Digital Trends

Nikon D90

October 16th, 2008 | by David Elrich

Performance and Use

The Nikon D90 is a 12.3-megapixel D-SLR so it captures 4288 x 2848 pixel images as JPEG and/or RAW files. This size image can readily make a 13x19 print. As noted earlier, the camera also takes high-def video clips rate 1280 x
720 at 24 fps. Unlike SD-card based HD camcorders that can record to the length of the card at a single setting, the D90 is limited to 5 minutes at a shot. This might be a deal breaker for some but if you seriously want to record a lot of high-def footage you’re going to use a camcorder. That said 5 minutes of action is typically plenty for a single scene. There are other issues with the video but we’ll get to them shortly.

This is first and foremost a camera and we wanted to give it a serious workout, especially since the D90 can crank off 4.5 frames per second at full resolution (versus 3 at 10MP for the D80, and 3.5 for the 12.2MP Canon EOS XSi, both less expensive than the D90 however). As outlined by the feature section the D90 can be as sophisticated or simple as you’d like. I began in Auto mode, when to various scene settings then tried a variety of manual tweaks. Still were shot as RAW+JPEG and JPEG. After that it was time to use the D-Movie mode.

Image Courtesy of Nikon

Since the HD capability is really what makes this D-SLR stand apart, let’s deal with that first. As DT readers know, I also review HD camcorders for the site so this was going to be fun. With a camcorder, you power it up, turn it to Auto, hit the record button and zoom away. Things are not quite as simple here. Yes, you can get into the D-Movie setting by just hitting the Lv (Live View) key. The internal mirror pops up and you frame your scene on the 3-inch LCD which is cool. Zoom in on the subject and kit OK and you can take a 5 minute clip at max resolution (720p versus 1080i of Editor’s Choice camcorders like the Canon Vixia HG21). This is all well and good but there’s a big time ouch coming next—you cannot use auto focus when shooting video. You have to switch to MF then use the ring on the lens to dial it in. This is OK for a static subject but if you’re shooting a child running you better get your skills up to that of a Hollywood cameraman. Can you learn to do it without shaking the camera too much? Probably but as they say in Brooklyn, this ain’t no camcorder. Also the quality is good but doesn’t compare to an HD video maker but that’s really asking too much since the cheapest high-def camcorder costs $799—and it certainly doesn’t take 12-megapixel stills.

The D90 saves clips as AVI files so although I could check out the stills on my Panasonic plasma with its SD card reader, video was a no go. Fortunately the camera has a mini HDMI out; unfortunately it’s optional but I had one nearby. Again, unfortunately the quality is not nearly as good as some of the better camcorders I’ve tested recently. Colors were off with jaggies galore. Still I have to Nikon credit for trying. This is definitely version 1.0 of this system so expect improvements in the months ahead.

Pictures

Now let me get to something the Nikon D90 does really well—take photographs. Simply put: I haven’t had so much fun using a camera in a long time. And I had forgotten how good Nikon optics can be. Let me state upfront I dug my photographic bones with the classic Nikon F2 35mm film camera and always loved it (it’s safely stored in a closet so my heirs will probably sell it on eBay as an antique!). But times change and I’ve used dozens of cameras since then. The D90 brought me back. I enjoyed working the many, many options that are far too numerous to list here. Just go to the Nikon site and you’ll be buried in data. I especially liked the rapid frame rate and shooting in available light at high ISOs. Suffice it to say the proof was in the prints. Since Fall had arrived and leaves were turning with nearby mums blooming, colors beckoned. I also took shots of a still life at ISOs ranging from 200-3200. After easily downloading shots via Nikon Transfer I made a series of 8.5x11 full bleed prints with no tweaking on a Canon MX7600. The results were very good. Colors were spot on with a very natural true-to-life feel. They looked just right. What was amazing was the lack of digital noise at even the highest ISOs. It wasn’t until I moved from 2000 to 3200 that I noticed any that detracted from the photos. They were probably the most noise-free digital images I’ve seen outside of a full-frame D-SLR like the Canon EOS 5D.

Conclusion

The D90 as a camera is terrific. It focuses quickly, has zippy 4.5 fps burst mode, has more adjustments than you could possibly handle in a lifetime plus it takes fine photos with barely a hint of noise. As a camcorder, the D90 doesn’t make it. Yes it can take a fairly decent clip but they pale in comparison to a true HD video maker. And the lack of auto focus is a real inconvenience. I can easily recommend the D90 as a top-shelf 2008 D-SLR. Just don’t expect it to be the ultimate two-in-one device. The search for that Holy Grail goes on.

Pros:

• Wonderful quality stills
• Minimal noise at high ISOs
• Great burst mode
• Excellent kit lens



Cons:

• No AF in video mode