New Nikon D90 announced!

[kstar]

While not a perfect camera, the new D90 has been announced.

What's cool and unique among DSLRs is a "D-Movie" mode which shoots 24fps, 720p HD video. The "DX" sensor is almost the same size as what 35mm 'movie films' are shot on, FWIW.

With the right lens one can work the depth of field just like much more expensive film/video cameras. But, one can only shoot video for about 5 minutes and audio recording is mono.

It appears to have many features of the D300 and looks like a really nice package for about $1000 for a body and a few more hundred if you want the 18-105mm VR DX kit lens.

DP Review has a comprehensive preview here:
http://www.dpreview.com/previews/nikond90/

While I really want a D700, I may be moved to get this rig and out off the D700 for a bit longer.

FYI.

Best,

[slodave]

Why not hold out for Nikon's yet-to-be released full frame 24 megapixel pro line .

[kstar]

Originally Posted by slodave

Why not hold out for Nikon's yet-to-be released full frame 24 megapixel pro line .

I gotta eat.

[slodave]

Originally Posted by kstarnes

I gotta eat.

Eat every other day...

[gassy]

We just fired up 2 new Canon EOS Mark III's today--they are saweeet.

[slodave]

Originally Posted by gassy

We just fired up 2 new Canon EOS Mark III's today--they are saweeet.

What altitude did they reach??

On a more serious note, what do you do with them?

[gassy]

Commercial photography...
www.pettersenassociates.com

just read about the D90 after K's initial post. looks to be a nice camera especially at that price.

[slodave]

Originally Posted by gassy

Commercial photography...
www.pettersenassociates.com

Cool!

kstarnes:

Besides cost, are you OK with the DX sensor over the FX sensor?

[kstar]

Originally Posted by slodave

Cool!

kstarnes:

Besides cost, are you OK with the DX sensor over the FX sensor?

Costs aside, I'd prefer the FX.

Is the D-Movie compelling enough to pick the D90 with a DX over a D700 or D3? Well, if money were no object I would get the D90 and one of the FX cameras. Add many thousands of dollars of pro lenses and a big, fast zoom for the D90, and one would be set.

Because money is a consideration, it makes the choice much easier. I don't have any FX specific lenses and although shooting the D90 in movie mode would be limited, I would use it fairly often.

I'm just about sold.

Best,

[slodave]

Fair enough.

[kstar]

This would be the ticket for personal video, IMO.

[slodave]

That looks cool and not as expensive as it looks. 120 FPS would be cool!

[RWebb]

Once you are hooked on Nikon, You aren't going to buy a Canon -- not these days. I do know a prof. wildife photog. who bought Canon just to get into their lens system -- but that was in the 1980s.

Since I already have a D80, what is the advantage of the D90? Movie thing is nice but not enough to make me bite.

I would really like some low light level improvement - which I think the ultra-spendy bodies offer. But the D90 does not seem to have that.

So convince a tightwad D80 owner to upgrade....

[slodave]

From the dpreview review:
A lot of the core photographic spec is the same as or very similar to the D80, though there is a new shutter and an implementation of the 3D tracking AF seen on the D3/D300.

Save your money for a D300/D700.

[kstar]

The D90, from what I have read, is a whole new camera, not just an "improved" D80; importantly, the sensor is new.

The reviewers and Nikon, of course, claim it is close, if not equal, to the D300 in dynamic range capture and shooting very clean images up to ISO 6400. These are the two big factors which are bringing glowing reviews to the D300, D700 and D3.

It also has Live View, which I like and I don't think the D80 has this. The big 3" VGA screen is nice too. UI updates as well.

Other improvements as well, but I think those are the biggies. There's a fair number of new info on the internets.

Good luck!

Best,

[slodave]

Dpreview seems to contradict itself.

[kstar]

Biased source, but check out the images and video from the Nikon D90 site:
http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Digital-SLR/25446/D90.html

[slodave]

And it just happened to be a vid of a spider. Thanks!

It's a cool feature, but not for me. I can't afford it, but the D300 is what I would like.

[Tim Walsh]

I skimmed through the dpreview preview. I think the biggest limitation is that the camera does not autofocus after the recording is started, could be a big issue for things like motorsports. Edit: Looked for the source of that info and couldn't find it in the preview anymore so take it with a grain of salt.

[berettafan]

well maybe this will push down D300 prices so i can get one!

love my D70 but NEED a backup if i'm going to move towards paid gigs.