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Nikon D90 DX-Format CMOS DSLR Camera (Body Only) (OLD MODEL)

Based on 539 reviews
Condition: Used - Very Good
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At a glance

Condition
Used - Very Good
Model
D90
Screen size
3 in
Weight
620 g
Color
Black
Compatible Mountings
Nikon 1
Supported File Format
NEF (RAW), JPEG, NEF (RAW + JPEG)
Works with
Camera

Features 5

  • 12.3-megapixel DX-format CMOS imaging sensor
  • Body only; lenses sold separately
  • D-Movie Mode; Cinematic 24fps HD with sound
  • 3-inch super-density 920,000-dot color LCD monitor

Description

From the Manufacturer Fusing 12.3-megapixel image quality inherited from the award-winning D300 with groundbreaking features, the D90's breathtaking, low- noise image quality is further advanced with EXPEED image processing. Split- second shutter response and continuous shooting at up to 4.5 frames-per-second provide the power to capture fast action and precise moments perfectly, while Nikon's exclusive Scene Recognition System contributes to faster 11-area autofocus performance, finer white balance detection and more. The D90 delivers the control passionate photographers demand, utilizing comprehensive exposure functions and the intelligence of 3D Color Matrix Metering II. Stunning results come to life on a 3-inch 920,000-dot color LCD monitor, providing accurate image review, Live View composition and brilliant playback of the D90's cinematic-quality 24-fps HD D-Movie mode. Nikon D90 DX Digital SLR Highlights Nikon Digital SLR image qualityThe D90 incorporates a newly developed DX-format CMOS image sensor with technology directly inherited from the D300, Nikon's DX-format flagship. With its 12.3 effective megapixels and extraordinarily high signal-to-noise ratio, the D90 delivers low-noise images with detail and tonal gradation beyond your expectations, while Nikon's Integrated Dust Reduction System works to free image-degrading dust particles from the sensor's optical low-pass filter. Nikon's comprehensive EXPEED technology is engineered to make the most of the sensor's rich, 12.3-megapixel data. The result--color, detail and high-speed processing inspired by the groundbreaking D300. The D90's image-processing engine produces high- resolution pictures at remarkable speeds, better enabling high-speed continuous shooting. EXPEED also contributes to the outstanding performance of other powerful features, including Live View and the new Face Detection System. The D90 captures up to 4.5 images per second. Accurate 11-point autofocus is now even faster and more intelligent, aided by Nikon's exclusive Scene Recognition System. The unique Nikon 420-pixel 3D Color Matrix II Metering system, now enhanced by EXPEED image processing technologies, delivers extraordinary exposure accuracy -- immediately evident when reviewing images on the D90's super-density 3-inch 920,000-dot color LCD monitor. New D-Movie Mode Features 720p HD cinematic quality A new idea for D-SLRs, the D90 offers a movie function, allowing you to shoot movies in three different motion JPEG formats: 320 x 216 pixels, 640 x 424 pixels and 1,280 x 720 pixels. Now you can capture life's moving moments with added drama by using many of Nikon's NIKKOR lenses, including the AF DX Fisheye 10.5mm f/2.8G ED and the Micro-NIKKOR lenses. The shallow depth of field can give your movies a more creative and emotional impact. An additional benefit is the D90 image sensor, which is much larger than a typical camcorder for higher image quality and exceptional high ISO performance during low-light shooting. Continuous shooting as fast as 4.5 frames-per-second The D90 captures crucial moments thanks to its impressive 0.15-second start-up time, 65-millisecond shutter- release time lag (CIPA standard) and ability to shoot at 4.5 frames a second for up to 100 shots. Low noise ISO sensitivity from 200 to 3200 The D90 gives you the freedom to shoot in a remarkably wide variety of lighting conditions, including dimly lit scenes, without worrying about image-degrading noise. ISO can be raised as high as Hi 1 (ISO 6400 equivalent) or lowered to Lo 1 (ISO 100 equivalent). 