Nikon D90 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I am far from a professional photographer, but I take it as seriously as possible while still referring to it as a hobby. I take mostly pictures of people at events and many of my baby son without flash in low light situations.
I had been using a Nikon D40x for 1 year and very early reached my limitation with that camera. The Nikon D40x has very nice image quality, but the camera's interface is not suited for a more serious shooter who wants quick single button or dial access to such shooting parameters such as white balance, shooting mode, metering mode, etc. I also felt very limited by the D40x not having an in-body focus motor that would allow me to use non AF-I/AF-S lenses (which are lenses without the focus motor built-in).
The Nikon D40x limitations were severe enough that I was about to consider purchasing a Canon 40D until the Nikon D90 appeared just in time. PROS:
1. Fantastic set of separate buttons on the camera to control parameters like ISO, white balance, metering, autofocus, image quality, shooting mode, etc.
2. Two command dials
3. High resolution 920K pixel LCD screen (like the one on the Nikon D300)
4. 12.3 megapixel CMOS sensor
5. Low noise high ISO capability (for low light shooting) I can shoot ISO 1600 with good image quality with this camera, while on my D40x I could only shoot with ISO 400 and obtain acceptable IQ. I will even use ISO 3200 frequently with very usable results!
6. Separate top-viewing LCD screen in addition to the rear high res screen, to show shooting parameters constantly
7. In-body focus motor which allows the use of Nikon's non AF-I/S lenses, including wonderful and CHEAP prime lenses such as the Nikkor 50mm 1.8 (~$100 lens!)
8. Continuous shooting of 4.5 frames per second
9. Small size, although larger than the D40/D40x/D60, it is still substantially smaller in the hand than the D300/D3
10. 720p 24fps MPEG video shooting capability with incredible ability to use depth of field that I cannot achieve with my Sony High-Def camcorder.
11. Eleven auto-focus points (not as nice as the 51 points on the D300, but substantially better than my D40x with its 3 points)
12. GPS option
13. HDMI output
14. Enormous number of options to customize camera and shooting settings to fit your style of shooting
15. Fantastic image quality right out-of-box if you don't want to do any post processing
16. Terrific build quality
17. Top notch camera ergonomics (but this will be a very personal opinion that differs for each shooter)CONS:
1. "Rolling shutter" phenomenon while recording video: The D90 CMOS sensor has the same problem that other CMOS video recorders have when recording video. If you move the camera, especially horizontally, you get a "jelly" or "rubberbanding" effect where the image wobbles significantly. It is nice to have the video features, which looks very sharp at 720p, but it is NOT a substitute for a video camera. If you use a tripod, and do not do quick zooms/pans, the video quality is excellent. Without a tripod, however, you may get nauseous watching a wobbly video. The sound is also in monoaural.
2. 1/200 flash synch: Not a problem for me, but it might be for you.
3. No weather sealing: This is found on the Nikon D300/D3 and even on similarly priced models from other camera companies
4. The buffer will fill up after about 8 continuous RAW + JPG (FINE) shots. This number differs depending on the shooting parameters that you will choose. If you shoot primarily JPG, the buffer seems to allow a very large number of continuous shots, but I have not quantified this for JPG only.TIPS:
1. Get the FREE Nikon ViewNX software from Nikon's site as your 1st step in your workflow. This will let you examine your RAW images that you can process for either Nikon CaptureNX2 to do further RAW processing or just export to JPG or TIFF for a JPG/TIFF editor such as PhotoShop.
2. Recommend buying the Nikon CaptureNX2. It is a RAW converter (if you shoot in RAW) that will read the camera settings properly for export to JPG or TIFF. Capture NX2, however, is not as slick as the Adobe products and Capture NX2 requires a fairly powerful computer, otherwise it can run pretty slowly on a PC > 3 years old.
3. If you use JPEGs out-of-camera, consider increasing the sharpness above the default 3 or 4. Nikon uses a very conservative sharpening default setting. Nikon has also decided to change the default JPEG images to match the higher end D3/D700/D300 cameras which produce more neutral images. Consequently, the D90 images that are less punchy than the D40/D40x/D60/D80, so you may also want to turn up the in-camera saturation and contrast.The Nikon D90 has all of the interface features that serious and even professional photographers need with wonderful image quality.

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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.

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Nikon GP-1 GPS Unit for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras Review

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(More customer reviews)Picked this up for my wife for our current trip to Hong Kong and Vietnam (we're in Vietnam at the moment) and I just couldn't wait to get back to write this review.
The good:
- It adds GPS data to your photos.
- 3 indicators of GPS quality (red, flashing green - accurate, solid green - most accurate).
The bad:
- The sync time is so bad as to make this unusable. It takes minutes to sync, even outside. Get a full "solid green" sync, power off the unit, power it back on and it can take several minutes to sync.
- It only works outdoors. And by outdoors I mean a completely unobstructed view of the skies. Don't hold your hand over it, not in a car, train, bus or standing just inside a window or under a tree - outside straight up to the stars.
- Popup flash does not work when the GPS unit is attached to the hot shoe (not enough clearance for it to rise).
Our experience:
The very first thing you'll do is disable AF-S auto enable/disable meaning that GPS unit will always draw power even when the camera is on and you're not shooting. Why? Because if it's auto on/off with AF-S, it will turn on and off constantly, never syncing up.
The very second thing you'll do is stop turning your camera on and off when you're not shooting. My wife had to train herself to negate one of her favourite things about D-SLRs - instant on/off, because every time she powered off the body, it would take forever to re-sync when she wanted another quick snapshot a few minutes later. And this was outside! Be prepared to bring extra batteries (my wife and I have 4 among our two bodies).
I'm eBay'ing this as soon as we get home. HUGE disappointment.
Somehow every cell phone in existence can get GPS inside of a house and car, yet this dedicated $200 device which costs the same or more than some cellphones with GPS (like the iPhone) can't do its one thing well. Color us disappointed :-(
Please, don't reward Nikon by buying this. It's terrible.

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Geotag (image positioning information of pictures such as latitude, longitude [Geodetic System WGS84]) can be added to the image. Correlation between pictures and maps is supported by GPS function in conjunction with ViewNX version 1.2 software (no-charge download) and my Picturetown.

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Nikon 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR ED Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras Review

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(More customer reviews)If you take photographs for fun then this is a great lens. I am using it on the ultimate fun camera, a Nikon D40 and the lens completes it very well. I usually don't analyse things to death like photographing text from a Newspaper or grid patterns to measure sharpness or distortion. I just use it to take pictures and observe the results like a normal person would. Having said that I am quite critical and have had really good cameras with excellent optics.
Overall this lens feels like it is a really good product and feels very robust and well made. It is well finished and shows good attention to detail and quality control. The two rings (zoom and focus) feel and glide very well. albeit with a very slight plastic sliding sound. The switches feel fairly OK and generally everything seems like it will last a very very long time. Of course it cannot match a mid 80's Nikon prime lens but it is hard to make such a comparison. Firstly they are built differently with different numbers of components and secondly they are used differently.
Personally I don't understand the difference that a steel camera mount would make over the plastic one this lens has. I suppose if you remove and replace the camera lots of times then it could make a difference. Although having said that a plastic surface on the lens would be kinder the steel mount on the camera. Plastic being self lubricating would prevent both from being scratched. I don't sleep less well at night because of it.
Visually the lens looks a bit plain and lacks the silver ring that the 18-55 came with. It also lacks an writing on the forward business end of the camera. There are also no markings for focal length.
One thing about this lens that I do find very annoying is the extremely fiddly lens cap. Because of the way they moulded the cap the two surfaces you press together to unclip it from the lens front are very short and smooth and have an angle on them that makes the fingers slip off. As a consequence the lens cap has fallen out my hand onto the floor a few times. That is something to remember if you are standing on a grate, a dirty floor or on a clifftop. This is a common problem with the 18-135 and 18-200 lenses.
Now to the lens' performance. It focuses extremely fast and very silently. It has a very useful reach. I have found you can overcome the smaller minimum aperture with a higher zoom and this gives really good bokeh for portraits. The VR works a treat as well. In combination with the camera's really good performance at high ISO it makes it very capable at photographing the insides of restaurants and houses without the need for flash to ruin the colour balance.
The lens is very sharp. The photographs I took came out very well. I have no issues with them whatsoever and anything that went wrong in taking those images I would put down to my relative inexperience.
The lens did not have any negative effects on the colour, I didn't notice any purple fringing or anything other than really pleasant results. Overall I am actually very happy with the sharpness and detail this lens captures.
I am wondering whether to use a UV filter and am not sure about using the petal design hood. There are all sorts of views about the advisability or otherwise of these items.
Other products I compared this to are the 18-55 lens my D40 came with. In its own right it is an excellent lens and seems sharp. It does feel a bit on the lightweight side compared to the 18-105. The 18-135 I tried felt a little bit crude in how the zoom ring moved. It didn't feel as well finished compared to the 18-105 and made plastic sliding sounds when operating the zoom ring. That lens was very sharp too but holding it steady at 135mm was a bit difficult.
I used a 50mm 1.4 manual focus lens from the 80s that had awesome bokeh but was otherwise a pain to use. The other lens I tried was the 18-200mm which was an awesome lens. It had a focus that seemed even faster than the one on the 18-105 but it was a little too big and made the camera feel very front heavy. Because of that it lost a bit of the fun factor. Along with the fact that it was almost 3 times more expensive I am glad I bought the 18-105.
I paid A$385 at Ted's in Highpoint. $385 would equate to US$246 in November 2008. An 18-200 sells for A$1045. Even the 18-135 often sells for more so I feel I got something of a bargain. The people at Ted's are fantastic for customer service and I'm sorry I didn't buy my D40 from them.
Anyway I hope this review helps someone.

