Nikon D90: The first D-SLR that records video

Camcorders, look out! Nikon announced yesterday its D90, a digital SLR camera that promises to do things that no point-and-shoot digital camera or even non-professional camcorder can.

[UPDATE Dec. 12, 2008: The Nikon D90 has now been fully tested by our technicians. See our latest blog entry: "Digital SLR Ratings: Nikon D90 and other new models." If you have a subscription to ConsumerReports.org, you can find the D90 in our latest Ratings of Digital SLRs. —Ed.]

[UPDATE Sept. 30 , 2008: We tested the D90's video capabilities. See our post, "Claim Check—Nikon D90: The first D-SLR with hi-def video." —Ed.]

Nikon says the D90 (Click on the image at right for a closer look) records both high-definition (720p) and standard-definition video using interchangeable lenses, while taking advantage of numerous other SLR benefits, among them low-light sensitivity, fast continuous shooting, and high-capacity batteries. Nikon says the D90 will be available sometime in September and list for $999 (camera body only) or $1,299 (with lens).

A few highlights:

• With a D90, you can shoot videos using many of Nikon's lenses such as its fish-eye and macro lenses, for the same creative control you get with stills. For example, with some lenses, you should be able to reduce the camera's depth of field enough that, when shooting video, the subject stands out because the background is noticeably out of focus.


• Because the D90 uses an image sensor very similar to the one found on the Nikon D300 (model information available to subscribers), you should be able to shoot decent quality video or still images in very low light without a flash. The D300 is the only model in our Ratings of digital SLRs (available to subscribers) able to capture, in low-light, images good enough to enlarge, even when set as high as ISO 3200. (Most SLRs can do so only up to ISO 800 or less, our tests found.) It was also one of only three SLRs with excellent overall image quality and dynamic range.

• You can shoot stills continuously up to 4.5 frames per second (fps) and both high-definition (1280x720) and standard-definition video at 24 fps. Videos are stored on a flash memory card; you can edit them later on a computer. There's also an HDMI output for playing back high-resolution videos on an HDTV.


• Other features include 12.3 megapixels, face detection, scene-recognition, and live-view composition on the LCD when shooting stills.

Several dealers are already taking orders online; one lists the release date as September 7. By comparison, a high-performing, high-definition camcorder like the Panasonic HDC-SD9 (available to subscribers) and a typical basic SLR together might run you $1,400 to $1,600 without a lens.

If you're looking for a less-expensive Nikon SLR and you don't need video, consider the 10-megapixel Nikon D80 D-SLR (model information available to subscribers). It's one of the top-rated digital SLR camera models in our recent Ratings of D-SLRs and is available online for as little as $730 (body only).

We’ll test the D90, including its ground-breaking video capabilities, as soon as we can.

—Jeff Fox

Comments

[Paul Eng]

To all:

We recently updated our complete Ratings of digital cameras and in our ratings of digital SLRs. For more information, see our latest blog entry:

Digital SLR Ratings: Nikon D90 and other new models
http://blogs.consumerreports.org/electronics/2008/12/digital-slr-rat.html

If you have a subscription to ConsumerReports Online, you can access the Ratings, which includes information and performance reviews of the Nikon D90. Just click on the links:

Ratings of digital cameras:
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/electronics-computers/cameras-photography/digital-cameras/point-shoot-digital-camera-ratings/ratings-overview.htm

Ratings of digital SLRs:
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/electronics-computers/cameras-photography/digital-cameras/digital-slr-camera-ratings/ratings-overview.htm

Nikon D90 SLR model and performance review:
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/electronics-computers/cameras-photography/digital-cameras/digital-slr-camera-ratings/models/overview/99022155.htm

Thanks,
Paul Eng
Web Senior Editor, Electronics

[David]

After pretty in-depth eval, we just purchased a D90. Compared it to the Canon 50D and more expensive Nikon D300. In lieu of the CR review, there is a good website called Digital Photography Review - www.dpreview.com.
They have about a 30 page review on the D90. Good luck to all in their camera search.

[Peter]

Hi. I am very close to buying the D90. I wish there was a review here on consumers.org! I think for a camera intended for very high quality stills, the video feature is reasonably good. I base this on samples you can see at dpreview.com. Of course it is no substitute for a video camera, but a neat feature in an otherwise seemingly excellent SLR. Peter

[Paul Eng]

To All:

The Nikon D-90 Digital SLR will be included in our lastest Ratings of digital SLRs, due to be posted online soon. In the meantime, you can find out more about the D-90 in our post, "Claim Check - Nikon D-90: The first SLR with hi-def video."

http://blogs.consumerreports.org/electronics/2008/09/claim-check--ni.html

Thanks,
Paul Eng
Web Senior Editor, Electronics

[Adam]

No review!?!?!
I can't decide between Canon XSI, 40D or this D90!

[cd]

"When may we expect a full review of the Nikon D90, please?"

[Kimgirlkim]

Hello, I subscribed to this Consumers Report in the hope that you would have a review on the D90 Nikon - when should we expect it?

[db]

When may we expect a full review of the Nikon D90, please?

[ck]

When are you going to post a review of the nikon d90?

[tj]

hi,
when do you expect to have the review of the nikon d90?
thanks