3-inch super-density 920,000-dot color LCD monitor The D90's 3-in., approx. 920k-dot LCD monitor provides unprecedented quality of image display. A wide 170-degree viewing angle makes it easy to confirm focus after shooting or during Live View. Built-in image sensor cleaning Effective 4-frequency, ultrasonic sensor cleaning frees image degrading dust particles from the sensor's optical low pass filter. 11-point AF system with Face Priority Thanks to Multi-CAM 1000 autofocus module, the D90's 11-point AF system has fast and precise autofocus coverage across the frame with the most sensitive AF sensor operating from the center. In addition, the D90 has versatile AF-area modes to handle most shooting situations. The center focus point can be switched from normal to wide according to the movement of the subject. One-button Live View With the D90's Live View function, you can shoot effectively without looking through the viewfinder. Simply press dedicated Live View button for instant access. Three contrast-detect AF modes let you focus on any point in the frame. Nikon 3D Color Matrix Metering II with Scene Recognition System Nikon's renowned 420-pixel RGB 3D Color Matrix Metering II, teamed with the exclusive Scene Recognition System, evaluates images, referencing an on-board database of over 30,000 photographic scenes, for unmatched exposure accuracy. Advance Scene Modes When you're not sure which camera settings are appropriate, simply rely on the Advanced Scene Modes. Just turn the mode dial to the appropriate icon: Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Sports or Night Portrait. Unlike traditional scene modes, the D90 will automatically optimize the exposure, image processing, Active D-Lighting, and Picture Control to get the most out of your subject matter. What's more, the D90 has exceptional low-noise performance and accurately adjusts the camera settings whether VR (Vibration Reduction) is activated or not, so you can expect beautiful, crisp images, even in many low-light scenes. Auto Active D-Lighting Details in the shadows and highlighted areas of your photos are often lost when strong lighting increases the contrast between the bright and dark areas of your image. Nikon's unique Active D-Lighting technology accurately restores these important details by localizing tone control while you shoot. Choose from four levels, including the new Extra High. Active D-Lighting can be used manually or set to Auto mode. It is also possible to bracket your pictures to get one with Active D-Lighting and one without. Durable, high-precision shutter Reliability is not a luxury--it's a necessity. That's why Nikon subjected numerous D90 shutter mechanisms to grueling 100,000-cycle shutter-release tests with the unit fully assembled in the camera. Built-in, Pop-up Flash The D90 is equipped with Nikon's i-TTL flash control, renowned for consistently accurate and balanced flash exposures. The built-in flash has an 18mm lens coverage and works as a wireless commander, controlling up to two independent groups of an unlimited number of remote Speedlights and providing incredible creative lighting control--on location or in the studio. In-camera image editing Creative freedom stems from exclusive in-camera image editing, featuring Fisheye effect, Straighten and Distortion Control as well as D-Lighting, Red-eye Reduction, Image Overlay, Monochrome and more. HDMI Compatible You can enjoy both still images and movies shot with the D90 via HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) with the global- standard digital A/V signal transfer. HDMI Mini connector is employed. GPS geo-tagging The optional GP-1 GPS unit provides automatic real-time geo- tagging.What’s in the box: Nikon D90 SLR Digital Camera (Body Only), EN-EL3e Rechargeable Lithium-ion Battery, MH-18a Quick Charger, UC-E4 USB Cable, EG-D2 Audio/Video Cable, AN-DC1 Neck Strap, BM-10 LCD Monitor Cover, BF-1A Body Cap, DK-5 Eyepiece Cap, DK-21 Rubber Eyecup, BS-1 Accessory Shoe Cap, Nikon Software Suite CD-ROM, User Guides and 1-Year Nikon U.S.A. Warranty.

