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.
 |
 |
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.
December 2nd, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Great point mike floyd.
Plus, get ready to shell out some serious cash for a 16gb+ Compact Flash Card if you plan to use it as a video camera
December 4th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
To those who denounce the D90’s movie mode:
First, it actually is more useful that the 5D Mk. II’s mode for one reason: 24P. I’ve read lots of reviews that say it’s bad because it’s “not as smooth” as 30P. Guess they don’t know that filmmakers like me spend thousands of dollars for that “jerky” look. Hm. 24P over 30P is a GOOD thing, not a bad thing. Sure, you can switch 30P to 24P in post, but that adds another rendering process to it so you lose picture quality and most importantly, TIME.
Also, keep in mind the movie mode isn’t marketed towards “budding home movie-makers.” Nor is it marketed towards professional filmmakers. Nor is it marketed towards photographers. Instead, it’s more for people like me who do both video and stills on low budgets.
And 720P vs. 1080P isn’t an issue, since all my delivery is in SD anyway. But I would like 1080P anyway. But that would cost about 2,000 more and I’d lose 24P. So…
It’s all about feature/price/application. For my application and price range, the D90 is a clear winner over the Mark II. However, if I was mostly a photographer looking to add videoy looking video to my wedding package, and I wasn’t adverse to spending $4,000 over the $1,500 the D90 is, then perhaps I’d like the Mark II more.
And GKS, what do you mean, “get ready to shell out some serious cash for a 16gb+ Compact Flash Card if you plan to use it as a video camera?” Last time I checked you can get a 16GB SD card for easily less than $30. When you’re paying for a camera that costs thousands of dollards, I don’t think $30 is even an issue. I’d be getting one anyway, video mode or not…
December 9th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
The real question is how much you are prepared to pay? If you have $2,500 - $3,000 to spend on a camera then go for the the Canon but for less than $1k you can get a great still with the bonus of video in the Nikon. Of course, if you have a large investment in lens and you don’t have a lot of spare cash you stick with your current brand.
I purchased the D90 and love it. The video function is fine but don’t expect to shoot more than short segments. This shouldn’t be a problem since most pro or pro-am videos are shot in very short segments i.e. <30 seconds. If you want to shoot your kid’s 30 minute 6th grade band concert stick with a camcorder.
January 7th, 2009 at 8:27 am
D90 video only have fixed zoom. I think you forget to mention about it.
January 15th, 2009 at 9:59 am
Hi I am in the market for a new digital dlsr and the two i am torn with are the Nikon D90 and Canon 50D I am an amature photog, and mostly shoot family, wildlife, nature and kids sports. What do you suggest.
January 15th, 2009 at 10:49 am
Mark-
You should probably post your question on our digital SLRs forum. You’ll get a bigger repsonse there:
Digital SLR Forum >>
After using both the Canon EOS 50D (I bought it) and the Nikon D90 (we have been testing one for review), I would go with the Nikon D90. If it’s all about image quality, it’s absolutely the best in the mid-range DSLR class right now. However, I always recommend dialing it back on the camera body and spending your money on lenses instead. They’re really more important than the camera. And there are no bad digital SLRs anymore. So if this is your first DSLR, take a look instead at the Nikon D60 and Canon XSi / 450D and better lenses than the kit lenses. I think that’s a better way to get started. And for what it’s worth, I own an XSi as well as the EOS 50D. I am just as happy to use the XSi as the 50D.
February 28th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
I own both, but much prefer canon 50d in my hand, image quality more or less same, but with similiar price canon is better option, for the lenses also canon is cheaper, better buy I think, canon 50d still Made in Japan, much stronger an durability, faster compare to d90, but d90 also hv advantage such video etc, but overal , I keep canon 50d,
April 19th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
Who in their right mind would let “video” capabilities enter into their decision to buy a DSLR? Buy a camcorder for goodness sake. I have a Canon Xsi, and a 50D, and love’em both. Canon and Nikon are always going to be neck-and-neck in the “better than” race. There doesn’t seem to be a nickels worth of difference in them. One of them will always have a small advantage “feature wise” over the other. Most things being comparable, I have to fall back sometimes on small things like…which one feels better in my hand, or which one is most “menu friendly”. If you try to buy a new camera everytime one of them gets an advantage over the other, you’ll be camera poor the rest of your life.
