Nikon D90

[Wes Carter]

Nikon just announced their latest DSLR, the D90. What intrigues me about this camera, especially for chasing, is the ability to shoot high-definition video with a DSLR. Of course the viewfinder will be blacked out due to the mirror being locked up so I'm assuming one would have to use the rear LCD.

I have a lot of questions before I get to excited about this one. It looks like Ken Rockwell has already reviewed the camera but from what I read he has never seen one in person. Hmmmm...

http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Digital-SLR/25446/D90.html

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d90.htm

 

[Rob Wadsworth]

Very appealing.
Makes me want to 'jump ship' from Canon...
Oops... Canon just announced the 50D for $1400.
Man, this is a difficult choice...

 

[Martin Kucera]

So much for the high hopes with the new D90, the outcome is a bit diappointing. Still the DX sensor on this one . No reason to jump on this one as there is plenty of time for shopping till late March and the beginning of the next spring... will stick with D70 for now...

 

[Tony Perkins]

There are a lot of hands on reviews and video samples out there. Nikons own website has a bunch. The video quality isn't overly impressive, and it's not autofocus once it's started. It does do depth of field which DV cameras don't (probably not useful). For a vacation camera I think it's great to have just one camera instead of two. But for chasing, there is no way I would want to rely on a DSLR for video. It's good to have both available and going at the same time.

I'm not poo pooing the camera at all though. I'd love one. The still picture quality looks very nice.

 

[Wes Carter]

Very appealing.
Makes me want to 'jump ship' from Canon...
Oops... Canon just announced the 50D for $1400.
Man, this is a difficult choice...

From what I've seen over the years Canon and Nikon just play leapfrog. One will jump out ahead while the other catches up and passes. IMHO, the greastest advantage one has over the other to an individual is whether or not you already have a bunch of money tied up in lenses and gear. Give Canon a few months. They will either introduce a DSLR that goes beyond the D90 or the market will determine that we don't care about doing video with a DSLR. Either way, I'm sure the cycle will perpetuate.

 

[Rob Wadsworth]

"...or the market will determine that we don't care about doing video with a DSLR..." -Wesley Carter

I have a four-year-old Minolta Z20 5.1 mpxl that takes some outstanding shots. Even does Macro quite outstanding. It can also do 30fps JPEG movie w/o sound. You're right - I thought it would be a waste of time with no sound and only 320xx resolution.

But now Nikon has put sound and large resolution on 28fps (i believe it was) with the capacity to use your choice of great lenses. Surely, there is some value in that. The only problem that I see with it - besides lacking a good fps - is the memory problem. Even if it is JPEG - it's gonna use up the battery life and memory space in rapid order. You are right of course, it should just concentrate on doing one thing well enough.