Specs 85

Compatible Mountings Nikon 1
Aspect Ratio 32
Photo Sensor Technology CMOS
Supported File Format NEF (RAW), JPEG, NEF (RAW + JPEG)
Image Stabilization Optical
Maximum Focal Length 10.5 centimeters
Optical Zoom 1 x
Maximum Aperture 3.5 millimeters

Frequently asked questions

If you place your order now, the estimated arrival date for this product is: Nov 10 – Nov 15

Yes, absolutely! You may return this product for a full refund within 30 days of receiving it.

To initiate a return, please visit our Returns Center.

View our full returns policy here.

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Top Amazon Reviews


Soon to be a great Legacy camera, making it a great value toaday!
Hello to all. I'll try not to duplicate what everyone covered excellently already. This cameras days I suspect are numbered making a terrific buy today. With the D5100 and the D7000, around both outstanding camera values. Even saw a 2 lens D5100 bundle at SAMs Club for only $899.00! I think the is a better buy today. Ok, then why did I go with the D90 then instead of the cameras mentioned above? The Legacy in the title says it. my older Nikon lenses have the requirement of the body autofocus lens drive. Meaning the lens itself does not have a motor in it at all. My prime f1.8 50mm for instance, and my 70-300mm. I don't want to buy newer glass. So with the D90, I can have my cake and eat it too. I wanted to get in on the CMOS imager here, my D200 and D40 which I love in direct sun and plentiful indoor light is a chromatic noise festival in lower light! It kept driving me nuts. Using noise reduction programs and losing detail. The D90 just doesn't have that problem. I agree with another reviewer here about usable images to 1600 ISO no problem at all. My D200 is way noisier at this range, my D40 a little better than my D200. Another big benefit is battery life. Outstanding battery life. After a full day of shooting, the battery was only a quarter used. I am wondering if the battery grip I ordered is really needed since the battery performance so outstanding. My D200 in contrast with battery grip would almost consumed both batteries! CMOS is so much more efficient than CCD. My D40 is better than my D200, but still really lags behind the D90 in battery life. It doesn't sound like a big deal, but having juice for that one shot, it is confidence inspiring knowing you'll get shot no problem. I am also a white balance and color nut. Most cameras have so so performance in this area around specific light like incandescent or fluorescent lighting. The D90 isn't perfect, but it pulls ahead of my D200 and D40 in accuracy. My long time favorite was my Olympus E10. Pitiful in just about anything vs. today, it just gets the color and white balnce so right. If I can take my sweet time, I still love using this old classic. The D90 is close, but I find a bit of tuning here and there with the comprehensively easy white balance setup along with bracketing, and I am a happy camper. It is in the everyday life this camera will supplant my other cameras. The polycarbonate body fits my hand and is well balanced. The controls so logical, I am at home really being already a Nikon fan since my first D70s. My brother uses that camera now and loves it. The D90 reminds me so much what I love about photography. Being there for the moment. Set it to auto, or program and compose and compose for that perfect image. Or go at it full manual. The command and sub command dials like my D70 make it just so easy. Shutter and aperture at your finger tips right now. Would have liked to have instant ISO control like my D200, but that Is no big deal. This camera is small enough almost like my D70 and D40, and light, unlike my D200, I can carry it all day with or without the battery grip with confidence. Outdoor shots in my woody environs or taking pictures of the balloons that fly by my place help me realize the relaxed and beautiful place I live and the D90 makes it so fun to share. everything about the D90 even the quirky movie mode is fine with me. I even had some fun with the rolling shutter malady and made my scary lousy short feature in HD. Making lemonade out of lemons I say. I do believe the D90 is a long term keeper for me. All the right metrics are here. 1. Ease of use due to control layout and intuitive menus. 2. Lens motor drive in body for your favorite non motor nikkor lenses. 3. Low light performance is the best I have had ever with usable images to 1600 or more ISO. 3. Light polycarbonate body is mostly all I need in day to day shooting. My Hee Man D200 soldiers on for more inclement conditions 4.battery life is outstanding. A full day shooting no problem with the D90 with a single stock battery. 5. Overall image quality and balance is great. I find myself more involved in composition than worrying about the D90 unlike my other Nikons. My Olympus E10 though a relic today, still gives me that confidence as long as I am not in a hurry. So overall the D90 delivers much, while sold at low prices today. If you have a need for a Nikon body that can do it all with built in lens drive for your non motor nikkor glass, the D90 will please no end and will meet or exceed your expectations. It did for me. Thank you your time. P.s. I realize that my review, more commentary is lacking the comprehensiveness of others. I just don' t want to cover again what already has been done so well. Though I did want to share because there are users that may have a similar situation and find the D7000 too dear, and the D5100 not an option. The D90 is the only new Nikon you can buy that for a short time I suspect meets those gates and much more. V.C. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2011 by VINCENT CHEN

