| Nikon D90 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)  | 
| Brand: Nikon
Category: Photography
Buy New: See price in cart
New (14) Used (3) Refurbished (1) from $829.00
Rating:  26 reviews
Sales Rank: 31
Media: Electronics
Includes Software: Yes
Connectivity: AV
Display Size: 3
Maximum Resolution: 12300000
Shipping Weight (lbs): 4
Dimensions (in): 8 x 10 x 6
nv:Sensor: 12.3 Megapixel
Image Resolution: 4288 x 2848
Storage Media: SD/SDHC Memory Card
Compressed Format: DCF
Compressed Format: DPOF standard
Compressed Format: JPEG/EXIF v2.21
Compressed Format: NEF (RAW)
Compressed Format: NEF (RAW)+ JPEG
Movie File Format: HD
LCD Monitor: 3.0 inches
LCD Pixels: 920,000 pixels
LCD Coverage: 96%
Shutter Speed: 1/4000 sec. in steps of 1/3, 1/2, 1 EV
Light Metering Method: Spot Metering
Light Metering Method: Center Weighted
MPN: D90 Body
Model: D90 Body
UPC: 018208254460
EAN: 0018208254460
ASIN: B001ET5U92
Availability: Usually ships in 1 to 2 months
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| Features:
| • | 12.3-megapixel DX-format CMOS imaging sensor | | • | Body only; lenses sold separately | | • | D-Movie Mode; Cinematic 24fps HD with sound | | • | 3-inch super-density 920,000-dot color LCD monitor | | • | Capture images to SD/SDHC memory cards (not included) |
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Product Description
Fusing 12.3-megapixel image quality inherited from the award-winning D300 with groundbreaking features, the D90s breathtaking, low-noise image quality is further advanced with EXPEED image processing. Split-second shutter response and continuous shooting at up to 4.5 frames-per-second provide the power to capture fast action and precise moments perfectly, while Nikons exclusive Scene Recognition System contributes to faster 11-area autofocus performance, finer white balance detection and more. The D90 delivers the control passionate photographers demand, utilizing comprehensive exposure functions and the intelligence of 3D Color Matrix Metering II. Stunning results come to life on a 3-inch 920,000-dot color LCD monitor, providing accurate image review, Live View composition and brilliant playback of the D90s cinematic-quality 24-fps HD D-Movie mode.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 21 more reviews...
You can tell the D90 was designed by photographers and not just engineers! Wonderful user interface and image quality! September 29, 2008
E. Kim
138 out of 141 found this review helpful
I am far from a professional photographer, but I take it as seriously as possible while still referring to it as a hobby. I take mostly pictures of people at events and many of my baby son without flash in low light situations.
I had been using a Nikon D40x for 1 year and very early reached my limitation with that camera. The Nikon D40x has very nice image quality, but the camera's interface is not suited for a more serious shooter who wants quick single button or dial access to such shooting parameters such as white balance, shooting mode, metering mode, etc. I also felt very limited by the D40x not having an in-body focus motor that would allow me to use non AF-I/AF-S lenses (which are lenses without the focus motor built-in).
The Nikon D40x limitations were severe enough that I was about to consider purchasing a Canon 40D until the Nikon D90 appeared just in time.
PROS:
1. Fantastic set of separate buttons on the camera to control parameters like ISO, white balance, metering, autofocus, image quality, shooting mode, etc.
2. Two command dials
3. High resolution 920K pixel LCD screen (like the one on the Nikon D300)
4. 12.3 megapixel CMOS sensor
5. Low noise high ISO capability (for low light shooting) I can shoot ISO 1600 with good image quality with this camera, while on my D40x I could only shoot with ISO 400 and obtain acceptable IQ. I will even use ISO 3200 frequently with very usable results!
6. Separate top-viewing LCD screen in addition to the rear high res screen, to show shooting parameters constantly
7. In-body focus motor which allows the use of Nikon's non AF-I/S lenses, including wonderful and CHEAP prime lenses such as the Nikkor 50mm 1.8 (~$100 lens!)
8. Continuous shooting of 4.5 frames per second
9. Small size, although larger than the D40/D40x/D60, it is still substantially smaller in the hand than the D300/D3
10. 720p 24fps MPEG video shooting capability with incredible ability to use depth of field that I cannot achieve with my Sony High-Def camcorder.
11. Eleven auto-focus points (not as nice as the 51 points on the D300, but substantially better than my D40x with its 3 points)
12. GPS option
13. HDMI output
14. Enormous number of options to customize camera and shooting settings to fit your style of shooting
15. Fantastic image quality right out-of-box if you don't want to do any post processing
16. Terrific build quality
17. Top notch camera ergonomics (but this will be a very personal opinion that differs for each shooter)
CONS:
1. "Rolling shutter" phenomenon while recording video: The D90 CMOS sensor has the same problem that other CMOS video recorders have when recording video. If you move the camera, especially horizontally, you get a "jelly" or "rubberbanding" effect where the image wobbles significantly. It is nice to have the video features, which looks very sharp at 720p, but it is NOT a substitute for a video camera. If you use a tripod, and do not do quick zooms/pans, the video quality is excellent. Without a tripod, however, you may get nauseas watching a wobbly video. The sound is also in monoaural.