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This 5.8x zoom, designed exclusively for use with Nikon's DX-format, features Nikon's VR image stabilization and is perfect for portraits and action. The wide-ratio 5.8x zoomCompact, versatile and ideal for a broad range of shooting situations, ranging from interiors and landscapes to beautiful portraits--a perfect everyday zoom. Vibration Reduction is engineered specifically for each VR NIKKOR lens and enables handheld shooting at up to 3 shutter speeds slower than would otherwise be possible, assuring dramatically sharper images.

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Nikon ML-L3 Wireless Remote Control for Nikon P7000, D3000, D40, D40x, D50, D5000, D60, D70, D7000, D70s, D80 & D90 Digital SLR Cameras Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)It's no surprise that when you stand in front of the camera and push the
button, the remote triggers the shutter. There does seem to be some
confusion in reviews, both here and elsewhere, as to the remote's ability
to focus the lens before triggering the shutter.
This remote is capable of focusing the lens before triggering the shutter.
However, it will not focus the lens if the photographer has already
pushed the shutter release button on the camera half way down to focus
the image or if you are shooting in Manual mode and have AF-C set as
the Autofocus mode.
This means that if you are composing a photograph and push the shutter
button half way down to focus the image and you then stand in front of
the camera and push the remote button, the image will not focus
because you've already pushed the camera shutter release button half
way down to focus. To get the image to focus while you are standing in
front of the camera, compose the shot but do not push the camera's
shutter release button half way down, get in front of the camera and
then push the button.

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Nikon ML%2DL3 Remote Control Transmitter for D90%2C D70%2C D60%2C D80%2CD40 and D40X cameras %28SLR Camera Accessories%29 and Lite Touch Zoom Cameras%2E

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Nikon D90 12.3MP DX-Format CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S VR DX Nikkor Zoom Lens Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Several months before the D90 came out, I bought a D60 to hold me over until the D90 was released. Well, I've enjoyed using both cameras, but this one is a huge step up and more suited to an advanced enthusiast, like me. It's a real pleasure to use.
ERGONOMICS - The D90 is solid, tight, and well-balanced with the 18-105 VR lens. It's always ready and it shoots very fast. I love all the direct access buttons; they're easy to press, with good tactile feedback. And since you're not going into the menus as much, you can work faster. It's heavier than the D60, but that's OK. It's still very manageable to carry around and it fits my average-sized hand better too. The shutter sounds different than the D60 (if that matters to you). It sounds more like a professional camera; more like a fast "whoosh" than a "click-click". And there are so many internal customizations that you can set it up exactly as you want.
LENS - Biggest surprise was the 18-105 VR lens which I expected would be ho-hum, but turned out to be pretty sharp and clear. Better results than the 18-55 VR. We've really come a long way from the days (30 years ago) when you were cautioned to ALWAYS to buy a prime lens, NEVER the kit lens because of it's poor image quality. With computer-aided design and new technology, that's not true anymore.
IMAGE QUALITY - I shoot RAW for maximum detail and the ability to adjust settings afterward if necessary - like exposure or white balance. Image quality is very good to excellent depending on your RAW converter. To my eye, best results are obtained with View NX/Capture NX, but Adobe ACR/Lightroom still do a very good job (2010 UPDATE; After using Lightroom the past year, raw conversions are beautiful and far quicker to achieve than Capture NX). When shooting JPGs using the Standard Picture Mode, images are sharp and colors are true, without over-saturation. You can always use different Picture Modes and customize any of them to get closer to the in-camera results you want. For example, you can boost saturation and contrast and save the setting as your default if that's what you like.
LIGHT METER - Metering is fine and seems to be quite accurate in most cases. I use matrix metering mostly. As with any camera, you have to get to know the meter. If I had to be VERY critical, I'd say when it's pushed, it's more likely to preserve shadows than highlights, usually when Active DLighting is on. To me that's a good thing. Another website mentioned a slightly "over-enthusiatic" meter in its review. The good news is: if you really feel exposure results are not to your liking (whether over or under exposed), the meter is fine-tuneable, so go ahead and customize it as you see fit. I would just work with the meter first -get to know the camera and adapt yourself to it before you start making any adjustments. That said, I've used the D90 in a very wide range of lighting conditions and I can truly say that while exposures may vary occasionally, they've always made perfect sense for the situation. I've never been shocked or puzzled by the output.
LIVE VIEW - is great for the occasional high or low shot. I didn't think would need it, but when I had the D60, I found myself in many situations where I really could have used it. Unlike a point-and-shoot, focus is slower in this mode and shooting seems somewhat clunky. I wouldn't use Live View if I were in a rush or trying to get an important shot. It's just a nice little extra.
MOVIE MODE - this is a nice novelty and may be handy in a rare moment, but I'm generally not a video camera person. I'm surprised to read that some people have made movies and commercials with the D90. I keep promising myself to use this feature more, but I don't have a tripod and I'm just too jittery and uncreative to get good cinema-like results. Moreover, from the little I've tried it, I'm not impressed - there's no autofocus during filming and the movie comes out over exposed and far from HD quality. The user manual is not very helpful either. But I didn't purchase the camera for this feature, so I'm not disappointed.
ISO - I really like the new wide range of ISO settings, especially when coupled with the Auto-ISO setting. Mine is customized to keep the camera at ISO 200, but kick in at 1/30. In this example, anytime lighting decreases enough for the shutter speed to drop below 1/30, the D90 will automatically compensate by raising the ISO high enough (up to an ISO limit you set) to help keep your shutter speed at 1/30. Once the ISO maxes-out at your limit, the camera has no choice but to start bringing down the shutter speed. Noise at high ISOs isn't an issue. In fact, you have to zoom in pretty close for it to be even slightly noticeable. I use Auto-ISO mostly all the time. Its an amazing feature! I only turn this feature off when I want to stick to a particular ISO at all times (if its on a monopod or I've stabilized the camera in some way).
ACTIVE D-LIGHTING - helps camera to preserve shadow and highlight detail. More important to use when shooting JPG because the exposure has to be right at the time of shooting, when the camera creates the JPG. RAW shooters can always adjust exposure in post processing. Even though I shoot RAW, I usually leave it on Auto so I can double check the exposure details on the LCD screen. It's available in various strengths from Low to Extra High. Again, another great customization.
CONS
-At this price, Nikon should include a robust image editing software, or at least a decent discount on Capture NX2, which works great, but costs extra.
-Kit lens is thick in diameter (67mm). Also, the front glass of the lens seems somewhat exposed, as if it's not recessed that much (it's just enough for a lens cap). I worry that it'll get scratched easily. Good thing Nikon included the lens hood.
AUTOFOCUS TIP - I customized the D90 to autofocus using the AF-L button instead of the shutter release. Now I can focus with one press of my thumb on the AF-L button and shoot with my index finger on the shutter release. This allows me to focus first, let go, then take the shot. Since the subject is already in focus, I can take multiple shots, recompose or go vertical. I'm not forced to continually re-focus for every shot or move the AF point around in the viewfinder. This minimizes AF mishaps on unintentional subjects. And since the VR system remains off until you half-press the shutter (it activates only when you're ready to take the shot, not while you're focusing) you save on battery life as well.
Also, with the D90 set to AF-C mode (continuous autofocus) you can keep a moving subject in focus by holding down the AF-L with your thumb and shooting with your index finger. If the subject becomes still, simply let go of the AF-L button; focusing stops and is locked where you left it. Then shoot when ready. Now your D90 can act as if it's in Single or Continuous AF mode without you having to change settings all the time. This gives you more immediate control over the behavior of the AF system Try it and you won't go back!
SUMMARY - Overall I'm extremely happy with the D90! It's designed for serious shooting, but it's still fun to use; noticeably heavier than the D60, but still not a burden. You do need to be committed to carrying around a solid DSLR in the first place. Once you get used to that, you'll come to appreciate that it's more substantial because it'll be less shaky during shots. Nikon really packed it with a ton of features and customizations. Now I finally have everything I want in a DSLR, without it being overblown and overpriced. I'm actually surprising myself with some really spectacular shots.
If you have your basic photography skills down, you can make any DSLR sing, however, I believe THIS camera, because of its superb sensor and spot-on feature set, can actually help you improve your technique and get better results. You'll take more chances and push yourself farther because now you have the tools (ie. features) to help capture more difficult, more creative shots. And you didn't have to spend $3,000 to get there!
8-MONTH UPDATE: Still love this camera which hasn't lost any of its original excitement. Very reliable - never frustrating. I'm not craving an upgrade - not contemplating a switch to Canon either - I'm perfectly content. Haven't discovered any hidden quirks. In fact, the longer I use it, the more I realize how well engineered it is. The only extras I bought so far were a light monopod and a 50mm 1.8 lens.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Nikon D90 12.3MP DX-Format CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S VR DX Nikkor Zoom Lens

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.Made in Thailand.

