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Nikon D90 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S VR DX Nikkor Zoom Lens  | 
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| Brand: Nikon
Category: Photography
Buy New: Too low to display
New (19)
Avg. Customer Rating:  54 reviews
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Batteries Included: No
Includes Software: Yes
Optical Zoom: 5.8
Connectivity: AV
Display Size: 3
Maximum Resolution: 12300000
Shipping Weight (lbs): 5
Dimensions (in): 8 x 8 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 18-105mm Kit
Model: D90 18-105mm Kit
UPC: 018208254484
EAN: 0018208254484
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Features:
| • | 12.3-megapixel DX-format CMOS imaging sensor | | • | 5.8x AF-S DX Nikkor 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens included | | • | 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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| Editorial Reviews:
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 49 more reviews...
 A great camera, but not perfect September 19, 2008
142 out of 148 found this review helpful
Pros
The same ISO capability of the D300.
Intuitive layout that Nikon is famous for
Fast - focus, frames per second, and card access
First DSLR to have video, but . . .
Cons
Video has poor audio quality and no AF
Kit lens is not worth what Nikon says it's worth
Recommendation: Casual users who aren't concerned about how tough the kit lens is should buy now. Semi-pros who want a good lens might want to wait and just get the body (available about a month after the kit release)
Before making the leap to the D90 I researched this and other cameras for several weeks. I actually wanted the more expensive D300 because of the magnesium body and weatherproofing, but ultimately decided that the $600 difference was too big for just that one issue.
The D90 has the same sensor (or greatly similar depending on the source) as the D300 which means it shares the same great ISO capabilities. 1600 looks fine and you can definitely get usable small prints from even 3200. There are some reviewers on other sites claiming that the D90 has better noise reduction than the D300. Combine that with the the new Nikon VR lenses and you can shoot in low light at ridiculously slow shutter speeds. I've always hated using a flash and this camera is going to allow me to avoid using it in situations I never dreamed were possible. I took a shot in a dimly lit room at night and this camera picked up details I couldn't see with my own eyes!
The control layout is superb. The single button choices make complete sense - ISO, image quality, white balance and previous shot are right there on the left side of the LCD.
I did not buy this camera for its video function. However, Nikon did not deliver the goods here. You can buy a several year old Canon P&S S2 or S3 that shoots video (VHS/regular quality, not HD) at 30fps with stereo sound AND autofocus. If they could put that kind of functionality on a $200 camera it should be possible on a $1000 one as well. It just seems that if you're going to add a function like this it should have been done well or not done at all. If you're buying this camera because of its video capability then I would urge you to wait until Nikon or another DSLR maker does it right. Or just buy a separate HD video camera at a fraction of the cost of the D90.
I realize a lot of folks like the kit lens, but it is not the same quality as Nikon's other zooms in this price range. I read that Nikon says this kit lens, the 18-105mm VR, would sell for $400. Thus the "$100 savings by buying the kit." I bought the Nikon 70-300mm VR at the same time for about $485 and the build quality is far better with a metal mount and rubber gasket to keep out the elements. The kit lens has a plastic mount with no rubber gasket and it just feels cheap in comparison. If you're just looking for a basic everyday lens as an average user this might not matter, but if you're an aspiring amateur/semi-pro this is really not acceptable.
Overall this is a great camera and it is, minus the lack of weather proofing (which I can't expect at this price range anyway), exactly what I was looking for. It does have its flaws, however. Thus the 4 star rating instead of 5.
 Epic leap forward September 10, 2008
78 out of 90 found this review helpful
Awesome picture quality, same as my D300. It is much more plasticy than a D300, but I like it because it's much lighter and fits my hands perfectly. There isn't an obvious video button, but it was easy to figure out once you hit the LV (live view) button it prompts you to press OK to start recording. The top LCD screen is smaller than the D300. The 3 inch screen is amazing, just like the D300. This is a huge leap forward compared to the D80. It's an even bigger leap that they've pulled off high quality video that's user friendly! Put a Sigma 10-20mm or the Nikkor 10.5 fisheye, and you'll have some epic video shots. The 18-105VR lens is lighter than it looks, much lighter than the 18-200VR, feels very solid and is quite smooth. The standard definition video is good (haven't watched it on a large screen yet), and gives you 20 minute clips vs 5 min clips in HD mode. The zoom also worked when in video mode, but the Autofocus is fixed. Once in LiveView it takes a second to autofocus, then you can press OK and start recording. Sound isn't stellar of course. It has a small microphone and speaker, so you can actually hear the video your reviewing. So far this is my favorite new gadget of 2008. Wedding Videographer's rejoice! (i'm shooting one next week)
Hands on review September 14, 2008
71 out of 83 found this review helpful
I start by stating that we are still waiting for those that can do the most critical of reviews concerning image quality (IQ), etc. Therefore, this will be a general reference of the features based on experience, the competition, and my own 2 cents.
For those of you familiar with the D80, this camera is very similar. The 3" LCD is the first obvious difference. Besides being larger, it's much sharper, allowing more critical examination of photos, and, combined with live-view, a much greater ability to use for critical focusing. The only, very slight drawback, is the larger size seems to have required the toggle on the back to be slightly redesigned, and I feel it is a bit more uncomfortable (on my thumb joint) to toggle with the camera raised to my eye than on most Nikons.