The ultimate semi-pro or prosumer camera!
After reading recommendations here as well as heeding Ken Rockwell's advice, FINALLY, after several years of indecisiveness between the Nikon D80, D200 and D300, the D90 really stood out for price/performance - I made the plunge. I paired this D90 with the Nikon 18-200 mm lens and the Santechi LCD battery grip, as well as a Delkin silicone body skin and a B+W UV multi-coated filter as well as a Nikon SB-600 speedlight flash. Every part of the camera and lens is now fully protected. ( A slight bit of trimming on the Delkin skin was necessary, along the bottom of the skin, so I could put the LCD battery grip on. Delkin states you can't put a battery grip on with their skin. But if you trim a bit of the skin then it fits perfectly! So no worries there. Get the Delkin skin. It is well worth it!) As a complete unit, it functions beautifully. Speaking about just the camera here, it is ridiculously easy to use, very intuitive, a well thought out design, well balanced, with enough heft, yet light enough for all that it offers. The pictures rendered, and the bright, 3" LCD screen on the back of the camera makes it wonderful to use. The menus are thoughtfully laid out. As for the video mode, it works just fine with the Nikon 18-200 mm lens. Best used in video mode for fixed distance videoing. I vidoed my future son-in-law fishing waist deep in a local river. The video came out excellent. Remember, this is a camera first. Not a video cam. But having the video option is nice, as you have everything within one camera body. This camera is certainly worthy as a semi-pro entry; maybe even as a back-up camera to a Nikon D3 or D3X for a professional photographer. I think the D40 or the newer D5000 would be a better choice for light users who want a few more features than a simple point-and-shoot camera, but who have no intention of really delving into photography and learning all the terminology and techniques involved in lighting, exposure compensation, picture composition, etc. But, if you are serious about photography and want room to grow, or you are a photo enthusiast, semi-pro or pro, you would be hard pressed to find a camera with a better price/functionality point. I purchased my D90 through Amazon via J&R Music, as they had the best price and had the D90 in stock. I received the camera a day after the order was placed. In less than 2 weeks I had taken nearly 1700 shots. I have taken early dawn, early twilight, late night, portrait, nature, time exposures, double exposures, and sports photos in that time. It is nearly impossible to take a bad picture with this camera. It is easy and a pleasure to set up. Once you take the necessary time to learn the camera and all that it can do, you will understand what a joy it is to own this camera. I highly recommend visiting the KenRockwell.com site to become well-educated on photography in general as well as getting a crash course with a simple, no-nonsense approach regarding the workings of the D90 -- well beyond all the sometimes useless and verbose language the Nikon manual for the D90 employs. Bottom Line: The Nikon D90 is nearly impossible to beat right now for the price/function point. TIP: Invest in high quality lens/lenses as it/they will do more for you than the camera, as far as giving you quality pictures. Great pictures are more about proper lighting and exposure than the camera or the lens. Those things merely make it easier for getting that great shot. The photographer is responsible for the composition of the shot. Learn the proper way to compose and you will be well on your way to productive and enjoyable photography! ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2009 by C. Mann

