Nikon Coolpix P90

Review Index – (updated 16 October’09)

DigiCamReview
“The screen quality appears pixelated, and does not seem to have accurate color. Using the full optical zoom was problematic, with images overexposed, out of focus, and blurry unless you are shooting in perfect conditions. There are quite a lot of positives, such as manual controls, lots of options, exposure bracketing, image stabilisation, 1cm macro mode etc, but all of this seems to be heavily outweighed by the poor image quality,”
Rating:  

DigitalCameraReview (As compared to the Olympus SP-590 UZ)
“In the high-zoom shootout, you’ll be hard-pressed to pick a clear winner from the array of capable cameras that make up the current ultrazoom offerings. The Olympus SP-590 UZ came out ahead of the Coolpix P90 in more categories, but don’t chalk it up as a clear victory. Personal preferences will ultimately put one of these two cameras ahead in your own favor.”

DigitalCameraInfo
“The lens tended to distort images heavily, and the image stabilization system wasn’t up to scratch. One of the great disappointments of this camera is its standard definition video mode, made even less satisfying by its lack of key controls.”

LetsGoDigital
“It’s a nice tool for the photo enthusiast, offering a generally fine quality that allows for shooting a variety of subjects. However, if you demand a lot from image quality, prefer RAW support and think high resolution is fine as long as a decent signal/noise ratio is maintained, you’d be better off looking for a digital SLR camera. It might be bigger and heavier, but it’s just as simple and easy to use.”
Rating:  

DigitalCameraReview
“AF acquisition time, shutter lag, image quality, color and ISO performance are all on a par with the other guys. Well, image quality is on a par, up to a point. Our demo P90 produced noticeable chromatic aberration on some telephoto shots under admittedly horrendous conditions. It would have been nice to be able to shoot some other ultrazooms under the same conditions for comparison, but based on this shoot and my experience with other ultrazooms, the Coolpix P90 did a bit worse than average in this particular area.”

Digital Trends
“We were impressed the way the P90 handled digital noise. It didn’t appear in our test shots until ISO 400, and was under control even at 800. Three-megapixel images captured at ISO 3200 and 6400 were useable for the Web, or a 3×5 print. However, the camera lets you limit the ISO to 400, which is where it should be kept for best results. This is basically the case for all non-DSLRs, so Nikon shouldn’t take a hit for this issue.”
Rating:  

Digital Photography School
“The P90 is close to a dSLR in style yet brings that experience without the penalties of weight and size. I found in my tests the zoom’s range a whiz! The only thing you may face is that, in tele, over a long distance that atmospheric haze may spoil your shot.”

DCResource (As compared to the Kodak EasyShare Z980, Olympus SP-590UZ, Pentax X70)
“What I didn’t like: Heavy noise reduction softens images and smudges details, tends to slightly overexpose, poor low light focusing, no optical IS in movie mode, audio cuts out early in movies, some redeye, below average battery life, can’t access memory card while using tripod, very basic included software.”

About
“For a camera of its size, it’s lightweight. It is very easy to use, too, with few buttons. However, it just doesn’t seem like the P90 has a good segment in the market. Its large zoom lens is nice, but I’d almost rather spend a little more for a true DSLR with more flexible lens options and better image quality.”
Rating:  

Neocamera
“While it performs reasonably in some areas, and the lens is good for such a long range, this ultra-zoom has image quality problems which are hard to ignore given the competition. The main two problems are high noise levels and frequent over-exposure. When viewed closely, images have a fuzzy feel to them and require more EC than most other cameras. Other major downsides are poor EVF/LCD coverage and inability to focus in low-light.”