A closer look of the externals show a bit of difference in the plugs. The place for a remote control cord now is also an input for an optional GPS device. Cool, but Nikon hasn't released pricing for this piece yet, nor do we really know how well it will work, nor any of its complete functions. The camera now can output HD, which is a big boost if that feature is used.
Going into the inside mechanics to things we can't see, the frames per second (fps) has been increased from 3 on the D80 to 4.5 on this camera. That's a tremendous advantage to budget oriented sports photographers. Going hand-in-hand with that feature is that the shutter has been upgraded to a 100,000 cycles. We like to think that shooting extra frames are "free", but shooting at high speeds puts a big burden on the camera's durability. We like to joke about 100,000 being a lot, but at 4.5 fps, that's about 6.25 hours until you camera's toast!
Also inside inside is a cleaning system to keep dirt and dusk off the imaging surface.
OK, so now let's go to the image quality. From the samples I've both shot and seen, they look good. But we really need to wait for critical reviews to be absolutely certain. From the D80, we've upgraded from 10 to 12 megapixels, which is nice, but the better part is we've gone to a CMOS sensor. This should have two results: 1) lower power consumption; and, 2) better low-light performance. The former is a certainty, CMOS sensors are way more power efficient than CCDs. The latter is based on experience. CMOS sensors tend to have nicer performance in low light shooting when we have to crank up the artificial "film" speeds to things like 1600 ISO. However, adding more pixels seem to make the situation worse. Based on previous experiences, and with the advances made in technology, the D90 should produce both sharper images and better low-light noise control than the D80.
From just "looking" at the images I've shot, they look great in all kinds of conditions, although nothing I've shot would be considered "demanding". Sharpness is great, colors look real.
From a spec point, the only thing that might be a bit disappointing is that the images are 12-bit and not 14-bit (like the D300). For those of you who shoot only JPEG (.jpg) images, that's no concern. For those who shoot RAW (.nef on Nikons), then 14-bit means that more data is recorded in the process of turning the image (taken by an analog sensor) into a digital file (called A/D conversion). If we go back to work with these files, there is more data available. This has some, limited, practical practice today. The biggest difference will be somewhere down the line when computer monitors allow more info to be displayed, and when printers allow more to be printed, etc. Twenty years from now you'll probably be able to make much better prints from today's images.
Now let's touch on video. I think it's a great thing that video is included, because, at worst, you don't have to use it! What little I've done with the camera looks good (but I've only played it on the LCD), and the sound playback, although mono, was MUCH better than I expected. But let's not try to compare this with the best camcorders on the market. First, the HD clips are limited to 5 minutes. That simply won't work for many events, and even though you don't see many continuous 5 minute clips in "serious" productions, most of what you see are edited down from longer clips. The 24fps is a trendy thing today on BluRay players, because that's what feature length movies are shot in traditionally. However, 30fps is more typical video, which helps stops action better. Autofocusing is not available with video, which might be a hindrance for some people.
My biggest disappointment was that Nikon didn't include "voice memo" capability, available on all Coolpix cameras. Since you have a microphone for the video, this feature allows you to attach voice memos of about 20 seconds to a photograph. This is a great way to connect a name to a face or place. Boo, Nikon, for not including this simple feature!
OK, so how does it compare to the competition? We first must look at their biggest competitor, Canon. Price wise, the D90 is between the Rebel XSi and the soon to be released 50D. For budget minded photos, the XSi (which sells for about $300 less body to body), offers, again, a 12 megapixel CMOS sensor, which is also 14-bit. You'll give up the video completely, and drop to 3.5fps. The 50D is 15 megapixel (14-bit), 6.3fps, built into a metal and more weatherproof body. Once again, you'll give up the video, and $400. I do, however, think the built quality difference here might be a critical difference if buying this to make money.
Sony has some nice cameras, too. The Alpha 350 is $200 less, and is a 14 megapixel CCD sensor. It'll probably be a great fit for outdoor photographers, but will not be as good a choice for low light use. The heavier built Alpha 700 (12 megapixel CMOS) can be purchased for about $200 more than the D90.
The D90 should do just great. Many fine features at a popular price point, with a great camera line standing behind it!
 Say no to Live View September 19, 2008
51 out of 79 found this review helpful
The "Live View" feature is not usable to take still photos. It takes several seconds to do autofocus and the shutter delay and mirror vibration are significant.
When the camera is in Live View mode, the mirror is flipped up, the shutter is open. Autofocus is done through software image processing through the image sensor. It takes at least two three seconds to focus on a subject with good contrast. And often the autofocus goes into "hunting" for several more seconds before it settles down.
When shutter release is pressed in Live View, the camera closes the shutter, drop the mirror then lift the mirror and open the shutter. All these actions create a long shutter delay and significant vibration.
Because the mirror is held in the up position and the shutter is open in Live View, it consumes a great amount of battery charge and produces a great amount of heat for the circuit.
It appears that Live View is released before the design is ready.
