Camera Review

Camera Review: Nikon D90


Update: Here is my video review of the Nikon D90 on my youtube channel:  http://youtu.be/mp4jBd6HAGM

This is the first and only camera I have had.  I have been using it for two years now and I love it.  It is a great camera for the price and I bought it when it first came out as well.  Now it is around $500 cheaper or so.  The build quality is good, it isn't weatherproofed or made from magnesium alloy however it is a sturdy camera.  I don't take it in the rain or drop my camera so those features are only if you are shooting in tricky situations.


One factor that a lot of people look for in a camera is how fast it can take photos.  The D90 has 4.5 fps which is very decent.  It doesn't sound like a machine guy but unless you are taking a lot of sports photography that isn't needed that I've found.  I always like dreaming about a faster camera however I don't need it.


The D90's ISO is 200-3200 which is decent I think.  After the release of the newer Nikon cameras with 100-6400 ISO, the D90's 200-3200 isn't that impressive anymore however the D90's still good.  I've done shots in low light and with the 18-105mm, which was a bit of a trouble.  That is why I invested in better and faster glass.  It is said to invest in glass instead of buying the newest camera which I agree with.  I also invested in a flash which is a very good investment which also helps add in light to help keep the ISO low.  I have found either a flash or fast glass is good enough to not risk getting noise in photos with the D90 in areas with bad lighting.


I have used a friend's canon as well as another smaller Nikon camera and I prefer the D90.  The size is nice because it isn't really small as well as it isn't big and heavy.  The ergonomics are good and I got the Nikon battery grip (MB-D80) for it so that it is easier for me to take portraits.  There were other reasons however I go over those when I review the MB-D80.  I do believe the D90 is a good size for a camera.


The buttons are in good places however they could be placed a little better.  However for a amateur camera like the D90, they are fine.  After using it for awhile it is not an issue.  The battery life is amazing.  The EN-EL3e battery has amazing battery life as well as the D90 is very efficient.


The HD video feature has not really been a great help to me personally.  I have taken one video of mountain sheep hopping up a rock face in Jasper, AB.  It wasn't that great of a video but it was something the pictures couldn't really capture.  But other than that video I haven't really used the D90 for a video camera.  The live view function also hasn't been a very useful feature.  Again I have maybe used it once or twice.


The 11 point AF system is very good.  More points could be useful however I have learned to make do with the 11 and their placement.  Personally I wouldn't know what to do with 51 AF points.  The D7000's 39 points could be good however with enough practice, 11 points isn't the end of the world.


The 12.3 mp is enough for any normal use for a photographer.  I have printed out two 2' x 3' photos and they look perfect for sharpness and clarity.


In conclusion, the D90 is a very very good camera where it sits in the Nikon line up.  Yes, it is 3 years old and the D7000 is better however the D90 still holds it's own.  The D90 is a very good camera for a starting photographer that knows they will continue doing photography.  I highly recommend this camera and I am very glad that I bought this as my first camera.


Side note: As mentioned I did buy the D90 almost 3 years ago so it is older now.  The D7000 is now at the price I got the D90 for.  So personally, if I did it over again right now, I would probably get the D7000.  However, this said... If you would rather save a couple hundred dollars and get the D90 and get a better lens or a flash or something, then that would be another very good idea.