2. 1/200 flash synch: Not a problem for me, but it might be for you.
3. No weather sealing: This is found on the Nikon D300/D3 and even on similarly priced models from other camera companies
4. The buffer will fill up after about 8 continuous RAW + JPG (FINE) shots. This number differs depending on the shooting parameters that you will choose. If you shoot primarily JPG, the buffer seems to allow a very large number of continuous shots, but I have not quantified this for JPG only.
TIPS:
1. Get the FREE Nikon ViewNX software from Nikon's site as your 1st step in your workflow. This will let you examine your RAW images that you can process for either Nikon CaptureNX2 to do further RAW processing or just export to JPG for a JPG editor such as PhotoShop.
2. Recommend buying the Nikon CaptureNX2. It is a RAW converter (if you shoot in RAW) that will read the camera settings properly for export to JPG. Capture NX2, however, is not as slick as the Adobe products and Capture NX2 requires a fairly powerful computer, otherwise it can run pretty slowly on a PC > 3 years old.
3. If you use JPEGs out-of-camera, consider increasing the sharpness above the default 3 or 4. Nikon uses a very conservative sharpening default setting. Nikon has decided to change the default JPEG images to match the higher end D3/D700/D300 cameras which produce more neutral images. Consequently, the D90 images that are less punchy than the D40/D40x/D60/D80, so you may also want to turn up the in-camera saturation and contrast.
The Nikon D90 has all of the interface features that serious and even professional photographers need with wonderful image quality.
Amazazing!! September 10, 2008
J. T. Wooten (North Richland Hills, TX USA)
48 out of 61 found this review helpful
I bought the D80 a couple months ago and was having major noise issues. My Nikon D50 (a lesser model) took better quality photos. After exchanging the D80 several times and even sending it in for service, the issue still remained. I was so fortunate that the D90 was released this week....I have already exchanged the D80 for the D90. After using it for just one day, I am amazed at the quality. I took photos at ISO 3200, and they are nearly the same quality as the D50 at ISO 400. Nikon has finally solved their noise issues!!
It's really really great, but not quite quite perfect. November 5, 2008
Mark Twain
36 out of 41 found this review helpful
Look, this is an outstanding camera. It really is. I think others have probably already expounded on its greatness better than I can so I will keep this review (reasonably) short.
Here are the three things that jump out at me, and I will be comparing this camera to the Canon 5D (full frame) which I used previously to this.
Sharpness: Good god this camera is sharp. To me it is noticeably better than the 5D in terms of definition, detail and sharpness. I have gone back and pulled out similar pictures taken with the 5D (5D with L series lenses) and they are not as sharp. I am a sharpness whore and a pixel peeper so trust me on this. It's amazingly sharp.
Auto Exposure: very good; but not blow me away great. It will take some getting used to and I think perhaps I will have to fine tune it more than I thought I would have to. I'm really just nitpicking here; it's not a big deal and it's not bad; again just not blow me away great right out of the box.
Low-light performance: I'm sorry, but the 3-year old 5D has it beat big time here. I know it's unfair in a certain sense since the 5D is full frame, but as I said I think this camera has it beat in sharpness which is not supposed to happen when comparing a cropped sensor to a full frame. The fact that it wins sharpness is huge. Unfortunately, the low-light performance is nothing to write home about here. It is certainly better than the D200/D80/D70/D60/D50 (all previous Nikons I have used) but noticeably worse than the 5D. I'm not sure if Nikon was marketing this camera as a good low-light performer like the D3 and the D700 (I don't pay much attention to the marketing stuff) so this might not be a detraction but I just thought I would mention it since people care about low-light performance more and more these days. Of course also I am speaking from the standpoint of someone who has to market/sell most of my pictures. I rarely take pictures for fun unfortunately. I am quite sure that for anyone not using the low-light feature for professional work intending to be sold, it will be more than fine. Frankly it will even be fine for some professional work at ISO 400-800 but nowhere near the level of competence of the D700/D3.
Bottom line, in most situations this camera is superior to the 5D which really is saying a lot since the price is half and the sensor is cropped. At the end of the day, however, if low-light performance is key to you then I would recommend the Nikon FF D700/D3 or the Canon full frame offerings such as the 5D.
I haven't used the video feature yet (and probably won't for a while since I bought this to take pictures) so I don't have anything to report there.
Ergonomics are great and battery life is awesome.
Overall after shooting a few thousand pictures with it my rating would be 92-95/100. Again please take any of my seemingly negative opinions as what they are--my attempt to be thorough because I know some people want to know the finer points of some of these issues and I don't like writing reviews that just say "I love this camera" or "this camera is great" and that's all.
