Nikon D90

"The D90 fuses technology from Nikon's flagship digital SLRs with an array of sophisticated functions to help you achieve superior results. Its 12.3 megapixel DX-format CMOS image sensor and EXPEED image processing system offer outstanding image quality across a wide ISO light sensitivity range. Live View mode lets you compose and shoot via the high-resolution 3-inch LCD monitor, and an advanced Scene Recognition System and autofocus performance help capture images with astounding accuracy. Movies can be shot in Motion JPEG format using the innovative D-Movie function. The camera's large image sensor ensures exceptional movie image quality and you can create dramatic effects by shooting with a wide range of interchangeable NIKKOR lenses, from wide-angle to macro to fisheye, or by adjusting the lens aperture and experimenting with depth-of-field. The D90 – designed to fuel your passion for photography. "

- Nikon -

Newly designed Nikon DX-format CMOS image sensor with wide ISO sensitivity range

The D90's 12.3 effective megapixels provides outstanding resolution, delivering images with extraordinarily defined detail. The extremely wide sensitivity range of ISO 200 to 3200 delivers incredibly low-noise throughout which can be increased to Hi 1 (ISO 6400 equivalent) and decreased to Lo 1 (ISO 100 equivalent) to expand shooting versatility. 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.

EXPEED for smooth tones, rich colours and fine details

Nikon's comprehensive digital image-processing EXPEED technology is optimised for the D90 to realise the high-quality, high-speed image processing capability EXPEED also contributes to the outstanding performance of other powerful features such as Live View and the new Face Detection System.

D-Movie: the world's first D-SLR movie mode

In a world first for D-SLRs, the D90 offers a movie function, allowing you to shoot HD720p (1,280 x 720 pixels), 640 x 424 pixels or 320 x 216 pixels movies at the professional smoothness of 24 frames per second in motion JPEG format. The D90's sensor, which is much larger than the sensor of a typical camcorder, ensures higher image quality and exceptional low-noise, high ISO sensitivity performance, even during movie shooting. Capturing creative movie clips or the drama of life's moving moments is further enhanced by the wide selection of incredibly sharp NIKKOR interchangeable lenses that are available, from fisheye to wide-angle to super-telephoto. And Micro NIKKOR lenses bring the magic of extreme close-up imagery to movie making.

Scene Recognition System integrated with Face Detection System

The D90 precisely reads the colours and brightness information of each scene from the 420-pixel RGB sensor, and applies this to auto focus, auto exposure and auto white balance. The D90 also recognises human faces using the new Face Detection System, data which is incorporated during calculation, resulting in faces with newfound definition and accuracy as well as enabling face priority AF in Live View mode and immediate zoom into people's faces in playback zoom.

Easy-to-use Live View mode

One press of the Live View button activates the D90's Live View mode, delivering a bright, crisp image to the 3-in., approx. 920k-dot colour LCD and allowing comfortable shooting without looking through the viewfinder. There are three contrast-detect AF modes that let you focus on any point in the frame: Face priority AF automatically detects up to five faces and focuses on that calculated to be the closest. Wide area AF offers a large AF area suitable for handheld shooting, and normal area AF provides focus with pinpoint accuracy when using a tripod. And when Nikon VR image stabilisation lenses are in use, photographers will enjoy the benefit of a VR-smoothed image, even in Live View mode.

Picture Control System: Customize the visual style of your images

Nikon's Picture Control System enables users to customise the look and mood of images. Six original setting options are available — Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome, Portrait and Landscape — for easy customisation of image preferences.

Active D-Lighting for smooth tone reproduction in high-contrast lighting

The D90's Active D-Lighting accurately restores details in the shadows and highlighted areas, which are often lost in high-contrast lighting situations, by localizing tone control while shooting. There are four levels, including the new “Extra High.” Active D-Lighting can be used manually or set to Auto mode. It is also possible to bracket your pictures, allowing the capture of one image with Active D-Lighting and one without.

Versatile, practical 11-point AF system

Thanks to the Multi-CAM 1000 autofocus module, the D90's 11-point AF system offers fast and precise autofocus coverage across the frame with the most sensitive AF sensor operating from the centre. In addition, the D90 features versatile AF-area modes to handle most shooting situations: Single-point AF is recommended for stationary subjects, dynamic-area AF for moving subjects, auto-area AF for spontaneous shooting and 3D-tracking (11 points) AF for when you want to change the composition after focusing on your subject.

