Nikon D2x vs D90

[ChristopherCoy]

What would the advantages/disadvantages be of a D2x over a D90, other than the video? One is 12.3mpx and the other is 12.4mpx. Does the advanced 'technology' of the D90 override the 'pro' status of the D2x?

Probably sounds like a stupid question but I'm not 'techie' enough to understand the differences, other than the blantantly obvious.

[DougC]

If you are tough on equipment, the D2X is built like a tank. It is "older" technology but is still capable of images that rival the D3 series. Concerning video, get a video camera:):)

[venchka]

0.1 mpx is a non-issue unless all of the mpx's in one camera are vastly superior to the other camera. Probably not the case. Don't pick on mpx's alone.

[jeffclow]

The D2X is also much heavier than the D90 - a big deal if you're carrying it around all day.

With the advances in tech for cameras coming so fast and furious, yesterday's "pro" models often are surpassed by today's consumer models. I'm not sure that's the case here, but technology gets passed by pretty quickly these days.

The D2X was the "standard" a couple of years ago for many pros.

And I concur with Doug - if you're looking to take video, there are a lot of video cameras out there that do video much better for much less.

[ChristopherCoy]

Originally Posted by venchka

0.1 mpx is a non-issue unless all of the mpx's in one camera are vastly superior to the other camera. Probably not the case. Don't pick on mpx's alone.

Well I wasn't, and the video isn't an issue for me either since I dont use my D90 for video as it is.

But since the D2x is in the bonafied 'pro' category, and has the same MPX's as the D90, I have given a little thought to trading out bodies. I didn't want to loose MPX's, but if the D2x can still produce pictures that 'rival the d3 series' as stated above, its a thought. I also like the fact that it shoots more fps than the D90, and that the grip is built in. I dont like the smaller LCD screen though, but I could deal with it I guess.

[jeffkohn]

The D2x has a more rugged body with weather sealing and a built-in vertical grip. It also has mirror-lockup. Those are really the only advantages I can think of, off the top of my head. Oh, it can also shoot 8fps in high-speed crop mode, but the images are only 6.something megapixels.

The D2x has a slight edge in picture quality as ISO-100 compared to the D90/D300 at ISO-200, except for having slightly less dynamic range. As soon as you go up in ISO, the D2x falls behind in image quality due to noise. The D90 also has a 3" high-res LCD with live-view.

Personally I'd take a used D300 over a used D2x or a new D90....

[ChristopherCoy]

Originally Posted by jeffkohn

The D2x has a slight edge in picture quality as ISO-100 compared to the D90/D300 at ISO-200, except for having slightly less dynamic range. As soon as you go up in ISO, the D2x falls behind in image quality due to noise. The D90 also has a 3" high-res LCD with live-view.

Thats more or less what I was looking for.

[StevenGWebb]

I find the size and weight to be advantages, rather than disadvantages. I've shot with the D2x extensively and presently own a D200 outfitted with the battery grip. Although I've only held the D90 in my hand once, I found it to feel unsubstiantal and small, albeit without the grip. I haven't seen an overwhelming amount of evidence that the IQ of the D90 is greater. The creature comforts for each seem to be targeted at either pro users or amatuer. The number and placement of hard buttons on the pro bodies is a plus for me. I dislike menu driven controls and I'm not much happier with combination buttons.

None of those things are relavent for users who do not need to change settings on the fly in face paced environments. I shoot primarily action work and find real handy to have dedicated buttons for certain functions. Speaking of action, is there any difference in the shutter lag on the D90 and the pro bodies? If you photograph things that require close timing it might be nice to know the difference you might have to acclimate your trigger finger to the faster reaction.

Steve

[Hanky]

Is the shutter loud on your D90? I think you shoot pups and other critters and I can tell you my D300 is loud. Dont know if that would be an issue and other than that I think you would enjoy one of big boys.

[ChristopherCoy]

Originally Posted by Hanky

Is the shutter loud on your D90? I think you shoot pups and other critters and I can tell you my D300 is loud. Dont know if that would be an issue and other than that I think you would enjoy one of big boys.

I dont find it to be any louder than any other camera, but then I wouldn't have any thing to compare it to. I know its not any louder than a D300.

[ChristopherCoy]

Originally Posted by StevenGWebb

Although I've only held the D90 in my hand once, I found it to feel unsubstiantal and small, albeit without the grip. I haven't seen an overwhelming amount of evidence that the IQ of the D90 is greater.

My D90 is gripped, and my SIL has the D300 that is also gripped. If you take the grip off of each of them, I dont find that there is much difference in the body size.

[StevenGWebb]

I tend to forget how my D200 feels without the grip. I've got a D70s that isn't gripped and when I change from one to the other I really notice. The D90 I held in the camera store felt more like the D70s and quite plastic.

There is a noticable difference in the sound of the shutter/mirror slap in the pro body cameras. The D2x has a very short duration solid sound as does the D3. I don't know what the difference is that does that. Best I could explain it the smaller body camera's make a two syllable sound and the pro body's one.

Neither seem to bother horses or doggies.

Steve

[Traccer]

Go check out kenrockwells ISO and Sharpness tests he did... Granted he was compairing the d3,d90,d300,d200 but the 200 is pretty much the same as the D2x.. the sharpness on the d90 was the exact same as the d3/300 .... and the ISO noise was only bested by FX bodies...

[dmora]

I dont like the way a camera feels with out the grip.
the D2x is a hoss. But that vs a D300+grip... hard to say.

[Tom]

You can't be a pro without a pro camera. Get the D2x.