Wow! is all I can say....
There are plenty of reviews out there, and I don't want to be redundant. So here are some helpful points that I had a hard time ferreting out when doing my research before pulling the trigger on this purchase, given that I was upgrading from a D60 and that I am, like many who are reading reviews on this product, not a professional: 1. I owned the D40, then the D60. So this is my third Nikon. I had trouble deciphering how my lenses, purchased for the D40/D60, would behave when used in this new model. The answer is that the D90 handles all of them perfectly. This includes lenses that have the HSM built in (the Hyper Sonic Motor is packaged in the lens, because the D40/D60 range doesn't have a built in auto-focus motor) as well as those with no internal motor. The D90 has an internal focus motor, so all lenses built for Nikon cameras will auto-focus, including the Nikon 50mm f1.8 lens that I had to manually focus in the D60. 2. The D90 is heavier, but certainly not uncomfortable to hold or carry. Weight will not be a discouraging factor in purchasing this camera. 3. The D90 takes different batteries, so any spares you have for the earlier models will not work on it. Battery life is truly outstanding. I am not even going to buy a spare battery. 4. The user interface is completely different from the D40/D60. I found it intuitive however. The functionality is just superb, much easier and more flexible. This is a pro level camera with the ease of use of a high end amateur camera. 5. Live view is a great enhancement. Really. Overall, there is nothing I can say negative about the D90. It's everything I was hoping it would be, and it's so worth the money to upgrade. I'm selling the D60 for half what I paid - and doing it gladly - because the D90 is worth more than it's being sold for. I absolutely highly recommend it. I also thought I would offer some lens advice, because I had trouble finding a reviewer that just cut to the chase and said "look, just do this." So, look, just do this: I do NOT recommend the kit lenses that you can obtain bundled with the D90. Get the body only, and buy yourself that Nikon 50mm f1.8 (Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras). It's a no-brainer at the price point, and the images I have already achieved have been just excellent. For the rest of your lenses, I highly recommend Sigma. I own the 18-200 (Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras), the 10-20 (Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras), and the 150-500 (Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 AF APO DG OS HSM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras). I cannot say enough positive things about the quality of the lenses or the images. Pack the 50mm and the 18-200 superlens for normal occasions. If you can stand the extra weight, you absolutely cannot go wrong with the 10-20 for landscapes, it just pulls in everything and the quality is shocking. The 150-500 is enormous, you are not going to want to carry that thing around, but when you need it, you really need it. I captured images of my son playing in a soccer game that blew me away; could not have gotten the shots without the big lens. Get the lenses in the order I have specified if you cannot afford them all. I have just learned all this over the past 2 years. I am no expert but I have discovered the joy of capturing great images that you just cannot get from a point-and-shoot. I think once you see the quality you can achieve with a better camera, you will be thrilled with the decision to spend the money and the energy. And Nikon has truly produced the best camera at this price point in the world. It's a pro camera with an amateur price and it's very easy to use. Words really don't do it justice; you need to experience it to understand. Any questions, please send me a comment. Happy to help! Update - 16 Jul 2009: I have now taken well over 4,000 images with the D90 and can confirm that it's still all I had hoped it would be. Every time I think of something I wish I could adjust, I find that the D90 has the adjustment capability in the menu somewhere. The active D-lighting is spectacular. The noiseless photos in low-light conditions have blown me away. I don't see myself upgrading from this camera for a very long time. My technique for most situations has become as follows: snap a few images using the Auto settings. Then switch to full manual and start playing with the depth of field by adjusting ISO, aperture, and shutter speed to fit the situation. Half the time, the Auto photos are so good that I can't do much to top them in manual mode! Update - 20 Jan 2010: Over 10,000 photos taken with my D90. No new lenses purchased since last update. I have yet to find a situation the D90 cannot handle deftly. Over Christmas, I took a family photo of my wife's entire extended family, over 40 people involved. It was indoors, at night, with only weak overhead lights and the lights from the Christmas tree behind the group. I used an ISO of 3500, my small Nikon 50mm lens at 1.8 aperture, and my remote control (so I could be in the photo too!) Under these low light conditions, with no flash, I was able to capture 50 images in a very short time, and miraculously got several with everyone smiling and no one blinking, and out of these one was perfect! The group included several young kids who hate standing still, to name one challenge! The output was startling; in the natural light, its almost ethereal. I'm the new family hero. The reality is that this single photo is irreplaceable and worth more than the camera and lens. It could not have been accomplished with a lesser camera/lens combination, including the previous Nikons I have owned. I would venture to say that no other camera in the price range could touch what I did with the D90 in this situation. Over and over, the camera proves its worth to me. In the end, what is one fabulous photograph of your child, your vacation, or your life's important events worth? Update - 27 April 2010: I noticed that I forgot to mention another very useful addition to the D90 - the remote control. This device allows you to remotely trigger the shutter and I find I use it for group shots much more often than the timer, especially because I can trigger multiple shots without returning to the camera. It's very inexpensive and small (I keep it in the little pouch that it comes with, threaded into the strap, so it's always there when I need it.) Here is the item: Nikon ML-L3 Wireless Remote Control for Nikon D40, D40x, D60, D80 & D90 Digital SLR Cameras. Highly recommended! Update - 13 May 2010: My D90 was stolen two weeks ago. What a bummer. Anyhow, I decided to upgrade to the D700, but not because there's anything wrong with the D90. I loved it. The D700 has the FX size sensor, whereas the D90 has the DX size sensor, which is smaller. The real benefit of the FX sensor is better sensitivity, meaning higher shutter speeds at a given aperture. Of course, the D700 is more sophisticated in nearly every way, but it's also heavier and more complex to operate. It's also over $2,000 for the body only. I sprang for it. But even so, after considering carefully all the current offerings, my conclusion is that for the money, there is still no better camera than the D90. Update - 15 Feb 2011: I highly recommend Thom Hogan's "Complete Guide" series for the Nikon D90 (and for any other Nikons). I bought the one for the D700 and it's just incredibly useful, way more easy to understand and more thorough than the Nikon documentation. It's really essential reading; you get the why, not just the how, and practical advice on settings you should use for different situations. Thom really helped me understand why it's worth shooting in RAW (I now onluy shoot in RAW), and what tradeoffs are worth making and when (ISO vs shutter speed vs aperture). You can only get them off his website so google it. bythom dot com is the address BTW. (I don't know the guy and am not getting a kickback, I swear!!!!) Also, I'm really enjoying having a good quality wide angle zoom, anyone who hasn't obtained one yet for their setup, I think you ought to look into it closely. I find myself using it more and more. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on November 29, 2008 by Earl E. A. Dopter

