9 Comfort Zones of the Nikon D90 DSLR Camera

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Introduced during August 2008, the Nikon D90 has proven to give digital photography hobbyists and enthusiasts the right combination of features and capabilities in a mid-level DSLR camera. Many photographers who own a Nikon D90 camera will tell you that it’s a comfortable camera, both physically and in terms of offering a comforting photography experience. This Nikon camera delivers much more than a compact and an entry-level DSLR, but doesn’t put the demands of a high-end DSLR on the hobbyist photographer. The Nikon D90 allows enthusiasts to achieve great image quality for their kind of photography, and they know they can produce these results with this camera.

Read real customer reviews of the NIKON D90 here.

The Nikon D90 is comfortable because it is a nice compromise of portability and solid construction, so you’re able to use it in even challenging environments. It won’t take but a moment in your hands before you recognize Nikon has maintained its reputation for excellent build quality. At 5.2” W x 4.1” H x 3’ D (132mm x 103mm x 77mm), the D90 has the size to accommodate all its many technologies and functions, but it’s not a beast. The camera body weighs 22 oz. (620g), which gives it the heft for rugged use. That comfortable feeling of the D90 is further enhanced by the large rubberized grip, which also allows it to be secure, even when held with one hand.

Another comfort zone in which the Nikon D90 rates very high is the configuration of exterior controls. Nikon had already scored a winner with the earlier D80 model, so the company didn’t fool with what photographers said they liked about it. Nikon did make some very good changes/additions to the D90, however. Live View mode is selected with a new button in a convenient location. The D90 has the same big LCD screen on the top of the camera and Nikon’s two popular dials that are also conveniently positioned to change exposure settings.

Nikon didn’t hesitate, however, to give the menu system a major facelift. Photographers, who shoot with this camera, have more creative tools and custom features, many of which can help to produce images that approach pro-like quality. Some of these are in-camera retouching, filter effects, color balance and RAW processing alternatives.

For framing/viewing your subject matter with the D90, it has a pentaprism SLR viewfinder with 96% frame coverage. The pro-size, 3-inch, 920,000-dot color LCD screen has a viewing angle of 170 degrees.

Numerous third-party tests of the 12.3-megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor in conjunction with Nikon’s EXPEED image processor support the experience of thousands of photographers: images from the D90 are superb. Digital noise is kept to a minimum at the lower end of the ISO range on this camera (100–6,400), which is where virtually all D90 owners’ photos will be shot.

The Nikon D90’s Multi-Cam 1000 11-point auto-focus system is still a premier feature. Frame your images with the viewfinder and this AF system will capture them with speed and precision, regardless of the level of light, and does a great job tracking subjects in motion too. The view through the viewfinder will also feel very comfortable and life-like; the screen is bright and you’ll have no trouble distinguishing the AF points.

When it was introduced, the Nikon D90 was the first DSLR capable of shooting high-definition video. Its 720p at 24 frames per second still produces excellent video imaging. It’s very interesting to remember that, at the time, video capabilities on a DSLR was considered a bit of an add-on feature that was useful, but unnecessary. Pro photographers, in particular, were not interested in video on a DSLR. That thinking has changed, however, as more serious and professional photographers are evolving into multimedia creators, blending stills and video clips. In fact, this is a major-selling feature of the new D800. The D90 is an excellent learning tool for the mid-level photographer who wants to pursue and experience the creativity of multimedia in one camera.

The Nikon D90 is available from B&H Photo Video. The body only is $829.00; or purchase the D90 with the Nikon 18–105mm VR lens for $1,049.95. For more information, visit http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=Nikon+D90&N=0&InitialSearch=yes.

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