Excellent semi-professional SLR camera for the amateur daily

Excellent semi-professional SLR camera for the amateur daily

Nikon D90 SLR digital camera (12 megapixels, Live View, HD video function) housing (electronics)

Customer Review

It was for me an endless inner struggle - the choice between Canon and Nikon! My previous experiences photo are years back, then you have basically controlled everything by hand - today in the age of digital photography, the world looks very different.

The choice between Canon and Nikon is always a system decision. The choice between "Mercedes" and "BMW" between "plague" and "cholera". There are fierce advocates on both sides, so-called "canonists" and "Nikonians". Many armed drifts starting in `absurd. I really want to belong to anyone, just shoot only good pictures!

After countless research were selected: Canon EOS 50D and Nikon D90! Basically, the Canon 50D is already a pro model, but both cameras are getting currently for almost the same price. The D 90 poaches as mature consumer camera already in professional storage. You remain in the same segment, you would have to be opponents rather the Canon EOS 500 or 550 D View. But I want to get the most for my money.

Canon EOS 50 D - a really great housing (almost identical as the Canon 7D) from a magnesium alloy, super feel and tacky, big hands! The housing of the Canon gets 5 stars. The tests of magazines and users are good to very good. Viewfinder - contrary to all Unkerufen large and bright. Menu navigation more than clear, class monitor etc .. a top camera! Still, it was a Nikon, why?

Here an attempt at a description and assessment of the performance Photo:

There were following me important selection criteria:

- Image Quality
- Subsequent image editing options in the camera
- Variability (lenses etc.)
- Ease + practicality
- Feel in general

Everything subjective criteria, logical. Canon offers the same, partly better but different. Ultimately, it is always a gut decision. In addition, there was an argument, which certainly gave the tick to Nikon, namely a really good buddy -Fotojournalist- used exclusively Nikon, this more than 20 years, the daily - no problems! Camera thousand get out and into the bag, changed several times a day lenses, heat, dust, humidity ... That convinced me personally. The parts look indeed used, but work as the first day - quality by professionals for professionals - so what I wanted. Unfortunately, I do not know any journalist with Canon equipment in person - so I could not compare this point. But Canon is in the press world an equal if not larger number in the business.

What has the Canon 50 D not? A good in-camera image editing program, because I do not like really rework each photo until the PC. What is certainly not always necessary, but in snapshots, the color value etc. before next fall and must be corrected. Not only on your home computer, no once in the camera. More on that later. Professionals see the course differently and basically work much for the computer. The D90 does all this and much more!

In Detail:

Image Quality: 5 star +

In a word, terrific (depending on the lens)! The visual impression: knackscharf, color and contrast. With such an imaging performance I have certainly not expected.
Image noise is sensational low even at high ISO values. Even in the dim light succeed still quite sharp and colorful pictures all without flash. Just as it predicted in the magazines the numerous reviews. With lightning very well-lit and also tack-sharp photos are created despite the small-camera light donor. In larger rooms, etc. you need of course an extra flash.
The white balance (automatic) is working satisfactorily, but you can make numerous individual settings in this area and even change the color temperature.

The noise values ​​namely the 50 D goes quite early in the knee. The advantage for Nikon is due to the slightly larger pixel size. Even the very latest Canon 550 D with 18 million pixels it creates, according to the latest journal "Photo Color" (Edition 04.2010), in terms of image quality not to push the D 90 from the throne. For people who work a lot with external flash units, this circumstance is, however, negligible. In ISO 200 range is Nikon and Canon give namely nothing.
Basically, however, one can say that the D 90 in all ISO-areas in terms of color neutrality and noise, which is clearly superior to D 50. By contrast, Canon's but faster, more on that later.
The plus in my star scale, the D 90 has earned - it shows itself latest camera generations of the House of Canon (Canon 550 D, Canon 7D and Canon 50 D) in terms of image quality, where the rubber meets the road. My first own recordings have simply become only "class".

Ease of use: 4 Stars

The user menu is unlike Canon. At first I'm almost desperate, wanted the part again sending, but with a little patience also my operating concept has opened up, swear by the "Nikonians" so. Meanwhile, I find it even logically, one can work almost blind and intuitive. Example?

The dials (aperture + exposure time) are located right on the handle. With your thumb and forefinger you can intuitively adjust everything succeeds super fast and easily. Advocates the setting wheel - like Canon have the thumb bend a little more. But also has benefits in other respects. The function key on the front panel with the "Auto focus area selection mode" is and you can already select in conjunction with one of the adjustment wheel the individual measurement fields of the autofocus extremely fast and easily.