Another problem is that Nikon changed the raw file format. Weeks after the camera is on the market, the raw image file format is still not supported by PhotoShop or Nikon's own Capture NX2.
A serious camera that's fun to use! Lots of customizations. October 20, 2008
31 out of 31 found this review helpful
Last summer, I was going to buy the D80, but it was two years old and rumored to be discontinued in several months. So I bought a D60 to hold me over until the new model, the D90, came out. Well, I've enjoyed using both cameras, but this one is a huge step up and more suited to an advanced enthusiast. It's a real pleasure to use.
ERGONOMICS - The D90 is solid, tight, and well balanced with the 18-105 VR lens. It's always ready and it shoots very fast. I love all the direct access buttons. They're easy to press, and you don't have to go into the menus as much. This allows you to work pretty fast. It's heavier than the D60, but it's still very manageable to carry around. It fits my average-sized hand better too. I noticed the shutter sound is different than the D60 (if that matters to you). It sounds more professional; more like a fast "whoosh" than a "click-click". And there are so many internal customizations, so you can set it up exactly as you want.
LENS - Biggest surprise was the 18-105 VR lens which I expected would be ho-hum, but turned out to be pretty sharp and clear. Better results than the 18-55 VR. We've really come a long way from the days (30 years ago) when you were cautioned to ALWAYS to buy a prime lens, NEVER the kit lens because of it's poor image quality. With computer-aided design and new technology, that's not true anymore.
IMAGE QUALITY - I shoot RAW to maximize detail and allow room to adjust exposure. Image quality is very good to excellent depending on your RAW converter (best results with View NX and Capture NX; Adobe ACR very good). When shooting JPG, images are sharp and colors are true with not too much saturation in the Standard picture mode, which is how I like it. Picture Modes can all be customized to suit your taste.
LIGHT METER - Metering is fine and seems to be quite accurate in most cases. I use matrix metering mostly. As with any camera, you have to get to know the meter. If I had to be VERY critical, I'd say when it's pushed, it's more likely to preserve shadows than highlights in certain cases. DPreview.com mentioned a slightly "over-enthusiatic" meter in its review, but this is fine-tuneable as well. I've used the D90 in a wide range of lighting conditions and while exposures may vary occasionally, I've never been shocked or disappointed with the output.
LIVE VIEW - is great for the occasional high or low shot. I didn't think I needed it, but when I had the D60, I found myself in many situations where I really could have used it. I'm very glad I have it now. Unlike a point-and-shoot, focus is slower in this mode, but I wouldn't be using Live View if I were in a rush anyway.
MOVIE MODE - this is a nice novelty and may be handy in a rare moment, but I'm generally not a video camera person.
ISO - I really like the new wide range of ISO settings, especially when coupled with the Auto-ISO setting. Mine is customized to keep the camera at ISO 200, but kick in at 1/30. This means anytime lighting decreases enough for the shutter speed to drop below 1/30, the D90 will automatically compensate by raising the ISO high enough (up to a limit you set) to help keep your shutter speed up. Noise at high ISOs isn't an issue. In fact, you have to zoom in pretty close for it to be even slightly noticeable, so now I can use Auto-ISO a whole lot more. Its an amazing feature!
ACTIVE D-LIGHTING - this is now available in various strengths from Low to Extra High. Mine has been on Auto, which lets the camera decide, but I change it at times depending on my needs. Again, another great customization.
CONS
-At this price, Nikon should include a robust image editing software, or at least a decent discount on Capture NX2, which works great, but costs extra.
-Kit lens is thick in diameter (67mm). Also, the front glass of the lens seems somewhat exposed, as if it's not recessed that much (it's just enough for a lens cap). I worry that it'll get scratched easily. Good thing Nikon included the lens hood.
SUMMARY - Overall I'm extremely happy with the D90. It's built for serious shooting, but it's still fun to use; noticeably heavier than the D60, but still not a burden. It's more solid and substantial, so it's less prone to camera shake. Nikon packed it with a ton of features and customizations, so now I finally have everything I want in a DSLR, without it being overblown and overpriced. I'm surpising myself with really spectacular shots. Most importantly, it's making me a better photographer. I'm sure I won't be bored anytime soon.
AUTOFOCUS TIP: added Nov 2008 - I customized the D90 to autofocus using the AF-L button instead of the shutter release. Now I can focus with one press of the AF-L button with my thumb and shoot separately with my index finger. This allows me to focus first, let go, then take the shot. Since the subject is already in focus, I can take multiple shots, recompose or go vertical. I'm not forced to continually re-focus for every shot or move the AF point around in the viewfinder. This minimizes AF mishaps on unintentional subjects. And since the VR system remains off until you half-press the shutter (it activates only when you're ready to take the shot, not while you're focusing) you save on battery life as well.
Also, with the D90 set to AF-C mode (continuous autofocus) you can track a moving subject by holding down the AF-L with your thumb and shooting with your index finger. If the subject becomes still, simply let go of the AF-L button; focusing stops and is locked. Then shoot when ready. Now your D90 can act as if it's in Single or Continuous AF mode without you having to change settings all the time. Try it and you won't go back!
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