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Photos: Nikon D90

A discussion of the design of the Nikon D90.

CNET Reviews staff
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1 of 7 CNET Networks
Nikon supplies a mini-HDMI connector for playback on a TV, but the camera doesn't seem to scale photos intelligently when output this way. The lower cover hides the connector for Nikon's GP-1 hot-shoe GPS.
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2 of 7 CNET Networks
For compatibility with legacy lenses that don't have an AF/MF switch on them, Nikon includes an AF/MF switch on the D90's body--as it does on all its dSLRs. But you have to keep the switches in sync, making sure that both are in AF mode or both in MF mode, which is annoying. Furthermore, there's a warning in the manual that indicates you can actually damage the lens if you try to manually focus with the body switch set to AF.
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3 of 7 CNET Networks
You can assign a variety of useful functions to the Fn button, including direct-access to the different metering types and resetting to the center focus point. It's in a good location from a shooting perspective--it falls under the middle finger of your right hand--but if you don't know it's there, it's easy to overlook.
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4 of 7 CNET Networks
The D90 has a dedicated bracketing button, which is very useful if you bracket frequently.
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5 of 7 Nikon USA
One advantage of jumping up a price class from around $800 to around $1,000 is that most of the models--the Rebel XSi is a glaring exception--retain the top status LCD. On the D90, pressing the Info button displays the same information on the back LCD.
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6 of 7 Nikon USA
As with the D80, the white balance, ISO sensitivity, and quality buttons line the left side of the LCD. I wish they were more easily identifiable by touch, however.
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7 of 7 Nikon USA
The D90 includes a dedicated Live View button, in part because the OK button is used to start/stop movie capture in Live View mode, so it can't do double duty here as it does on most cameras.

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