Nikon D90 Review

There’s no doubt the Nikon D90 is a very impressive DSLR, but like its predecessor, it’s more about enhanced features and superior handling, rather than greatly improved image quality. Don’t get us wrong, the D90’s stills look great, but they’re not a significant step-up from 10 Megapixel models, and as you can see in our Results pages, you can achieve very similar output with the cheaper Canon EOS 450D / XSi.

So you should only go for the D90 if you value its enhanced features and handling, and are willing to pay more for them. This is the same gamble Nikon took with the earlier D80 and it certainly paid off back then. Many DSLR buyers compared the Nikon D80 against rivals like the cheaper Canon EOS 400D / XTi and were up-sold to the former thanks to its superior handling and feature-set, even though both shared 10 Megapixel resolution.

Today though the D90 enters a different market. Sure there’s the cheaper, but less classy Canon 450D / XSi below it, again with the same resolution, but a previous price-war between the two companies has seen Canon’s next model up, the EOS 40D, available at pretty much the same price. This is a very tough rival for the D90, as while it’s lacking the gadgetry like the VGA screen, HDMI port and movie mode – not to mention having two fewer Megapixels – the EOS 40D is tougher, quicker and better-suited to high-end enthusiasts.

Then there’s Nikon’s own D300 which while sharing several features in common with the D90, is packed with lots of smaller differences which add up to a more sophisticated camera. We’ve listed many of these in the comparisons above, but anyone wanting a bigger step-up in traditional photographic respects won’t be disappointed.

Gordon Laing

more : cameralabs