Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
Which one is right for you?

Nikon D90

Features - Good

Price - Moderate

The Nikon D90 is the upgrade from the D80 and offers alot of new features from its predecessor. First of all it is the first DSLR to offer video capture in high def. 720p with sound. Don't try and video your kid's high school play with this however, because it is no replacement for a video camera. The D90 offers excellent image quality even at high ISOs. It has 12.3 megapixels, not nearly as many as some of its competitors, however it appears as if Nikon is not in the megapixel race, concentrating on other features more important. Here is a line up of some of the features:

• shutter speeds of 30 sec. to 1/4000 sec.
• 3-inch LCD
• dynamic range control
• full frame sensor
• live view
• shoots at 9fps making it perfect for action shots

List price is $1000 body only.

Nikon D90 Full Description

Nikon's exclusive EXPEED Image Processing Concept: The foundation of Nikon’s newest Image Processing Systems, EXPEED culminates the concepts, innovations and years of Nikon’s digital image processing experience, providing superior image quality with state-of-the-art technologies at blazing processing speeds.

Selectable 12-Bit or 14-Bit A/D Conversion: The choice of selecting bit depths at 12-bit (4,096 tones) or 14-bit(16,384 tones), both yielding incredible image quality through a full 16-bit processing pipeline, enables photographers to choose smaller files at faster operating speeds, as opposed to larger files with smoother tonal gradations at slower operating speeds.3.0-inch super density 920,000-dot VGA color monitor: With 170-degree, wide-angle viewing and tempered glass protection, you'll get even better critical image review capabilities.Fast, accurate 51-point auto focus with 3D focus tracking: Add onto that, three dynamic AF modes to deliver exacting auto focus precision at blazing speeds.

Two LiveView shooting modes: Use either hand-held or tripod when shooting in a studio, remote situations or from challenging angles.

Nikon's exclusive Scene Recognition System (SRS): Improved 1,005-pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering II provides even more intelligent auto exposure capabilities, along with smarter auto white balance detection and faster, more accurate AF performance.New Picture Control settings: This gives photographers dramatically advanced color control with 4 preset options; standard, neutral, vivid and monochrome, as well as 9 customizable settings.

Nikon's exclusive Active D-Lighting: Image enhancement provided on the fly while shooting produces broader tone reproduction in both shadows and highlights by controlling light intensity and exposure compensation while applying localized tone control technology to achieve the right level of contrast across the entire image for sharp, detailed results.

The World's First Virtual Horizon Graphics Indicator: The D3 's super-density color LCD monitor, teamed with Nikon's innovative Electronic Virtual Horizon delivers instant and accurate confirmation of the D3's position relative to "horizon level." You can alsi level the D3 while looking through the viewfinder or on the top-decl LCD.

Nikon's self-diagnostic shutter system: Tested to 300,000 cycles, this system is a clear indication of advanced engineering and durable construction.

Comprehensive state-of-the-art dust and moisture countermeasures and electromagnetic interference: With a rugged,durable and precise magnesium-alloy chassis and body, the D3 goes beyond other D-SLRs to protect against invasive moisture, dust and even elecromagnetic interference. A comprehensive series of O-rings and other specialized seals,combined with additional engineering, keeps you shooting whe lesser cameras would fail.

Nikon D700

Features - Very Good

Price - High

This is one of the top Nikon models. It is full of pro features and produces exceptional sharp and rich images. It features exact autofocus precision with its 51 point AF and 3D focus tracking. This camera is a top pick for the sports and action photographer with its 8fps. A new feature is its advanced white balance and scene recognition system. This camera is truly a choice for the pro photographer. Here is a summary of some more of its features:

List price is $2999 body only.

Nikon D700 Full Description

Broad ISO sensitivity up to 6400 and incredibly low noise: Super low-noise performance from 200-6400 ISO, with the added versatility of Lo-1 (100 ISO) Hi-1 (12,800 ISO) and Hi-2 (25,600 ISO).

Continuous shooting up to 5 frames per second: Shoot at up to 8 frames per second with the optional MB-D10

Multi-power Battery Pack.

Three-Inch, super-density 920,000-dot VGA color monitor: High resolution with 70-degree wide-angle viewing, calibrated color and tempered-glass protection assure confident image review.Two Live View shooting modes: Choose from hand-held or tripod modes to suit shooting requirements.

