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mourerj
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Rating:  10
Time with product: 10 Months
Strengths: D300 Image Quality, High ISO use; gets MANY features once exclusive to >$2,000 models (see Comments); 920k LCD, drive speed (5fps on mine), JPG processing, , 11-point
Weaknesses: Software for advanced editing is very good but costly (Capture NX2, appx. $150), as is the PC control software (Camera Control 2, $75 or so?). Canon gives similar software for free. Awful bundled apps
Summary: For the sake of disclosure, I've owned Canons (30D & 40D, used 5D Mk. II for several jobs) and currently shoot with a Nikon D90 and D700. As the first "2nd-generation" Nikon DSLR to retail for less than $2,000 (See critic Ken Rockwell's fine explanation at http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/dslr.htm#gen), you get the best "bang for the buck" with the D90. The power of its Picture Control System (PCS) affords enormous flexibility, esp. when paired with the Fcn button (set for "1st item in My Menu"), as you can switch from "outdoor" shooting to your portraiture parameters **without taking your eye from the finder** PCS includes a set of contrast, sharpness, hue & other settings that can be set & saved to call up individually (9 or 12 can be saved to shortcuts) My opinion is that PCS is more powerful than Canon's Picture Styles. The D90 sports the best APS-C viewfinder you can buy, period. The AF module is superb for this class, using an 11-point, 1-cross (x,y) array that can be set to the usual "single, dynamic, auto" plus a novel 11-pt. 3D subject tracking mode that uses the excellent Scene Recognition System (SRS), which participates in two main functions: metering & 3D predictive tracking. It does this with a 420-segment sensor in tandem with many complex algorithms; Nikon likes to tout the one that compares the real-time frame to> 35,000 stored images (& contour maps) to help meter the shot and/or track a moving subject for 3D predictive focusing, a really impressive feature that calculates the position a moving subject will be in by the next frame and pre-programs the AF point before it's needed; the result is up to 4.5 fps shooting with a subject that remains in focus (even if moving toward the camera and leaving its field simultaneously!). With 11-pts it works well on a tennis player, but a bird in flight hasn't got a prayer; that would require Nikon's top-of-the-line 51-point (15-cross) 1,005-segment 3D tracking (on the D300/D700/D3/D3x). Low light/high ISO work at times superior to the D300 (and even the $4,500 D3 in some cases, according to noted critic Ken Rockwell). ISO 3200 usually looks great; the terrific Auto ISO system adjusts shutter speed and ISO based on your telling the D90 what your max ISO & slowest shutter speed should be (and use it in Programmed Auto "P", or S, A modes). Build quality & ergonomics are great: unbeatable for this class. Speed. I measured 5.06 fps under tough conditions: RAW output & ISO 800 Video is nice to use on occasion, but this is a stills camera first and foremost. Fantastic selection of post retouching/tone changes. In fact, the color control setting is superior to Photoshop CS4's (on the flip side, CS4's Spherize is much better than the D90's Fisheye effect, but CS4 costs nearly as much as the D90!). I use "Straighten" often, a great way to correct off horizon shots & lets you focus on getting the shot knowing it's easily corrected in camera (by +/- 5 deg.). D-lighting is very useful for bumping up dynamic range (this even helps for shots in which the amazing Active D-Lighting had been set -- FYI: Active D Lighting is very different and far more powerful than just "D-Lighting," a post function). Can convert NEF (RAW) to JPG in camera and apply various exposures, PCS sets & more. Same amazing 3.0" LCD as in the $8,000 D3x. Imperceptibly fast sensor cleaning and anti-vignetting feature. There are more, just can't think of them now!!
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acnownzu09
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Rating: 10
Time with product: 3 Months
Strengths: Excellent image quality, many advanced features yet easy-to-use, included lens is light and compact, HD movie mode is fun to mess around with
Weaknesses: Zoom range of lens is limited (18-105mm), limitations of HD movie mode (no autofocus, 5 minute limit for HD)
Summary: I bought this dSLR after reading a bunch of positive reviews online. Overall I'm extremely satisfied with the purchase. As others have mentioned, it's not perfect, but it's probably the best available right now in this price range.This is my first dSLR and I was impressed with how quickly I was able to jump in and start using it. You can get excellent images right out of the box using the Auto or scene modes. I took it to the USC football game last weekend and was able to get great shots using in Action mode. The images were very sharp, noise free, and because of the 12.3MP resolution, I was able to crop them while still having plenty to work with.The movie mode is very cool, but the limitations (no autofocus, 5 minute limit for HD) are a bit annoying. It's definitely not a replacement for an HD camcorder, but it's good enough for general purpose.The lens is nice because it's light and compact, but the 18-200mm lens would be a lot more useful. I'll probably end up either buying that or the 70-300mm lens so I can get close-up shots.I'd highly recommend this camera to anyone looking for a dSLR in this price range. Even if it's your first dSLR, you'll be able to get great shots with it out of the box, and as many users have pointed out, image quality is nearly on par with the more expensive D300. I kept postponing my dSLR purchase because they kept getting better and cheaper, but this one was intriguing enough to make me bite the bullet.
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didenur3
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Rating: 10
Time with product: 2 Days
Strengths: Lightweight, good fast lens
Weaknesses: MOTHING
Summary: Awesome picture quality, same as my D300. It is much more plasticy than a D300, but I like it because it's much lighter and fits my hands perfectly. There isn't an obvious video button, but it was easy to figure out once you hit the LV (live view) button it prompts you to press OK to start recording. The top LCD screen is smaller than the D300. The 3 inch screen is amazing, just like the D300. This is a huge leap forward compared to the D80. It's an even bigger leap that they've pulled off high quality video that's user friendly! Put a Sigma 10-20mm or the Nikkor 10.5 fisheye, and you'll have some epic video shots. The 18-105VR lens is lighter than it looks, much lighter than the 18-200VR, feels very solid and is quite smooth. The standard definition video is good (haven't watched it on a large screen yet), and gives you 20 minute clips vs 5 min clips in HD mode. The zoom also worked when in video mode, but the Autofocus is fixed. Once in LiveView it takes a second to autofocus, then you can press OK and start recording. Sound isn't stellar of course. It has a small microphone and speaker, so you can actually hear the video your reviewing. So far this is my favorite new gadget of 2008. Wedding Videographer's rejoice! (i'm shooting one next week)
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pgewirtz
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Rating: 10
Time with product: 1 Week
Strengths: Sharp photos, automatic dust removal, video
Weaknesses: A little heavy with zoom lens connected, a zillion features to learn, video is not continuous focus
Summary: If you've ever owned a Nikon camera, then you knew that this would be a fantastic camera before Nikon finally announced it even existed. The year long anticipation appears to have paid off. This is one sharp, fast reacting camera. It has the latest technology of the top of the line D300 with the more moderate features and price of the mid-line cameras - not to suggest that this camera is cheap, but if photography is your thing, at least it's not out of reach. In addition to the usual assortment of SLR features such as automatic and manual modes, bracketing, and so on, this camera has many scene modes and also records video. However, the down side to the video is that you need to set the focus before you start recording because the mirror is up while it records, so it cannot do continuous focus. The camera also has vibration reduction built into in the lens and internal vibration to clean the dust off of the sensor (which can be a big problem with SLRs). There's lots more, but it will take me a while to finish reading the short novel they call a user's manual - which is provided in both English and Spanish in 2 separate books. There is also a quick start guide (in both languages) to help beginners jump in without going through all 278 pages of the larger book.
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$1,049.00
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