The Nikon D90, the first SLR with high-def video

Nikon claims its 12-megapixel D90 SLR, $1,000 (body only) can capture video at a “cinematic” 24 frames-per-second (fps) and resolution of 720p (1280 x 720 pixels). But in our tests, that frame rate produced flickering with horizontal panning or horizontal subject movement.

And while it’s true that the file resolution supports 720p, images captured at that setting contained far less detail, even in the best lighting, than what most high-definition camcorders capture. In fact, image quality trailed even the lowest-rated HD camcorder in our Ratings (available to subscribers), the Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD1000 (which records at 60 fps) and was closer to VHS tape. When recording video, most of the D90’s controls, including autofocus, become disabled.

Bottom line

With video performance that’s middling at best, the D90 is no substitute for a decent HD camcorder. We’ll report on its still-camera capabilities soon.