TIME’s Top 10 Gadgets of 2008 list has the Nikon D90 on its 4th spot. It was also ranked 4th in Weird Magazine’s top 10 technology breakthroughs list. Currently, the D90 is the best selling Nikon DSLR camera on Amazon (as of January 1, 2009).Let’s look at the photographs and salient features of this photographic wonder - it has stuff even the most seasoned photographer would love to have.

Nikon D90 DSLR Camera, salient features:

• Color: Black
• Image sensor format: DX
• Image sensor type: CMOS
• Sensor size: 15.8 x 23.6mm
• Total pixels: 12.9 megapixels
• Effective pixels: 12.3 megapixels
• Image area (DX format): Large: 4288 x 2848; medium: 3216 x 2136; small: 2144 x 1424
• Top continuous shooting speed at full resolution: 4.5 frames per second
• Continuous shooting options: CH: up to 4.5 frames per second; CL: up to 4 frames per second
• LCD monitorsize: 3 inches diagonal
• LCD monitor type: Super density
• Monitor resolution: 920,000 pixels
• Angle of view: 170-degree wide viewing angle
• Monitor adjustments: 7 brightness levels
• Shutter type: Electronically controlled, vertical-travel focal plane
• Slowest shutter speed: 30 seconds in steps of 1/3, 1/2, 1 EV
• Fastest shutter speed: 1/4000 second in steps of 1/3, 1/2, 1 EV
• Bulb shutter setting: Yes
• Lowest standard ISO sensitivity: 200 in steps of 1/3, 1/2, 1 EV
• Highest standard ISO sensitivity: 3200 in steps of 1/3, 1/2, 1 EV
• Lowest expanded ISO sensitivity: Lo-1 (ISO 100 equivalent)
• Highest expanded ISO sensitivity: Hi-1 (ISO 6400 equivalent)
• Expanded ISO sensitivity options: Lo-1 (ISO 100 equivalent) in steps of 1/3, 1/2, 1 EV; Hi-1 (ISO 6400 equivalent) in steps of 1/3, 1/2, 1 EV
• Storage media: SD, SDHC
• Storage system: JPEG: JPEG-baseline compliant, can be selected from size priority and optimal quality; AVI
• File system: Compliant with DCF 2.0, DPOF, Exif 2.21
• Exposure modes: Programmed 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
• Exposure metering system: 420-pixel RGB sensor 3D Color Matrix Metering II, center weighted, spot
• Metering range: 1: 0 to 20 EV (matrix or center-weighted metering); 2: 2 to 20 EV (Spot metering, ISO 100 equivalent, f/1.4 lens)
• Exposure meter coupling: CPU
• Exposure compensation: +/-5 EV in increments of 1/3, 1/2, 1
• Exposure lock: Yes
• Exposure bracketing: Yes, 2 or 3 frames in steps of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, 1, or 2 EV
• Shutter release modes: Single frame (S), continuous low speed (CL) at 1 to 4 frames per second, Live View (LV), self-timer, continuous high speed (CH) at 4.5 frames per second
• Movie modes: HD 1280 x 720 at 24 fps, VGA 640 x 424 at 24 fps, QVGA 320 x 216 at 24 fps
• White balance: Sun, shade, fluorescent, incandescent, flash, preset, fine tune by Kelvin color temperature setting, auto, auto (TTL white balance with 420-pixel RGB sensor), 7 manual modes with fine tuning
• White balance bracketing: Yes, 2 or 3 exposures in increments of 1, 2, or 3
• D-lighting bracketing: 2 exposures
• Playback functions: Full frame, zoom, slideshow, pictmotion, histogram, shooting data, highlight point display, auto image rotation, sound playback, D-movie playback, thumbnail (4, 9, 72 segments), calendar
• Interface: High-speed USB, NTSC, HDMI
• Lens mount: Nikon F bayonet mount
• Compatible lenses: DX AF Nikkor, D-G-type AF Nikkor, AF Nikkor, AL-P Nikkor, non-CPU AI Nikkor (supported functions may vary)
• Picture angle: 1.5
• Viewfinder frame coverage: Approximately 96 percent
• Viewfinder eyepoint: 19.5
• Reflex mirror: Quick-return type
• Viewfinder magnification: Approximately 0.94x
• Depth-of-field control: Yes
• Autofocus system: Nikon Multi-CAM 1000 autofocus module with TTL phase detection, 11 focus points (including 1 cross-type sensor) and AF-assist illuminator (range of approximately 0.5 to 3 meters)
• Focus modes: Single-servo AF (S), continuous-servo (C), manual (M) with electronic rangefinder, Live View autofocus (face priority, wide area, normal area)
• Focus lock: Yes
• Picture control: Standard, neutral, vivid, monochrome, 9 user-customizable settings, portrait, landscape
• In-camera image editing: Trim, D-lighting, color balance, image overlay, filter effects, monochrome, color balance, NEF (RAW) processing, quick retouch, straighten, distortion control
• Built-in flash: Yes
• External flash shoe: Yes
• Nikon Creative Lighting System compatibility: Yes
• Flash sync speed: Up to 1/200
• FP high-speed sync: Up to 1/4000
• Flash sync modes: Front-curtain sync (normal), slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync
• Accessory shoe: Yes
• Self-timer: 2, 5, 10, 20 seconds
• World time setting: Yes
• Date, time, and daylight savings timesettings: Yes
• Battery type: Rechargeable lithium-ion
• AC adapter: EH-5a
• Battery charger: MH-18a
• Image comment: Yes
• Battery life: 850 shots (CIPA)
• Tripod socket: 1/4-20
• Supplied software: Software Suite CD-ROM
• Item width: 5.2 inches
• Item height: 4.1 inches
• Item depth: 3.0 inches
• Item weight: 22 ounces

1. Introduction

The Nikon D90 is a 12.3-megapixel, full-function DSLR. The camera shoots in 720p HD and will certainly create a splash in the DSLR. Previous DSLRs did not record video - probably because the designers figured DSLR users are more interested in photographs than video.

Whether DSLRs will eventually have video recording capabilities as a standard remains to be seen. The Nikon D90 is a super solid, mid-range DSLR which has all you need in a modern photography machine.

2. Design and Construction

The Nikon D90 is a handsome looking camera coming in a black design. it has essentially the same size as its predecessor, the Nikon D80. Dimensions wise, the Nikon D90 measures 4.1 by 5.2 by 3 inches (HWD) and has a large, high resolution 2.5-inch, 920,000 pixels LCD screen.

3. Optics and Resolution

Looking at the performance of its optics and resolution, we see some interesting results. The Nikon D90 shoots daylight shots which are slightly bright and have pleasing, natural colors. If you look its ISO range, its has 11 settings between 200 to 3200.

At higher ISO settings, the noise introduced in the shots become more apparent. Also, in terms of its flash, the Nikon D90’s flash shots remained extremely well lit at distances ranging from close-ups to more than 20 feet. This makes it surpass the flash lighting capabilities of the Rebel XSi.

4. User Controls

If you look at the user controls on the Nikon D90, you will see 2 command dials you can flip. These dials allow you to scroll through ISO and other settings, amongst others. There is also a mode dial lets you select various other settings such as automatic, aperture and shutter priority.

To be honest, the huge range of controls on the Nikon D90 is definitely overwhelming for the newbie. If you’re new to Nikon DSLR, it will make good sense to read the manual a couple of times to make yourself familiar with the camera.

5. Battery Life

In terms of battery life, the Nikon D90 has a lovely shot per charge ratio. The camera comes with 850 shots per charge, which is extremely high considering it’s a camera with so much complex optics, controls and circuitry.

Conclusion

Resuming; the Nikon D90 is equipped with the latest technique, combined with innovations coming from Nikon’s higher segment. Yet the D90 does not aim at the semipro market, instead it aims at the amateur market. The operation of the Nikon D90 is therefore kept as simple as possible, in order to ensure that the beginning, not so experienced photographer will be able to work with the menu of the camera fast and effortlessly.

I hope the above has given you a good understanding of the Nikon D90 and its salientfeatures. The Nikon D90 is one of the first digital SLRs to incorporate digital video capture capabilities - so if you’ve always wanted this feature in your DSLR, this is definitely one camera to consider.

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