Bright pentaprism viewfinder featuring frame coverage of approx. 96%

The D90 has a precise eye-level pentaprism viewfinder with approximately 96% (centered) frame coverage and an easy-to-view 19.5 mm eyepoint (at -1.0 m-1). The built-in 16-frame superimposed grid display can be activated to assist in the creation of better-balanced compositions.

Advanced Scene Modes for superior image quality

The D90 features Advanced Scene Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Sports and Night Portrait. These modes not only adjust exposure and image processing, but also judge the optimum Active D-Lighting and Picture Control settings to obtain the best results. The D90 also recognises if VR (Vibration Reduction) is on or off and minimises noise even in dimly lit scenes.

Extensive palette of in-camera Retouch Menus

The D90's designers incorporated a wide variety of image editing functions, making it easy for users to enhance images within the camera. The D90 introduces several new retouch options: Distortion Control adjusts lens aberration, Straighten corrects inclination of the image, while Fisheye produces optical effects similar to a fisheye lens. Engineered for precision and durability Accurate exposures rely on precise shutters and the D90's electronically timed shutter mechanism was specifically engineered for long, accurate service. To ensure this, D90 shutters, assembled in D90 bodies, underwent exhaustive 100,000 shutter-release cycle testing.

More external Nikon D90 reviews!

