Nikon D90 review

The D90 is Nikon's replacement for the best-selling 10.2-megapixel D80, which was popular with imaging pros and enthusiasts alike.

As well as the inevitable increase in resolution to 12.3 megapixels, the D90 boasts many features seen on Nikon's recent and more pricey semi-pro level D300, while adding a few unique ones all of its own.

As well as the self-cleaning 12.3-megapixel Cmos sensor from the D300, the D90 sports the same ISO200-3200 sensitivity (ISO100-6400 with expansion), Live View and the identical 3in, 920,000-pixel LCD. Although you can just buy the D90's body, which may be handy if you're adding the camera to a Nikon system, Nikon has also added a new 18105mm kit lens (28-160mm equivalent). This may seem like a backward step compared with the popular 18-135mm option often bundled with the D80, but crucially the new DX lens adds optical image stabilisation to the package. While it lacks a focus scale and metal mount, build quality is much better than rival offerings.

Measuring 132 x 103 x 77mm, the D90 is the same size as the model it replaces. It weighs in at just 650g (1.1kg with the kit lens), while adding around 100g in total with the new lens. Given the plastic construction, the stubby 18-105mm is an excellent match for the D90 in size and weight, and both handles and balances well. However, while much of the technology comes from the D300, some compromises are inevitable.

As expected, the D90 lacks the hewn-from-stone metal build and weatherproof sealing of the semi-pro model. But other concessions originate from the inclusion of the 11-point Multi-cam 1000 AF system, initially developed for the earlier D200 and found on the D80. That said, we have no real concerns with it: focus operation and accuracy are at least as good, if not better, than similarly priced rivals. If we have a gripe, it's that the D90 lacks the external control of focus group settings, meaning any changes have to be made via the menu.

Although the D90 includes a decent Live View feature, with a new but somewhat gimmicky face-detection option, it's the quality of the viewfinder that impresses: it's both bright and expansive for a DX body. With Live View a standard feature now, it's perhaps unsurprising to see makers extend the capability to record video like a digital compact - the D90 is the world's first DSLR to capture short HD 720p video clips.

Although much is being made of the D90's video capability, it certainly feels like an add-on at this stage. Clips are saved as AVI (Motion Jpeg) format, are restricted to a maximum of 2GB and limited to a recording length of five minutes. Operation is pretty awkward, ergonomically, as video recording is initiated from the Live View mode by depressing the OK (cursor) button to rear, rather than the shutter release. And you can't adjust the aperture and, as such, depth of field, once capture begins.

Autofocus is disabled as well, although as you can focus manually, that isn't a serious shortcoming. If we have some slight concerns, it's that the internal mic easily picks up operating noise and the rolling shutter can produce vertical skewing of images, but picture quality is several notches above a compact and the larger sensor performs reasonably well in low light. Besides, it's not as if you would choose the D90 specifically for its video capability, but you might for its impressive stills.

As well as its class-leading speed of operation of up to 4.5fps for as many as 100 Jpegs or 11 Raw files, in single-shot mode the D90 is incredibly responsive. By and large, the picture quality isn't dissimilar to that of the superb D300, with excellent resolution and very good colour. However, we did notice some slight over-exposure at times (especially with the Active D-Lighting), leading to clipped highlights.