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Nikon 2 - Year Extended Service Coverage Agreement for the Nikon D90 Digital SLR Camera Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Ordered The Extended Warranty (ESC) for my D90 via Amazon, but it was shipped from Cameta Camera. Amazon price is $30 cheaper than Cameta itself - great deal. The ESC form sent to me states you need to mail the form within 10 days of purchase date and given the camera itself won't arrive until 8 days after purchase ( therefore I won't have the serial until then ). NO fear - please note the following from the Nikon USA Corporate Site
Nikon 2 Year Extended Service Coverages
The purchased ESC form must be completed and mailed in as indicated on the form and a copy of the form as well as the original proof of purchase should be kept for future reference. Contrary to what some of the forms indicate there is no "10 day" limit on mailing the ESC form. As long as the ESC is purchased and the form submitted within the first year the ESC will be valid.

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This Nikon 2-Year Extended Service Coverage (ESC) for the Nikon D90 SLR Digital Camera is offered through Nikon U.S.A. and becomes valid upon the expiration of the Nikon U.S.A. Inc. limited Warranty that was included with your camera and provides the coverage specified below for a period of two additional years. During the period of your Extended Service Contract (ESC), repairs resulting from defects in material or workmanship will be performed at no-charge by Nikon Inc. Valid only in the USA, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin IslandsNot intended for sale in the states of Florida, Virginia or Washington

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Nikon MC-DC2 Remote Release Cord for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Dedicated primarily for use with both the Nikon D90 and D5000 digital SLRs, the Nikon MC-DC2 Wired Remote has really been a workhorse for me. Unlike hit and miss wireless battery powered remotes, this model delivers my shots each and every time.
Light weight and mounted with a 41" cable, I'm able to fire off quick bursts with just the press of a button. To get the extended exposure shots that I need, I just press and slide the switch forward. Its a good idea to check the camera settings and keep an eye on the cable connection.
My only negative about this product is like its competitors, Nikon opted to outfit its new line of remote cables with thin wiring. I seriously have my doubts that the wiring will hold up over time. I miss the heavier cable.
Like most Nikon gear, there is the standard one year manufacturer's warranty on this product. Unfortunately Nikon offers no real information about their lineup of remote accessories on its website. There is a toll free customer support number posted.
With the exception of the thin wiring issue, I am very satisfied with this remote unit. Its been a performer. Let's hope it can go the distance.

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MC%2DDC2 Remote Release Cord %2D 1 Meter

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Nikon D90 Digital SLR Camera with 18-105mm AF-S DX VR Nikkor Lens + 16GB Cameta Bonus Accessory Kit Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I was looking for a Nikon D90 Camera Kit. There were several attractive prices on-line. In the end, I selected Cameta Camera - though not the lowest advertised. I did try to purchase the Camera from the lowest price on-line vendor and got what I exprected - an attempt at a switch and bait and the usual run-around. So, I contacted Cameta Camera whose price was not much higher. The item was available (unlike the cheapest vendor), and a reciept was sent promptly. The Camera arrived in a few days and was exactly as advertised - new in the box. The free camera case exceeded my expectations by far! In short, this is a great camera and Cameta Camera is as relaible an on-line source as there is, IMHO. The camera, by the way, also exceeded my expectations. It have yet to encounter any situation in which it is lacking.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Nikon D90 Digital SLR Camera with 18-105mm AF-S DX VR Nikkor Lens + 16GB Cameta Bonus Accessory Kit

Kit includes:♦ 1) Nikon D90 Digital SLR Camera Body & 18-105mm DX VR AF-S Zoom Lens♦ 2) Transcend 16GB HC SecureDigital Class 6 (SDHC) Card♦ 3) Nikon EN-EL3e Rechargeable Li-ion Battery♦ 4) Precision Design 1000 Deluxe Digital SLR System Camera Case ♦ 5) ImageRecall Digital Image Recovery Software♦ 6) Precision Design USB 2.0 SecureDigital (SDHC) High-Speed Memory Card Reader♦ 7) Precision Design 6-Piece Lens Cleaning Kit♦ 8) Precision Design Memory Card Storage WalletThe Nikon D90 SLR Digital Camera, with its 12.3-megapixel DX-format CCD, 3" High resolution LCD display, Scene Recognition System, Picture Control, Active D-Lighting, and one-button Live View, provides photo enthusiasts with the image quality and performance they need to pursue their own vision while still being intuitive enough for use as an everyday camera.The Nikon AF-S 18-105mm VR lens features built-in Vibration Reduction II system providing equivalent shutter speeds 3 steps faster than standard lenses. It also has one ED glass element and one aspherical lens element, optimized for use with DX-format SLRs. The 18-105mm also featuresultra-compact Silent Wave Motor allows for blazingly quick, silent autofocus.Take more high-resolution pictures faster with this 16GB High-Capacity SecureDigital (SDHC) memory card.Increase your shooting capacity with this powerful Nikon EN-EL3e Lithium-ion rechargeable battery.This multi-compartment case will easily hold your camera, lenses, flash, and accessories. Features four padded dividers in the main compartment to secure your equipment, and includes numerous zippered and mesh pockets.This 6-piece cleaning kit contains everything you'll ever need to properly clean your lenses, including a Hurricane Air Blower, Lens Cleaning Tissues, Lens Cloth, Lens Cleaning Liquid, Brush and Cotton Swabs.

