{ Nikon D90 }

Resolution: 12.30 Megapixels
Kit Lens: 5.80x zoom 18-105mm (27-158mm eq.)
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD
LCD Size: 3.0 inch
ISO: 100-6400
Shutter: 30-1/4000
Max Aperture: 3.5
Mem Type: SDHC / SD
Battery: Custom LiIon
Dimensions: 5.2×4.1×3.0in (132×103x77mm)
Weight:21.0 oz (595 g)
MSRP: $1,300
Availability: 09/2008

Nikon’s microsite for the D90 (includes image and movie samples)

DPR hands on preview

Imaging Resource hands on preview

I have a feeling that for the expected customer base, the ability to shoot video on a camera with interchangeable lenses (using shallow DOF, a fish-eye, etc.), using the DSLR’s capabilities (higher ISO than video cameras,etc.), will be hard to resist given the price and feature set of the D90 as compared to its increasing amount of rivals.

The ability to shoot video will clearly be a big talking point too. Imaging Insider is already pointing to an article in the USA Today saying:

Nikon engineers were able to take advantage of the feature, called Live View, to enable video-shooting on the D90.

They did it by using a faster frame rate (a measure of how fast a camera produces consecutive images) and a different way of processing the images.

“The big plus is that you can now shoot video with a great lens,” says Steve Heiner, Nikon’s senior technical manager.

In essence, “Yeah we do all that other stuff but we can do this too (and nobody else can)”

But what about the rest of the camera?

It may not look a whole lot different, but there are a lot of real improvements that have been made to the D90. Obviously the high resolution 3 inch LCD is marked improvement, sensor cleaning is a welcome addition, and the 12.3 megapixel sensor has established itself as capable of taking pictures with excellent image quality. The D90 has bumped up ISO performance, now to the same specs as the D300, but I’ll be curious to see if it has the D300’s excellent image quality (the samples on Nikon’s site look promising), if it does I’ll be very tempted to get one. I had hoped for the AF system from the D300, but I suppose you can’t have everything. Live view also will be helpful in some shooting situations, and Nikon is going out of its way to make it more consumer friendly by adding compact features like face detection (something the Canon 50D is doing as well). It will be interesting to see some reviews and explore improvements in the most important category: image quality.

On the other hand the D90 will only output 12 bit Raw files, the metering won’t be as good as the D300, and while it does shoot high def video, it does so in 5 minute clips (although longer in standard definition).

So we’ll just have to wait and see…

Press release and specification after the jump…

Press Release

NIKON D90 DIGITAL SLR ANSWERS THE CALL FOR CREATIVE FREEDOM WITH ADVANCED FEATURES THAT BENEFIT ALL LEVELS OF PHOTOGRAPHERS

It’s All You Need: The 12.3 Megapixel Nikon D90 D-SLR Premieres with the New 18-105mm VR Lens to Give Photographers Superb Image Quality, Live View Shooting, Nikon’s Scene Recognition System, and HD Movie Clip Recording

MELVILLE, N.Y. (Aug. 27, 2008) — Nikon Inc. today announced the D90, a digital single lens reflex (SLR) camera that redefines the creative boundaries of digital photography allowing photographers to easily create stunning still images and High Definition (HD) movie clips with sound — with the same camera. A host of Nikon core technologies were leveraged to develop the D90’s scope of versatility, calling on years of photographic and optical expertise. Whether consumers are graduating from an advanced compact digital camera or are a seasoned D-SLR enthusiast, the Nikon D90 emphasizes brilliant image quality and versatility with its exclusive advanced Scene Recognition System, intuitive creative controls, blazing fast performance and the industry-first ability to create HD movie clips at 720p in the new D-Movie mode.

Inspired by Nikon’s acclaimed flagship DX-format digital SLR camera, the D300 and building on the success of the wildly popular D80, the D90 delivers stunning image quality. The CMOS image sensor and 12.3 effective megapixels combined with Nikon’s exclusive EXPEED image processing system deliver outstanding images with fine details, smooth tones, brilliant colors and low noise across a broad ISO range.

