Any SLR that is better than Nikon D90? - 1
I'm planning to buy a Nikon D90 and I'm not sure if it's the right one for me. I'm a multimedia arts student so I use the camera for photo shoots and video recording, so is D90 the right one for me? Or there's much better SLR (any brand) than D90? And more affordable? All of my friends are getting Canon EOS 600 and I want mine to be different and much better than them (screw them, joke!) so any recommendations?
It depends of how do you define better as in better features and prices. Since you are a student and specifically mentioned video and affordable, I would say take the D5100 or D3100. Cheaper than D90 and they have better video capability too than the D90.
D7000 replaced the D90.
D300S
D700
D3S
D3X
A lot of Canon's above the rebel series are going to our class the D90. The Canon 600D is a newer model than the D90
Nikon isn't going to be better than canon. Nor is canon really going to be any better than Nikon.So… If your friends are getting the rebel series of Canon's your only way to be better than them is to buy a higher grade model. Of course, then your friends will probably make you look rather foolish when they produce superior images with their entry level canon's because they aren't so worried about bigger and better and they actually use the camera properly.
Don't go with the D3100.It's a VERY entry level camera. If you want to go cheaper go with the D5100. Be aware that it doesn't have an auto focus motor in the body so you will be limited to the AF-s only lenses. Otherwise you have to manually focus. It too is entry level, but it's got the same sensor as the D7000. Definitely better than the D90 for video purposes.
The D7000 would be the replacement for the D90, so it's slightly more expensive and would have some improvements to the video codec. Quite honestly, unless video is highly important to you, I wouldn't get the more expensive D7000 over the D90.
If you want to do better than your friends, forget fighting over the camera body; the D90 is superb already. Instead, look at *lenses*. That's where you can be a lot better than your friends.
For example, look for a 50mm f/1.8 AF lens, which will allow you to shoot in very low light and get incredible sharpness, plus the aperture will allow for blurred backgrounds at f/1.8. If you have more money, any Nikon-mount 85mm f/1.4 lens (even the generic manual focus Rokinon/Samyang/Bower versions) will give you incredible performance and make for fantastic portraits. If you need a zoom, try the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 lens.
Long after whatever body you get has worn out, it's the lenses that will be useful and hold their value.So, get a camera body you like (and the D90 is a great one!) and put your money towards your lenses. That's the way to be much better than your friends.
HisWifeTheirMother gave you an excellent, well written list. Of those Nikons, I'd suggest the D7000, as it's the only DSLR that currently autofocuses while doing videos.
http://www.dpreview.com/...ikond7000/
Although you already have nice answers around bodies, I'd consider:
1) To be worried on lens rather than bodies. They hardly changes and I would consider this a real key factor to underline your work (Just after your talent)
2) Have the opportunity to test/share lens of your friends. What if they can lend you a fisheye or a super-tele?
I really hope you're joking that you're buying D90 cause all others have em. It's a camera, a tool, ignore others.
60D is an excellent camera, but the D90 is 2 years older, therefore the "worse performance".
Here's a DSLR Buying Guide - http://www.the-dslr-photographer.com/2009/11/which-dslr-to-buy/
60D is much better for video due to better sound recording, articulating screen, less jelly effect and more frame rates. For photography, it's also faster, but image quality is the same.