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NIKON D90

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  • 12.3 MP CMOS sensor (D80: 10.2 MP CCD) 

  • Dust removal system 

  • Live View with contrast detect AF 

  • Movie Mode 

  • Wider ISO range, upgraded AF system (3D tracking, face detection) 

  • Active D-Lighting, vignetting control and extra retouching options Automatic chromatic aberration correction 

  • Picture Control presets 

  • Faster continuous shooting and larger buffer 

  • Pictmotion slideshows

Almost exactly two years after the D80 was announced comes its replacement, the rather predictably named D90. The D90 has been one of Nikon's quiet successes, and even today, it continues to sell and often makes its way into our top 10 most clicked on cameras. Because it looks so similar to the D80 the D90 appears at first glance to be one of those rather subdued incremental upgrades, but dig a little deeper and you'll find there's plenty to keep Nikon fans happy.

First and foremost there's a new CMOS sensor, which Nikon claim produces D300 quality output at up to ISO 6400 and - one of several features to 'trickle down' from higher models - the same highly acclaimed 3.0-inch VGA screen as the D3/D300. Naturally it has Live View with contrast-detect AF and it would have been surprising had it not sported some form of dust removal system. 

More surprising is the inclusion of the world's first DSLR movie mode (720p HDTV quality) and HDMI output, though as we'll see later it does come with some limitations. A lot of the core photographic spec is the same as or very similar to the D80, though there is a new shutter and an implementation of the 3D tracking AF seen on the D3/D300. 


And it's not just the high end models that have lent features and technology to the D90; the user interface has been given the same user-friendly treatment as the D60, as have the retouching options. As it was explained to us the D90 is intended to appeal to the broadest audience of any Nikon SLR, from first-time 'step up' customers moving from a compact to serious amateurs wanting comprehensive photographic control without the cost and weight of a D300. Whether the D90 is as capable as its feature set suggests, we'll see as the review unfolds.

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 (A multi-parameter adjustment)• 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 to +1

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 dots (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, wide 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 no. 12/39 (ISO 100, m/ft.) or 13/43 with manual flash (ISO 100, m/ft.)• Guide no. 17/56 (ISO 200, m/ft.) or 18/59 with manual flash (ISO 200, 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)

  • Megapixels    36.3    

  • Sensor type    CMOS    

  • Autofocus points    51    

  • Lens mount    Nikon FX format    

  • Metering system    TTL exposure metering using main image sensor    

  • Frames per second    4    

  • ISO min    50    

  • ISO max    25600    

  • Screen size (inches)    3.2    

  • Card format    High-speed CF (UDMA 7) and SD (SDXC and UHS-1) dual card slots    

  • Battery model    EN-EL15    

  • Weight (g)    1000    

  • Size    146 x 123 x 81.5 mm    

  • Resolution    7360 x 4912    

  • Aspect ratio    16:9    

  • Sensor size    35.9 x 24 mm    

  • Autofocus system    Advanced Multi-CAM 3500FX autofocus sensor module with TTL phase detection, fine-tuning, 51 focus points (including 15 cross-type sensors), and AF-assist illuminator (range approx. 0.5-3 m/1 ft 8 in.-9 ft 10 in.)    

  • Screen resolution    921000    

  • File formats    RAW, JPEG, MOV, MPEG-4    

  • Connectivity    USB 3.0, Type C mini-pin HDMI connector, Audio input, Audio output, Ten-pin remote terminal    

