August 27th, 2008 by 
Photo-John
Digital SLR Wars At Photokina 2008
With the bi-annual Photokina tradeshow just a month off, the camera announcements are starting to come fast and furious. We’ve had a whole slough of compact camera announcements from Sony, Olympus, Panasonic, Nikon, and Canon. And yesterday it started with the digital SLRs.
Canon’s 15-megapixel EOS 50D (read more about the Canon EOS 50D) with a maximum ISO of 12800, caught me by surprise - especially since Canon users have all expecting a full-frame EOS 5D replacement. And rumors have been flying for a week or so about a Nikon DSLR announcement. Some leaked images and details on the new camera added some serious fuel to the Nikon fire. And today Nikon unveiled the 12.3-megapixel D90 - the first digital SLR to include full HD video capability. As the leaked info and name indicated, it’s a DX format (APS-C sensor size) step up from the 10-megapixel Nikon D80. The sensitivity range is ISO 200 to 3200 and can be expanded to ISO 100 on the low end and 6400 on the high end. The frame rate is a respectable 4.5 frames-per-second. It also includes Nikon’s Active D-Lighting in-camera processing, a sensor cleaning system, 11-point auto focus, a 3-inch 920k-resolution LCD display with Live View, and GPS compatibility.
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What really sets the Nikon D90 apart from other digital SLRs is the addition of the D-Movie mode. The D90 is the first digital SLR that can capture video as well as still images. It will record high-def video at 1280 x 720 pixels and 24 frames-per-second. With speed, high ISO performance, and the full range of changeable Nikkor lenses, the D90 could become the next big thing for homegrown action sports photographers. For more details and in-depth analysis of the Nikon D90 announcement, read the press release and check out deckcadet’s post on the Nikon Cameras Forum.
But Nikon and Canon aren’t the only players to watch before Photokina. No DSLR announcements have been made yet by Pentax, Olympus, or Sony - not to mention Panasonic, Leica, and Sigma. We already know Sony should be announcing a 24-megapixel full-frame professional digital SLR - they had the sensor on display at PMA this spring. Olympus and Panasonic recently announced the new Four Thirds Micro camera standard and I’m hoping we’ll see something in that new format at Photokina. But still no mention of what’s probably the most anticipated camera - the replacement for Canon’s revered full frame, small-bodied EOS 5D - the regular guy’s workhorse camera. Among Canon wedding, portrait, product, and landscape photographers who don’t want to pay for or haul around the massive and expensive EOS-1Ds Mark III, the EOS 5D replacement is becoming something like the second coming. Keep the faith, brothers and sisters - we’ve still got a month left before the show…
Related Content:
Canon Cameras Forum
Nikon Cameras Forum
Digital SLR Forum
More Canon News And Articles
More Nikon News And Articles
Canon Web Site
Nikon Web Site
August 28th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
I’ve been waiting around to see what this Canon 5D MKii (or whatever its called) will spec out to be. I really want to move into the Full Frame game, but now I want both the 5D MKII and the 50D! One for wide angle, one for 400mm zoom. But after the whole ordeal with the 1Ds-MIII I think I’ll wait and make sure everything is safe first.
August 28th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
I don’t see wide-angle being a problem for APS-C sensor cameras anymore. There are lots of great super-wide lenses available for APS-C digital SLRs. I’ve used Canon’s EF-S 10-22mm and the Tokina 12-24mm f/4 and they’re both very good lenses. In my opinion, the real strength of a full-frame camera is in the depth-of-field control. You’re never going to be able to get the same kind of limited depth-of-field with a crop-sensor camera that you can with the 5D, D3, or 1Ds Mark III. Image quality is an issue, too. A bigger sensor will always deliver better image quality. Although I’d argue that we’ve reached the point where image quality is good enough that better isn’t necessarily that important anymore. not for the average photography, anyway.
October 4th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
I wanted to nicely disagree with your comment that, “the D90 could become the next big thing for homegrown action sports photographers.” By “homegrown” I assume you mean average joe, so prosumers only. If you want action shots then you want a high frames-per-second rate. Canon’s 40D or 50D have over 6 fps. The D90 doesn’t touch that. (None of Nikon’s prosumers touch that and if they do they are more expensive than the new 50D) If you meant video capture then you can get full HD (1080p not 720) at 30 fps from Aiptelk for $150 that also includes 60 fps at 720p. The D90 might be better with its expanded ISO but I would never suggest this camera to a budding sport photog. Even the Canon 20D does 5 fps. Nikon does have other high frame rate cams. Just not this one and not for under $1500 (relative I know if you count .. uh . . auction sites) I don’t look at this stuff for a living so I might be wrong. Please let me know if I am. Sorry if I sound “canonized” : ) Have fun catching photons or waves.
-Brian
October 9th, 2008 at 6:29 am
Bri-Guy: Sure Canon might have few frames per second more, but then again the 50D cost more, we should see Nikon increase this with there Pro-consumer cameras, I think the Nikon D300 is more comparable to the 40D or 50D and once again it comes down to preference, because lets face it give any decent pro a good camera and they will likely take a decent shot.
Nikon D300 6fps
Canon 40D 6.5 fps
Canon 50D 6.3 fps
Nikon D90 4.5 fps
You want a camera for fast action shots, try this camera, I was shocked on how good the shots looked. Not a SLR
but it blows the competition away for what it can do… How about 60fps…. I am Canon/Nikon user but have used this camera for about a week now and I am constantly impressed for what it can do. Of course it isn’t in the same league to me as picture quality, but it sure isn’t bad.
http://www.exilim.com/intl/ex_f1/features1.html
I would expect to see Nikon and Canon making cameras like this soon, but for a ton hellofa lot more money. Also this Casio can shoot in HD mode for much longer than the Nikon.
October 10th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
Nikon D90 Vs. EOS 5D mark II, my choice the nikon D90.
Compare the two, what do they offer over the other? The Nikon D90 for the price is much better, yes the Canon will deal with more rounded photography, bu in terms of HD video the D90 will make the canon movie mode look like a useless side function.
October 12th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
How do you figure Jacob? The D90 only shoots 720 @ 24fps and the 5d MKII shoots 1080p @ 30fps.
I don’t know about your eyes, but 1080p looks significantly better than 720p to me.
October 23rd, 2008 at 11:20 am
@Ryan & Jacob:
In addition to 1080p vs 720p, the 5D is superior to the 90D in photography specs as such as ISO range, fps, and shutter speeds.
Not to mention that the 5D is a full frame camera that is aimed at the pro’s. That’s where the extra cost lies.
November 15th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
since when were we so concerned with these cameras taking video anyway….if you want to take video dont get a camera, get a camcorder.