I know, I should always expect as soon as I buy some cool gadget I should expect it to be outdated in within a few months. I just bought the D60 but would have waited if I'd known about the D90. I'm not a professional photographer so i would love the HD video option. Oh well, still waiting for the review from dpreview. At least it will give it some time to drop in price once the demand for it cools down.
I think what's most interesting about the video capabilities is the back door. It has HDMI out and although this is for a viewing use I believe it does 1080 although there is not much info out there. An Intensity from Blackmagic can capture output from HDMI.
Might be the best way, it is for quite a few devices.
It's nice to see Nikon is launching SONY's Alpha 700 i bought in Circuit City months ago. Now people with NIKON lenses can enjoy the spead and in body image stabilizer.
I wonder how good that video recording works... There are very few things that are needed to make a great camcorder.
Is it comfortable to hold and point around while looking at the LCD at the same time?
Can you easily pause and resume recording?
Can you easily change optical zoom while recording?
Do the image stabilization, auto-focus and auto-whatnot features work well in video mode?
1080p would have been so great to have... and I'm sure it will come to other models in a couple of years. But the above factors are certainly more important than resolution and if they got those right, I am definitely buying it.
I have never ever had a camera before, so I guess a point-and-shoot one for photos and a normal camcorder for video would be much easier for me. Still the possibility to get the two in one package is interesting.
Optical zoom will obviously work (assuming you have a zoom lens attached) as it is mechanical in the lens. It might introduce shakiness in the image depending on how smooth the twist action is for the zoom ring. I'd assume autofocus works, but is of the contrast detect variety, so who knows how fast it will be. The article says image stabilization works on movies. If you are looking at it primarily as a camcorder, I'd imagine there are better options.
I've sold my D80 for almost a grand in April anticipating this camera. I've bought a Canon XSI and almost got a D300, but it was definetly worth the wait. It has everything anticipated and much more. Live view is what I wanted the most and it even has a VGA screen to make the most of it. HD video recording was a big surprise, and a very welcome feature. Lot of people will scruff at it, but seriously, it's a free HD camcorder built in. How many camcorders have you seen with such a large sensor and INTERCHANGEABLE lenses? What, you have the RED1 which is like a couple grand. Yeah i thought so. When live view was introduced for SLR everyone said it was useless, but i've found it to be invaluable for all but action and sport shots. Face detect on an SLR? Very interesting, hopefully not as useless as on compacts. This has got to be the biggest jump in an SLR in a very long time unlike the tiny hops we've seen in the D70-D80, 30D-50D. Bravo Nikon.
So... just to be fair to all competitors in the DSLR market, after posting the Canon press release with some photos, you're doing the same with the new Nikon?
I have been posting DSLR Press releases or comments from Press Announcements for months now. DSLR makers announce their new models weeks to months before they are available in the market. DailyTech often catches the rumors of the new models but they do not always provide the in-depth announcement of the new DSLR models, or the extra pictures provided by manufacturers to reviewers.
Since the new models are often the source of many rumors the Press release normally answers a lot of questions abot the specifications and features for those who are interested. With Canon and Nikon new model announcements and a more detailed Field review and images from the Olympus E-520 all published in the last few days there should be something for most everyone.
Now if we could just get the Press Release for the Canon 5D Mk II (or 7D or whatever the new full-frame is called) and the Sony A900 (24 megapixel full-frame) we would have most of the big gun announcements expected at Photokina. There are also some rumors of a Pentax full-frame for Photokina which come and go.
Maybe I'm in the minority. I just think this should be a DailyTech article, and when you get your hands on a camera, you can do a full prerelease review on AnandTech. I'm not used to seeing full press releases about new CPUs, GPU, chipsets, monitors, or cases, for example, as articles on AnandTech.
The Canon cover is built in. Should you break it, costs about $15 and takes about 3 minutes to replace. So handy in that it can't be lost, but a problem if you break them often.
I definitely going to give this camera a hard look when it comes out. The kit lens it comes with will probably be a good deal for the price (VRII & ultra zoom) but just don't expect it to rival nikon pro lenses in image quality and its a relatively slow lens. The LCD is very nice it seems. I love the dust reduction thing. It won't totally eliminate dust but it should help. They did come out with some features i REALLY don't care about. Like the video feature. A SLR is made to take pictures. If i want video then i will get a video camera. I'm also not big on "live view (eventhough it seems like most cameras have it now).