I do not have a negative opinion of this awesome camera by any means at all and I would recommend it wholeheartedly to anyone looking for a pro-sumer DLSR around this price range. Definitely superior to the 40D in my experience and from what I read it is probably superior to the 50D also, but I have not personally used the 50D yet (and don't plan to) so I can't say that for sure. But anyway yeah, if you are comparing this to the 40D then get the D90 unless you have a bunch of nice Canon lenses and don't want to switch them all over to Nikon.
Fabulous upgrade! October 7, 2008
ellen (usa)
24 out of 28 found this review helpful
I received the D40 last year, and while I enjoyed it immensely I was ready to upgrade for more creative control. I ordered the D90 as soon as it was available, and I cannot say enough good things about it! The pictures are incredibly sharp, clear, and Nikon colorful. I have gone as high as ISO 2000 with no recognizable noise (unless zoomed in). Even at ISO 3200, it was comparable to my D40 at ISO >800. I loved my D40 and still think it is a great camera for someone who is just starting out, or for use as a 2nd lightweight camera, or who wants something a little nicer than a point and shoot but still really simple. However, once you are ready for more, this is the camera to buy. I have already used the video recorder several times, and while it isn't going to replace your video camera altogether it is wonderful to have. It is great for the quick video shots, such as at little league baseball -- I don't want to film an entire ball game, but it's nice to have video of my son when he is batting. (The sound of the crack of the bat just can't be captured on a still!) So I have been getting great stills at games as well as fun batting videos and end of game celebrations. Also, I have used it at school programs, at the moment when my son is reeling in a fish, at special moments at the zoo and park, etc. Some people may think it's just a gimmick for a serious shooter, and I probably won't use it when I am out seriously shooting. But it's great to have for the user who also has a family and wants to use it to capture memories in their everyday lives. And that's why I think it's brilliant. I can't think of any other purchase that I have made in recent years that has as much versatility and opportunity for use as this camera. Plus, as previously mentioned, I am absolutely thrilled with the photographs that it is producing, and that's what really matters at the end of the day. If you're thinking about getting it, just do it! You won't be disappointed!
Wow is all I can say November 29, 2008
Earl E. A. Dopter (Louisiana)
24 out of 24 found this review helpful
There are plenty of reviews out there, and I don't want to be redundant. So here are some helpful points that I had a hard time ferreting out when doing my research before pulling the trigger on this purchase, given that I was upgrading from a D60 and that I am, like many who are reading reviews on this product, not a professional:
1. I owned the D40, then the D60. So this is my third Nikon. I had trouble deciphering how my lenses, purchased for the D40/D60, would behave when used in this new model. The answer is that the D90 handles all of them perfectly. This includes lenses that have the HSM built in (the Hyper Sonic Motor is packaged in the lens, because the D40/D60 range doesn't have a built in auto-focus motor) as well as those with no internal motor. The D90 has an internal focus motor, so all lenses built for Nikon cameras will auto-focus, including the Nikon 50mm f1.8 lens that I had to manually focus in the D60.
2. The D90 is heavier, but certainly not uncomfortable to hold or carry. Weight will not be a discouraging factor in purchasing this camera.
3. The D90 takes different batteries, so any spares you have for the earlier models will not work on it. Battery life is truly outstanding. I am not even going to buy a spare battery.
4. The user interface is completely different from the D40/D60. I found it intuitive however. The functionality is just superb, much easier and more flexible. This is a pro level camera with the ease of use of a high end amateur camera.
5. Live view is a great enhancement. Really.
Overall, there is nothing I can say negative about the D90. It's everything I was hoping it would be, and it's so worth the money to upgrade. I'm selling the D60 for half what I paid - and doing it gladly - because the D90 is worth more than it's being sold for. I absolutely highly recommend it.
I also thought I would offer some lens advice, because I had trouble finding a reviewer that just cut to the chase and said "look, just do this." So, look, just do this: I do NOT recommend the kit lenses that you can obtain bundled with the D90. Get the body only, and buy yourself that Nikon 50mm f1.8 (Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras). It's a no-brainer at the price point, and the images I have already achieved have been just excellent. For the rest of your lenses, I highly recommend Sigma. I own the 18-200 (Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras), the 10-20 (Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras), and the 150-500 (Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 AF APO DG OS HSM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras). I cannot say enough positive things about the quality of the lenses or the images. Pack the 50mm and the 18-200 superlens for normal occasions. If you can stand the extra weight, you absolutely cannot go wrong with the 10-20 for landscapes, it just pulls in everything and the quality is shocking. The 150-500 is enormous, you are not going to want to carry that thing around, but when you need it, you really need it. I captured images of my son playing in a soccer game that blew me away; could not have gotten the shots without the big lens. Get the lenses in the order I have specified if you cannot afford them all.
I have just learned all this over the past 2 years. I am no expert but I have discovered the joy of capturing great images that you just cannot get from a point-and-shoot. I think once you see the quality you can achieve with a better camera, you will be thrilled with the decision to spend the money and the energy. And Nikon has truly produced the best camera at this price point in the world. It's a pro camera with an amateur price and it's very easy to use. Words really don't do it justice; you need to experience it to understand.
Any questions, please send me a comment. Happy to help!
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