Index
Page 1:
Features & Operation
Picture Quality
Page 2:
Video Quality
HD Video - an understanding
D90 vs D300
Conclusion
Even in the rain the D90 shone
720p video from the D90 is of a good quality. By default the D-Movie will continually assess the light entering the camera and adjust accordingly - unless you set up AE-lock to prevent this, which is ideal for fixing exposure to produce some clever shots. It's worth pointing out that the D90 doesn't autofocus video, but the live manual focus is great fun and provides all kinds of artistic focal possibilities; further enhanced by your choice of lens and available aperture.
Output is in the form of .AVI and provides broadcast quality images. Nikon, thankfully, haven't (as yet) provided their own format, so video can be run straight from camera, fed into an HD TV, easily fired up in Windows Media Player (or other programmes on your computer) or pulled into editing suites for much more advanced manipulation. There is no in-camera editing available. There are a couple of downers though: Firstly, as the camera is constantly adjusting the exposure dependant on lighting conditions (unless set otherwise), there can be the odd 'flicker' where the camera jumps exposure up or down. It's fairly subtle though. Secondly, hand-held shooting with a heavy lens is extremely difficult due to the overall weight of the camera and the fact that one hand is likely to be manually focusing. For the sake of avoiding excessive camera shake, you may need to get your videographer cap on, take a few chill pills to keep the hands steady; otherwise invest in a tripod with a decent smooth-pan head.
HD Video
It's tricky to get to grips with understanding what high definition video is all about, especially in the context of what is primarily a stills camera. But it's an exciting concept and here's why: First and foremost the physical size of the sensor in the Nikon D90 is much larger than that which you would find in many digital video cameras. Combine this with the sort of coverage provided by compatible lenses and the overall depth of field is therefore increased - meaning more control than has ever been available at this end of the market. Secondly the range of Nikon F-mount lenses available for the D90 mean you could shoot HD video at anything from fisheye through to wide angle or even 500mm telephoto (if you should ever find the need!). This really opens a whole new window of opportunity - if not to its fullest potential quite yet, then certainly something for the future.
D90 vs D300
With so many cameras entering the market place, it can sometimes become a little baffling as to when to part with your hard earned cash. In the recent past Nikon alone has produced the D3, D700, and D300. All at very different price points but, at times, with feature-sets a little too close for comfort - or some may suggest so.
The D90 (body) will set you back £700, compared to the D300's £1,000. For those extra three hundred smackers, you pick up a faster and more advanced metering and autofocus system - the 51point Multi-CAM 3500 with 3D tracking. Add to that the D300's 6 frames per second (8fps with optional battery grip) continuous shooting mode (compared to the D90's 4.5fps), a weather-sealed body and 100% viewfinder coverage. Quite simply the D300 is the makings of a camera designed for more sustained, rapid-fire outdoor use; ideal for aspiring sports photographers.
The D90 is no slouch in its abilities, it just isn't the same camera as the D300 - nor is it meant to be. In fact the emphasis is perhaps weighted more towards a creative and 'fun' side; the feature set it well-rounded across the whole shooting spectrum - speed, image quality, body size (smaller and lighter beast), continuous shooting, plus the bundle of creative picture controls and emphasis on in-camera manipulation. Take the 18-105mm kit lens for example - such a zoom range means most advanced amateurs will rarely need to change lens, unless you should want to do macro or other specialist work.
The D90 exposes well; here centre spot metering maintains background highlights
Viewfinder coverage is an impressive 96% - which is enough for most. Where the D90 drags its heels on the speed front it makes up for with the 'added extra' of an HD video mode and improved Live View. The D300 may lack this, but then it's the sturdier, tank-like speedy-snapper of the two. Image quality doesn't notably differ from one to the other though, so if this is your only quibble then a D90 may well be more catered to your needs… and your bank balance.
Conclusion
The D90 is a trophy of a middleweight camera, with the D-movie HD video mode tagging on an extra medal or two. No other DSLR in the world has a video feature to match; which no doubt opens up a whole new world of possibilities.
As an upgrade from the D80, the Nikon D90 positively flies; adding a chunkier new sensor, improved speed and picture quality, plus a bundle of modes and features. From a usability point of view, the informative visual information and display features from the D60 have also been adopted - making for ultimate ease of use.
The D90's 18-105mm kit lens, whilst sluggish to focus and rather shy of close-up subjects, covers a very adaptable range that will prove of use to many photographers. Pop on a different lens though and autofocus speed is improved, just not to the speedier heights of the D300. Though, all in all, the Nikon D90 even makes the likes of the D200 look tired; it really is that good.
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Price
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£849.99 (with 18-105mm VR lens)
£699.99 (body only)
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Sensor
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12.3 megapixel CMOS sensor (23.6 x 15.8mm)
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LCD Monitor:
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3.0 " TFT LCD (920,000 dot)
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Sensitivity
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ISO 200-3200 in 1/3stops
"Hi" options span ISO 100-6400 equivalent
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Auto Focus points
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Multi-CAM 1000, 11 focus points
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White balance
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Auto (with fine tune), 6 modes, preset, 'choose color temp.” from 2500-10000K |
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On board flash
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Built in pop up, GN17
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Shutter speed and flash sync
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30seconds (or Bulb) - 1/4000th second
X-sync to 1/200 sec
Tested to 100,000 cycles
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Continuous shooting
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4.5fps burst rate
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Storage
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SD / SDHC
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Battery
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Rechargeable lithium-ion EN-EL3e (to 850 shots per charge) |
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Lens type / fitting
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Nikon F mount (1.5x crop (DX format))
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Other features
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World's first DSLR to shoot HD video (720p) - limited to 5minutes at high resolution 24fps, or up to 20minutes in lower resolution. No autofocus inside video mode, but manual focus and AE-lock available to ensure full range of possibilities.
Active D-Lighting, now with 'Extra high' setting
Picture control modes (Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome, Portrait, Landscape)
Simultaneous RAW (NEF, not same raw file type as previous models) + JEPG shooting
Dust reduction sensor clean
Auto image rotate
In-camera retouch menu (D-lighting, red eye correction, trim, monochrome, filter effects, colour balance, pseudo-fisheye, manual image straighten, distortion control, 'quick retouch')
”Recent settings” in camera's menu for quicker access to those more hidden recently adjusted controls
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