Nikon D90

there are sample videos on the nikon website, they dont look so bad, but the lack of autofocus while recording kind of ruins the idea.

I would much rather have the D90 than the 50D. Very little about the 50D is exciting. The gapless microlenses and extended ISO range (assuming good performance) are great, but evolutionary.

The D90's movie mode is revolutionary, which is what Nikon has been doing a lot of lately (unlike Canon). HD video on a large sensor with SLR lenses? Yes, please.

I love Canon, but Nikon has been absolutely dusting them in the innovation department. And the "we actually listen to our customers/pros" department.

I dont see what the point is in having a video mode in a dSLR. Isn't the reason we buy dSLR to take pictures? Why not invest in a nice video cam instead if you plan on making videos. There are HD handycams that produce decent quality for the price of a mid-range dSLR.

Id rather get a camcorder than a D90.

I have a Canon GL2 - I'll stick with that for video.

mizouse wrote in post #6187288
Id rather get a camcorder than a D90.

Ditto.

My P&S does video too - I've never used that feature. I can see how it could be useful to some in an SLR, but not me.

how about movie function? Anyone have a sampe?

well, the future trend may be that all cameras will be both video and still capable.
This is just a starting taste of mindset changes.
Canon has a better headstart in video capabilities. but will only combine tech if their marketing dept deems it necessary, or when more camera brands include this function.

Rimwalker wrote in post #6186933
This seams like a return to the status quo between Canon and Nikon's mid-range.

50D > D90 > 450D

Just like a few years back when

40D > D80 > 400D

sadatk wrote in post #6187069
D700 competes with 5D successor.
D300 competes with 50D.
D90 competes with 40D.
1000D/450D competes with D60

I think Rimwalker's got it right - Canon and Nikon have positioned themselves so that they don't compete with each other (except at the very low and very high ends). They try to position their cameras in between the other manufacturer's lineup.

Buyer: I'm looking to buy a 40D.
Salesperson: Why not a 50D?
Buyer: Too expensive.
Salesperson: Well for $200 more than a 40D you can get a D90, and look at all these neat features.
Buyer: Well the 50D is too big a step, but the D90 is pretty tempting; let me see if I can find the extra $$.

The last thing manufacturers want is to go exactly head to head because then it can really get nasty, and turn into a price war. By offering a midpoint product, they don't have to match every single price cut of the competition. "Yes we know that their D123 just cut $200 of their price and is now $300 less than 456D, but we're going for a different market so we don't need to match the price, and ooh, look at all the extra features we offer."

TheGreatDivorce wrote in post #6187236
I would much rather have the D90 than the 50D. Very little about the 50D is exciting. The gapless microlenses and extended ISO range (assuming good performance) are great, but evolutionary.

The D90's movie mode is revolutionary, which is what Nikon has been doing a lot of lately (unlike Canon). HD video on a large sensor with SLR lenses? Yes, please.

I love Canon, but Nikon has been absolutely dusting them in the innovation department. And the "we actually listen to our customers/pros" department.

Agreed on all of the above. Well said

hsma wrote in post #6187245
I dont see what the point is in having a video mode in a dSLR. Isn't the reason we buy dSLR to take pictures? Why not invest in a nice video cam instead if you plan on making videos. There are HD handycams that produce decent quality for the price of a mid-range dSLR.

I would love a DSLR that takes movies. Perfect travel camera. Why should I have to buy a seperate video camera when the SLR is entirely capable of doing the same job. It's not as if the SLR IQ suffers! You're just streaming live view.

I thought N*k*n was kind of taboo in here?

With people still not wanting to buy the current 5D and would rather jump ship to Nikon because a 5D II has not been annoucned, don't see this as an issue.

Looks interesting.

Canon's next Camera will it be......FF or with Video?

mizouse wrote in post #6187288
Id rather get a camcorder than a D90.

BCBryce wrote in post #6187304
Ditto.

My P&S does video too - I've never used that feature. I can see how it could be useful to some in an SLR, but not me.

Firstly, Your P&S or cannot do 720P HD (unless its new Panasonic), secondly, it doesn't have large sensor APS-C DOF and interchangable lenses advantage and finally its not for free.

farrukh wrote in post #6187962
Firstly, Your P&S or cannot do 720P HD (unless its new Panasonic), secondly, it doesn't have large sensor APS-C DOF and interchangable lenses advantage and finally its not for free.

Amen.

It'll get people really good at MF as well. I'm sure in a few years there will be video with AF, maybe in the 60D, off to the rumour forums..