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Nikon D90 - Digital camera - SLR - 12.3 Mpix - Nikon AF-S DX 18-105mm lens - optical zoom: 5.8 x - supported memory: SD, SDHC Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I think this is a great deal (I got it for [...]). If you are paying the full [...] that they say it is worth then I don't know if it is cost effective. Let me review individual items so you know what you are getting.
First off, this bundle comes with screen protectors. I think that is a waste. The camera comes with a think plastic screen cover for the display. So why would you want to put a thin flexible cover on it instead?
The camera case it comes with is okay. I am glad it came with one because otherwise I wouldn't have one, and it saved me the effort of going out shopping for one. But I think it is a bad case. It comes with several removable dividers for the main compartment, but if you put any of them in then the camera doesn't fit. From my experience people who use SLRs have multiple lenses. This case does not allow you to carry more lenses around with you. It can however fit the charger, spare battery, spare memory cards, your hood, and the memory card reader that this kit comes with.
The memory card reader that it came with is great! It can store an SD card in it and then it has a hard plastic cover that closes the card inside keeping it safe. So you can use the card reader to store an extra SD card. It also comes with a USB extension cable which is great if you have too much congestion to fit the card reader in a given USB slot. (An interesting note about the memory card: the one that came in my package was not on the list of "supported" cards for the D90. This doesn't mean much at all, but if you care about it then be aware. Although it may be different for everyone who buys this package. I say that because the picture of items is not completely accurate. The tripod is different colors and the memory card reader is different.)
I haven't tried the lens cleaning kit yet, so I can't evaluate its effectiveness. It looks to me as though I will go through the cloths and solution quite quickly though. So you probably want to invest in a bulk size container of cleaning solution and cloths.
The spare battery that it comes with actually has more juice than the one that Nikon sells with the camera. That makes it even better!
The memory card size is dependent on you. If you take pictures at the standard quality then it can hold about 2100. If you are taking pictures at the highest quality then it can hold about 1000. And if you are taking pictures using RAWs it can hold about 530 pictures.
The monopod is exactly that. It has a fixed mounting point. It has the option of a spike tip bottom or a rubber bottom.
The tripod is very light. It has a lot of easily adjustable parts. It has two built in levels to help you keep it angled correctly. The part that mounts on the camera has a quick release from the tripod, to allow you to easily pick up your camera and carry it around.
I can't say much about the lens it comes with, because a lens is very specific to the situation that it is being used in. The quality of the lens is great, so that is not in question. Let me explain what I mean. When I bought this package I knew nothing about advanced photography. I had only ever used a point and shoot camera on Auto mode. So basically I had no idea what lens I wanted. I suggest that if you don't know much about lenses then you do some research before you buy this. I will give you some info in basic terms. The lens it comes with is a zoom lens. I like having a zoom lens because it means that you aren't locked in to one set position. The problem with zoom lenses is that they don't let in as much light as a fixed lens, so to compensate you will have to have longer exposures in low light conditions (Obviously if you use the flash this isn't an issue, but the built in flash isn't very good.). A fixed zoom lens lets in more light which allows you to take pictures using faster exposure times. This results in less chance of blur. The lens it comes with has Vibration Reduction. Vibration Reduction is a nice feature, and it does help greatly, but it uses a significantly higher amount of power. The lens it comes with also focuses much faster than the old lenses used to. I almost never miss a shot due to focus lag, which is much different than with a point and shoot camera.
Now let me review the camera itself. As I said when I bought it I had no idea what I was doing or what any of the features were. It only took me a week to learn most everything. Obviously I am still far from a professional. But I also now know how to use the manual mode very effectively. The best way to learn is to use the camera and experiment. The manual does a very good job of explaining things, but you will still have to look up terms here and there. My suggestion is to use [...]. It helped me a lot. My point about this is to say that the camera is not too complex. It has a very nice and simple interface. Although if you plan on buying it and just using it on Auto mode, then this camera isn't right for you. You don't really need to spend this much money if you aren't going to use all the features that it comes with. The camera itself is a solid camera. It functions great and is very fast! The main reason I wanted it was to be able to take pictures fast. It turns on faster then you can more your finger from the on switch to the shutter release button and press it. It shoots 4.5 frames a second which is plenty fast enough for an advanced amateur. The built in flash on the camera is just the same as a point and shoot camera. It is better than nothing, but it isn't very good quality at all. The camera itself takes amazing pictures! They are so much crisper and higher quality than even a good point and shoot camera. The battery life on the camera is very good. Nikon claims 850 shots per battery. If you drain the battery taking pictures in bursts then you can get over 1500. If you turn the camera off when you aren't using it then you will also get well over 850 shots. However if you leave your camera on for extended periods of time between shots then you will get around 850 shots per battery.
Bottom line: I recommend this package if you want to get serious with photography and you don't have all the gear that comes in this kit.
I'm not going to give out my email address, but if you have any questions and there is a way to contact me through amazon then feel free to. I hope this helps.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Nikon D90 - Digital camera - SLR - 12.3 Mpix - Nikon AF-S DX 18-105mm lens - optical zoom: 5.8 x - supported memory: SD, SDHC

Nikon D90's 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 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR ED Nikkor Lens: This lens is compact, versatile and ideal for a broad range of shooting situations, ranging from interiors and landscapes to beautiful portraits. It has a perfect everyday zoom. An ED- (Extra-low Dispersion) glass element minimizes chromatic aberration, contributing to superior optical performance. Exclusive Nikon Silent Wave Motor (SWM) enables fast, accurate, and quiet autofocus. Rounded 7-blade diaphragm renders more natural appearance of out-of-focus image elements.++PLUS++ 8GB Deluxe Accessory Kit: 8 Gigabyte SD Secure Digital Memory Card - Secure Digital USB Card Reader - Universal Memory Card Wallet - Pack of LCD Screen Protectors - Spare EN-EL3E Reachargeable Lithium ion Replacement Battery - Well Padded Multi Compartment Gadget Bag with Pockets & Strap - 5pc Deluxe Lens Care Cleaning Kit - Full Size 59" Tripod W/Case - BONUS!! Jumpstart DVD Guide to Digital SLR Cameras - Free 25 Quality Prints (Promo code # on invoice).

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Nikon D5000 12.3 MP DX Digital SLR Camera with 2.7-inch Vari-angle LCD (Body Only) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Summary:
- Outstanding (absolutely stunning) image quality, especially in low light and difficult lighting (high dynamic range) situations
- 19 point-and-shoot auto modes great for beginners new to D-SLR
- Extremely easy-to-use menu system
- No compromises feature set not stripped of high-end features
- Bright vari-angle screen with LiveView for hard-to-reach shots, but don't consider this a replacement for the viewfinder for most situations
- Nice compact body easier to travel
D5000 vs. Nikon D60:
- Dramatic improvement in low-light and difficult light image quality
- Improved auto white balance (but still not perfect)
- Slightly bigger (taller and deeper) body, slightly heavier
- 11 autofocus points, 3D matrix metering, Auto D-Lighting
- Faster continuous shot performance (4fps vs 3)
- Up to 63 JPEG/11 RAW images in continuous burst mode (the D60 can capture up to 100 JPEG/9 RAW images)
- RAW+JPG with choice of JPEG compression
- Full feature set including bracketing
- 13 additional auto / scene presets
- Additional in-camera editing including perspective control and fisheye
- Slightly smaller viewfinder, but adds optional grid line support
- LiveView with HD Movie Mode
- Multi selector supports diagonal movement instead of 4 directions
- Quiet shooting mode reduces shutter noise in quiet situations
- support for optional Nikon GPS unit
- HDMI output
- same outstanding 18-55VR kit lens
D5000 vs. Nikon D90:
- Equivalent image quality, altho D5000 tends to underexpose capturing all detail vs. D90 tendency to overexpose high contrast shots
- D5000 LiveView mode adds subject tracking
- Easy to use auto / scene presets along with context sensitive help
- More sophisticated interval shooting and time-lapse mode
- Additional in-camera editing including perspective control and fisheye
- Significantly more compact, lighter body
- No autofocus motor in body for older or more professional lenses
- No top LCD; must use back display to review settings
- No depth of field preview
- Lower resolution screen than D90 but vari-angle allows you to compose hard-to-reach shots
- Slightly slower continuous shot performance (4fps vs 4.5)
- Up to 63 JPEG/11 RAW images can be captured in continuous burst mode (the D90 burst is limited to 25 JPEG/7 RAW images)
- Quiet shooting mode reduces shutter noise in quiet situations
- .78x Pentamirror viewfinder vs. the D90's brighter .94x Pentaprism
- Single command dial means more access to Menu for changing settings
- Built-in flash cannot command external flash units with Nikon Creative Lighting System
- No option for extra battery grip
- Kit lens only 18-55VR vs 18-105VR
- D5000 adds Airflow Control System in addition to dust reduction system
- Better value, especially body only
Detailed Review:
Having bought my first D-SLR (a Nikon D60) last November, I was intrigued with the announcement of the D5000. At the time of my D60 purchase, I was considering the D90, but after holding both in person, I chose the D60 for its the much smaller form factor, lighter weight, and much lower price tag. I have been largely happy with the D60, although its low-light performance while dramatically better than my old point-and-shoot camera still wasn't fantastic.
Given the D5000 uses the same sensor and imaging sensor as the D90, but in a smaller lighter case, I decided to upgrade. And I must say I'm exceptionally pleased with the D5000.
What is to like over the D60?
1) Stunning Image Quality even in Low Light, without a tripod or fast lens
The D5000 takes exceptional pictures, especially in low-light and in challenging lighting scenarios. The D5000 is the first camera I've owned that can take a picture at night and capture everything (and in some cases more than) my eye sees. And this is in Automatic mode (flash off), without a tripod, using an average-speed (f3.5-f5.6) Nikon VR lens. Truly impressive.
I went back and took the same night shots in the same settings with the same Nikon 16-85 VR lens and the results are noticeably better on the D5000 vs my D60. The difference between the D5000 and D60 is almost as dramatic (in low light) as the difference between my D60 and point-and-shoot camera. I've posted a few example images to illustrate.
Images captured even at ISO 1600 have exceptional detail and very low noise. Even when you zoom to 100% the D5000 renders these tough shots beautifully.
Highlights are controlled and not blown-out, while even low-contrast areas of the picture are captured.
2) Ability to capture details in challenging light, automatically
The D5000's ability to capture all details of an image, even at night, with areas of highly contrasting lighting is even more impressive than it's low-light performance. As some have noted, the D5000 has a tendency to slightly underexpose these pictures to preserve detail. (The D90 tends to over-expose these shots, illustrating that the D5000 is not entirely a "D90 in a small case".)
In one example (posted to the customer images), a night-shot of the famous Castro Street theater the D5000 captured the bright neon signs, architectural lighting of the facade, and even the mosaic tile and billboards in the very dimly-lit entry. All again in automatic mode, no tripod, F3.8 ISO 800. When I post the sample pictures they will tell the story better than I could ever describe.
I can only think that this performance is related to a combination of improvements over the D5000: 11 autofocus points, 3D matrix metering, next-generation Active D-Lighting, latest Nikon EXPEED processor.
3) No-compromises feature set that is still easy to use for the beginner
One thing that annoyed me about the D60 was its lack of some features (eg. bracketing) intended to "dumb the camera down". The D5000 has every control you would ever want, yet its menu system remains extremely easy to use even for a beginner.
Example features the D5000 offers that are not available on the D60:
- RAW-JPG ability to select JPEG quality (Std,Basic,Fine)
- bracketing (useful for HDR post-processing)
and I'm sure there are many others I have missed.
The D5000 also includes a number of additional SCENE modes (a total of 19) for the beginner used to point-and-shoot simplicity. Everything from Night Landscape, Sunset, Food, Pet Portrait, Sports, and more.
4) Useful Live View and Vari-Angle Display for those hard-to-reach shots
A first for Nikon, the D5000 includes a "vari-angle" articulated LCD. Despite the specs on paper (230,000 pixels vs the 920,000 pixels on the D90) the screen quality is outstanding - very bright and easy to see even in sunshine.
Using the Live View mode, you can take pictures in hard-to-reach angles such as above a crowd, or looking up from a low angle, or taking a self-portrait. What doesn't work so well in Nikon's implementation is that the hinge is on the bottom of the camera, so if you're using a tripod your choices are limited.
New to the D5000 LiveView (not on the D90) is subject tracking, which keeps focus on a moving subject within the frame.
As others have pointed out, the D5000 LiveView autofocus performance is very slow. The more that I have used it, I must say that LiveView performance is probably worse than your point-and-shoot camera. Some other owners on the Nikon forums have reported complete failure of LiveView autofocus, although on my D5000 it works.
As it is, I compose 99% of my shots in the viewfinder, which gives you the super-fast response of a DSLR in the first place. For me the ability to use LiveView in hard-to-reach situations is a nice feature.
What could be improved?
- Well, first of all, the video is more of a marketing idea - the sound is monoral, you can't change auto-focus once you start recording, and the video has the infamous "jelly effect" when moving from side to side
- Although the case is much smaller than the D90, it's still over 1/4" taller than my D60, and doesn't feel nearly as comfortable in my hands.
- The tilting screen is great, but the bottom-hinge design is of limited effectiveness when using a tripod.
- Live View autofocus is very slow for a D-SLR (even worse in some situations than a compact digital camera)
- Auto White Balance just doesn't get it right with certain lighting. But it's easy enough to correct with a custom white balance (if you have the time when taking the shot) or post-processing the RAW image. I just don't understand why my $300 Canon SD870 does auto-white balance so much better.
All in all, however, the outstanding image quality especially in low-light, and features offset the very minor areas that could be improved. For that, the D5000 gets my 5-star vote.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Nikon D5000 12.3 MP DX Digital SLR Camera with 2.7-inch Vari-angle LCD (Body Only)