Here is what its missing that i think it SHOULD have. First is an integrated GPS. it kind of sucks you have to buy it as an accessory and what if you want to use the external fill flash at the same time? I want VR built into the body like sony does on their alpha lines. Yes VR in the body is not as good as VR on the lenses but it definitly helps. So for things you need that "Extra" bit of reduction that a lens would give you then get a VR lens but VR in the body would help with every lens you have. This is one of the biggest features i really wanted but instead they add things like video that most serious photographers really don't care about. The focusing system is kind of a bummer too. The center focus point is the only one that has dual light sensors in it (vertical and horizontal). This means all the other focusing points will have poorer low light performance. You will have to step up to the D300 for that.
Ya i'm definitly going to give this a camera a hard look after it comes out and has some through reviews (dpreview). I'm curious how the image quality compares to the D300. I also will look to see if the price of the D300/D700 drops that much. The d700 might drop if canon comes out with a new version of the 5D at photokina next month. D700 is actually my dream camera body because of the full format sensor but its out of my price range at the moment.
While including a movie mode isn't the greatest thing ever, the fact that this is a 24FPS 720P movie mode is certainly impressive. I do on occasion like to record a video of something, and cell phone cameras absolutely suck while even the better P&S cameras leave a lot to be desired in recording video. How does everything else work? Well, I'm in no rush to upgrade DSLRs anyway - still using an XTi.
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xeroshadow - Sunday, September 14, 2008 - link
I know, I should always expect as soon as I buy some cool gadget I should expect it to be outdated in within a few months. I just bought the D60 but would have waited if I'd known about the D90. I'm not a professional photographer so i would love the HD video option. Oh well, still waiting for the review from dpreview. At least it will give it some time to drop in price once the demand for it cools down.PenGun - Sunday, September 7, 2008 - link
I think what's most interesting about the video capabilities is the back door. It has HDMI out and although this is for a viewing use I believe it does 1080 although there is not much info out there. An Intensity from Blackmagic can capture output from HDMI.Might be the best way, it is for quite a few devices.
Rupan3 - Monday, September 1, 2008 - link
It's nice to see Nikon is launching SONY's Alpha 700 i bought in Circuit City months ago. Now people with NIKON lenses can enjoy the spead and in body image stabilizer.Visual - Thursday, August 28, 2008 - link
I wonder how good that video recording works... There are very few things that are needed to make a great camcorder.Is it comfortable to hold and point around while looking at the LCD at the same time?
Can you easily pause and resume recording?
Can you easily change optical zoom while recording?
Do the image stabilization, auto-focus and auto-whatnot features work well in video mode?
1080p would have been so great to have... and I'm sure it will come to other models in a couple of years. But the above factors are certainly more important than resolution and if they got those right, I am definitely buying it.
I have never ever had a camera before, so I guess a point-and-shoot one for photos and a normal camcorder for video would be much easier for me. Still the possibility to get the two in one package is interesting.
strikeback03 - Thursday, August 28, 2008 - link
Optical zoom will obviously work (assuming you have a zoom lens attached) as it is mechanical in the lens. It might introduce shakiness in the image depending on how smooth the twist action is for the zoom ring. I'd assume autofocus works, but is of the contrast detect variety, so who knows how fast it will be. The article says image stabilization works on movies. If you are looking at it primarily as a camcorder, I'd imagine there are better options.RemingtonSteele - Thursday, August 28, 2008 - link
You have the base price at $399. I believe that should read $999.RemingtonSteele - Thursday, August 28, 2008 - link
Oops, that would be the price of the lens, not the base camera. :PHexiumVII - Wednesday, August 27, 2008 - link
I've sold my D80 for almost a grand in April anticipating this camera. I've bought a Canon XSI and almost got a D300, but it was definetly worth the wait. It has everything anticipated and much more. Live view is what I wanted the most and it even has a VGA screen to make the most of it. HD video recording was a big surprise, and a very welcome feature. Lot of people will scruff at it, but seriously, it's a free HD camcorder built in. How many camcorders have you seen with such a large sensor and INTERCHANGEABLE lenses? What, you have the RED1 which is like a couple grand. Yeah i thought so. When live view was introduced for SLR everyone said it was useless, but i've found it to be invaluable for all but action and sport shots. Face detect on an SLR? Very interesting, hopefully not as useless as on compacts. This has got to be the biggest jump in an SLR in a very long time unlike the tiny hops we've seen in the D70-D80, 30D-50D. Bravo Nikon.yyrkoon - Wednesday, August 27, 2008 - link
Yet another MP increase on a mid level camera(in the last week), but no mention of Dynamic Range ?Hell Nikon, Canon, whoever, give me a camera that is hand crank operated but increase Dynamic Range damnit !
