Strengths:D300 Image Quality, High ISO use; gets MANY features once exclusive to >$2,000 models (see Comments); 920k LCD, drive speed (5fps on mine), JPG processing, , 11-point
Weaknesses:Software for advanced editing is very good but costly (Capture NX2, appx. $150), as is the PC control software (Camera Control 2, $75 or so?). Canon gives similar software for free. Awful bundled apps
Posted 1 year ago - For the sake of disclosure, I've owned Canons (30D & 40D, used 5D Mk. II for several jobs) and currently shoot with a Nikon D90 and D700. As the first "2nd-generation" Nikon DSLR to retail for less than $2,000 (See critic Ken Rockwell's fine explanation at www.kenrockwell.com/ni...), you get the best "bang for the buck" with the D90. The power of its Picture Control System (PCS) affords enormous flexibility, esp. when paired with the Fcn button (set for "1st item in My Menu"), as you can switch from "outdoor" shooting to your portraiture parameters **without taking your eye from the finder** PCS includes a set of contrast, sharpness, hue & other settings that can be set & saved to call up individually (9 or 12 can be saved to shortcuts) My opinion is that PCS is more powerful than Canon's Picture Styles.
The D90 sports the best APS-C viewfinder you can buy, period.
The AF module is superb for this class, using an 11-point, 1-cross (x,y) array that can be set to the usual "single, dynamic, auto" plus a novel 11-pt. 3D subject tracking mode that uses the excellent Scene Recognition System (SRS), which participates in two main functions: metering & 3D predictive tracking. It does this with a 420-segment sensor in tandem with many complex algorithms; Nikon likes to tout the one that compares the real-time frame to> 35,000 stored images (& contour maps) to help meter the shot and/or track a moving subject for 3D predictive focusing, a really impressive feature that calculates the position a moving subject will be in by the next frame and pre-programs the AF point before it's needed; the result is up to 4.5 fps shooting with a subject that remains in focus (even if moving toward the camera and leaving its field simultaneously!). With 11-pts it works well on a tennis player, but a bird in flight hasn't got a prayer; that would require Nikon's top-of-the-line 51-point (15-cross) 1,005-segment 3D tracking (on the D300/D700/D3/D3x).
Low light/high ISO work at times superior to the D300 (and even the $4,500 D3 in some cases, according to noted critic Ken Rockwell). ISO 3200 usually looks great; the terrific Auto ISO system adjusts shutter speed and ISO based on your telling the D90 what your max ISO & slowest shutter speed should be (and use it in Programmed Auto "P", or S, A modes).
Build quality & ergonomics are great: unbeatable for this class.
Speed. I measured 5.06 fps under tough conditions: RAW output & ISO 800
Video is nice to use on occasion, but this is a stills camera first and foremost.
Fantastic selection of post retouching/tone changes. In fact, the color control setting is superior to Photoshop CS4's (on the flip side, CS4's Spherize is much better than the D90's Fisheye effect, but CS4 costs nearly as much as the D90!). I use "Straighten" often, a great way to correct off horizon shots & lets you focus on getting the shot knowing it's easily corrected in camera (by +/- 5 deg.). D-lighting is very useful for bumping up dynamic range (this even helps for shots in which the amazing Active D-Lighting had been set -- FYI: Active D Lighting is very different and far more powerful than just "D-Lighting," a post function). Can convert NEF (RAW) to JPG in camera and apply various exposures, PCS sets & more.
Same amazing 3.0" LCD as in the $8,000 D3x.
Imperceptibly fast sensor cleaning and anti-vignetting feature.
There are more, just can't think of them now!!
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