Almost perfect
I was a long time Nikon D50 user who decided to upgrade to the D90. The first camera body I received had a clear front-focusing problem (everything shot at a distance of more than a few feet was blurry/OOF). I returned that camera body using Amazon's excellent customer service, and received a new camera body within 2 days. The new body did not have the same front focusing issue, but after reading a lot of reviews AFTER purchasing, it seems a lot of D90's came out of the factory improperly calibrated, and even Nikon's customer service was telling people, it's faster to exchange it than send it to use for calibration. All that said, the working D90 is great. The LCD screen is awesome. The two command dials take some getting used to but are great. I love that there are more option buttons on the camera body so more settings can be changed without going into the menus. Lots of menu options. One option I also learned about after the fact explained the SOOC (straight out of the camera) softness. I was very frustrated after a week or two that I seemingly could no longer take a sharp picture. The D90's default sharpness setting is set low (in custom settings), resulting in an apparent softness SOOC. The setting is designed for working in post-processing the image for sharpness, etc. However if you don't post-process every image, it does leave you with an overall soft feeling of your images. The setting can easily be changed in camera to compensate; when I changed my setting I experienced tremendous improvement in the SOOC sharpness of my images. I'm still learning the camera, but overall have been very happy with it so far. I love the high ISO capabilities (there's still visible noise at higher ISO's, but it's great to be able to take pictures without a flash in lower light than with the D50) and the mulitiple focus points (there are 11). All in all, a great camera for more than an entry level dSLR. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2009 by Danielle L. Roe