Body material	Combination of aluminum alloy and plastic.
Sensor	• 23.6 x 15.8 mm CMOS sensor • 12.9 million total pixels • 12.3 million effective pixels • Supports high ISO sensitivities • High-speed data readout • Nikon DX-format sized CMOS sensor • Power-saving design
Dust Reduction System	• Image Sensor Cleaning • Image Dust Off reference data (optional Capture NX 2 software required)
Image processor	Nikon EXPEED
A/D conversion	12 bit
Image sizes	• 4,288 x 2,848 (L) • 3,216 x 2,136 (M) • 2,144 x 1,424 (S)
File formats	• NEF (compressed RAW) • JPEG: Fine (approx. 1:4), normal (approx. 1:8), or basic (approx. 1:16) compression • NEF (RAW) + JPEG • AVI M-JPEG • Up to 36 alphanumeric characters can be input using the camera monitor and multi selector (contained in Exif header)
Lens mount	• Nikon F mount with AF coupling and AF contacts • Approx. 1.5x lens focal length (Nikon DX format)
Usable lenses	• DX AF Nikkor: All functions supported • Type G or D AF Nikkor: All functions supported (PC Micro-Nikkors do not support some functions) • Other AF Nikkor: All functions supported except 3D Color Matrix Metering II. Lenses for F3AF not supported. • AI-P Nikkor: All functions supported except 3D Color Matrix Metering II • Non-CPU: Autofocus not supported. Can be used in exposure mode M, but exposure meter does not function. Electronic rangefinder can be used if lens has a maximum aperture of f/5.6 or faster.
Auto Focus	• 11 focus points (1 cross-type sensors) • Multi-CAM 1000 • AF working range: -1 to +19 EV (ISO 100, normal temperature) • Contrast Detect in Live View (Tripod) mode
Lens Servo	• Single Servo AF [S] • Continuous Servo AF [C] • Manual focus [M], Electronic range finding supported • Focus Tracking automatically activated by subject's status in AF [A]
Focus Point	• Single point from 11 focus points • Center point narrow or wide zone • Liveview (Tripod mode): Contrast AF on a desired point anywhere within frame
AF Area Mode	• Single point AF • Dynamic Area AF • Automatic-area AF • 3D Tracking AF (11 points)
Focus Lock	Focus can be locked by pressing shutter-release button halfway (single-servo AF) or by pressing AE-L/AF-L button
AF assist	AF-assist illuminator (range approx. 0.5-3 m/1.6-9.8 ft.)
Exposure modes	• Program Auto [P] with flexible program • Shutter-Priority Auto [S] • Aperture-Priority Auto [A] • Manual [M] • Auto • Advanced Scene Modes (portrait, landscape, close-up, sports, night portrait)
Metering	TTL full-aperture exposure metering using 420-pixel RGB sensor • 3D Color Matrix Metering II (type G and D lenses); color matrix metering II (other CPU lenses); • Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 6, 8, or 10 mm dia. circle in center of frame • Spot: Meters approx. 2 mm dia. circle (about 2.0 % of frame) centered on selected focus point
Metering range	• 3D Color Matrix Metering: 0 to 20 EV • Center-Weighted Metering: 0 to 20 EV • Spot Metering: 2 to 20 EV • At normal temperature (20°C/68°F), ISO 100 equivalent, f/1.4 lens
Meter coupling	CPU (not AI)
Exposure lock	Locked using AE-L/AF-L button
Exposure bracketing	• 2 or 3 frames • 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, 1 or 2 EV steps • •ADL (Active D-Lighting) bracketing: 2 frames (one with ADL, one without)
Exposure compen.	• +/-5.0 EV • 1/3 or 1/2 EV steps
Sensitivity	• Default: ISO 200 - 3200 in 1/3 EV steps • Boost: 100 - 6400 in 1/3 EV steps
Shutter	• Electronically-controlled vertical-travel focal plane shutter • 30 to 1/4000 sec (1/3 or 1/2 EV steps) • Flash X-Sync: 1/200 sec • Bulb • Time (optional Wireless Remote Control ML-L3 required) • Release time lag Approx. 65 ms • Viewfinder blackout 120 ms • Tested to 100,000 exposures
DOF Preview	• Stop-down lens aperture by pressing button
Active D-Lighting	Can be selected from Auto, Extra high, High, Normal, Low, or Off
White balance	• Auto (420-pixel CCD, image sensor) • Presets (12) with fine tuning • Manual presets (five) • Color temperature in Kelvin (2500 - 10000 K) • White balance bracketing (2 or 3 frames in increments of 1, 2 or 3)
Picture Control	• Standard • Neutral • Vivid • Monochrome • Landscape • Portrait • Storage for up to nine custom Picture Controls
Image parameters	• Sharpening: Auto, 10 levels • Contrast: Auto, 7 levels • Brightness: 3 levels • Saturation: Auto, 7 levels • Hue: 7 levels • Quick Adjust; 5 levels • High ISO Noise Reduction (High, Normal, Low, Off)
Color space	• sRGB • Adobe RGB
Viewfinder	• Eye-level pentaprism single-lens reflex viewfinder • Frame coverage Approx. 96% horizontal and 96% vertical • Magnification Approx. 0.94x (50mm f/1.4 lens at infinity, –1.0 m-1) • Eyepoint 19.5 mm (–1.0 m-1) • Diopter adjustment –2–+1 m-1 • Frame coverage Approx. 96% horizontal and 96% vertical
Focusing screen	• Type B BriteView Clear Matte Mark II screen with focus frame • Superimposed on-demand grid lines over the viewfinder display. • "Vari-Brite" focus area display built in (The color used to highlight the active focus area (focus brackets) in the viewfinder display changes automatically in response to lighting conditions).