Photographers are able to easily compose stunning images using the Live View Mode on the large 3-inch 920-k dot high-resolution LCD screen. The 11-point auto focus (AF) system utilizes Nikon’s exclusive Scene Recognition System and Face Detection to help make the best shot in a variety of environments. Matched with the new versatile AF-S NIKKOR 18-105mm Vibration Reduction (VR) image stabilization lens, and a burst rate of up to 4.5 frames per second, photographers can confidently capture fast action and precise moments as they unfold. Also helping to ensure no missed memories, the D90 offers fast handling with a power-up time of a mere 0.15ms and split-second shutter response measuring just 65ms, eliminating the frustration of pictures lost to shutter lag.

“The D90 delivers incredible imaging performance and control, setting a new standard for its class. This marriage of outstanding still image performance and HD movie clip capacity represents the dawn of a new age for D-SLR cameras. The D90’s handling characteristics and long list of features are sure to deliver the photographic experience that Nikon photographers have come to expect from Nikon engineering,” said Edward Fasano, general manager for marketing, SLR System Products at Nikon Inc. “Everyone at Nikon is especially eager to see the myriad of ways that imaginative D90 photographers will explore the world of cinematic 24fps HD video through the eyes of NIKKOR optics.”

Legendary Image Quality
For shooting in a variety of lighting conditions, the D90 has a wide sensitivity range of ISO 200 to 3200 (expandable to Lo 1 ISO 100 and Hi 1 ISO 6400) to deliver incredible low-noise images. 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, helping to ensure spot-free images.

The new D90 companion lens, the AF-S DX Zoom-NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR provides a versatile focal length, and the benefits of Nikon Vibration Reduction (VR) imaging stabilization technology. Nikon VR reduces the image blurring effects of camera shake allowing photographers to shoot hand-held at as many as 3 shutter speeds slower than would otherwise be possible*, assuring dramatically sharper images, even in challenging lighting conditions.

Borrowed from Nikon’s professional line of digital cameras, the D90 is the most affordable camera to include Nikon’s Scene Recognition System and adds newly-developed advanced Face Detection technology. The intelligent Scene Recognition System 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 D90 can also detect up to five faces using the new Face Detection system, producing flattering portraits with astounding definition and accuracy. While in playback mode, simply press the zoom button and portraits captured with Face Detection can be immediately magnified to ensure proper focus on the subject and faces are displayed on the LCD screen within brackets for easy reference and subject tracking.

The D90 benefits from Nikon’s comprehensive digital image processing engine, EXPEED, which provides smooth tones, rich colors and defined image details, as well as enhanced processing performance. Additionally, Nikon’s exclusive 3D Color Matrix Metering II helps to ensure accurate exposures, even in the most challenging 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. To push the creative boundaries even further, Variable Center-Weighted metering and Spot metering centered on the active focus area are also available, as are exposure compensation and auto exposure bracketing.

The Next Big Blockbuster
For the first time in digital SLR photography, Nikon introduces the addition of the D-Movie mode, allowing consumers to create their own HD movie clips (1280 x 720) with sound from their D-SLR camera. Photographers will appreciate the cinematic qualities that come from the 24fps frame rate, which matches theatrical film, whether producing vacation clips or creatively melding stills with video. Additionally, the large size of the D90’s DX-format sensor, combined with the optical superiority and broad selection of NIKKOR lenses, provides shooters with the ability to capture amazing perspectives not possible with typical camcorders. D-movie clips also benefit from Nikon VR image stabilization, which is automatically activated during recording to aid the low-light capability that trumps many other hybrid devices. Users can record movie clips onto an inserted SD / SDHC card, created as Motion JPEG AVI files that are easily edited with widely available video editing software. The D90 also features an HDMI terminal, allowing viewing of both pictures and movies on High Definition televisions.

D90 Delivers Peak Performance
The D90’s unprecedented start up time and imperceptible shutter lag derives from the same standards as the professional sports photographer choice, the Nikon D3. JPEG bursts can be shot as rapidly as 4.5 frames per second, allowing photographers to capture detailed action sequences or catch fleeting expressions that might otherwise be missed. Images are also processed and previewed rapidly at 120 ms, which is less time it takes to move an eye from the viewfinder to the screen. Users are also able to creatively stop the action with a maximum shutter speed of 1/4000 second or create long-time exposures down to 30 seconds.

