Why I am upgrading from the Nikon D80 to the Nikon D90 D-SLR.

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The George Mann's Pocket Guide to the Nikon D300 digital SLR camera is now available exclusively from thenikonphotographer.com. Available for only US$ 9.95 Get more information here .............

August 27, 2008

Why I am upgrading from the Nikon D80 to the Nikon D90 D-SLR.

Nikon has announced worldwide today that the Nikon D90 digital SLR will be ready for delivery by the end of September 2008 (some rumors are speculating on a September 19 release in some locations). Nikon wants everyone to know that the Nikon D90 is the world's first D-SLR with movie functions and that it has inherited many high end functions from the Nikon D300.

Normally I wouldn't have much to say about a camera that I haven't used yet, but since I own both a Nikon D300 and a Nikon D80 and use both of them quite regularly, I think I have a pretty good idea what using the Nikon D90 will be like.

What I do now, when I am working on an assignment or specifically going out to shoot, I will use the Nikon D300 (and bring along the Nikon D80 as a second or back-up camera), but when I am not on assignment, just going out on a shopping trip with the family, or making a grocery run, I will carry only the Nikon D80. Why? Because it is smaller and lighter (no other reason or excuse is necessary).

So since I always carry a camera, the biggest advantage for me (upgrading from the Nikon D80 to the Nikon D90) is that I will be able to use the 12.3 effective megapixel CMOS image sensor at all times (even when I do not want to carry the Nikon D300, or the bag full of heavier lenses that seems to be permanently attached to it).

The second biggest advantage will be the much improved 3-inch viewing screen on the Nikon D90. Since I started using the D300, I am always checking my shots on the LCD screen and making (very important and up to the moment) composition, exposure and focusing decisions. On the Nikon D80 I don't even bother, the screen is not big enough or accurate enough. I should also mention the Info Display function of the LCD screen, I use it a lot on the Nikon D300 and expect to use it just as much on the Nikon D90.

Live View is interesting but I have to confess that I have not used it very much yet (I am glad they added it though and expect to use it more in the future). The GPS option is also welcome. Scene Recognition, Picture Control, Active D-Lighting, Advanced Scene Modes, in-camera retouching and all the other bells and whistles are fine but I never use them (I shoot manual a lot, in RAW format and process on a computer), so they don't excite me too much.

The video capabilities are very interesting and I might even find a good use for them, but I can't really comment on them until I actually use them.

My biggest disappointment (in the D80 to D90 upgrade) is the continued use of the Multi-CAM 1000 11 AF point focusing system, the Multi-CAM 3500 51 AF point focusing system in the Nikon D300 (and D700) is vastly superior. I guess they are afraid that a lot of photographers would consider the Nikon D90 to be just as good as the Nikon D300, if the focusing system was the same. Personally I would love to have a smaller (and lighter weight) high quality camera and would be willing to pay the extra cost of putting in the better focusing system.

All in all, an incredible number of upgrades and improvement for a camera body, that is very comfortable to use, in a variety of situations. I look forward to taking delivery of the Nikon D90 as quickly as possible (anyone in the market for a very good condition Nikon D80?).

Here are the main features of the Nikon D90:

Newly designed Nikon DX-format CMOS image sensor with 12.3 effective megapixels and Integrated Dust Reduction System
Incredibly low-noise performance throughout a wide sensitivity range of ISO 200 to 3200; can be set to ISO 6400 equivalent
Incorporates Nikon's comprehensive digital image-processing EXPEED concept
The world's first D-SLR movie function: D-Movie, selectable from 320 x 216 pixels, 640 x 424 pixels or 1,280 x 720 pixels in AVI format
Scene Recognition System, utilizing 420-pixel RGB sensor, improves autofocus, auto exposure and auto white balance performance and is also integrated with the new Face Detection System
Live View enables face priority AF with the 3-in., approx. 920k-dot, high-density color LCD featuring 170° ultra-wide viewing angle
Picture Control System offers new Portrait and Landscape options for more vibrant customized colors
Active D-Lighting for smooth tone reproduction in high-contrast lighting
Multi-CAM 1000 autofocus sensor module featuring 11 AF points offers fast and precise autofocus coverage across the frame
Viewfinder with approx. 96% frame coverage and an easy-to-view 19.5 mm eyepoint (at -1.0 m^-1)
Advanced Scene Modes that automatically adjust exposure, image processing, Active D-Lighting and Picture Control settings for superior image quality
Extensive palette of in-camera Retouch Menus including several new retouch options such as Distortion Control, Straighten and Fisheye
4.5 fps continuous shooting and quick response of 0.15-second start-up and 65-ms shutter release time lag (CIPA standard)
Built-in flash with 18mm lens coverage and Nikon's original i-TTL flash control that commands Advanced Wireless Lighting
Highly efficient energy-saving design that allows approx. 850 images on a single charge of the Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3e (CIPA standard, with AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, with 50% of pictures taken with flash)
Versatile Pictmotion menu that creates slideshows combining five choices of both background music and image effects
Compatible with HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) output
Optional Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D80 extends shooting capability and enables use of six R6/AA-size batteries
Included Nikon ViewNX software makes browsing and organizing your images easy
Optional photo-editing software, Capture NX 2 allows users quick and easy photo editing
Lightweight compact body

Nikon D90 - Specification

Effective pixels		12.3 million

Image sensor		CMOS sensor, 23.6 x 15.8 mm; total pixels: 12.9 million; Nikon DX format

Image size (pixels)		4,288 x 2,848 [L], 3,216 x 2,136 [M], 2,144 x 1,424 [S]

Sensitivity		ISO 200 to 3200 in steps of 1/3 EV, can also be set to approx. 0.3, 0.7 or 1 EV (ISO 100 equivalent) below ISO 200, or to approx. 0.3, 0.7 or 1 EV (ISO 6400 equivalent) over ISO 3200, ISO sensitivity auto control available

Storage media		SD memory cards, SDHC compliant

Monitor		3-in., approx. 920k-dot (VGA), low-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD with 170° viewing angle, approx. 100% frame coverage, and brightness adjustment

Exposure metering		3D Color Matrix Metering II, Center-Weighted and Spot Metering

Exposure modes		Auto modes (auto, auto [flash off]), Advanced Scene Modes (Portrait, Landscape, Sports, Close-up, Night Portrait), programmed auto with flexible program (P), shutter-priority auto (S), aperture-priority auto (A), manual (M)

Interface		Hi-Speed USB

Power sources		One Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3e, Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D80 (optional) with one or two Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3e or six R6/AA-size alkaline, Ni-MH, lithium or nickel-manganese batteries (Battery Holder MS-D200 is required when using R6/AA-size batteries)

Dimensions (W x H x D)		Approx. 132 x 103 x 77 mm (5.2 x 4.1 x 3.0 in.)

Weight		Approx. 620 g (1 lb. 6 oz.) without battery, memory card, body cap or LCD monitor cover

Specifications and equipment are subject to change without any notice or obligation on the part of the manufacturer. August 2008

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