Commissioning a dream: right hand on the camera - selector lever is turned on and immediately release button (not even 1 second turn-on time) losknipsen! , Of right hand in the pocket photo camera, turn on the same handle and press trigger: Speak in everyday life. The left hand, the Weil ever dig out the next objective.

In addition to RAW files can also be JPEG files, or if you desire has both saved simultaneously in different levels of quality. Unfortunately, the RAW files only have 12-bit conversion. Canon still offers an additional size grading of RAW files.

What should be mentioned is the Active D-Lighting, thus succeed without finishing (instead of D-Lighting in Bildbearbeitungsporgramm) high-contrast images (cloudy in the shadows) - big screen - I'm just saying. I use it fairly!

Using the automatic function to succeed 98% almost always very sharp and crisp images - when it has to go fast times and no time for your own settings remain.

What I miss is a little "soft release" as it offers 50 GB of Canon or Nikon D300s, which has great advantages in wildlife photography, well the "Eierlegendewollmichsau" there is not just, certainly not at this price.

For the D 90 for better image registration has a einblendbares grid in the viewfinder, which does not offer the 50 GB.

The video section, I use did not, but I have a video camcorder, Basta! The 50 D brings only no such function with - target direction clear: the semi-professional.

Subject continuous shooting speed, almost always a hobby of Canons. But those days are gone. The D90 provides with standard 4.5 frames / sec still a good result. If you look at a SanDisk Extreme III card with 30 MB / sec write speed begrudge, this rises above the manufacturer's instructions on quite sporty 5.5 images / sec. The 50 D Canon sets with their 6.2 frames / sec but a rapid pace, which does not reach the D 90 in total. But everyone should consider whether it really matters? Both top values ​​and just about any sporting situation, can be captured so well for the amateur. In this respect, I also disrupts the slow shutter speed of the D90 with 1 / 4000sec opposite the Canon 1 / 8000sec little. Especially since not so long ago were in the analog domain 1 / 3000sec and more than sensation, or have as our forefathers showed poor sports photography?

The autofocus of the Nikon takes - depending on the setting - up to 11 measuring fields back and working in accordance of your lens quickly and safely. The D90 provides its users on a 3D-tracking mode in Autofocus mode, so that at fast moving targets, the focus is automatically adjusted. Therefore, even sports photography succeed excellently. At most, in Live View mode, it can be much more time, but has a face detection (up to 5 faces). I myself am a "seeker-child" and I do not believe that someone long with his arms stretched out the D90 with a large lens on its own to use the Live View. The Nikon has already a lot weight. I use Live View Max. on the tripod. In that regard, I do not mind the slow autofocus in Live View mode.

In principle, therefore, the D 90 also offers the sports photographers a pretty decent working tool.

Housing - haptic: 3 stars

Much polycarbonate ensnared the customer but at least a small metal core (aluminum alloy) with metal bayonet. Who so what Niko has already examined bearing resort to considerably more expensive D300s. Their opponent is then but already the Canon 7D. In addition, the D 90 is slightly smaller and lighter than the Canon 50 D, what with my big Grabbing been a problem for me. The handle is narrow and the release button very moved to the brink. Smaller hands will turn the Canon for the "Big" and keep better come with the Nikon rightly. The ladies among photo enthusiasts, there are but like sure. To compensate for the lack of grip size which was still acceptable, I have the optional MB-D80 screwed. Together the handling is quite good also for large hands.
In addition, a real glass prism and not mirrored plastic roof prism was installed. Viewfinder picture is bright and clear, but has only 96% of the image area - quite similar to 50 D.

Workmanship and finish: 5 stars

The D 90 is after all very solid but not processed so safe manner and certainly not sealed like the Canon 50 D. Nevertheless, everything fits and has no air, no housing columns etc. etc. The rubber coating is applied very clean, the plastic case was in the sum of a large metal case as processed. Only the housing lightning could rest a little more closely in the closed state. The D 90 looks solid indeed and high quality. If you do not know exactly, you might think to keep a metal carcass in his hands. Ever points Nikon cameras with a dream processing.

Image editing functions: 5 stars

The D90 provides its users with full manual correction options, such as the aforementioned D-Lighting, various filters, red-eye correction (which is very effective and works naturally), RAW to JPEG conversion (with all the possibilities of image processing), vignetting correction, horizon straightening etc, etc. All without a PC! If the image has been processed, the modified version is stored alongside the original. So nothing is lost and you can, if you want the PC again reprocess everything - but the results are most so good that there is no need for this effort. That was the "killer argument" against the 50 D Canon for me. Those who want to bring very quickly well-made recordings on paper is very well served by the D 90. I am an amateur and not a professional who wants to spend hours in front of the PC depend. Had the 50D like I would not have resorted to the D90, that's for sure. I also think that in the 50 D missing camera RAW to JPEG conversion for a shortcoming. Ultimately, however, are responsible for great results on your home PC and thus already benefited compatible also with the RAW images of D 90.