Nikon’s 11-point AF also offers best-in-class speed and performance, helping to ensure sharp focus at any focal length. Adopting a refined version of Nikon’s advanced Multi-CAM 1000 AF Module, the AF system’s center area wide-frame operation adds inherent focusing options that will instill greater confidence in getting the desired shot. Single-point AF is suggested for static subjects, dynamic-area AF for moving subjects, auto-area AF for spontaneous shooting and 3D-tracking (11 points) AF for when changing the composition after focusing on a subject.

Push Creative Boundaries to the Limit
No matter the level of experience, the D90 makes high-quality photography fun and easier for a remarkably broad range of picture-takers. Users can enjoy complete control over all manual features or let the camera optimize settings automatically. For the camera novice and photography enthusiasts, the D90 puts all of the tools to explore new creative possibilities at their fingertips through the simple menu driven interface. For those looking to enjoy the added performance and versatility of digital SLR photography, creative shooting is as simple as rotating the Mode dial with Advanced Scene modes on the camera. There are many options when it comes to realizing creative vision, 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. Popular editing tools such as Nikon’s exclusive D-Lighting and image trimming, image overlay, and a wide assortment of color filters can also be applied to images after capture. The D90 also provides new options for in-camera image enhancement, including:

* Distortion Control: Adjusts lens aberration
* Straighten: This feature helps to correct linear inclination of an image for straight horizons and landscapes
* Fisheye Effect: In camera filter produces optical effects similar to a fisheye lens

Skillfully Capture Inspiring Images
The D90 has been engineered with the photographer in mind with an intuitive interface that places a variety of automatic and advanced features at the hands of the user. The camera is built to withstand the rigors of an urban excursion or backcountry safari while boasting an impressive shutter mechanism that is tested to 100,000 cycles for durability. Whether upgrading from a compact digital camera or already a seasoned hobbyist, the D90 D-SLR will help anyone take great pictures, thanks in part to the following new features:

* Battery life - new circuitry enhances power consumption, affording up to 850 shots in typical conditions on a single charge of the Lithium Ion battery (CIPA standard)
* Viewfinder - The bright viewfinder offers a luminous 0.94x magnification to more accurately compose images
* LCD screen - the high resolution 920,000-dot, 3-inch LCD screen gives a 170-degree angle of view to make both composing and sharing easy and fun
* New playback function - Users can show their images in either four, nine or 72 thumbnail images, or use a new calendar format to easily find photos; Users can also show their photos via Nikons pictmotion slideshow, including background music
* Built-in Flash - The built in Speedlight offers a guide number of approximately 18/56 (ISO 200) and can wireless control up to two groups of Speedlights in full iTTL mode

Nikon System Legacy
The D90 also offers unprecedented compatibility with Nikon’s extensive selection of NIKKOR lenses, including DX NIKKOR lenses, which are designed for optimum performance with Nikon DX format digital SLR cameras. NIKKOR lenses offer legendary optical superiority and add to the D90’s ability to deliver outstanding images. Paired with the D90 is the new AF-S DX Zoom-NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens, which provides a versatile 5.8x optical zoom and VR image stabilization, for even sharper handheld picture taking. This lens offers a 27-157.5mm focal length in 35mm equivalent, a one-lens solution that offers a broad focal range to let photographers get up close and personal to their subjects from a distance, or wide for breathtaking landscapes. The built-in Silent Wave Motor ensures quick and quiet AF operation, while an aspherical element and ED glass deliver high resolution, high contrast images with minimal chromatic aberration and distortion.

Photographers will also enjoy advanced functionality anywhere in the world with system accessories designed for the adventurous globe trekker. When used with the Nikon GP-1 GPS Unit (available separately beginning November 2008), the D90 provides geotagging to images with latitude, longitude and altitude data imprinted on the images’ metadata. Users can also prolong their adventure with the MB-D80 battery pack that accepts two EN-EL3e or six widely available AA-size batteries. Additionally, photographers can share and upload their images with a wireless interface optimized for the Eye-Fi ™ wireless enabled SD card wherever there is a wireless network.

The D90 is also fully compatible with Capture NX2 software (available for purchase separately), Nikon’s highly versatile and elegantly simple new photo editing solution designed to help photographers tap into the full potential of NEF (RAW) images. Featuring an innovative user interface that provides easier access to powerful and visually intuitive enhancement tools, Capture NX2 affords photographers the ability to use revolutionary control points.

