Nikon D90 DSLR [REVIEW]

On its launch the Nikon D90 caused something of a stir with its near-HD movie capture mode … more of that later I worked with the D90 with the f3.5/18-105mm VR-stabilised kit lens fitted and at no time found the kilo plus weight a bit of a burden.

Main features: 7.6 cm LCD screen plus optical pentaprism; continuous shooting of 4.5 fps —that’s a run of full size shots; HDMI output; SD/SDHC card storage; dust, the main enemy of DSLRS, is handled by shaking a cover filter over the CCD.

Viewing with the pentaprism finder was bright and clear. It presented a view of not only the scene but a read out of correct focus, thanks to an eleven point AF system. You can also select a single point (static subjects), dynamic area (moving), auto area (rapid capture) or 3D tracking for constantly changing subjects.

The Live View LCD is not only large but noticeably bright and sharp. It not only confirms focus but presents a read-out of the D90’s operational status.

The CMOS sensor packs 12.3 million pixels into its DX format surface that measures 23.6×15.8mm; this makes a 18-105mm lens equivalent to a 27-157.5mm lens in 35mm SLR terms.

A decent-sized sensor such as the D90’s lets you shoot 4288×2848 pixel images that can account for a print 36×24 cm at 300 dpi.

The mode dial gives access to auto exposure as well as Program AE, shutter or aperture priority and manual exposure settings; added to this is a selection of dedicated settings that take care of macro shots, sports, landscapes and portraits. And, like most digicams, the D90 has a face detection mode.

Shutter speeds run from 30 seconds to 1/4000 second — and Bulb — while the flash sync is triggered at speeds up to 1/200 second. You can shoot single frames as well as fire a run of continuous shooting at 4.5 fps. To guarantee you get at least one correctly exposed frame, the D90 can shoot a group of three frames with variations from a third of an f stop up to two stops.
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