You would think they would learn to listne to their customers . . .
n4bby - Wednesday, August 27, 2008 - link
for including a brief intro this time.Lord 666 - Wednesday, August 27, 2008 - link
Wes,Is this D90 going to be a Top or Best seller for Nikon? ;)
foolsgambit11 - Wednesday, August 27, 2008 - link
So... just to be fair to all competitors in the DSLR market, after posting the Canon press release with some photos, you're doing the same with the new Nikon?Wesley Fink - Wednesday, August 27, 2008 - link
I have been posting DSLR Press releases or comments from Press Announcements for months now. DSLR makers announce their new models weeks to months before they are available in the market. DailyTech often catches the rumors of the new models but they do not always provide the in-depth announcement of the new DSLR models, or the extra pictures provided by manufacturers to reviewers.Since the new models are often the source of many rumors the Press release normally answers a lot of questions abot the specifications and features for those who are interested. With Canon and Nikon new model announcements and a more detailed Field review and images from the Olympus E-520 all published in the last few days there should be something for most everyone.
Now if we could just get the Press Release for the Canon 5D Mk II (or 7D or whatever the new full-frame is called) and the Sony A900 (24 megapixel full-frame) we would have most of the big gun announcements expected at Photokina. There are also some rumors of a Pentax full-frame for Photokina which come and go.
foolsgambit11 - Thursday, August 28, 2008 - link
Maybe I'm in the minority. I just think this should be a DailyTech article, and when you get your hands on a camera, you can do a full prerelease review on AnandTech. I'm not used to seeing full press releases about new CPUs, GPU, chipsets, monitors, or cases, for example, as articles on AnandTech.Or maybe I'm just not paying enough attention.
Lord 666 - Wednesday, August 27, 2008 - link
I'm curious why Wes included a picture of the LCD protective cover.Wesley Fink - Wednesday, August 27, 2008 - link
Just to let you know the LCD cover is STILL included in the D90 package :)Nikon still provides them for free, Canon doesn't provide one, and Sony will sell you one.
strikeback03 - Thursday, August 28, 2008 - link
The Canon cover is built in. Should you break it, costs about $15 and takes about 3 minutes to replace. So handy in that it can't be lost, but a problem if you break them often.ncage - Wednesday, August 27, 2008 - link
I definitely going to give this camera a hard look when it comes out. The kit lens it comes with will probably be a good deal for the price (VRII & ultra zoom) but just don't expect it to rival nikon pro lenses in image quality and its a relatively slow lens. The LCD is very nice it seems. I love the dust reduction thing. It won't totally eliminate dust but it should help. They did come out with some features i REALLY don't care about. Like the video feature. A SLR is made to take pictures. If i want video then i will get a video camera. I'm also not big on "live view (eventhough it seems like most cameras have it now).Here is what its missing that i think it SHOULD have. First is an integrated GPS. it kind of sucks you have to buy it as an accessory and what if you want to use the external fill flash at the same time? I want VR built into the body like sony does on their alpha lines. Yes VR in the body is not as good as VR on the lenses but it definitly helps. So for things you need that "Extra" bit of reduction that a lens would give you then get a VR lens but VR in the body would help with every lens you have. This is one of the biggest features i really wanted but instead they add things like video that most serious photographers really don't care about. The focusing system is kind of a bummer too. The center focus point is the only one that has dual light sensors in it (vertical and horizontal). This means all the other focusing points will have poorer low light performance. You will have to step up to the D300 for that.
Ya i'm definitly going to give this a camera a hard look after it comes out and has some through reviews (dpreview). I'm curious how the image quality compares to the D300. I also will look to see if the price of the D300/D700 drops that much. The d700 might drop if canon comes out with a new version of the 5D at photokina next month. D700 is actually my dream camera body because of the full format sensor but its out of my price range at the moment.
Ncage
JarredWalton - Wednesday, August 27, 2008 - link
While including a movie mode isn't the greatest thing ever, the fact that this is a 24FPS 720P movie mode is certainly impressive. I do on occasion like to record a video of something, and cell phone cameras absolutely suck while even the better P&S cameras leave a lot to be desired in recording video. How does everything else work? Well, I'm in no rush to upgrade DSLRs anyway - still using an XTi.