Nikon D90
Encyclopedia
The Nikon D90 is a 12.3 megapixel
digital single-lens reflex camera
model announced by Nikon
on August 27, 2008. It is a prosumer
model that replaces the Nikon D80
, fitting between the company's entry-level and professional DSLR models. Nikon gives the D90's Estimated Selling Price in the U.S. as $899.95 US for the body only and as $1299.99 with the Nikkor AF-S DX 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, which by itself sells for $399.95. Actual prices are generally lower.
In May 2009, the D90 won the TIPA European Photo & Imaging Award, in the "Best D-SLR Advanced" category. As of July 2011, the D90 remains in production, fitting between the Nikon D5100
and Nikon D7000
in the company's lineup of DSLR cameras.
and automatic correction of lateral chromatic aberration
. The D90 is the first DSLR to offer video recording, with the ability to record HD 720p
videos, with mono sound, at 24 frames per second.
Unlike less expensive models such as the D40
, D60
, D3000
and D5000
, the D90 has a built in autofocus
motor, which means that all Nikon F-mount
autofocus-lenses
(except two for the rare Nikon F3AF) can be used in autofocus mode.
The Nikon D90 is the first Nikon camera to include a third firmware module, labeled "L," which provides an updateable lens distance integration database that improves autoexposure functions. Some of its accessories, such as the MB-D80 battery grip and ML-L3 wireless remote, are also compatible with its predecessor the D80. It was the first Nikon DSLR to support Global Positioning System
integration for automatic location tagging of photographs, using a GPS receiver sold separately.
The D90 is the first DSLR with video recording capabilities; it can record 720p high-definition video
with monaural sound. However, it does not auto-focus while filming video; to keep a subject in focus, the user must manually track subject motion
. Soon after the D90's introduction, many new DSLRs from Nikon and other manufacturers began including video recording as a standard feature.
As with other DSLRs, the D90's CMOS
sensor captures video frames using a rolling shutter
, which may cause skewing artifacts during rapid camera or subject motion. Recorded videos are limited to a 2 GB file size and a duration of 5–20 minutes for each continuous clip, depending on resolution.
The first feature film shot with a D90 was Reverie. Alles Mist, the film's cinematographer, praised the camera for its dynamic range, its ability to support 35 mm optics offering greater choices of focal length
and depth of focus
, and large sensor in comparison to standard video cameras within and beyond the D90's price range.
's editor review and Photocrati's Nikon D90 review labeled the D90 a "best value" DSLR. Digital Photography Review
also published a highly positive assessment, but noted that the only weakness seemed to be that matrix metering on the D90 is tied too strongly to individual focus points, and therefore allows highlights to be clipped in other areas of an image. In DxOmark's camera sensor RAW image ratings, the D90 achieved a score of 72.6, placing it above its competitors and more expensive cameras such as the Canon EOS 1D Mark III (71), Canon EOS 5D
(70.9) and Nikon D300S
(69.8). Statistics from Photo-sharing website Flickr also show that the D90 is the most popular system in the whole website, with an average of 80,000 photos from the D90 uploaded every day.
As noted above, one of the most notable features of the Nikon D90 is that it is the first digital SLR camera to include high definition video capabilities. While most reviewers gave the D90's HD video high marks, Nikon expert Thom Hogan noted that the HD video capability, while novel, was not yet refined, providing only mono sound, and being subject to video flaws such as apparent distorted motion of stationary objects when panning.
Pixel
In digital imaging, a pixel, or pel, is a single point in a raster image, or the smallest addressable screen element in a display device; it is the smallest unit of picture that can be represented or controlled....
digital single-lens reflex camera
Digital single-lens reflex camera
Most digital single-lens reflex cameras are digital cameras that use a mechanical mirror system and pentaprism to direct light from the lens to an optical viewfinder on the back of the camera....
model announced by Nikon
Nikon
, also known as just Nikon, is a multinational corporation headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, specializing in optics and imaging. Its products include cameras, binoculars, microscopes, measurement instruments, and the steppers used in the photolithography steps of semiconductor fabrication, of which...
on August 27, 2008. It is a prosumer
Prosumer
Prosumer is a portmanteau formed by contracting either the word professional or less often, producer with the word consumer. For example, a prosumer grade digital camera is a "cross" between consumer grade and professional grade...
model that replaces the Nikon D80
Nikon D80
The Nikon D80 is a digital single-lens reflex camera model announced by Nikon on August 9th, 2006. The camera shipped the first week of September to US retailers. Considered by many to be an amalgam of design elements of the entry-level D50 and high-end D200 cameras, it occupied the same price...
