Nikon Upgrades to New P90

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Nikon has updated their top-of-the-line Coolpix to the 12.1-megapixel P90. This camera follows last year’s P80 with more resolution, more zoom and a bigger LCD screen which folds and rotates. The new model will begin selling in March for $399.

The new Nikon Coolpix P90 has a 24x optical zoom lens on a camera body that very much looks like a DSLR. It also looks like its predecessor, the P80, although that camera has a shorter 18x optical zoom lens. The Nikon P90 has a 4.7-84.2mm Zoom-Nikkor ED glass lens, equivalent to 26-624mm in the 35mm format.

Both models have optical image stabilization and typical Nikon extras like in-camera red-eye fix, D-lighting exposure enhancement, and face priority auto focus. The Nikon P90 adds to the treasure chest a smile mode and blink warning.

Both cameras market a speedy sports continuous scene mode which functions at just 3 megapixels. If you’re willing to sacrifice the resolution, the Nikon P90 can shoot up to 15 frames per second, up to 45 frames. The P80’s comparable mode snaps at a 13 fps rate and stops at 30 frames.

The two Nikons share a manual and have the same aperture priority, shutter speed priority, and automatic modes. They also have a few scene modes and plenty of manual controls, including ISO settings up to 6400.

One big difference in the cameras is their LCD screens. The LCD on the P80 measures 2.7 inches whereas the screen on the P90 is a full 3 inches. Size isn’t the kicker though: the older model has a fixed screen like most traditional digital cameras, but the new P90 can tilt outward and rotate to several angles. The cameras also differ in price: the Nikon Coolpix P80 sells for $349, and the new P90 is slated for $50 more.