A remarkable blend of simplicity and highly advanced D-SLR capabilities, the compact and powerful D5000 offers breathtaking 12.3-megapixel image quality, along with a flexible, Vari-angle, Live View monitor for fresh picture-taking perspectives. Nikon's EXPEED image processing further enhances performance, contributing to split-second shutter response and continuous shooting at up to 4 frames-per-second to capture fast action and precise moments perfectly.

Click here for more information about Nikon D5000 12.3 MP DX Digital SLR Camera with 2.7-inch Vari-angle LCD (Body Only)

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Nikon BM-10 LCD Monitor Cover for the D90 Digital SLR Camera + Nikon LensPen + Cleaning Kit Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The monitor cover was a replacement for one I broke, but the LensPen is a really nice tool for a photographer who likes to keep the camera clean. You can never have enough cleaning equipment when you use the camera virtually every day.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Nikon BM-10 LCD Monitor Cover for the D90 Digital SLR Camera + Nikon LensPen + Cleaning Kit

Kit includes:♦ 1) Nikon BM-10 LCD Monitor Cover for the D90♦ 2) Nikon LensPen Cleaning System♦ 3) Precision Design Deluxe 6-Piece Lens & Digital SLR Camera Cleaning Kit
This is a Nikon BM-10 LCD Monitor Cover for the Nikon D90 digital SLR camera. This is a handy item as it protects theD90 cameras LCD screen from knocks and scratches. They are detachable so quite often can be lost whilst out and about. This is a direct replacement for the one that comes with the D90 camera.
Key Features:♦ LCD monitor cover for the Nikon D90 digital SLR camera.♦ This is a handy item as it protects the LCD screen from knocks and scratches.♦ They are detachable so quite often can be lost whilst out and about.
The Nikon Lens Pen Cleaning System is a great accessory for any optics user, it is great for digital or 35mm camera, binoculars, spotting scope. It has a soft retractable brush and a non-liquid compound on a natural chamois tip to remove fingerprints, dust and grit from any lens. A must for maintaining coated lenses.

This 6-piece cleaning kit contains everything you'll ever need to properly clean your lenses, including a Hurricane Air Blower, Lens Cleaning Tissues, Lens Cloth, Lens Cleaning Liquid, Brush and Cotton Swabs.

Click here for more information about Nikon BM-10 LCD Monitor Cover for the D90 Digital SLR Camera + Nikon LensPen + Cleaning Kit

