Nikon today announced the Nikon D90, a digital single lens reflex (SLR) camera that aims to redefine the creative boundaries of digital photography allowing photographers to create still images as well as High Definition (HD) movie clips with sound - with the same camera. A host of Nikon core technologies were leveraged to develop the Nikon D90 (specs).
Whether consumers are graduating from an advanced compact digital camera or are a seasoned DSLR enthusiast, the Nikon D90 promises great image quality and versatility with its advanced Scene Recognition System, creative controls and the ability to create HD movie clips at 720p in the new D-Movie mode.
Inspired by Nikon's flagship DX-format DSLR, the Nikon D300, and building on the D80, the Nikon D90 sports a 12-megapixel CMOS sensor combined with Nikon's EXPEED image processing system. The latter claims to provide smooth tones, bright colors and low noise across a broad ISO range.
Photographers can compose images using the Live View Mode on the 3-inch VGA LCD screen. The 11-point auto focus (AF) system utilizes Nikon's Scene Recognition System and Face Detection to help make the best shot in a variety of environments. Matched with the new AF-S NIKKOR 18-105mm VR image stabilization lens, and continuous shooting up to 4.5 fps, the Nikon D90 is claimed to capture fast action as they unfold.
For shooting in a variety of lighting conditions, the Nikon D90 has a sensitivity range of ISO 200 to 3200 (expandable to Lo 1 ISO 100 and Hi 1 ISO 6400). The camera also employs an Image Sensor Cleaning function that works to free image-degrading dust particles from the sensor's optical low-pass filter.
The Nikon D90 is the most affordable camera to include Nikon's Scene Recognition System and adds newly-developed advanced Face Detection technology. The former interprets color and brightness information of each individual shot from the 420-pixel RGB sensor, and applies changes to AF, auto exposure and auto white balance. The Nikon D90 can also detect up to five faces. Additionally, Nikon's 3D Color Matrix Metering II aims to ensure accurate exposures, especially during difficult lighting conditions.
Evaluating each scene, input data from the system's sensor is automatically referenced against an internal database of over 30,000 scenes derived from actual photographs to calculate correct exposure values. The Nikon D90 also offers variable center-weighted metering and spot metering centered on the active focus area, as well as exposure compensation and auto exposure bracketing.
For the first time, Nikon introduces the addition of the D-Movie mode, allowing consumers to create HD movie clips (1280 x 720 pixels / 720p) with sound. Movies are shot at 24 fps, and D-Movie clips also take advantage of Nikon VR image stabilization, which is automatically activated during recording. Users can record movie clips onto an inserted SD / SDHC card, created as Motion JPEG AVI files. The Nikon D90 also features an HDMI output.
A mode dial with advanced scene modes on the Nikon D90 aims to make it easier for novice users as well as photography enthusiasts to shoot creative shots. There are many options, such as Picture Control settings to provide an assorted palette of color effects that optimize color, saturation and hue through user-selected choices of Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome, Portrait and Landscape. Editing tools such as D-Lighting and image trimming, image overlay, and an assortment of color filters can also be applied to images after capture.
The Nikon D90 also provides new options for in-camera image enhancements, including Distortion control (adjusts lens aberration), Straighten (helps to correct linear inclination of an image for straight horizons and landscapes) and Fisheye Effect (in-camera filter produces optical effects similar to a fisheye lens).
The Nikon D90 offers compatibility with Nikon's selection of NIKKOR lenses, including DX NIKKOR lenses, which are designed for optimum performance with Nikon DX format DSLR cameras. When used with the Nikon GP-1 GPS unit (available separately beginning November 2008), the Nikon D90 provides geotagging to images with latitude, longitude and altitude data imprinted on the images' metadata.
The Nikon D90 will be available throughout the United States beginning September 2008 at an MSRP of $1000 for body only and $1300 for body and lens outfit that includes the new AF-S DX Zoom-NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens.
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