Nikon D90

Canon EOS Rebel XSi – The  XSi, priced at $780 for the body alone and $830 with a $35-70mm kit lens, is a solid value, and performed very well on our key color and resolution tests. It also offers Live View, as the D90 does, though we prefer the Nikon implementation for its smoothness and superior auto focus system. The D90 also provides more in-depth image tweaking and a far superior LCD, better low-light performance and higher ISO sensitivity (the XSi tops out at ISO 1600).

 Nikon D60 – The D60 shares the D90's low-image-noise proclivities, and posts more than respectable lab results for low light and resolution, though its color accuracy and white balance capabilities lag the D90 substantially. This is a lower-resolution (10 megapixel), much more compact model at a substantially less hefty price of $750 with an 18-55mm VR kit lens. We found it very responsive and easy to shoot with, though it lacks the image control sophistication, Live View mode and, of course, video capabilities of its D90 brandmate.

Nikon D300 – The D300 is a significantly more expensive camera ($1799 for body only), with the same 12.3-megapixel resolution as the D90, an earlier iteration of Live View and the same beautiful 920,000-pixel LCD display. We see three significant technical differences between the two cameras. The D300 uses a 1005-pixel sensor for metering, versus a 420-pixel version on the D90, and a 51-point auto focus system that's clearly superior to the 11-point system on the D90. Burst mode for the D300 is also signifcantly faster, at a maximum 7 frames per second versus 4.5 for the D90. On the other hand, the D90 offers automation options for newbies and family members that are lacking in the solidly prosumer D300.

Olympus E-520 – The Liwe-View-equipped Olympus, priced at $699.99 with a 14-42mm lens, fared very well in our color and resolution testing, though it is far more prone to noisy images than the D90, and trails badly when it comes to low light performance and dynamic range. It does offer built-in image stabilization, a bandwagon Nikon shows no signs of leaping aboard, and is far more compact for go-anywhere portability.

Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters – If you can afford the hefty pricetag, the D90 offers a great balance of fully automation, assisted shooting and more hands-on manual control. Start as a newbie and develop your photographic muscles without ever upgrading cameras or suffering a steep learning curve starting out.

Budget Consumers – We think the D90 represents a very good value, but with the large number of capable, less expensive SLRs on the market today, the budget buyer can afford to look elsewhere.

Manual Control Freaks – It's a pleasure to be able to recommend the same camera to newcomers and sophisticated shooters, but Nikon makes that leap successfully here. With support for the powerful Nikon Picture Control system, extensive manual white balance options and a host of customizable options, the D90 is a fine choice for this buyer.

Pros / Serious Hobbyists – With its broad compatibility with Nikon's extraordinary line of lenses, good-to-excellent image quality performance across the board and the fun extra or grabbing a video clip or two when the opportunity arises, we can definitely see this audience making the D90 their second camera body. And while it's no featherweight, it's a whole lot more luggable than a D3.