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Nikon D7000 16.2MP DX-Format CMOS Digital SLR with 3.0-Inch LCD (Body Only) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is very simple, if you are a Nikon shooter looking for a new camera then stop reading and buy this camera. It's that good.
Handling
This camera is brilliant to hold and use. Nikon has done it again and has made the user interface more usable and streamlined. What to change flash modes. Press the flash pop-up button and rotate the control wheel. Sweet. Want to change create and use a User defined mode? There are two. Set your mode up. Go to the menu and save it. To use it rotate the shooting mode dial to U1 or U2. Presto you are there. In the D300 and D700 you to have to setup things in the menu and switch in the menu. Also, there were 2 sets of things you could change and they were not all inclusive. It was all horribly confusing and I never used it. Speaking of shooting modes. There is now one position on the shooting mode dial for scene mode shooting. You change through the different scene modes with the control wheel and the type scene shows up on the back screen. Sweet. I can go on and on but needless to say Nikon have really improved their interface. One caveat, I don't think it is quite up to par with the GH1 to change exposure compensation (IMO the most important control) but still a huge step in the correct direction in handling. I like the handling of the D7000 better than either the D700/300.
Low Light Shooting
The D300 wasn't that great for Hi ISO. It shoots clean at 400 ISO and usable up to 1600. (The D90 and D300s were better) The D700 was fantastic. Clean at 1600 ISO and usable up to 6400. It opened up new worlds. The D7000 is close to the equal of the D700. Enough said. Just to give you an example. The bouquet toss at a reception is often done in poor light. By using 1600 instead of 400 you get the equivalent of 4 times more light. At ISO400 you flash may need to use 1/4 power and you can get 1 maybe 2 shots of the toss and catch before the flash needs to recharge. At ISO1600 your flash would only need to use 1/16th power and now you can get 5-6 shots. This is huge.
Picture Quality
Like all modern DSLRs it takes great pictures. I don't pixel peep so I can't really say that I notice a difference between the pictures from the D7000 and any of my 12mp cameras. It makes really nice pictures and that is all I care about.
Useful Photography Features (Not Marketing Features)
--100% view finder! Big bright with 100% coverage. No more guessing of your framing. (It is not as bright as the D700. However, it is 100% vice 95%)
--2 SD slots - When your getting paid to shoot a wedding or any gig, my card broke is not an excuse. Very useful feature. For the home user put two smaller cards rather than one big card and save some money.
--Smaller and lighter than D300, D700, D3s, D3x- When you stand on your feet for 9 hours shooting the wedding and reception, you start to feel every ounce you are carrying. Often you will be carrying two bodies with a fast tele zoom and fast wide zoom. That starts to get heavy. Light weight here we come.
--2016-Segment RGB Meter- for spot on exposure and white balance--No one touches Nikon on this and this one is fantastic.
--1/8000th -- Very useful for shooting into the sun wide open with a bright lens
--1/250 -- Could be better (1/500th for D40) but could be much worse. Auto FP helps.
--Magnesium body and better sealing -- Shoot in dusty environments without messing up the inside your camera.
--Uses the ML-L3 infra red remote -- Small and cheap. IR sensor on the front and back of the camera.
--Autofocus focus motor for non-AF-S lenses
Marketing Features that will sometimes be Useful
--16Mp -- Nikon was obviously getting creamed in the marketing wars on this. This is going to lead to bigger files requiring larger hard drives and faster computers. Occasionally it will be useful if you can't frame as close as you would like and you need to crop or you need to print big. Alien Skin Blow Up 2, Image Resizing Plug-in Software for Photoshop, Macintosh & Windows and Genuine Fractals 6 Professional Edition 1-user Full are two very nice programs that can increase the size of your photos for printing large. 16 MP is nice by not necessary.
--39 Point Auto Focus -- To me in some ways this is better than the 51 point of the D300 and D700 as that gets too unwieldy. However, you really don't even need 39. However, still useful on occasion.
--6 frames per second-- I very rarely ever put my camera in 3 frames per second. When I do so it fills the card quickly. If you are shooting the big game then 6 is nice. Or it is nice for some cool special effects shots. Other than that you won't really find yourself using it that much.
Video
The other thing I am not really going to dwell on is the video capabilities. In my opinion all the various video options are mostly marketing hype really targeted at a niche market. Shallow depth of field video is difficult and time consuming to shoot and edit properly. The average family home user has neither the time nor inclination to do this. With that said, it is nice to only have to carry one device to take still pictures and video. So I do enjoy that feature, however 1080 is not really necessary. In fact with up converting DVD players standard def is still very usable and takes up far less space. Suffice it to say that the video capabilities are very good and should do anything a home user would need it to do. Can be used for pro Videos as demonstrated by Chase Jarvis.
Intangibles
This is a very nice camera and it feels very solid in your hands. It feels far more substantial than the D40/D90 without feeling like a brick the way the D300/D700 do. I am sure the D300 has more marketing features than the D7000 but I would have to research them to figure out what they are.
Conclusion
In the end it all comes down to what is important to you. Smaller weight and size is becoming much more important to me and this camera is a very good trade off of features for size and weight. Anything that is missing I don't even use so I am not sure what it may be. My D700 was recently stolen and while I miss it, the D7000 is a worthy replacement for it. I opted to get the D7000 and Panasonic GH2 and save the $300 difference for a lens.
Pros
--100% view finder!
--6 fps (7D is 8. However, I think this number is overhyped in most cases. Even shooting at 3 FPS will fill up you card with photos that look remarkably similar) 8+ is needed for professionals shooting professional sports. Not enthusiast shooting High School etc.
--16mp sensor (a marketing increase but still nice to allow some room for cropping)
--14 bit photos
--39 point auto focus sensors (19 cross point) this is a bit of a marketing thing but it is still nice and it does not matter about the 51 on D300s and above. Still very nice.
--2016 scene meter - compares against data base for WB setting and color settings
--Excellent battery life
--MD-11 Optional Battery Grip
--2 SD card slots for back up redundancy or double the card space! Outstanding
--Magnesium used to make camera stronger
Cons
--16mp senor (takes up more storage on your hard drive) (12mp JPG 3mb 12 mp RAW = 12 mb 16mp JPEG = 5 mb 16 mp RAW = 16 mb. This is for 12 bit. 14 bit would require more)
--Camera heavier than it used to be
--No swivel screen - after using the GH1 extensively you really miss this when shooting at weird angles. You especially miss it for macro photography.
--No full time live view - Ditto from above. Live view is what you see is what you get. Forgot to change white balance-- you will see that when people are yellow, blue or green. Have it set in manual and blowing everything out-- you'll see that as a white screen.
Decision Matrix Nikon
For the Nikon shooter this is a no brainer. If you are in the market for a camera, then skip the D300s. The D700 is getting long in the tooth and many people are buying the D7000 while waiting for D800. If you already own a D700 then this camera is a very good complement to it. Use the money you saved over the more expensive camera to buy a nice lens.
Here is a breakdown vs other Nikon DSLRs
D3100-- Two completely different classes with the D7000 being worth the difference in many. However at the end of the day they will both make nice pictures. Also, the lenses are more important than the camera. You can get the D3100 and 18-200mm for the same price. Something to think about.
D5000-- Good sensor and nice camera. D3100 comments also apply here.
D90--Tough choice. The best DX sensor of its generation and still better than most. If you can't quite stretch to the D7000, this is a very tempting proposition.
D300S-- Irrelevant. The D7000 has a much better sensor, is smaller, lighter, cheaper, and better metering.
Nikon D700-- Would be a good complement to the D7000. Use D7000 when you need the 1.5x crop on the long end and a deeper depth of field due to the smaller chip (about 1 stop deeper) and D700 for when you want to isolate a subject with a shallow depth of field or you want to use the full width of a wide angle such as the 14-24mm. If you don't need the shallower depth of field of a FX sensor and you have the lenses to cover the 1.5x crop then the D7000 should suit just fine. D3s and D3x -- Different leagues altogether. However, the D7000 is 90% of the camera for 1/4 to 1/6th the money.
Canon
The 7D is an outstanding camera and while I think the D7000 is a better camera (better sensor, 2 SD card slots, 2016 RGB metering, Price) it is not that much better to warrant switching...Read more›

Click Here to see more reviews about: Nikon D7000 16.2MP DX-Format CMOS Digital SLR with 3.0-Inch LCD (Body Only)

Meet the new Nikon D7000, a camera ready to go wherever your photography or cinematography takes you. Experience stunning images with sharp resolution and smooth tonal gradation, thanks to the 16 megapixel DX-format CMOS image sensor and a powerful EXPEED 2 image processing engine. Take advantage of its wide ISO range of 100 to 6400 (expandable to 25,600) and its incredibly low levels of noise. Expect your images tack-sharp and accurately exposed, thanks to the camera's 39-point AF and Scene Recognition System using a 2,016-pixel RGB matrix metering sensor. And with an approx.0.052-second release time lag and approx. 6 frames-per-second shooting, you won't miss a moment.
You'll see exactly what you're capturing with the approx. 100% frame coverage viewfinder, and for those who want to shoot both stills and movies, the D7000's D-Movie capabilities now include Full HD 1080p capture with full-time autofocus and manual exposure. All of this advanced imaging technology is kept safe beneath the magnesium alloy covering the top and rear chassis of a compact body, whose sealing has been severely tested against moisture and dust. The D7000 is ready to shoot indoors and out, and at 150,000 cycles tested, the camera's durable shutter unit helps you keep shooting. Combine all this with the unmatched NIKKOR lens lineup and Creative Lighting System and you have everything you need to explore your imagination to its fullest. Where can creative freedom like this take you? Find out, with the D7000.

Click here for more information about Nikon D7000 16.2MP DX-Format CMOS Digital SLR with 3.0-Inch LCD (Body Only)

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Nikon 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED AF-S DX Nikkor Wide-Angle Zoom Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Another work of Nikon lens genius which gives the ability to take dramatic, unusual, never-before-available, super-wide pix. As recently as a few years ago, before Nikon learned to mass produce aspheric elements, manufacturing this complex 14 element lens at reasonable cost would have been impossible. Compared to the earlier 12-24mm, significantly wider angle.
A nice suprise is that this DX lens can also be used FX, with some limitations of course. Although it will give the full zoom range only when used on the smaller DX format, it actually covers the frame of an FX camera - not over the full range but from 24mm down to about 18mm focal length, with acceptable vignetting (edge darkening). I am using it that way on my film Nikon F6 and digital D700. (For the D700, turn the DX Crop default OFF and turn the Vignette Control to HIGH.) This is pretty cool because it means that someone who wants only occasional use of an 18-24mm lens on a full frame camera does not have to go out and buy a new lens if they already have this one.
I disagree with the reviewers who complain about the plastic, Made in China construction. If this lens were made of brass and steel like a Leica, it would weigh twice as much, cost much more, and be no better photographically. Is it more important to have the controls be smooth than to capture new kinds of photos? In my opinion Nikon has taken the right approach - state of the art computational design, innovative manufacturing of aspheric elements, good enough construction, and breakthrough capability affordable for the amateur photog.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Nikon 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED AF-S DX Nikkor Wide-Angle Zoom Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras

Nikon 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED AF-S DX Nikkor Wide-Angle Zoom Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras (2181)

Click here for more information about Nikon 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED AF-S DX Nikkor Wide-Angle Zoom Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras

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Nikon D90 DX-Format 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S VR DX Nikkor Zoom Lens, and 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S "VR" Zoom Nikkor Lens + 8GB Deluxe Accessory Kit Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)First of all this is a really nice kit and i would recommend it for most people who have the money to get into professional or serious amateur Photography.
Pro's - Great price for the items included and everything arrived earlier than amazon expected it to be.
Con's - No lens filters, and a semi crappy DVD to jump start u into dSLR photography. Now the DVD is only 30 minutes and is very very rushed but if you dislike reading id say its not to shabby but if u read the first 50pages or so in the manual that came with the camera you get more info and have stuff explained better than in the DVD. Would rather get a lens filter than the DVD because i could have actually used the lens filters for a wile, where as the DVD was only good for someone who knows nothing about cameras and don't mind rushed explanations of how things work + they miss a lot of vital information in the 30min video that should have been there instead of some of the other things they put in it. Everything was all ready opened but nothing was scuffed or damaged in any way so it doesn't really bother me.
All done and said - Great starter kit, comes with 2 good lenses, a decent/good stand (depends on personal preference on stands), comes with a good lens cleaning kit(thought this also had a lens filter kit in it but it doesn't!), a very nice carrying bag(a little small in my opinion but it works, just gotta cram stuff into it some what to get it to fit everything. i also recommend wrapping the lenses and camera in towels so as to add some shock absorbtion and to keep them from getting scuffed and scratched.), a SD card reader which is awesome if u don't have have one and u don't want to go through the hassle of hooking ur camera up to the computer constantly to get pictures from it(personal preference here again), comes with a universal screen guard with four guards inside the box, the SD card wallet they put in it is kinda worthless(in my honest opinion since it doesn't offer as much protection as the little plastic cases they usually come in) and that's pretty much everything!
Hope this review helps you decide if its right for u! :D

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Nikon 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 auto focus 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 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR ED Nikkor Lens: This lens is compact, versatile and ideal for a broad range of shooting situations, ranging from interiors and landscapes to beautiful portraits. It has a perfect everyday zoom. An ED- (Extra-low Dispersion) glass element minimizes chromatic aberration, contributing to superior optical performance. Exclusive Nikon Silent Wave Motor (SWM) enables fast, accurate, and quiet auto focus. Rounded 7-blade diaphragm renders more natural appearance of out-of-focus image elements. Nikon 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor lens: 4.3x, is ideal for telephoto shooting opportunities. It incorporates Extra Low Dispersion (ED) glass, Silent Wave Motor technology (SWM) and Enhanced Vibration Reduction (VR II), in a design engineered for use with both Nikon DX format digital and 35mm film SLR cameras. With a high-powered 70-300mm focal length range, the lens is ideal for sports, action, wildlife, travel and portrait photography, among other telephoto applications. When used on a Nikon DX format digital SLR, this lens approximates the picture angle performance of a 105-450mm lens on a 35mm SLR camera. ++PLUS++ 8GB Deluxe Accessory Kit:

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Click here for more information about Nikon D90 DX-Format 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S VR DX Nikkor Zoom Lens, and 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S "VR" Zoom Nikkor Lens + 8GB Deluxe Accessory Kit

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Nikon D5000 12.3MP DX CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR and 55-200mm f/4-5.6G VR Lenses and 2.7-inch Vari-angle LCD Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've had this camera for 6 weeks now. Initially there was a recall on the D5000 for a failing power chip but my camera was not part of the recall. There are several nice features of this camera but none more important than it takes beautiful pictures. Shots taken at full 12.3 Megapixel fine outdoor have incredible detail. I've made blowup up to 12 x 18 and the clarity is stunning. The camera fits nicely in the hand. It has 11 focal points and 16 presets for specific situations (i.e. sunset, indoor party, sport mode, photograph children, etc. ) This makes it a very easy camera to use in the automatic mode but yet, it has all the manual settings for those who want to venture out into creative photography. One very special feature is the articulating 2.7 inch LCD display on the back of the camera. This display folds out allowing me to get low shots of the grand children without me bending over (I got a bad back) or allows me to lift the camera high and shoot over a crowd (like at a parade). Do not underestimate the advantage of this moving display. For me, it clinched the deal. The camera will shoot 4 frames per second for action pictures and that's pretty fast. You can also capture pictures in RAW format for those who want to work with Photoshop in super fine detail. Another feature that is pretty neat is the outline feature. Within the camera, you can select a picture you've taken and it will create an outline picture with white background. I take pictures of the grandchildren and print them in outline on white paper and they can now have very personalized coloring pages of them! For an artist who like to paint, they can use the outline pictures to have a sketched "canvas" that they can paint with everything being in perfect proportion. For educators of small children, imagine the possibility of the children coloring themselves on pages just like a coloring book. These "coloring/painting" pages are created WITHOUT destroying the original picture! This is a very nice camera that exceeded my expectations. The camera in automatic is rarely fooled and every snapshot I take makes me glad I choose the D5000. I got the two lens kit which covers from 18mm to 200mm. The camera even has some photo editing features you can do right from the camera like spot removal. All in all, I could not be happier with this camera. Nikon does a nice job with their products and this unit has rekindled a love of photography that had gone dormant in me.
Follow up after 5 months of ownership.
I continue to enjoy this camera very much. It is a solid performer. I recently bought rubber "armor" skin for the camera to protect it and that has worked out well. The camera does a very good job in Auto mode and you are tempted to just keep it there for all your pictures. However, I have branched out to the "program" mode which allows you to override the settings it chooses and play around with adjustments on aperture and shutter speed for "more creative" photography. I bought David Busch's book on the D5000 which gives you a lot of info not in the manual. The Vibration Reduction works very well on the camera and I'm getting good looking pictures on a regular basis. Our son got married and I gave the D5000 to my nephew and asked him to take pictures as he saw fit. From that I got a bunch of good family pictures that I will always cherish.
So, my rating remains the same with absolutely no regret. After moving to the D5000 from a point and shoot camera the difference has been night and day as to the quality of pictures I've been getting. I would encourage anyone who is thinking of a DSLR to consider this camera. It is fun to use and has a plethora of features that makes photography fun without breaking the bank.
ONE year ownership follow up:
After a year of ownership I am happy to report the camera continues to please me with it's great picture taking ability. There has never been any time in the last year that I regreted getting this camera. It has continued to perform flawlessly and I still have not used all the special features of this camera. The price has dropped (to be expected) and I think the D5000 is a great buy. One caution though. If you get this camera, be prepared to start loading up your hard drive with 12.3 megapixel pictures. With this great resolution, you never want to dial it back down, even though you can. Nice job Nikon!!!!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Nikon D5000 12.3MP DX CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR and 55-200mm f/4-5.6G VR Lenses and 2.7-inch Vari-angle LCD

Click here for more information about Nikon D5000 12.3MP DX CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR and 55-200mm f/4-5.6G VR Lenses and 2.7-inch Vari-angle LCD

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Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S ED VR II Nikkor Telephoto Zoom Lens for Nikon DX-Format Digital SLR Cameras Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I believe it was Thom Hogan who described this lens as not perfect but really good at everything. That's the review in a nutshell.
This is what I would term a prosumer lens. It certainly is not cheap yet it does not have the build quality of Nikon's top-of-the-line. The barrel, for example, is plastic rather than metal. I fear that a drop would be catastrophic and even a hard bang on the edge of a table might do serious damage if the lens was fully extended. On the other hand, this lens is a lot less expensive than those in the Nikon pro line. In addition, the lens is much lighter and easier to carry than it would be were it made entirely of metal.
It is my understanding that the only meaningful difference between this lens (the VR II) and its immediate predecessor is the addition of a cam lock to prevent lens creep. My own sample doesn't creep at all, even with the cam unlocked but apparently that has been a significant irritant for a number of buyers.
The use of "VR II" in the name is potentially misleading because it may lead shoppers to believe that the VR system has been improved over the original model. This is not the case. Both the original 18-200 and the new version contain Nikon's second generation VR system. Some have suggested that Nikon's marketing is a bit shady on this point while others counter that the "II" simply designates a new model.
Sharpness is less than absolute across the entire range but more than adequate for anything that an amateur, or even most professionals, is likely to need. There is mild to moderate distortion, more marked at the focal length extremes but scarcely visible in the vast majority of images and readily correctable in Photoshop, DxO, or other post-processing software. Contrast is crisp and I find the lens surprisingly free of flaring and ghosting.
No one should buy this lens thinking that it will make him/her a better photographer. Good photography is in the mind and the eye, not in camera. What the 18-200 will do, though, is provide a one-lens solution to the great majority of focal length needs, minimizing the need to tote a hefty bag full of lenses. It happens that, as a long time Nikon user, I have such a bag. Despite all the choices at my disposal, my 18-200 probably stays on my camera 85-90% of the time.
Folks who are obsessed with numbers, charts, and MTF curves will probably fret over the 18-200, taking delight in pointing out every little defect. For the rest of us, the only significant downside that I see is that the lens is not ideally suited for extended service in rough environments or adverse weather situations. Since most of us seldom shoot in such circumstances, this should not be much of a problem.
I heartily recommend the Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 G AF-S ED VR II (whew! what a mouthful) to any advanced amateur or professional seeking a highly usable wide range zoom.

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The Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200MM F/3.5-5.6G ED VR II Lens is a versatile and ultra-compact with a powerful focal length range of 18-200mm designed exclusively for Nikon DX format SLRs, is an ideal 11.1X zoom lens for portraiture, sports or wildlife. New compact rod-type Silent Wave Motor (SWM) enables ultra-high speed autofocusing with exceptional accuracy and super-quiet operation. Nikon Super Integrated Coating minimizes ghosting and flare to provide even higher contrast and more vivid images, even in challenging light conditions.