Amazing Camera
I have been an avid photographer since the early 1980s. In that time I have seen a spread of photographic technology that ranges from silly (1980s Kodak Disk Camera anyone?) to sublime. The D90 stands almost completely on the latter description. I use this body with 3 lenses usually - a wide-angle zoom, a telephoto zoom, and a 50mm primary. Image quality is truly limited only to the photographer's skill, available imagery, and lens quality. As an advanced 'prosumer' I generally shoot in either Program mode, Aperature Priority mode, or full Manual mode. The controls are intuitive and fast, allowing for fine-tune adjustments without significant delay. The built-in Creative Lighting System flash master is ingenious - I have used the wireless remote flash option (CLS flash sold separately) for a number of shoots to get wonderful results that the paltry built-in flash could never achieve. Indeed, the flash is one of my few complaints on this camera: It is poorly controlled with the iTTL system - it either shoots too sharply or its power is so low that night shots are sketchy. Definately get a 'real' flash - it is worth the money! The second complaint I had was the rear LCD monitor - under the 30-day warranty it quit working, showing only b&w lines across the screen. It is disappointing that anything would break in the first 30-days like that, but I guess that's what new warranties are for. Before it malfunctioned it worked beautifully though - excellent image rendition and the colors were magnificent. The third area is the gimmicky video mode. I have used lower-quality digital cameras with much better video modes, but then again I really have no intention to use the D90 as a video cam so who cares anyway! The last quality area I was disappointed in is the video output to HD-TV. The images were mediocre at best when shown on TV - to the extent that I thought I shot the entire display out-of-focus and over-exposed! Alas, printed on paper the images were as-expected so I think the translation to TV was the issue. But for everything that matters on a D-SLR, this camera records phenomenal images - including very large prints, flawlessly reproduces color, works well in low-light conditions, is simple enough for a novice to use (just put into 'Auto' and shoot away), and sophisticated enough for an experienced photographer to truly enjoy. ...btw, I forgot to comment on the Live View: I have found that this is a useful tool for those times where you want to capture a great image but just can't get it by squinting through the traditional viewfinder. I sometimes catch a shot of bridge architecture or a sunset while driving when I can't safely stop (not that photography at 70mph is safe either...) by using the Live View. First, I set the focus to manual and focus to infinity (autofocus is not happy in LV at car speeds for some strange reason). :) Then I just point and shoot a handful to review later! Update 2/27/09... I received my warranty replacement a few days ago and everything works like a charm. Color consistency between the two cameras is perfect - even when changing the various White Balance settings and comparing the results. I expect that this camera will be a strong tool for quite some time to come - so assume that no further updates is a good thing! :) Update 10/18/2010... I have been using this camera for over 18 months and for literally tens of thousands of images. I have not found a single situation where this camera performs poorly beyond those listed above. It has been used on windy beaches with no sand to be found inside the lens/body junction. One quirk I'm actually pleasantly surprised about is that the Auto mode actually takes better day-to-day shots than I do in Program mode. The camera's computer catches minor lighting issues my eye misses through the viewfinder when I'm just out shooting. The manual and program modes are still invaluable for more tricky shooting (very low-light, artistic rendering, extreme lighting variations such as found at sunset, depth-of-field manipulation, long telephoto usage, etc). Would I buy this product again? Absolutely. Would I pay new, full price for this product again? Absolutely. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2009 by Lee

it's a gamble. but the return policy seems solid.
This item was used and a fairly hi shutter count. but shutter jammed right out of the box, not a few weeks or days. the cute little orgami thing was nice, it kinda clashed with the immediate failure.
Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2026 by troy tate

An excellent addition to the Nikon line
First, a disclaimer. I have used Nikon cameras and lenses exclusively for the last 40 years. My father, a professional/technical photographer, used them from WWII until his death in the 1980s. That being said, I have no connection with Nikon except as a customer and have never received compensation of any kind from Nikon. I'm not a Nikon fanboi...er...fangeezer although I have a closet full of Nikkors that pretty much lock me into that brand. This is a dynamite camera! I base that conclusion on several thousand pictures taken with the D90. I'm not going to take readers' time reciting all the features and specs that have been more than amply discussed in other reviews and in the online photographic literature. Instead, I will review a few practical considerations that often are omitted by others. 1. The camera feels good in the hand. It is heavy enough to be stable yet not so heavy that it becomes a burden in a long day of shooting. The grip works well for large hands like mine as well as the small hands of my nieces and nephews. And the 3" LCD on the back is gorgeous. These tend to be sniffed at by experienced SLR users but I've learned to love it. 2. The camera is easy to use--for a DSLR. Like any serious camera, it requires study and practice to master the controls so that one can access the desired functions quickly. This is NOT a P&S and probably is not the best choice for the technologically inept although there is an auto function for beginners that will produce perfectly fine snapshots. More importantly, as the learner progresses, or for the experienced photographer, there are a very large number of readily accessible settings that have been described at length by others. The bottom line is that some excellent human engineering has gone into making the D90 just about as functionally efficient as any DSLR in the market. 3. The build quality is excellent. To be sure, it has a plastic body over a magnesium chassis but the materials are solid and the fit and finish are very nicely done. Nothing, with the possible exception of the door for access to the SDHC card, is lightweight, fragile, or flimsy. Durability and reliability should not be issues unless one is going to take thousands of pictures under adverse weather or rough handling conditions. I have noticed a number of experienced professionals using the D90, usually as secondary but sometimes as primary. 4. The D90 is far more capable than most of the owners who will use it--including me! An individual who really needs more image/camera control than the D90 provides is very likely a pro who will choose a much more expensive model, anyway. In other words, don't worry about outgrowing the camera; you won't. 5. I don't do video so I offer no personal opinions here except to note that within another year or so HD video will probably be available on virtually all DSLRs. I understand that the video capabilities of the D90 are kludgy in some respects, particularly with regard to the lack of autofocus, but I'll leave that for others to discuss. 6. This is the question I'm asked most often: "I have a (D60, D70, Digital Rebel, EOS-whatsit, or you-fill-in). Should I trade it for the D90?" If pride of possession is important, and you can't afford a pro model, then yes. If you are a technogeek who loves to tinker with camera controls, decide whether the new ones on the D90 are a lot more exciting than on your existing camera. If the twiddle factor is high, then yes. If you are unsatisfied with the quality of your pictures then ask yourself the hard question: Is the problem with me or with the camera? As Ken Rockwell has said ad infinitum, the photographer makes the great image, not the camera. If you have the skills and truly are inhibited by the limitations of your current camera, then yes. If the bottom line is cockpit trouble, then no, grow into what you have before you move on. At any given price point, Nikon DSLRs have only one serious competitor, Canon. All the others are basically also-rans. That is just a personal opinion so please don't write nasty comments about how dare I say that. Are Nikons better than Canons or vice versa? Frankly, I don't think there is enough difference in quality to worry about for two seconds. When I hear or read passionate advocacy for one brand over the other, I tend to suspect testosterone deficiency. Try both; choose the one you like better. Just keep in mind that as you accumulate glass it is going to become more and more expensive to change from one to the other. If you select the D90, I think you'll be thrilled with it. I am...and I'm pretty hard to thrill. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2009 by Maxwell Johnson

