Nikon Coolpix P90 Summary

12 Megapixels12 MegapixelsUltra-Zoom: At least 10X optical zoom.Ultra-Zoom: At least 10X optical zoom.Electronic View FinderElectronic View FinderStabilization: Compensates for tiny involuntary movements of the camera.Stabilization: Compensates for tiny involuntary movements of the camera.VGA Video: 640 x 480 or more but less than 1280 x 720.VGA Video: 640 x 480 or more but less than 1280 x 720.Manual Controls: Both fully-manual (M) and semi-automatic modes (T and V).Manual Controls: Both fully-manual (M) and semi-automatic modes (T and V).Custom White-Balance: Specifies exactly what should be white to the camera.Custom White-Balance: Specifies exactly what should be white to the camera.Action Photography: Shutter speeds of 1/1500 or more.Action Photography: Shutter speeds of 1/1500 or more.Night Photography: Reaches shutter-speeds longer than 4 seconds.Night Photography: Reaches shutter-speeds longer than 4 seconds.Spot MeteringSpot MeteringAccepts Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC) and SD memory.Accepts Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC) and SD memory.Neocamera detailed reviewNeocamera detailed reviewDiscontinued: No longer produced by the manufacturer. May still be in stock or found used.Discontinued: No longer produced by the manufacturer. May still be in stock or found used.

Nikon Coolpix P90 Assessment

Take a very wide-angle stabilized 24X optical zoom lens and ad full-manual controls, that is the Nikon Coolpix P90. It is freedom to compose and expose to your liking, from close or far.

This is a fun camera but it is not without limitations. Image quality, particularly noise-levels and details suffer, as does exposure. So much, that the P90 cannot be treated as a point-and-shoot. Well, it has an Auto mode, but one needs to adjust exposure so often that extra attention is required. The EVF and LCD both have poor coverage and battery-life is as low as it gets, unfortunately.

The good side includes its speed of operation, which for this is class, is quite good. Even continuous shooting is sustainable for several seconds. Colors can be good, with the right white-balance, and so is focus when the light is there. Ergonomics and usability - aside from a few quirks - are simple and comfortable as well.

The bottom line is that the flexibility and package of the Nikon Coolpix P90 comes at a cost. When portability trumps image quality and there is time to adjust WB and exposure right, this digital camera can be quite fun.

Neocamera detailed reviewNeocamera detailed review Read the full Nikon P90 full review here.

PROS CONS
Very verstatile zoom from 26-624mm Above average noise at all ISO settings
Auto ISO max settable from 100 to 1600 Poor color acuracy at ISO 400, gets worse above
Effective stabilization Frequent overexposure
Nicely saturated image colors at low ISO Poor automatic white-balance and slow to fix
Low optical distortion Focus errors in low light
Good shot-to-shot speed Strong purple fringing
Generally responsive Incorrect image preview
Good AF in good light Too few zoom steps
Excellent macro focus Not exposure-priority in manual mode
Good LCD visibility in bright light Poor EVF/LCD coverage
Good ergonomics Tiny EVF
Short battery life
AverageAverage Average

Nikon Coolpix P90 Related Information

Previous Models
Nikon Coolpix P80 - 10 Megapixels, ISO 2000 Max at full-resolution, 2.7" LCD
Nikon Coolpix P90
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By Neocamera on 2009-07-11

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Nikon P90 Highlights

Nikon Coolpix P90
Large digital camera

Sensor-Size: 6 x 5mm

1/2.3" Sensor

Actual size when viewed at 100 DPI

12 Megapixels Ultra ZoomISO 64-1600
24X Wide Optical ZoomShutter 1/2000-8s
Built-in StabilizationFull manual controls
0.24" Built-in EVF 230K PixelsCustom white-balance
1.5 FPS Drive, 14 ImagesSpot-Metering
640x480 @ 30 FPS Video RecordingLithium-Ion Battery
3" LCD 230K PixelsSecure Digital High Capacity
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