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October 02, 2008
[REVIEW–NIKON D90 with 18-105mm Nikkor lens]
Price: $1850 with 18-105mm lens.
Brilliant
The low-down: This 12 megapixel DSLR takes two features of the D300 – the CMOS image sensor and the 75mm high resolution LCD screen – and fits them into what is, in effect, the D80 body. Naturally there is live view and, the big surprise, there is movie mode, a first for DSLRs. (Canon has since matched this feature). Movie format is suitable for replay on HD TVs – 720 lines in-camera interpolated to 1080 for transfer. Camera essentials such as viewfinder and ergonomics are the best. Continuous shooting speed is 4.5fps. The supplied lens is optically above average for kit lenses and covers a useful focal length range and has in-lens image stabilisation. Focus is fast and quiet. The in-built flash can operate as the “commander”, controlling Nikon SB600/800/900 speedlights off-camera. Active D lighting increases dynamic range in high contrast situations – one professional of our acquaintance leaves this turned on all the time in his D3. Image storage is on SD cards.
Like: The low light capabilities of this camera are similar to the D300, which means ISO1600 is the new ISO400. The image quality at high ISO settings is breathtaking with very little noise evident in even the trickiest bits of open shadow. Nikon make low light photography a joy with the discrete focus-assist lamp, much better than the pop-up flash arrangement used by most competitors.
Dislike: Presumably it is in the camera firmware and doesn’t cost anything, but does a serious DLSR really need to have a slideshow creator, with music, built in?
Verdict: This camera is a joy to use. It feels right in the hand. The bright viewfinder displays all the shooting parameter information. The image quality is spectacular. Even the instruction manual and menu system speak quality and careful attention to the photographer’s needs. When the D90 was introduced to a room full of cynical camera reviewers recently the announcement of the price brought a small muttering from the crowd. So much camera for, relatively speaking, so little money. And that’s the full RRP. Highly recommended.
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Posted by terry at October 2, 2008 12:27 AM
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