Rugged magnesium-alloy construction: Along with extensive dust and moisture protection and a durable shutter mechanism tested to 150,000 cycles, the D700 merges pro D-SLR performance with expanded agility.

Fast, accurate 51-point AF with 3D Focus Tracking: Exacting autofocus precision, plus three Dynamic AF modes.

Dynamic Integrated Dust Reduction System: Effective quad-frequency, ultrasonic sensor cleaning minimizes image degrading dust particles.

1,005-Pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering II: Legendary Nikon exposure accuracy aided by an onboard database of over 30,000 images.

Nikon's exclusive Scene Recognition System: SRS further extends auto-exposure intelligence while also advancing white-balance detection and autofocus performance.

Nikon Picture Control settings: Advanced color control with 9 customizable settings and 4 preset options allow fine tuning of image appearance preferences.

Active D-Lighting with NEW Auto mode: Unique three-phase dynamic control to capture previously lost details in shadows and highlights while maintaining normalized contrast.

Nikon D300

Features - Very Good

Price - Moderate to High

Although this camera is over 1 year old it is being featured as the middle ground camera between the D90 and the D700. This camera is rated "for the professional on a budget" It has many of the features of the D700 and it is actually hard to tell them apart. It is also a 12 megapixel camera with ISO's up to 3200. It has a 3" LCD, sensor cleaner and fires shots at 6fps. It also features the EXPEED imaging processing feature as the D700. One main difference is that it has a smaller sensor than the D700 which has a full frame sensor.

Here is a full description of what the D300 has to offer:

List price is $1800 body only.

Nikon D300 Full Description

12.3-megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor: Nikon's exclusive digital image processing system advances DX-format image quality to new levels.

The 3.0-inch super density 920,000-dot VGA color monitor: 170-degree, wide-angle viewing and tempered-glass protection makes critical image review possible.

Continuous shooting from 6 frames per second up to 8 frames per second.

The new optional MB-D10 multi-power battery pack makes the D300 a powerful performer for a wide variety of shooting disciplines.

* When using the EH-5a AC adaptor or the MB-D10 multi-power battery pack with batteries other than rechargeable Li-ion En El3e.

Low-Noise ISO from 200-3200: The D300’s DX-format CMOS sensor with a high signal-to-noise ratio empowers photographers to select from a broad range of ISOs from 200-3200 with exceptional performance at low-noise high ISO settings. Included is an expanded range of options with Lo-1 (ISO 50 equivalent) and Hi-1 (ISO 6400 equivalent).

Fast, accurate 51-point auto focus with 3D focus tracking and three dynamic AF modes: Exacting auto focus precision at blazing speeds!

Nikon's exclusive Scene Recognition System (SRS): The improved 1,005-pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering II provides even more intelligent auto exposure capabilities, along with smarter auto white balance detection and faster, more accurate AF performance.

Nikon's exclusive EXPEED Image Processing Concept: The foundation of Nikon’s newest Image Processing Systems, EXPEED culminates the concepts, innovations and years of Nikon’s digital image processing technologies at blazingprocessing speeds.

Selectable 12-Bit or 14-Bit A/D Conversion: The choice of selecting bit-depths at 12-bit (4,096 tones) or 14-bit(16,384 tones), both yielding incredible image quality through a full 16-bit processing pipeline, enables photographers to choose smaller files at faster operating speeds, as opposed to larger files with smoother tonal gradations as slower operating speeds.

Dynamic integrated dust reduction system: Self-cleaning ultrasonic sensor unit minimizes degradation of image quality due to dust particles.

Two LiveView shooting modes: Use either hand-held or tripod when shooting in a studio, remote situations or from challenging angles.

New Picture Control settings: Advanced color control with 4 preset options; standard, neutral, vivid and monochrome,as well as 9 customizable settings.

Nikon's Active D-Lighting Image enhancement: Provided on the fly while shooting, Active D-lighting produces broader tone reproduction in both shadows and highlights by controlling light intensity and exposure compensation while applying localized tone control technology to achieve the right level of contrast across the entire image for sharp,detailed results.

Rugged magnesium-alloy construction: Along with advanced dust and moisture protection and a durable shutter mechanism: The D300 has been tested to 150,000 cycles making it the perfect choice for photographers who demand high performance and agility.

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