Furthermore, the D90 offers a so-called Picture Control System, ie on 9 separate places you can save quite individual image parameters for recordings and transfer them to your PC or even in other Nikons via memory card! The selection of these parameters can be your own special menu or via the monitor with the Info button easily. So what in the way that Canon has, but without transfer function. By contrast, Canon has three previously defined user settings (exposure time etc.), selected on Programmdrehrad thing missing turn the D 90 - everything you can not just have.

Therefore Nikon provides a very smart flash control, whereby the housing flash can be used as the master flash. This master function does not exist in the Canon 50 D housing flash. Canon is this another way, which can be realized only on expensive accessories.

In general we can customize almost all functions of the D90. If all "stupid" is running, simply press the reset key combination and you get back to factory default!

Practicality (battery life): 5 stars

As I said, first used to it, you can use the D90 quickly and intuitively. Particularly noteworthy is the battery runtime, this is sensational, thanks to camera internal energy-saving measures. Thus, with a single Nikon EN - EL3e battery pack fabled 1850 pictures in it, with partial use of the flash after all, still in 1250! With the EOS 50D looks completely different. Without flash still proud in 1200 with the flash only 770th
In LiveView it is even more striking, Nikon creates flash so the 200 shots, Canon bends at not even 140 shots a (read at [...] I could understand these values ​​in everyday life.

With Batterriepack MB-D80 (suitable for 2x EN-EL3e) these mileage increased considerably. So I have with different recording types (flash continuously + some LiveView pictures) made remarkable 1967 Photos (image count in camera) before both accumulators are painted the sails! Advantage of the battery grip accesses each battery to separately so that you can "go" even with an EN-EL3e Nikon, while the other is charging. This means the holiday rarely or not at all to charge the battery, or about to carry around spare batteries - SUPER! Who had missed once in expensive overseas holidays good snapshots due to low batteries, and far and wide no outlet were still raise disposable batteries, know this energy insurance greatly appreciated.
Who wants to use normal R 6 batteries - with the MB-D 80 no problem, an appropriate adapter cage is attached. But I recommend the Nikon own energy blocks.

Included lenses: 3.5 stars

The small zoom DX 18-105 VR mm is a dream from "hard plastic" with cheap plastic bayonet. 'M Curious how long it holds out. Actually, for me, a no-go, but Nikon is at least 2 years guarantee. The optical power is more than adequate, the distortion adheres jeh after aperture within limits, is most pronounced in this 18mm wide angle. Also fringing I could, even with large image enlargements, almost no make - great extent. On the other hand is problematic Nahfokussierungsgrenze of 45 cm, that bothers some already. A reasonable travel zoom, so to speak. Thus, it gets good 3 stars. Would it be of metal could also clear conscience awarded 4 stars.

The large zoom AF-S 70-300 mm VR is because of a very different meal and grain. Good haptics, metal design and very decent optical performance. The recordings are still a tad sharper than the small zoom and also the ultrasonic motor operates quieter. The vignetting is in the lower and upper thirds pronounced, but typical for a superzoom that class. At 300 mm, it goes from being duly unfortunately, it nearly doubles its length, exercise therefore some caution. Good 4 stars for it.

A 5 star lens can be seen in this set but honestly did not expect.

Both lenses feature a built-in image stabilizer (the very good work in practice), and ultrasonic motors, which lets the autofocus work very quietly. Both optics can, depending on the photographic can produce extremely detailed and very sharp images, in the sum of which said 3.5 stars.

Price performance: 4 stars

I bought the large set. 2 Lenses (incl lens hood + Body + standard cables, quick charger + manual + software + lens pouch.) Here at Amazon at under 1,300, which is just OK, but I have also seen favorable offers - as the 1150th

End Result: 4.3 stars

As a result, one can say, a decent housing, processed very clean, but more plastic than metal and of the haptics with the Canon 50 D not comparable. (However, the D 90 significantly superior to 550 D in the housing quality of the new EOS. With the optional side handle but in the sum quite ok. The picture quality is really fantastic, the noise performance in all ISO areas sensationally low. The sharpness and detail of the recordings , even at high ISO values, have completely convinced me. The great image editing options in the camera round out the positive overall assessment and the actual blast next to the grandiose picture performance. Enormous battery life also sweeten the long photo excursion.