Great Camera for Under $1000.00
I have owned this camera for over a year and have taken thousands of pictures. I bought my first digital camera back in 1997: a Sony with a floppy drive storage. Boy have we come a long way! When I compare this camera to some of the full frame models like the Nikon D3 and the upper end Canon models, the D90 holds its own considering the other cameras cost over $6000 more! I know the D3 has twice the pixel count (24.5mp to 12.4mp) but the only time the human eye (at least mine) can see a difference is when the picture is blown up to poster size or major cropping takes place. The D3 also has a faster continuous shooting speed of 9 frames per second (fps) to 4.5 fps for the D90. While this gives a definite advantage to the D3 in shooting fast moving sports activities, 4.5 fps is still pretty fast. The "quality" ISO setting is double the D90 but I find ISO 3200 on the D90 more than adequate and rarely use that. Finally the D3 is a full frame camera giving it an advantage when shooting with a wide angle lens. Of course you could argue the D90 has an advantage in the telephoto end since it extends the focal length. Don't get me wrong, I am not bad-mouthing the D3: it is a fine camera. My point is the D90 has virtually all the features the D3 has except the ones I previously mentioned and you can take the $6000 you save and can spend that on top quality lenses. So, what do I like about the D90? Well my "Top 10" (in no particular order): 1) Beautiful large high resolution LCD display 2) Movie mode: great for spur of the moment video capture 3) D-lighting 4) Button layout and quick access to changing parameters (rarely go into menu when shooting) 5) Live view: I like to manually adjust white balance and you can see the effect in Live View mode as adjustments are made 6) In camera editing functions 7) Info button: when depressed shows virtually all settings in shooting mode and allows key changes to be made when pressed twice 8) Ability to use Nikkor lenses (especially the fast 50mm 1.8) 9) Price ++++ 10) Last, but not least, the beautiful pictures! If you are wondering if I spent the $6000 I saved by choosing the D90 over the D3, the answer is no. I did buy the Nikon 18mm-200mm VR lens ($650), the Nikon 50mm 1.8 lens ($125) (might just be the best Nikon lens ever made on a dollar for dollar basis) and the Sigma 70mm - 300mm zoom ($200). I am about to purchase the Sigma 150mm 2.8 macro ($729). If you check out the reviews here on Amazon for that lens, you will get an idea why I am buying it. I can hardly wait to start shooting in macro mode with that lens. So my total expenditure on lenses will be less than $1800. Lastly, if you are thinking of buying this camera, I can strongly recommend it and also recommend you consider buying it through Amazon. Their replacement policy and support is great. They make it easy to return a product which I have on a couple of occasions and it couldn't have been easier! ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on March 31, 2010 by Dick Ellis
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