NikonD90 12.3MP DX-Format CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 18-105 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S VR DX Nikkor Zoom Lens (OLD MODEL)

This is my first DSLR, and I couldn't be happier. I read endlessly about different cameras before I decided on the D90. In the end it came down to the D90, and Canon's 50D, mostly due to their price points. Both are truely awesome and feature packed camera's. I loved the feel of the 50D, as I have pretty large hands. The 50D is about a half inch wider than the D90, and a slightly larger grip. The D90's grip is great as well, just a little smaller. Because of this, I purchased a battery grip along with the camera (Zeikos ZE-NBG90), and it feels great. (If you're wondering why I'm only talking about Nikon and Canon, it's because both companies have an extensive range of products for all skill levels, so plenty of room for me to upgrade bodies and lenses in the future. They are also both extensively used by professional photographers, so there must be something good about them.)A few things made me ultimately buy the Nikon D90.....First, the included kit lens. Nikon includes a 18-105mm VR lens, and Canon includes a 28-135mm IS lens. Both have Vibration Reduction/Image Stabilization, and both cost about the same if you bought them separately. On a crop frame camera (aps-c size), which both of these are, The 18-105mm is more usefull and versatile as an all purpose lens. I felt that it would serve better indoors, in smaller spaces, than the Canon lens would. For other beginers out there, on a crop frame camera you have to use a multiplier to figure out what the actual range is of a lense. For Nikon, it's 1.5, and for Canon, it's 1.6. So my Nikon 18-105 lens functions like a 27-157 on my D90 crop frame (18x1.5 , 105x1.5)The included lens on the Canon 50D is 28-135mm which, on the 50D, would function like a 45-216mm lens. This would be a great range for outdoor use, but I felt it didn't get wide enough for indoor use. This lens mounted on a full frame camera would be more appropriate (no multiplier). In Canon's defense, there are two other 50D kits available, one with a 17-85mm lens, and another with an 18-200mm lens. In my opinion, both lenses are inferior in quality to the 28-135, and they both are more expensive. The 17-85 kit was about $200 more, and the 18-200 kit was about $400 more. This made the 50D to expensive for me, especially when you could step up to the Canon 7D for $1500(body only) and $1900(with 28-135mm).Second are the number of buttons, and button placement. Everyone is different, and has different ideas about how cameras should be set up. For me, I like the idea of having more buttons on the outside, as the Nikon does when compared to Canon. If I have to go into a menu to get at a certain function, chances are, I'll forget I have that function. Being a beginner, I wanted as much in my face as possible to help me learn. This also makes for very fast adjustments for beginers and advanced photographers alike. As for button placement, the Nikon just felt more natural. Again, everyone is different.Lastly, I considered both Nikon's and Canon's full line of cameras. I do plan on upgrading in the future, so I looked at the upper end cameras as well. Whatever lenses I buy for my D90, I want them to work on whatever body I might upgrade to in the future (lenses are expensive!!!) I think I just liked Nikon's take on photography tools a little better. From styling to functionality, Nikon just seemed more... me. I may regret this, as Canon also makes outstanding products, and it seems like they have a lot more lenses, although I havn't actually counted. For now, I'm looking forward to a long relationship with Nikon, expecting that their more pricey camera bodies function as naturally and comfortably as the D90 does.I absolutely love the Nikon D90, and am very happy I bought it. I feel it's a great camera for beginers, and it'll grow with me as a photographer. I was able to create amazing images right out of the box. It's very easy to use. I sat on the couch with it that first night and just played with menus and settings, and learned my way around the camera very fast. I'd recomend the D90 to anyone, beginners and advanced amatures alike.I used cameralabs.com extensively before I decided on anything. Outstanding website with a lot of writen and video reviews on a great many cameras and lenses. Thanks Gordon!!A few tips if you buy the D90...*an 8g memory card will give you about 350 RAW+JPEG shots, or 1000+ JPEG shots*the D90 shoots video... barely. If you want to shoot video, buy a video camera.... seriously.*if you're going to shoot video, or are going to use live-view a lot, you NEED an extra battery.

I was fortunate enough to get a Nikon D40 several years ago, which kicked off my photography hobbie. Originally I wanted a nicer camera to shoot for the family, and I knew Nikon was a reliable brand, and the D40's were very well priced. (It's how they hook ya!!!)A few photography courses later (and a couple photos published in international magazines!) I've been hooked on Nikon cameras. Last year I upgraded to the Nikon D90. I love taking pictures of animals and children and landscapes as this is how it all started for me. I wanted something that could keep up with my family and pets. A shutter with a high enough speed to catch that "one" moment.Some of the eye-catching qualities this D90 has, is a 3" color screen with a "live view". People who use some of their earlier models (such as the D40) are probably used to having to view through the lens to get their picture. Well, now you don't. In addition to that, you can also shoot video (more on that in a bit.) 12.3 megapixel DX format CMOS sensor, ISO 200-3200, image sensor cleaning, AF, and in-camera retouching.The camera is easy enough to use for a newbie, as you can set it to "Auto" (One of seven shooting modes) and literally just point and shoot and go about your merry way. The camera uses an SD card for memory, though Nikon warns that it should be of a couple certain brands or the camera may not accept it (After formatting the card through the camera, I have not had a problem using 'cheapie' SD cards with it, however). Being a Nikon DSLR, however, you can, of course, go through and set anything and everything up manually to your liking, for the more serious hobbyist or professional.The camera comes with a good quality lens, (18-105mm) a certain upgrade from the stock lens with the D40. (Though the lenses are interchangeable) I enjoy it's "sounds" compared to the D40, if that makes any sense haha! It's heavier and larger than the D40, which I appreciate as well.I am a firm believer that one shouldn't by hybrid products with the hopes or assumption that the product does both (or all) tasks as well as the individual product would be. (Ie, point and shoots should not be expected to be a good video camera, or vice versa) And many other digital cameras I have used have proven this over and over, however the D90 video camera is quite impressive. Videos are limited to 5 minutes in length and have to be done via the lcd screen. It shoots HD videos with great color and quality, however has no AF (Auto Focus)--the only negative I can really give. It's perfect for catching special, spontaneous moments, high enough quality to use to create your own short film, and even easy enough for the responsible kid to use for school projects or just for fun.All and all, the camera is great. Good, hardy build to it. I've trucked it around to our farm, taken photos in the rain, and it has survived all our kids and pets without fail. If you are wanting a DSLR and you haven't ever used one before, this one is easy enough to set, point, and shoot, and still come out with professional looking, breath taking photos. If you are a hobbyist, looking for something that does more than auto-set, this one has all the manual settings one could hope for. And if you're a pro? Well, I don't need to be telling you that you need this camera, because you already know!