Nikon Coolpix P90 12.1MP Digital Camera with 24x Wide Angle Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom and 3 inch Tilt LCD
From the Manufacturer
Experience even closer encounters with Nikon’s Coolpix P90, with 12.1 effective megapixels and an incredible 24x optical Zoom-NIKKOR ED glass lens for stunning prints as large as 16×20 inches. The camera’s bright, 3.0-inch high-resolution vari-angle LCD and Electronic Viewfinder make it easy to compose and share your pictures. And Nikon’s new 4 Way VR Image Stabilization makes incredible pictures incredibly easy. Nikon’s New Smart Portrait System, whic (further details about this electronic product…)
Xanadu said
January 14 2010 @ 4:07 pm
As with all new electronic toys, I had to take this particular model for a test drive before wrapping it up as a gift for a family member who is absolutely sold on nothing else but point and shoot cameras. Myself owning several Nikon & Canon film/DSLR systems over the years, I have to admit that I’ve never been a huge fan of point and shoot cameras. Surprisingly I did find that the Nikon P90 was definitely worthy of a second look. By far, this camera is a major leap over the much maligned Nikon P80.
Packed with an incredibly sweet 24x optical zoom (26-624mm) lens, the 4 way Vibration Reduction system incorporates Optical Image Stabilization to an ISO capability of 6400. In Sport Continuous Scene Mode, the P90 is capable of 15fps high-speed shooting at up to 45 frames per burst. When shooting outdoors in various transitions I was pleasantly surprised that the P90 operated smoothly without the usual demons associated with the older P80 system. It delivered an array of great photographs in both auto, sports and manual modes that required absolutely no editing.
Like all point and shoots, the P90 does have its limitations indoors. However, this system can be tweaked to deliver some outstanding indoor photographs. The bottom line is proper settings. A basic fix is the VR (Vibration Reduction) feature. This should be activated, especially indoors. For those that insist on shooting in auto mode and in low light situations, the noise gremlins are indeed going to be noticeable due to a higher preset ISO. This will undoubtedly lead to dark and out of focus photographs. To alleviate that scenario I suggest that if auto is the preference, try shooting in a stationary, programmed auto mode. This will at least give the photographer options to work with.
Another great feature is its 3″ tilting LCD screen. The LCD screen has a protective anti-glare coating. The tilted screen is a nice tool especially for shooting in the prone position. I only question the extension arm’s durability over time. Add in the Best Shot Selector (BSS),Red-Eye, Smile and Blink Proof features and you have the whole package.
In video mode, average quality is produced at 24 frames per second at 16:9 aspect ratio. HD would have been a sweet addition. As with all new digital cameras it comes down to memory card speed and top shelf batteries. Use of no name batteries can easily short out the system or leak. I recommend that buyers spend the extra bucks on SDHC cards and a durable tripod.
Seasoned point and shoot owners will undoubtedly enjoy all the bells and whistles that are packed onto this system. Indeed, it is the next best thing to a DSLR. As with all point and shoots the bottom line is convenience. Overall, I remain impressed with the Nikon P90.
Orenthal said
January 14 2010 @ 7:26 pm
The Nikon Coolpix P90 is what it is, a Point & Shoot Camera. It is not a DSLR and was never designed to replace a DSLR. Duh!
I do a lot of back country travel both in 4X4 vehicles and on foot and the P90 is a dream come true. It’s light and packs easily on my belt, it’s versatile and the super zoom lets me frame shots without climbing all over a mountain. It has easy to use controls and I can shift in seconds from a macro shot of a cactus blossom to an action shot of a javalina running along the river bottom. I would love to take the DSLR guy on some of my hikes and let him pack a camera, tripod and three or four lenses around for the day. I wonder who will get all the shots and who will still be several miles back trying to shift lenses!
Honestly, I’ve been the whole SLR/Darkroom route and I have eight film cameras and a dozen lenses sitting in a box in the closet. I started using digital cameras back when you paid a lot of money for a 2 megapixal camera. I bought a Coolpix 4500 and took almost 3000 pictures with it. I banged it around, dropped it in the dirt and it never stopped taking really good pictures.
Nikon knows how to make great cameras and the Coolpix P90 is a great camera. Don’t let the “flamers” fool you with their horrific reviews. They buy a Point & Shoot camera and complain bitterly that it doesn’t do the same thing a DSLR does. Wow, I suppose the same person buys a Saturn and complains because it doesn’t handle like a BMW M6.
I’ve been playing with my new P90 and have over a hundred pictures in 5 days. It’s going to be a great camera and a fantastic travel companion.
Myla said
January 14 2010 @ 7:41 pm
This camera has sparked my interest as a photography hobbyist. The zoom issues described in previous reviews are easily solved by tweaking the iso, aperture or shutter speed. The camera also has several settings such as aperture or Shutter priority modes to assist with evenly regulating exposure making it easy to use for 1st timers. After reading the manual every picture i took came out in amazing quality. The tilt screen makes taking pictures at impossible angles easy. The 24 inch zoom lets you take close ups from impossible lengths.
it also comes with Vibration reduction to stabilize said zoom shots
Noise reduction to help when high iso is necessary.
Auto and manual whitebalance settings
In camera digital lighting and editing.
This camera may not be a DSLR but in my opinion it takes pictures just as well with half the effort.