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Monday, August 16, 2010

Nikon D90 Replacement by Mid-September

The good folks over at NikonRumors.com have recently posted what they deem to be pretty rock solid info... we're gonna hear the official Nikon D90 replacement announcement by Mid-September.

It's no secret I'm a big fan of the Nikon D90, especially if you've read my article The Nikon D90 - The Perfect DSLR For Just About Anyone, so it should come as no surprise that I'm EAGERLY awaiting the D90 replacement.

The D90 was revolutionary when it was announced... the first DSLR to have video! I remember when I got mine. I quickly preferred it to my D300 bodies for almost every situation. Nimble and quick, light and responsive, the D90 is an all around fantastic camera, and it was very reasonably priced when it came out (and is even more reasonably priced now!).

I still love my D90. It's just a super sweet camera in every respect. I often find myself grabbing my D90 with the Nikon 18-105 VR over my D700 with Nikon 28-70 f2.8. The D90 is smaller and lighter and that alone makes for a BIG advantage in my books these days.

For some reason, I've been finding smaller and lighter much more appealing lately. Don't get me wrong... I love the solid heft of my beautiful Nikon D700, and I love the D700's gorgeous files even more, but the D90 performs like a champ. My D90 with my Nikon 50mm f1.8 is one of my favourite camera/lens combinations.

Yes, the D90 can't compare to the incredible D700 sensor, but neither can most DSLR's. The D90 has the BEST file of any DX camera on the market at this time. Just check out the rankings over at DXO Mark.

So you can see why I'm so excited to see the D90 replacement. Hey, I'll be excited to see the official announcement from Nikon!

The rumor is that the D90 replacement will be called the D95 or the D7000. Personally, I like D7000, but regardless of what it's called, it sounds like it's going to be awesome!

The D90 replacement is rumored to have the new 16 Megapixel Sony sensor, and it's said to have at least a stop better high ISO than the D90. This in itself is enough to make me stand in line at 4am outside my local camera store like a MAC fan the morning a new iPad is released. Luckily, I know the manager and don't have to. :-)

And then there's the video... 1080 HD with a full range of settings including 24fps, 25fps, and 30fps. I fully expect it will have an external mic input, and full manual exposure control, two things sorely lacking on my D90 (but let's remember the D90 was the first kid on the block to do video and is 2 years old now).

The other BIG video feature is Nikon's new game changer... continous video AF. Nobody else has it, and Nikon is leading the pack once again. I can't wait to get my hands on my D90 replacement and try this new continous video AF feature out. While some seem to protest video in a DSLR, I'm loving it and using it more and more every day.

And let's not forget the rumored new 39 point AF system. While the D90 AF works great, and I have no complaints, I'm always up for AF improvements. My D700 and my D300 both have the Nikon flagship AF system, and it sounds like the D90 replacement may be inching closer to their level.

All in all, the Nikon D90 replacement is poised to be a truly incredible DSLR, especially considering the expected MSRP of $1195.00. I'm excited to get one, and I'm already thinking about an update to my original article. Maybe I'll just call it... The Nikon D95 - The Perfect DSLR For Just About Anyone.



4 comments:

Jatin said...

Hi Matt,

Thanks for sharing your views. After contemplating whether to but Canon Xti2 or D90 I decided to buy D90 but now the news of a replacement. Nikon officials though in India are suggesting that there is no replacement but a higher version in Pipe Line.

Still I have tilt towrads D90 as I doubt that adding too many features may spoil the balance of d90.

Jatin

Jatin said...

Hi Matt,

Thanks for your comments.

I contemplated bewteen D90 and Canon Xti2 and by the time I decided on D90 the news of replacement was floating around.

Nikon officials in India are though suggesting that D90 will not be replaced in 2010-11 and if there is a new one introduced it will be a higher model.

Even if the new model comes I have tilt towrads D90 as i believe introducing too many new features may spoil the perfect balance of D90.

Please advise.

Anonymous said...

hi
does that mean the d90 will be phased out?

Unknown said...

Yes, you can expect the D90 to be phased out. Nikon will likely keep discounting it until their remaining inventory is gone, and then they will remove it from their line-up.