to roost. Of course, for want of not getting cooped up in the world of video too much, the Nikon D90 is still very much a stills camera at heart - and a top one at that. Further supporting Nikon's recent coup - and with features not too dissimilar to the Nikon D300 - the D90, certainly on paper, seems to sing from the treetops as yet another future success. So, is the Nikon D90 the hyped-up pinnacle middleweight camera it's set out to be? We investigate...
Features & Operation
The Nikon D90 is the upgrade to and next logical step up from the D80. And, much like the D80's similarities to the D200, the D90 pulls some of the D300's best bits; a newly designed 12.3megapixel sensor that, whilst not a direct transfer, is mightily similar - making for some of the highest quality, low-noise images throughout the entire ISO100-6400 range. Anyone familiar with the Nikon line-up of late will know that this can only mean good things.
The Nikon D90's Live View mode ticks all the right boxes too, allowing for fully manual controls when activated (except for ISO change). Unlike many competitors' lesser Live View modes, the Nikon D90 has both autofocus and face detection modes available - though it has to be said that autofocus isn't anywhere nearly as fast as shooting through the viewfinder; it will often over-focus before casually slipping back into sharp focus. The 3” 920,000 dot LCD screen - the very same high quality screen found on the back of the highly acclaimed Nikon D3 - makes using Live View a pleasure. Not that this is the only feature to benefit: D-Movie mode (that's 720p HD movie mode) is quickly activated from within Live View by simply clicking the 'OK' button on the back of the camera. In an instant your movie will start to record (five minutes maximum), and - in-keeping with a stills camera - it is possible to immediately shoot by pressing the shutter.
The Nikon D90 comes packaged together with an AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens - or, in English, an 18-105mm zoom lens with vibration reduction. This is a great zoom range (equivalent to 27-157mm on an FX frame - although it vignettes with FX sensors of course), but not so great on the speed front. In fact, focusing is uninspiringly slow and doesn't make best use of the otherwise tried and tested excellent 11-point Multi-CAM 1000 autofocus system. Furthermore, the lens is rather shy of close-up photography (around 23cms from lens was the best measurement at 18mm). Kit lenses across the board tend not to be the best regardless of manufacturer. Whilst the 18-105mm isn't bad by any means, the addition of unusual zoom possibilities ironically creates additional limitations. If you already have a Nikon lens or two tucked away and the D90 sounds tempting (which it very much is), then there's no harm in shaving £150 off the price and picking up the £700 body only option.
Barrel distortion at the wide end of the 18-105mm kit lens is notable, though the image remains bright to the edges and equally exposed throughout
What the Nikon D90 certainly doesn't shy away from is keeping photography fun. There's a whole bunch of modes that provide retouching in-camera. This can range from simple manipulations such as straightening your wonky images, to applying lens correction, even as far as pseudo-fisheye effects. Then there are quick retouch options, a batch of picture controls (standard, vivid, etc) and the longstanding Active D-Lighting to hold detail in shadows and highlights (now with a new 'Extra High' setting). For extra speed, clicking the 'info' button on the rear will also bring up a screen menu (like that of the Nikon D60) that details the camera's current settings in a well laid out, easily navigable format, with the option of quickly adjusting all key features.
Picture Quality
Much like the D300, the Nikon D90 has superb image quality - ISO200-800 provide excellent low noise images, with an essence of noise around the ISO1600-3200 mark. ISO6400 takes a notable jump in image noise; best left for rare occasions. This newly developed sensor is clearly strutting its stuff.
ISO: 200 |
400
|
800 |
1600
|
3200
|
6400
|
|
|
The 18-105mm kit lens shows signs of vignetting, including barrel distortion when shooting at the wider end. In-camera correction can assist with this, though never to the point that a more refined lens would perform to. To the same effect, image quality from the kit lens lacks sharpness, though not profusely - and this is notably improved when using a variety of other Nikon lenses (the 70-300mm VR frequently graced the front of the D90). On the up side, images are extremely 'clean' and show no notable evidence of any irritating red/blue or purple fringing - which in itself is an important positive; anyone familiar with attempting to remove fringing via post-production will know the pain only too well.
As with all Nikon VR (vibration reduction) lenses, expect the best available in countering camera shake to at least a couple of stops. This really helps to enhance your hand-held shooting, particularly at longer zoom ranges.
ISO 3200, 1/5th second. Whilst the left image isn't sharp, by comparison the shot without VR is blurred beyond any recognition
Active D-lighting now incorporates an 'Extra High' option, which does exactly what it says on the tin by really pushing the mid-shadows up whilst maintaining highlights. You will likely have a preference as to whether D-lighting (or any other dynamic range enhancing mode from any manufacturer) is your cup of tea or not, but this can easily be turned on or off as desired.
One surprise was perhaps the Nikon D90's lack of 'punch' on the colour front - especially at the green end of the spectrum, which often slipped into a grey-blue. Even the in-camera 'Vivid' picture mode opted to push the reds hard and leave the greens (at the other end of the spectrum) as they were.
The kit lens isn't particularly sharp. Exposure is accurate, though colour - particularly greens - seem to lack vibrancy.
Use one of many available Nikon DX lenses, however, and there's plenty of scope for potential. Picking out birds flying around in the local park at 400mm wasn't an issue, even when using handheld. Colours still seem a little muted however.
Continue to page 2 and verdict
Video Quality
HD Video - an understanding
D90 vs D300
Conclusion
Share this article:
Del.icio.us this