, fitting between the company's entry-level and professional DSLR models. Nikon gives the D90's Estimated Selling Price in the U.S. as $899.95 US for the body only and as $1299.99 with the Nikkor AF-S DX 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, which by itself sells for $399.95. Actual prices are generally lower.
In May 2009, the D90 won the TIPA European Photo & Imaging Award, in the "Best D-SLR Advanced" category. As of July 2011, the D90 remains in production, fitting between the Nikon D5100
Nikon D5100
The Nikon D5100 is a 16.2 megapixel DX format DSLR F-mount camera announced by Nikon on April 5, 2011. It features the same 16.2-megapixel CMOS sensor as the D7000 with 14-bit resolution, while delivering Full HD 1080p video mode with up to 30fps...
and Nikon D7000
Nikon D7000
The Nikon D7000 is a 16.2 megapixel digital single-lens reflex camera model announced by Nikon on September 15, 2010. It is a new class of camera placed between the professional D300S and the 'midrange' D90...
in the company's lineup of DSLR cameras.
Features
Some of the improvements the D90 offers over the D80 include 12.3 megapixel resolution, extended light sensitivity capabilities, live viewLive preview
Live preview is a feature that allows a digital camera's display screen to be used as a viewfinder. This provides a means of previewing framing and other exposure before taking the photograph. In most such cameras, the preview is generated by means of continuously and directly projecting the image...
and automatic correction of lateral chromatic aberration
Chromatic aberration
In optics, chromatic aberration is a type of distortion in which there is a failure of a lens to focus all colors to the same convergence point. It occurs because lenses have a different refractive index for different wavelengths of light...
. The D90 is the first DSLR to offer video recording, with the ability to record HD 720p
720p
720p is the shorthand name for 1280x720, a category of High-definition television video modes having a resolution of 1080 or 720p and a progressive scan...
videos, with mono sound, at 24 frames per second.
Unlike less expensive models such as the D40
Nikon D40
The D40 is a now-discontinued Nikon F-mount entry-level digital SLR, announced November 16, 2006. Compared to its predecessor, the D50, the D40 had several features removed, a few added, and a lower price: US$499.95 ESP as of November 2009 with the 18–55 mm G-II kit lens, positioning it as an...
, D60
Nikon D60
The Nikon D60 is a 10.2 megapixel Nikon F-mount digital single-lens reflex camera announced in January 2008. The D60 succeeds the entry-level Nikon D40x...
, D3000
Nikon D3000
The Nikon D3000 is a 10.2 megapixel DX format DSLR Nikon F-mount camera announced by Nikon on 30 July 2009. It replaces the D40 as Nikon's entry level DSLR. It features a 3.0-inch 230,000-dot resolution LCD monitor, CCD sensor with ISO 100–1600 and 3D tracking Multi-CAM1000 11-point AF system...
and D5000
Nikon D5000
The D5000 is a 12.3 megapixel DX format DSLR Nikon F-mount camera, announced by Nikon on 14 April 2009, and rumored to have been discontinued in November 2010. Although it is listed as discontinued on the Nikon Japan website, it is still available in other regions as of April 2011. The D5000 has...
, the D90 has a built in autofocus
Autofocus
An autofocus optical system uses a sensor, a control system and a motor to focus fully automatic or on a manually selected point or area. An electronic rangefinder has a display instead of the motor; the adjustment of the optical system has to be done manually until indication...
motor, which means that all Nikon F-mount
Nikon F-mount
The Nikon F-mount is a type of interchangeable lens mount developed by Nikon for its 35 mm SLR cameras. The F-mount was first introduced on the Nikon F camera in 1959, and features a three lug bayonet mount with a 44 mm throat and a flange to focal plane distance of 46.5 mm...
autofocus-lenses
Photographic lens
A camera lens is an optical lens or assembly of lenses used in conjunction with a camera body and mechanism to make images of objects either on photographic film or on other media capable of storing an image chemically or electronically.While in principle a simple convex lens will suffice, in...
(except two for the rare Nikon F3AF) can be used in autofocus mode.
The Nikon D90 is the first Nikon camera to include a third firmware module, labeled "L," which provides an updateable lens distance integration database that improves autoexposure functions. Some of its accessories, such as the MB-D80 battery grip and ML-L3 wireless remote, are also compatible with its predecessor the D80. It was the first Nikon DSLR to support Global Positioning System
Global Positioning System
The Global Positioning System is a space-based global navigation satellite system that provides location and time information in all weather, anywhere on or near the Earth, where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites...
integration for automatic location tagging of photographs, using a GPS receiver sold separately.
Video recording
High-definition video
High-definition video or HD video refers to any video system of higher resolution than standard-definition video, and most commonly involves display resolutions of 1,280×720 pixels or 1,920×1,080 pixels...
with monaural sound. However, it does not auto-focus while filming video; to keep a subject in focus, the user must manually track subject motion
Focus puller
A focus puller, or 1st assistant cameraman, is a member of a film crew’s camera department whose primary responsibility is to maintain image sharpness on whatever subject or action is being filmed....
. Soon after the D90's introduction, many new DSLRs from Nikon and other manufacturers began including video recording as a standard feature.
As with other DSLRs, the D90's CMOS
CMOS
Complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor is a technology for constructing integrated circuits. CMOS technology is used in microprocessors, microcontrollers, static RAM, and other digital logic circuits...
sensor captures video frames using a rolling shutter
Rolling shutter
Rolling shutter is a method of image acquisition in which each frame is recorded not from a snapshot of a single point in time, but rather by scanning across the frame either vertically or horizontally...
, which may cause skewing artifacts during rapid camera or subject motion. Recorded videos are limited to a 2 GB file size and a duration of 5–20 minutes for each continuous clip, depending on resolution.
The first feature film shot with a D90 was Reverie. Alles Mist, the film's cinematographer, praised the camera for its dynamic range, its ability to support 35 mm optics offering greater choices of focal length
Focal length
The focal length of an optical system is a measure of how strongly the system converges or diverges light. For an optical system in air, it is the distance over which initially collimated rays are brought to a focus...
and depth of focus
Depth of focus
Depth of focus is a lens optics concept that measures the tolerance of placement of the image plane in relation to the lens...
, and large sensor in comparison to standard video cameras within and beyond the D90's price range.
Reception
The Nikon D90 has been tested by many independent reviewers since its introduction. Most reviews of the D90 have been positive, assessing the D90 as a notable improvement over its predecessor, the Nikon D80. The camera received 4 stars out of 5 in CNETCNET
CNET is a tech media website that publishes news articles, blogs, and podcasts on technology and consumer electronics. Originally founded in 1994 by Halsey Minor and Shelby Bonnie, it was the flagship brand of CNET Networks and became a brand of CBS Interactive through CNET Networks' acquisition...
's editor review and Photocrati's Nikon D90 review labeled the D90 a "best value" DSLR. Digital Photography Review
Digital Photography Review
Digital Photography Review is a website about digital cameras and digital photography. The website has comprehensive reviews of digital cameras, lenses and accessories, buying guides, user reviews, and very active forums for the individual cameras as well as general photography forums...
also published a highly positive assessment, but noted that the only weakness seemed to be that matrix metering on the D90 is tied too strongly to individual focus points, and therefore allows highlights to be clipped in other areas of an image. In DxOmark's camera sensor RAW image ratings, the D90 achieved a score of 72.6, placing it above its competitors and more expensive cameras such as the Canon EOS 1D Mark III (71), Canon EOS 5D
Canon EOS 5D
The EOS 5D is a 12.8 megapixel digital single-lens reflex camera body produced by Canon. The EOS 5D was announced by Canon on August 22, 2005, and at the time was priced above the EOS 20D but below the EOS-1D Mark II and EOS-1Ds Mark II in Canon's EOS digital SLR series...
(70.9) and Nikon D300S
Nikon D300S
The Nikon D300S is a 12.3 megapixel DX format digital single-lens reflex camera announced by Nikon on 30 July 2009. It replaces the D300 as Nikon's DX format flagship DSLR adding HD video recording...
(69.8). Statistics from Photo-sharing website Flickr also show that the D90 is the most popular system in the whole website, with an average of 80,000 photos from the D90 uploaded every day.
As noted above, one of the most notable features of the Nikon D90 is that it is the first digital SLR camera to include high definition video capabilities. While most reviewers gave the D90's HD video high marks, Nikon expert Thom Hogan noted that the HD video capability, while novel, was not yet refined, providing only mono sound, and being subject to video flaws such as apparent distorted motion of stationary objects when panning.
Feature List
- Nikon's 12.3 megapixel Nikon DX formatNikon DX formatThe Nikon DX format is an alternative name used by Nikon corporation for APS-C image sensor format being approximately 24×16 mm. Its dimensions are about 2/3 those of the 35mm film format . The format was created by Nikon for its digital SLR cameras, many of which are equipped with DX-sized...
CMOS sensorActive pixel sensorAn active-pixel sensor is an image sensor consisting of an integrated circuit containing an array of pixel sensors, each pixel containing a photodetector and an active amplifier. There are many types of active pixel sensors including the CMOS APS used most commonly in cell phone cameras, web...
. - Nikon's EXPEED image processor.
- D-Movie mode (720p720p720p is the shorthand name for 1280x720, a category of High-definition television video modes having a resolution of 1080 or 720p and a progressive scan...
, with mono 22kHz sound). - Active D-Lighting (4 levels and Auto).
- Automatic correction of lateral chromatic aberrationChromatic aberrationIn optics, chromatic aberration is a type of distortion in which there is a failure of a lens to focus all colors to the same convergence point. It occurs because lenses have a different refractive index for different wavelengths of light...
for JPEGJPEGIn computing, JPEG . The degree of compression can be adjusted, allowing a selectable tradeoff between storage size and image quality. JPEG typically achieves 10:1 compression with little perceptible loss in image quality....
s. Correction-data is additionally stored in RAW-files and used by Nikon Capture, View NX and some other RAW tools. - Lens distortion correction as well as image rotation ("Straighten") via playback ("Retouch") menu
- 3-inch TFT LCDLiquid crystal displayA liquid crystal display is a flat panel display, electronic visual display, or video display that uses the light modulating properties of liquid crystals . LCs do not emit light directly....
with 920,000-dot resolution (640x480 VGAVideo Graphics ArrayVideo Graphics Array refers specifically to the display hardware first introduced with the IBM PS/2 line of computers in 1987, but through its widespread adoption has also come to mean either an analog computer display standard, the 15-pin D-subminiature VGA connector or the 640×480 resolution...
) and 170-degree ultra-wide viewing angle. - Live ViewLive previewLive preview is a feature that allows a digital camera's display screen to be used as a viewfinder. This provides a means of previewing framing and other exposure before taking the photograph. In most such cameras, the preview is generated by means of continuously and directly projecting the image...
shooting mode (activated with a dedicated button). - Continuous Drive up to 4.5 frames per second.
- 3D Color Matrix Metering II with Scene Recognition System.
- 3D Tracking Multi-CAM 1000 autofocusAutofocusAn autofocus optical system uses a sensor, a control system and a motor to focus fully automatic or on a manually selected point or area. An electronic rangefinder has a display instead of the motor; the adjustment of the optical system has to be done manually until indication...
sensor module with 11 AF points. - Face detectionFace detectionFace detection is a computer technology that determines the locations and sizes of human faces in arbitrary images. It detects facial features and ignores anything else, such as buildings, trees and bodies....
autofocus in live viewLive previewLive preview is a feature that allows a digital camera's display screen to be used as a viewfinder. This provides a means of previewing framing and other exposure before taking the photograph. In most such cameras, the preview is generated by means of continuously and directly projecting the image...
mode. - ISOFilm speedFilm speed is the measure of a photographic film's sensitivity to light, determined by sensitometry and measured on various numerical scales, the most recent being the ISO system....
sensitivity 200 to 3200 (100–6400 with boost). - Nikon F-mountNikon F-mountThe Nikon F-mount is a type of interchangeable lens mount developed by Nikon for its 35 mm SLR cameras. The F-mount was first introduced on the Nikon F camera in 1959, and features a three lug bayonet mount with a 44 mm throat and a flange to focal plane distance of 46.5 mm...
lenses - i-TTL flashFlash (photography)A flash is a device used in photography producing a flash of artificial light at a color temperature of about 5500 K to help illuminate a scene. A major purpose of a flash is to illuminate a dark scene. Other uses are capturing quickly moving objects or changing the quality of light...
exposure system with built-in wireless control (Commander-mode). Compatibility: SB-400, SB-600, SB-800, SB-900, R1C1 and third party manufacturers - Built-in Sensor cleaning system (vibrating low-pass filter).
- HDMIHigh-Definition Multimedia InterfaceHDMI is a compact audio/video interface for transmitting uncompressed digital data. It is a digital alternative to consumer analog standards, such as radio frequency coaxial cable, composite video, S-Video, SCART, component video, D-Terminal, or VGA...
HD video output - Support for GPS unit direct connect.
- File formats: JPEGJPEGIn computing, JPEG . The degree of compression can be adjusted, allowing a selectable tradeoff between storage size and image quality. JPEG typically achieves 10:1 compression with little perceptible loss in image quality....
, NEF (Nikon's RAWRAW image formatA camera raw image file contains minimally processed data from the image sensor of either a digital camera, image scanner, or motion picture film scanner. Raw files are so named because they are not yet processed and therefore are not ready to be printed or edited with a bitmap graphics editor...
, 12-bit compressed), AVIAudio Video InterleaveAudio Video Interleave , known by its acronym AVI, is a multimedia container format introduced by Microsoft in November 1992 as part of its Video for Windows technology. AVI files can contain both audio and video data in a file container that allows synchronous audio-with-video playback...
(Motion JPEG). - EN-EL3e Lithium-ion Battery, Battery Life (shots per charge) approx. : 850 shots (CIPA).
- Weight: Approx. 620 g (1.4 lb) without battery, 703 g (1.5 lb) with battery.
Optional accessories
The Nikon D90 has dozens of available accessories such as:- Nikon ML-L3 WirelessWirelessWireless telecommunications is the transfer of information between two or more points that are not physically connected. Distances can be short, such as a few meters for television remote control, or as far as thousands or even millions of kilometers for deep-space radio communications...
(InfraredInfraredInfrared light is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength longer than that of visible light, measured from the nominal edge of visible red light at 0.74 micrometres , and extending conventionally to 300 µm...
) remote controlRemote controlA remote control is a component of an electronics device, most commonly a television set, used for operating the television device wirelessly from a short line-of-sight distance.The remote control is usually contracted to remote...
, MC-DC2 Remote Cord or third party solutions. - Nikon GP-1 GPS Unit for direct GPS geotaggingGeoTaggingGeotagging is the process of adding geographical identification metadata to various media such as a geotagged photograph or video, websites, SMS messages, QR Codes or RSS feeds and is a form of geospatial metadata...
. Third party solutions partly with 3-axis compassCompassA compass is a navigational instrument that shows directions in a frame of reference that is stationary relative to the surface of the earth. The frame of reference defines the four cardinal directions – north, south, east, and west. Intermediate directions are also defined...
, data-logger, bluetoothBluetoothBluetooth is a proprietary open wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances from fixed and mobile devices, creating personal area networks with high levels of security...
and support for indoor use are available from Solmeta, Dawn, Easytag, Foolography (Unleashed D90), Gisteq and Phottix. See comparisons/reviews. - MB-D80 Multi Power Battery gripBattery gripA battery grip is an accessory for an SLR/DSLR , which allows the camera to hold multiple batteries to extend the battery life of the camera, and adds a vertical grip with an extra shutter release , facilitating the shooting of portrait photography.It usually attaches to the camera body through the...
or third party solutions. - Third party solutions for WLAN transmitter are available.
- Nikon CF-D80 Semi-Soft Case.
- Various Nikon SpeedlightSpeedlightSpeedlight is the brand name used by Nikon Corporation for their photographic flash units, used since the company's introduction of strobe flashes in the 1960s. Nikon's standalone Speedlights have the SB- prefix as part of their model designation...
or third party flash units. Also working as commander for Nikon Creative Lighting System wireless (slave) flash.
- Third party radio (wireless) flash control triggers are partly supporting i-TTL, but do not support the Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS). See reviews.
- Tethered shooting with Nikon Camera Control Pro 2, Adobe LightRoom 3 or other partly free products including appsMobile appsMobile apps, also called mobile applications, are software applications, usually designed to run on smartphones and tablet computers. They are available through application distribution platforms which are typically operated by the owner of the mobile operating system, such as the App Store,...
. - Other accessories from Nikon and third parties, including protective cases and bags, eyepiece adapters and correction lenses, and underwater housings.
- Tethered shooting with Nikon Camera Control Pro 2, Adobe LightRoom 3 or other partly free products including apps