LCD monitor	• 3.0 " TFT LCD • Approx. 920,000 pixels (VGA; 640 x 480 x 3 colors) • 170° viewing angle • 100% frame coverage • Brightness adjustment
Movie	• File format AVI (Motion-JPEG) • Image size (pixels) 640 x 424; 24 fps 320 x 216; 24 fps 1280 x 720; 24 fps • Compression: Motion-JPEG Audio Monaural on/off selection • Exposure: Determined with matrix metering utilizing output from the image sensor • Exposure lock available • Exposure compensation available in P, S, A, M modes • Maximum single clip length: 1280x720/ 5 minutes, others 20 minutes
LCD Liveview	• Contrast-detect AF anywhere in frame (camera selects focus point automatically when face priority is selected) • Face priority, widea area, normal area
Shooting modes	• Single frame • Continuous Low [CL]: 1 - 4 fps • Continuous High [CH]: 4.5 fps • Self-Timer • Delayed remote, quick response remote (optional Wireless Remote Control ML-L3 required for remote shooting)
Self-timer	• 2, 5, 10, and 20 s
Flash	• Auto pop-up type (auto pop up in Auto, portrait, close-up, night portrait modes) • Guide number of 17/56 (ISO 100, m/ft.) or 18/59 with manual flash (ISO 100, m/ft.) • Sufficient to illuminate the picture angle of an 18mm lens
Flash control	• TTL: i-TTL balanced fill-flash and standard i-TTL flash for digital SLR using 420-pixel RGB sensor are available with built-in flash and SB-900, SB-800, SB-600, or SB-400 • Auto aperture: Available with SB-900, SB-800 and CPU lens • Non-TTL auto: Supported flash units include SB-900, SB-800, SB-28, SB-27, and SB-22s • Range-priority manual: Available with SB-900 and SB-800
Flash Modes	•Auto, portrait, close-up - Auto and auto with red-eye reduction available with built-in flash - Fill-flash and red-eye reduction available with optional flash units • Night portrait - Auto slow sync and auto slow sync with red-eye reduction available with built-in flash - Slow sync and slow sync with red-eye reduction available with optional flash units • Landscape, sports -Fill-flash and red-eye reduction available with optional flash units • P, A- Fill-flash, rear-curtain with slow sync, auto slow sync, slow sync with red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction • S, M - Fill-flash, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction
Flash Accessory Shoe	ISO 518 standard-type hot shoe contact; Safety lock mechanism provided
Flash Sync Terminal	No
Flash compensation	• -3 to +1 EV • 1/3 or 1/2 EV steps
Creative Lighting System	• Advanced Wireless Lighting supported with built-in flash, SB-900, SB-800, or SU-800 as commander and SB-900, SB-800, SB-600, or SB-R200 as remotes • Auto FP High-Speed Sync and modeling illumination supported with all CLS-compatible flash units except SB-400 • Flash Color Information Communication and FV lock supported with all CLS-compatible flash units
Playback mode	• Full-frame playback • Movie playback • Thumbnail (4, 9, or 72 images or calendar) playback • Playback zoom (image size L up to approx. 27x, M up to approx. 20x, S up to approx. 13x) When one or more faces (up to 10) were detected with shooting, the faces are enclosed in white borders. When playback zoom is applied, different faces can be displayed by rotating the sub-command dial. • Slide show playback • Pictmotion • Histogram display • Highlights display • Auto image rotation • Image comment (up to 36 characters)
Retouch functions	D-Lighting, red-eye correction, trim, monochrome, filter effects, color balance, small picture, image overlay, NEF (RAW) processing, quick retouch, straighten, distortion control, fisheye
Languages	Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish
Connectivity	• USB 2.0 (Hi-Speed) Mini-B connector • PTP transfer protocol • NTSC or PAL video output • HDMI video out (version 1.3a, Type C mini connector provided) • Remote control / GPS terminal
Storage	• SD (Secure Digital) memory cards, SDHC-compliant
Power	• Lithium-Ion EN-EL3e (Approx. 850 shots, CIPA) • Included battery charger MH-18a • Optional AC adapter EH-5a/EH-5 • Optional Battery Pack MB-D80
Vertical Grip	• Optional MB-D80 multi-power battery pack
Dimensions	Approx. 132 x 103 x 77 mm (5.2 x 4.1 x 3.0 in.)
Weight (no batt)	Approx. 620 g (1 lb. 6 oz.) without battery, memory card, body cap, or monitor cover
Operating environment	Temperature: 0 - 40 °C / 32 - 104 °F, Humidity: under 85% (no condensation)
Box contents	Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3e, Quick Charger MH-18a, USB Cable UC-E4, Audio/Video Cable EG-D2, Camera Strap AN-DC1 Body Cap BF-1A, Accessory Shoe Cover BS-1, LCD Monitor Cover BM-10, Software Suite CD-ROM (Supplied accessories may differ depending on country or area)
Optional accessories	• *Remote Cord MC-DC2, *GPS Unit GP-1, Photofinishing software Capture NX 2, AC Adapter EH-5/EH-5a, Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D80, Magnifying Eyepiece DK-21M, Eyepiece Correction Lens DK-20C, Eyepiece Magnifier DG-2, Eyepiece Adapter DK-22, Right-Angle Viewing Attachment DR-6, Semi-soft Case CF-D80, Wireless Remote Control ML-L3, Sync Terminal Adapter AS-15, Camera Control Pro 2

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