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Nikon D90: Hands On
This DSLR for your inner Spielberg packs 12.3 megapixels for stills and also captures 720p HD video!
By John Owens
August 2008
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The DSLR feature race just got tasered into overdrive with the introduction of video in the new Nikon D90. The same technology that serves up live view on the camera’s 3-inch LCD is used to capture movies in formats ranging right up to full-blown 720p high-definition video (1280x 720 pixels) at 24 frames per second.
While video capture has long been part of virtually every compact camera and even many camera phones, DSLR manufacturers typically cited issues such as overheating sensors and clogged digital buffers as reasons why video wouldn’t soon be coming to this category. But now that it’s here, expect others to quickly follow Nikon with miraculous solutions to the technical problems.
At hi-def, the D90’s video capture is limited to 5 minutes. But at lower resolution, its records 25 minutes. Sound is through a monaural mic built into the front of the camera. Exposure adjusts automatically while shooting video, though your aperture must remain constant. You can focus manually and even zoom in and out, using any lens in the Nikkor arsenal.
While the video is fun, the D90’s DSLR heart is the reason a photographer would spend $1,000 (street, body only). A replacement for the well-proven D80, this new camera is geared toward enthusiasts and incorporates aspects from Nikons both up and down the line. Like the more expensive D300, it uses an APS-format (DX in Nikon-speak) CMOS sensor with an effective 12.3 megapixels. And as with other new Nikon DSLRs, it has the EXPEED image-processing engine, along with enough auto white-balance and scene- recognition smarts to qualify for a graduate degree. ISO ranges up to 6400 (using the D300’s test results as a guide, we expect impressive noise control). The viewfinder is glass pentaprism (not less serious mirrors), the shutter has a 100,000-shot life expectancy, and there’s built-in Commander mode for wireless flash. Big-league stuff.
The burst rate is 4.5 frames per second, up from 3 in the D80. While high-end Nikons (D3, D700, and D300) hold AF-point bragging rights at 51, the D90 packs just 11. But a look though the viewfinder shows they’re well placed, and can even spread out for wide-area shots. 3D tracking? Yes, it’s there.
From smaller members of the family comes face detection and all sorts of in-camera whiz-bang, from on-screen retouching to slide shows with music.
The D90 debuted with a new 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 ED VR Nikkor. This image-stabilized lens street for $485, but as part of a D90 kit, adds just $300 to the body-only price. Look for more on this camera—as well as videos shot with it—as soon as we get a testable unit.
NEW & NOTEWORTHY
•Hi-def video via live view
•3-inch 920,000-dot LCD
•Brainy about faces and WB
•18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 VR kit lens
CONSIDER THIS IF…
•You shoot lots of faces
•You’re a serious shooter with a fun side
•You want great stills and wow ‘em videos
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