Will I close the D90 permanently in my heart, only time will tell. All interested parties may I recommend buying this respect in good conscience. More does not need, it is then you are a professional photographer. But this would be more likely to D300, D700 or D3s new resort (the latter offers a photo service that is currently unmatched in its price range). Good 4 stars for the Nikon D90 as a semi-professional camera. Nevertheless, the Canon 50D is a great device. Who should rather reworked or principle on the PC (the same price) rather to Canon 50 D grip, their performance is basically equivalent photo provided one works more with the flash, because the housing is an absolute poem - my personal opinion.

Very smart Wall Dock for iPad Rank: 5/5
December 18
There are not that smart is +! Rank: 5/5
February 9
Pjur ORIGINAL Rank: 5/5
March 15
Very popular 7 Rank: 5/5
December 21

Related Reviews


Excellent camera for the amateur photographerCanon PowerShot G16 Digital compact camera 12.1 Mpix LCD Screen 3 "Optical Zoom 5X Black (Camera Photos) A perfect camera for the discerning amateur photographers!Canon IXUS 1100 HS Digital Camera (12MP, 12x opt. Zoom, 8.1 cm (3.2 inch) display, image stabilized) Silver (Electronics) Our new camera for the tripFujifilm FinePix HS50EXR Digital Camera (16 Megapixel, 42x opt. Zoom, Full HD, 7.6 cm (3 inch) LCD CMOS sensor, HDMI, image stabilization, USB 2.0) (Electronics) Affordable full format for the AmateurNikon D610 SLR Digital Camera (24.3 megapixels, 8.1 cm (3.2 inch) display, Full HD, AF system with 39 focus points) body only (Electronics) Astonishing Camera for the moneyNikon Coolpix L820 Digital Camera (16 Megapixel, 30x opt. Zoom, 7.6 cm (2.7 inch) LCD monitor, image stabilizer) Blue (Electronics) Super Simple professional travel camera for everyonePanasonic DMC-TZ31EG-T digital camera (14.1 megapixels, 20x opt. Zoom, 7.5 cm (3 inch) display, image stabilized) chocolate (Electronics) Perfectly adequate for the amateur filmmaker.Corel VideoStudio Pro X5 (DVD-ROM) Professional Lens Hood for the Canon EOS 650D with EF-S 18-135 IS STMSunshade Profox LH73B replaced EW73B for Canon EF-S 4-5.6 / 17-85mm IS, EF-S 3.5-5.6 / 18-135mm IS / STM Lens Cap + 67mm (Electronics) Much camera for the money, but the red pen you realizeFujiFilm FinePix S4800 Digital Camera (16 Megapixel, 30x opt. Zoom, 7.6 cm (3 inch) display, image stabilized) (Electronics) Very good tripod dolly for the amateurDynaSun 11130 WT 600 Professional Camera Dolly Dolly (accessory) Much camera for the money!Olympus Tough TG-320 digital camera (14 megapixels, optical 3.6x, zoom, 6.9 cm (2.7 inch) display, image stabilized, 3m waterproof, 1.5m shockproof) Red (Electronics) Great camera for the beach vacationNikon Coolpix S31 Digital Camera (10 Megapixel, 3x opt. Zoom, 6.9 cm (2.7 inch) LCD screen, up to 5m waterproof) arktik White (Electronics) The tool plunges what for the amateur craftsmenBosch 83-Piece V-Line Titanium Set for drilling and fastening, incl. Adjustable wrench, 2607017193 (tool) Super for the amateur craftsmenBosch PBH 3000 FRE Home Series rotary hammer drill bit set + + + Adapterbohrfutter suitcases (750 W, 2.8 J, max. Drilling diameter concrete 26 mm) (Tools) A reflex camera for the discerning amateurCanon EOS 300 SLR camera housing (electronics) The perfect camera for advanced amateursCanon EOS 30 SLR (Body Only) (Electronics) a good plate induction plate, suitable for the amateur as well as professionalTefal IH2018 induction hob Everyday, 6 preset programs, 9 heat settings automatic pan detection, 2,100 W (household goods) Small powerhouse for the amateur or semi photographersRPGT® background system white 2.8 x 3m with Background cloth White Screen 6 x 3 m Photo Light Stand Umbrella Complete Set (Electronics) Top-camera for ambitious amateur photographersNikon D5100 SLR Digital Camera (16 Megapixel, 7.5 cm (3 inches) swiveled and rotated monitor, Live View, Full HD video function) housing (electronics)