April 19th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
P.S. to my note. Go ahead and shoot me, but for my 50D, I bought a Tamron 18×270 lens, and am amazed by it. Canon and Nikon build the lenses that they want us to have (so we will have to have more of them) and charge rediculous prices for them. Tamron and the after market lens manufacturers build the lenses that we want, with very high quality, and charge reasonable prices for them.
April 22nd, 2009 at 12:20 am
Im an avid user of Nikon cameras and I find it very easy to use. The quality of the images is undeniably awesome. I never tried using a Canon DSLR before and Im tempted with the 50D’s specs. The downside of it is the price. im still confused and still dont know what to buy.
mac
April 23rd, 2009 at 4:48 pm
For those who are trying to decide between the Nikon D90 and the Canon EOS 50D, I would recommend the Nikon. I’ve used both and own the Canon EOS 50D. The Nikon has better image quality and really impressive high ISO performance. I am perfectly happy with my 50D, but it’s not the improvement over the EOS 40D that I had hoped for. If I wasn’t invested in Canon already, I would choose the Nikon D90. Anyone who already has an investment in Canon lenses would probably be better off sticking with Canon. But if you are already a Nikon user or are looking at buying into your first DSLR system, then the D90 is the way to go. Or maybe the Nikon D5000, which was announced a couple of weeks ago…
May 11th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
Iam mostly a sports photographer and currently own a Canon 20D, 40D, and 50D. My son owns a 30D. I switched from Nikon a few years ago on advice from a pro football sports photographer. I saw sports shots taken with his fairly new Canon 5D Mark 2. He had his laptop at a college basketball game and showed a few of us sports photographers some of his cropped, enlarged close up shots. The faces that covered most of his cropped images were FANTASTIC !!! Sharpest I’ve ever seen. I guess the 21 megapixels makes a big difference when cropping and enlarging. The Canon 5D Mark 2 is for me ! As far as video is concerned, if you need to shoot both, get a small camcorder for about $300 and hang it around your neck. The video on a Nikon 90D is a gimmick to make you think you’re getting more than your money’s worth. Just another feature that may need repairs down the line.
May 18th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
Why are you even comparing a Canon EOS 5D (full-frame, pro tool) to a Nikon D90 (semi-pro/hobbist tool)?
I have owned 300D, 350D, and just purchased a 50D; along with a friend who purchased the D90 at the same time.
Each of us will use both cameras and post our findings in a few months.
June 1st, 2009 at 1:29 pm
Video people, like me, are always trying to get a film-look out of video. I think what makes the D90 interesting to me for video is it shoots HD with Nikon lenses and gives a more pro look (film-like depth of field) than even my Panasonic HVX-200 with its attached Leica lens system. It has its limitations, but for 720p stock footage, low-end commercials, and a little know-how, the D-90 will do just fine. I have shot a thousand or so commercials with my Panasonic and love its features, I just wish it was delivered with a Nikon lens mount and no lens. Investing another $2,000 for an adapter is silly, I simply open the aperture and adjust shutter speed/ND filters and/or back-up to get the depth of field the 35mm lens offers.
June 8th, 2009 at 2:17 am
hi anybody can help me by choosing D90 or 50D personnal use only
July 6th, 2009 at 11:38 am
@master robert:
at the end of the day, it’s the image result that speaks the loudest.
So far as I know, Nikkors are slightly better lenses (not knowing about their quality compared to Canon L series, though), but Canon has better engine. Both are important. IMHO Canon has more neutral color tone (so was Minolta).
The 50D has better body than the D90. To me, Nikon & Canon are like…Honda & Toyota. I collect Leicas, Hasselblads, Rolleis, and many more, so I know neither lenses come close to the sharpness & details of Leitz or Zeiss.
Try for yourself because at the end you are the jury. If it was me, Canon would be my pick
October 29th, 2009 at 8:01 am
Ive thrown everything into consideration but i still cant come up with a suitable outcome. what would you rather use in the case of art photography, and/or photojournalism D90 - 50D? or else?