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Nikon D5000 12.3 MP DX Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR Lens and 2.7-inch Vari-angle LCD Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought a D5000 with the 18-55 VR lens from Amazon last Friday (Black Friday). I paid about $200 less than a friend who bought the same camera a few months ago. AND... It is NOT part of the recall! My biggest initial concern was getting caught up in the recall. I am very happy to say that Amazon seems to be beyond those serial numbers - at least with the kit (camera and 18-55 VR lens).
I'm upgrading from a D50 I bought 4 or more years ago. There are a number of reasons why I chose THIS camera. First, I like Nikon over other brands because they are easier to use/better menus for those of us who aren't experts. I also think that Nikon makes the best lenses. Even their cheapest kit lenses have great optics and take great pictures. Not all manufacturers can say that.
The second thing I want to address is this camera's lack of an internal motor to auto focus a lens. In other words, you need Nikon's AF-S lenses with this camera. (Note: almost all of Nikon's lenses work with this camera and auto focus.) I would only think it is a concern for someone who has really old lenses, a non-Nikon lens like Sigma or Tamron without an auto focus motor built-in, or possibly some specialty lens that won't auto focus on its own. For me, I have purchased 4 different lenses over the last 4-5 years. They all work just fine. While it is something to be aware of, I think most people who are looking at this camera will be fine too. The lack of an internal motor means the D5000 is slightly smaller and lighter than the next step up - cheaper too. This makes the D5000 easier to hang around your neck and carry around all day. This camera is not targeted at a pro, though it is very capable of taking pro pictures. Pros are more likely to opt for the D90 or above.
Third - My D50, the D40, D60, D70 and D80 are all Generation 1 cameras. (Actually the D40 & D60, may be called Generation 2, but are more Generation 1.5) Nikon's current lineup, the D3000, D5000, D90 and D300s, are all Generation 2 cameras. What the reviews say is that the Generation 2 cameras take better pictures. They see things more the way the human eye sees things. I am at that point where I am trying to learn more about photography and take better pictures. I did my research. The D3000 is a light camera that you can carry around all day without getting neck cramp. The problem with the D3000 for me was that all the reviews said how much noise (little purple dots that look like film grain) showed up in photos at the higher ISOs. The D90 is a great camera with numerous features that appeal to someone who has some idea what ISO and F stops mean and how they affect the quality of the photo. The D5000's problem, until recently, has been that it was too closely priced to the D90. There was just no reason not to take the extra step up to the D90. Now that Nikon and Amazon have dropped the price of the D5000, it is a much better value. The D90 with the same 18-55 VR lens is about $300 more expensive than the D5000 as of this writing. The D5000 uses the same sensor (and some other parts) as the much more expensive D90 and D300s. It is a newer camera than the D90. I would think, but don't have actual knowledge, that this would have a positive effect on some of the advanced features in the D5000. I say this because the software in the D5000 is newer. It does NOT have the noise problems of the D3000. If you cannot afford the D5000, I suggest you consider the D40 (while supplies last) over the D3000. The D40 takes better pictures and costs less.
Video - Do NOT buy a DSLR to shoot videos. NO DSLR from any manufacturer does this really well. The technology is too new. Video on a DSLR is a goof, something neat/fun to play with and not something to take too seriously. DSLRs are designed to take really good photographs. If you need good video, buy a camcorder!
In my opinion, the D5000 is THE camera for folks new to DSLRs who need something simple, but with great capabilities and those, like me, who want to take a step up in features/capabilities without having to spend over $900 dollars for the D90 and a lens. While Live View has its limitations, the articulating screen (it swivels - very cool feature) on the D5000 will make it easier for me to take those occasional hard to get photos.
I really think I made the right choice and got what I feel is a heck of a deal! I hope this information is useful to those of you who are still trying to decide which camera is best for you.
One last thought... Nikons seem to hold their value. I plan to sell my D50 - AND - there seems to be a market for it. Once I learn what ISO and F stops are (I have some idea, but am still learning.), I will likely sell my D5000 and buy whatever the next step up is. I think this is a great added value to buying a good name brand camera like Nikon. All the best...
**Update 1/3/10** Well, I've had a chance to shoot a few hundred photos with my new D5000. I did a direct comparison with about 150 photos between my old D50 and the new D5000. The output of my old D50 and the new D5000 are remarkably close. These side by side comparisons were shot with the same lens (Nikkor 16-85mm VR and Nikon NC filter), the built in flash and the Nikon SB 800 flash. I took some shots in "Auto" and many shots in "P". I used every ISO and color controll the D5000 had and tried to tweak them up and down (sharpness, saturation and hue). I've decided to return the D5000, and then decided to keep it, and here's why.
The added megapixels of the D5000 seem to have very little effect in the amount of detail in the photos as compared to my D50. The D50 has a 6 megapixel sensor. (I DID tweak the settings of my D50 to get better output. I will tweak the settings of the D5000 too.) And, the D50 seemed to have a slightly more reliable/consistent meter when shooting in auto white balance. All this really surprised me. I guess I was expecting more of a difference between the two cameras. The D50 probably has one of the most accurate meters in any Nikon digital camera - better than the D40 and D60. In the thousands of photos I took over 4-5 years, it got the white balance spot on every time.
In defense of the D5000, it does have features far beyond those of the D50. It is these features that have made me decide to keep the D5000. The software in the D5000 allows you to adjust many more aspects of how the camera operates and takes pictures than what my D50 had. This allowed me to tweak any settings that I was not completely happy with. It also has numerous preset scene modes for those who want to treat the D5000 more as a really good point and shoot. I guess this camera gives the user enough features where even prosumers could be happy with the creative flexibility the controls give.
The D5000 has a number of other advantages over the D50. The first is a time saver for me. Its auto distortion controll seems to handle lens distortion "in camera" when the pictures are taken. Having the camera address lens distortion saves me from having to fix it after the photos are taken. I shoot quite a bit with a 12-24mm lens that tends to twist things some. I also took several test photos of a very square surface with a 70-300mm lens at different focal lengths. You could see the lens distortion through the view finder. Big bonus... The auto distortion control really seems to work! Additional features include much better low light performance (The D50 and many other cameras will never touch the D5000's low light performance.), ADR (it will capture detail inside shadows rather than just turning the shadow black.), a larger-articulating screen that is much easier to see and read (the D5000 displays the camera settings on the rear screen instead of an LCD on top of the camera.), live view (I recommend using this only for those hard to get photos when you just can't use the view finder. It can take 3 to 8 seconds to focus in live view.) auto focus with 3D tracking for photographing subjects that are moving, and a smaller and lighter form factor than the D50.
The bottom line for me was that my old D50 took really good photos in good conditions. The D5000 takes only slightly better pictures than my D50 in good conditions. In less than perfect conditions, the D5000 seems to take much better photos than my D50. If you're upgrading like me and none of these added features mean anything to you, keep your current camera. Otherwise, while not completely perfect, the D5000 can be a good upgrade or a very capable first dslr that is easy to use AND will give you the room and controls to expand your skills and your creativity as you learn.
I did play with a variety of settings in my new D5000. The "One Change" that seemed to make the biggest improvement in the quality of the photos was to adjust the sharpness settings in the Picture Controls menu. I have turned the sharpness settings way up over the factory defaults. The factory settings ranged from 2 to 4 (on a scale of 1 to 9). I greatly prefer setting the sharpness more in the 5 to 8 range. You can adjust the sharpness for the different modes - 5 for images you want to be softer like portraits, and 6, 7 or 8 for everything else. If you shoot in "auto mode", these changes won't work. You will need to move to "P" or some other setting to take advantage of this. If you try it, I think you will be pleased at how much sharper and how much more detail you get in your photos over the factory settings.
The information I share comes in part from personal experience and in part from reading reviews and information all over the web - not because I'm some pro photographer. For anyone who cares to read more, I recommend checking out Ken Rockwell. You can Google him. He rates ALL of...Read more›

Click Here to see more reviews about: Nikon D5000 12.3 MP DX Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR Lens and 2.7-inch Vari-angle LCD

A remarkable blend of simplicity and highly advanced D-SLR capabilities, the compact and powerful D5000 offers breathtaking 12.3-megapixel image quality, along with a flexible, Vari-angle, Live View monitor for fresh picture-taking perspectives. Nikon's EXPEED image processing further enhances performance, contributing to split-second shutter response and continuous shooting at up to 4 frames-per-second to capture fast action and precise moments perfectly.

Click here for more information about Nikon D5000 12.3 MP DX Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR Lens and 2.7-inch Vari-angle LCD

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