Cameras.co.uk
“I like the pictures I took with this camera. To be honest when it comes to picture quality there is not a great deal to choose between the leading brands. This camera has a good range of features and is a good choice for the more serious hobby photographer.”
Rating:  

CNET
“Unfortunately, the P90’s photo quality generally disappoints; in some ways it’s worse than the P80’s, and not what you should expect for its price. The colors are vivid, but automatic white balance is a little greenish-yellow outdoors and a lot yellow indoors.”
Rating:  

CNET UK
“The Nikon Coolpix P90 is a typical superzoom: fantastic specifications, but riddled with operational limitations and compromises that don’t really become obvious until you’ve used it for a while. It’s vastly more sophisticated than the average compact, but don’t buy it as a substitute for a dSLR, because you’ll be disappointed.”
Rating:  

PhotographyBlog
“The Nikon Coolpix P90 is an almost kind of camera, offering an attractive overall package but ultimately falling short in certain key areas when compared to its main rivals.”
Rating:  

Steve’s Digicams
“If you are looking for the biggest zoom possible without the expense of a dSLR and large lenses, look no further. With a 24x optical zoom and Optical VR stabilization, this is the way to go. Another feature you will not see on too many other cameras is the tilting screen, making it easier to shoot in some difficult situations.”

DPInterface
“The Nikon Coolpix P90 may look professional on the outside and pretty on paper, but the truth is, it isn’t as great as it seems. Movie mode, battery life and especially image quality (the utmost important criteria of a digital camera) are three of the various crucial areas where a camera needs to perform well in order to fight off the competition… and the unfortunate part is the Coolpix P90 falls short of all three.”

DevHardware
“The problem is that while there is much to like about the P90, there is also a lot to dislike, including a clunky user interface and some less than startling results. We think inside the P90 is a good superzoom camera struggling to get out, and if Nikon can address some of the issues we’ve raised, it will break free.”
Rating:  

Trusted Reviews
“The Nikon Coolpix P90 is a superb camera, certainly one of the best super-zoom bridge cameras on the market, with plenty to appeal to the enthusiast while still retaining some ease of use for the novice. It is attractively and sensibly designed, extremely well made, performs well and produces excellent image quality. It may be relatively expensive, but you certainly get a lot for your money.”
Rating:  

CameraLabs
“Viewed in isolation, Nikon’s COOLPIX P90 is a fairly decent camera. It features one of the longest optical zoom ranges on the market, a large tilting monitor for creative composition, and a number of neat gadgets in addition to simply feeling good in your hands. If it were the only super-zoom camera you’d used of the current crop, you could be pretty happy with it. But, and it’s a big but, there are simply better models out there.”
Rating:  

Video Tour by Computer TV

Photoxels
“The Nikon Coolpix P90 strikes a good balance between ease of use and richness of features: it is point-and-shoot easy to use and also packed-full of practical features the beginner amateur photographers will want to have as they learn about digital photography.”

Pocket-lint
“We got some great results without too much tinkering at the wider ends of the lens, with good sharp images and natural colour reproduction. The tilting screen is highly effective making it possible to grab great perspective shots without the normal hassle. You’ll also find many of your normal compact camera niceties here, like blink detection and face auto focus.”
Rating:  

InfoSync
“The Nikon Coolpix P90 may not pack in a ton of versatile features or external controls, but we’re damn sure about one thing, and that’s the fact that the Coolpix P90 takes some great pictures.”
Rating:  

CNET Australia
“The P90 is a competent superzoom with an impressive burst rate, but loses out against its competitors on image quality and features. That said, unless you need HD video and RAW functionality, the P90 is a relatively good buy given the extensive zoom range — just take a tripod with you.”
Rating:  

ePhotozine
“I still think there’s room for improvement in image quality especially in colour fringing and noise control. That said, I mentioned the P80 as the camera for everyone and that wasn’t strictly true. It wasn’t perfect for low level photographers and now the P90 has covered that base as well.”
Rating:  

Photo Review
“Performance-wise, the review camera was something of a ‘curate’s egg’ (parts of it were excellent). Colour accuracy was good in our Imatest tests and saturation was restrained for a small-sensor digicam, although reds were slightly boosted and skin hues a little off-the-mark. Metering was also generally good, although exposures tended to favour shadow detail over highlights and bright areas were frequently blow-out in outdoor shots.”
Rating: