Nikon D90 - Sell D40 & Sony HC3?

jwramsay · 07-09-2008, 9:45 AM

I have had a Sony HC3 for around 2.5 years now, purchased a Nikon D40 6 months ago.

I take both out with me, shoot stills and videos and created WMV-HDs using Sony Vegas 8.0b. (The new TMPGenc DVD author DIVX version creates standard DVDs from these High Def files)

Nikon have just announced a new DSLR - the D90, which features the same 12MP sensor from the D300 and very importantly a movie mode!

This allows you to have a massive sensor, use your Nikon Glass, get Depth Of Field (DOF) and shoot 720p video and 12MP stills whilst only have to take out 1 piece of equipment rather than 2.

Sounds too good to be true ...?

If it weren't for my library of HDV tapes, I'd sell up both my existing prices and purchase this bad boy.

jomike · 07-09-2008, 10:16 AM

You must have been reading my mind, I was about to start a thread on the Nikon D90 here to hear the video point of view.

I am going to upgrade my Nikon D50 to the D90 as soon as the price drops after the initial launch. The primary use will be for photography, but the video feature will be a nice bonus.

The video feature is a compromise: no autofocus, the sound is mono only and by all accounts not very good, a 5 min limit on clips at highest quality, and no viewfinder in video mode, LCD screen only (although it is a large hi res one). On the plus side, you get excellent low light capability, DOF control and the ability to use the lens most suited to the shot you want.

So with the above in mind, I don't think it is going to replace your HC3.

Some video samples:

Home movie

Official Nikon samples

DOF control

Low light

jwramsay · 07-09-2008, 10:32 AM

Shame.

With a bit more work Nikon could have a "killer app" on their hands. It just makes Sooooo much sense.

*A n d r e w* · 07-09-2008, 10:44 AM

More discussion here and here (external sites).

jwramsay · 07-09-2008, 1:03 PM

The 5min thing is an artificial limit to avoid the extra tax levied on "camcorders".

Mono is not an issue, but crappy sound could be.

Firmware upgrades could add a lot of featuers to this D90's video in the future.

Low light performance whips the pants offf a traditional camcorder.

**senu** · 07-09-2008, 1:26 PM

Keep your HC3 , unless you seldom use it
and Buy a D90 anyway
I think Nikon is brave to add video to a very nice DSLR but the low light of the HC3 isnt bad ( IMHO) It is better than the HC1 and that is OK.
I would imagine there is a limit to how much any firmware can add to its video performance and Nikon may decide its firmware upgrades should address still issues
The massive sensor isnt going to add that much to video as video resolution is fixed anyway although In low light it will be Fab but even for stills you would always prefer better light unless you couldn't avoid it
I would not look on the D90 as a camcorder + DSLR. ( personally)

Mr Lazy · 07-09-2008, 3:57 PM

I don't consider the D90 as being any different to an expensive mobile phone with a very good video camera buit in - fine for very occasional use when you want to capture a moment and it's all you have with you but certainly no replacement for a good camcorder. Also, I would imagine filming for 5 mins would be quite uncomfortable due to the DSLR form factor.

jwramsay · 07-09-2008, 5:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Lazy

I don't consider the D90 as being any different to an expensive mobile phone with a very good video camera buit in - fine for very occasional use when you want to capture a moment and it's all you have with you but certainly no replacement for a good camcorder. Also, I would imagine filming for 5 mins would be quite uncomfortable due to the DSLR form factor.

Very strongly disagree with you there.

To compare a mobile phone and a D90 regarding photographic qualities quite frankly is absurd. How many mobile phones have you seen with a 3K+ lens sticking out of them?

I think you missed my point, which is that you have a one box solution that due to the BIG sensor gives excellent low light performance, 720p output etc.

Mr Lazy · 07-09-2008, 5:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PDP-434HDE

To compare a mobile phone and a D90 regarding photographic qualities quite frankly is absurd. How many mobile phones have you seen with a 3K+ lens sticking out of them?

Where was I comparing the photographic qualities?

jwramsay · 07-09-2008, 6:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Lazy

Where was I comparing the photographic qualities?

OK you didn't.

The point being, this thing COULD be good enough to replace a very good HDV camcorder, and I'm not sure that it isn't.

I use my camcorder all of the time, and my camera.

I DON'T use the camara/video features of my mobile phone.