Price and Availability
The D90 will be available throughout the United States beginning September 2008 at an MSRP of $999.95* for body only and $1299.95** for body and lens outfit that includes the new AF-S DX Zoom-NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens. The GP-1 GPS unit will be available in November 2008, and pricing will be announced near the time of its delivery to the marketplace. For more information, please visit www.nikonusa.com.

About Nikon
Nikon, At the Heart of the Image™. Nikon Inc. is the world leader in digital imaging, precision optics and photo imaging technology and is globally recognized for setting new standards in product design and performance for its award-winning consumer and professional photographic equipment. Nikon Inc. distributes consumer and professional digital SLR cameras, NIKKOR optics, Speedlights and system accessories; Nikon COOLPIX® compact digital cameras; COOLSCAN® digital film scanners; 35mm film SLR cameras; Nikon software products and Nikon sports and recreational optics. Nikon Corporation, the parent company of Nikon Inc., recently celebrated its 75th anniversary of NIKKOR optics and the 60th anniversary of Nikon cameras. For more information, dial (800) NIKON-US or visit www.nikonusa.com, which links all levels of photographers to the Web’s most comprehensive photo learning and sharing communities.

Specifications

Model Name:      Nikon D90
General
Model Number:     D90
Camera Format:     SLR
Currently Manufactured:     Yes
Retail Price:     $1299.95
Street Price:
Date Available:     2008-09-15
Tripod Mount:     Yes
Weight:     595g
21.0oz
Weight With Batteries?     No
Size:     132 x 103 x 77 mm
5.2 x 4.1 x 3.0 in
Image Capture
Image Resolution:     4288×2848, 3216×2136, 2144×1424
Continuous-mode frames/second:     4.5
Movie Resolution:     1280×720, 640×424, 320×216
Movie Frame Rate:     24, 24, 24
Movie Audio:     Yes
Imaging Sensor (Megapixels):     12.90
CMOS Size (inches):     Nikon DX
Focal Length Multiplier:     1.50
Aspect Ratio:     3:2
Sensor Type:     CMOS
Effective Megapixels:     12.30
Lens
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):     27 - 158 mm
Zoom Ratio:     5.80x
Digital Zoom:     No
Digital Zoom Values:     n/a
Auto Focus:     Yes
Auto Focus Assist Light?     Yes
Manual Focus:     Yes
Normal Focus Range:
Macro Focus Range:
Aperture Range:     f/3.5 -22 (W), f/5.6 -32 (T)
Lens Thread:     67mm
Lens Thread Type:
Display
Optical Viewfinder:     Yes
LCD Viewfinder:     Yes
LCD Size (inches):     3.0
LCD Resolution (pixels):     921,600
Max Playback Zoom:     27x
Exposure
ISO Settings:     100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400
White Balance Settings:     Auto, 7 manual modes with fine tuning, color temperature
Shutter Speed Range:     30 - 1/4000
Exp Adj Range (EV):     +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes:     3D Color Matrix Metering II (420-pixel RGB), Center-weighted, Spot
Aperture Priority:     Yes
Shutter Priority:     Yes
Full Manual Exposure:     Yes
Self Timer:     2 to 20 seconds
Flash
Internal Flash:     Yes
Flash Modes:     Front-Curtain Sync, Red-Eye Reduction, Red-Eye Reduction with Slow Sync, Slow Sync, and Rear-Curtain Sync; supports Advanced Wireless Lighting system
Flash Guide Number (Meters):     n/a
Flash Range Description:     Lens dependent
Ext Flash Connection:     Hot Shoe
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types:     SDHC / SD
Memory Included (MB):
Uncompressed Format:     NEF (RAW), 12-bit
CCD Raw Format:     Yes
Movie File Format:
Connectivity
Video Out:     Yes
Video Mode (NTSC/PAL):     Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder:     Yes
External Connections:     USB 2.0 High Speed
Other Connection:     HDMI Out, DC In, 10-pin Accessory Port
Included Software:     PictureProject CD-ROM
OS Compatibility:     Windows
Power
Battery Form Factor:     Proprietary EN-EL3e, optional MB-D80 battery pack
Usable Battery Types:     Lithium Ion rechargeable
Batteries Included:     1 x Proprietary EN-EL3e Lithium Ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included:     Yes
Notes & Features:     Live View with Face Detection, Dust Reduction, HDMI Output, Scene Recognition System, Active D-Lighting, Picture Control, Extensive In-camera Editing, GPS support.