  • Flash type    Built-in flash    

  • Flash guide number    12    

  • Flash sync speed    1/250 sec    

  • Image stabilisation    No    

  • Integrated cleaning    Dust-reduction System    

  • Live view    Yes    

  • Shutter speed fast    1/8000 sec    

  • Shutter speed slow    30 sec    

  • VF coverage    100%    

  • Vertical grip    MB-D12    

  • HD Movie mode    1080p    

Designed to answer the needs of tomorrow’s photography and video today, the masterful Nikon D800 is packed with new technology that delivers unprecedented levels of depth and detail in photography, and offers all the flexibility necessary to shoot broadcast quality video. Firmly establishing a league of its own, the Nikon D800 offers imaging potential to rival medium format cameras, but with all of the agility of the D-SLR format — giving professionals who demand attention to detail the freedom to create monumental images.The big pictureThe groundbreaking 36.3 megapixel FX-format (full-frame) CMOS sensor incorporates key technologies that enables unprecedented levels of detail and tonal range. 12-channel readout with 14-bit A/D conversion and high signal-to-noise ratio: delivers images of remarkable quality with low noise and wide dynamic range.Broad ISO: offering an ISO range of 100–6400, extendable up to 25600 (equivalent) and down to 50 (equivalent), the D800 will set a new benchmark for D-SLRs with this level of resolution. The camera’s intelligent noise reduction systems manage noise without sacrificing fine details, allowing superb flexibility under all lighting conditions: images are crisp and clean, even at higher ISO settings.Peak performanceEquipped with Nikon’s next-generation EXPEED 3 image-processing engine, the D800 makes light work of data-rich tasks without sacrificing the speed and quality that professionals are accustomed to. 16-bit image processing: offering richer colours and tones than ever before, this cutting-edge image processor delivers smooth gradations with abundant detail and tone all the way up the scale to pure white, even when shooting in JPEG. Broadcast quality videoFor professionals whose workflow demands video, the D800 offers all the flexibility required for a wide variety of movie applications. It’s large format movie shooting at its best, with a comprehensive variety of frame rates.Frame rates: Full HD (1080p) movies can be recorded in 30p, 25p and 24p, with 60p, 50p and 25p options at 720p. Movie clips can be up to 29:59 minutes long. Multi-Format Full HD D-Movie: as introduced with the D4, Full HD recording is possible in both FX and DX based formats, enabling exceptional freedom of expression.High-fidelity audio control: responding to feedback from the industry, the D800 sets a new standard for D-SLR audio recording, enabling your movies to sound as good as they look. Aside from the external stereo microphone input, an audio out for external headphones lets you fine tune audio in isolation, both before and during movie recording. A line input setting for PCM linear recorders is also provided. Uncompressed HDMI output: for those who need the purest video output for professional quality editing, the D800 offers the possibility to output the uncompressed live view to external recorders and monitors. As with the Nikon D4, this data is output at the designated image size and frame rate, and is clean of the information overlay that can be simultaneously displayed on the camera’s TFT monitor. Convenient custom controls: have been implemented for live view operation. Instead of rotating the command dial, power aperture enables smoother aperture control using assigned buttons on the front of the camera. Index marking helps you tag important frames in the timeline by attaching markers during movie recording, which makes for easy location during editing. Advanced scene recognition with 91K-pixel RGB sensorNikon’s revolutionary Advanced Scene Recognition System now incorporates a newly designed 91,000-pixel RGB sensor that meticulously analyses each scene for outstanding accuracy. It can detect human faces with startling exactness even with exclusive use of the optical viewfinder, and recognises a scene’s colours and brightness with unprecedented precision.This level of detailed scene analysis is also utilised to support more accurate autofocus; auto exposure and i-TTL flash exposure results in a diverse range of compositional and lighting situations. For example, 3D-subject tracking is particularly improved when shooting smaller subjects.Implementing Nikon’s highly-acclaimed Multi-CAM 3500FX AF system — with individually selectable or configurable 9-, 21- and 51-point coverage settings — the autofocus sensor module and algorithms have been re-engineered to significantly improve low light acquisition sensitivity capabilities down to -2 EV (ISO 100, 20°C/68°F). The overall performance is similar to the latest flagship of Nikon, the D4: AF operation is even possible under a combined aperture value of f8 (e.g. a 600mm f/4 AF-S lens combined with 2x-teleconverter TC-20EIII) with 11 AF sensor involved, and with 15 AF sensors between f/5.6 and f/8. Simplified AF and AF-area mode selection is now possible without taking your eye away from the viewfinder.Responsive and intuitive The Nikon D800 responds as quickly as you do, with secure, conveniently placed, buttons and controls that quickly become an extension of your hand. Fast response: start-up is approx. 0.12 seconds[1], release time lag is minimized to approx. 0.042 seconds[2] (equivalent to that of the D4), with continuous approx. 4 fps capability in FX-format and crop modes, pushed to approx. 6 fps capability in DX-format Crop mode with the optional Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D12.Precision 8-cm (3.2-in.), approx. 921k-dot, wide-viewing-angle LCD monitor with automatic monitor brightness control: delivers bright, crisp image playback with a much wider color reproduction capacity. LCD brightness is automatically adjusted according to the viewing environment and images can be magnified up to 46x during playback, which can be a big help for spot focus confirmation.Glass prism optical viewfinder with approximately 100% frame coverage and 0.7x magnification (50mm f/1.4 lens at infinity, -1.0m-1). Dual-axis electronic virtual horizon offers accurate confirmation of level shooting by letting you check the LCD monitor, or the viewfinder, for both the camera’s position in relation to the horizontal plane and its pitch (forward or rear rotation).Enhanced ergonomics: buttons and dials have been strategically laid out for fluid operation. Improvements around the shutter-release button mean your index finger can rest comfortably for longer periods of time, while the designated movie record button means you’re ready to trigger movie shooting in an instant. Release mode dial: mode visibility and operability has been improved via a four-button layout and release mode dial on the camera’s top panel, along with dedicated buttons for ISO, White Balance and Image Quality. A new bracketing button has been strategically placed to aid such features as HDR.Direct access to Picture Controls via a new, dedicated button, rather than via the menu. Picture Controls let you customise the look of your stills and videos by fine-tuning parameters such as sharpness, saturation, and hue.DurabilityDespite its light weight and compact size, the D800 is as tough as Nikon’s professional single digit cameras, with extensive weather and dust sealing throughout to ensure you can keep working when the going gets tough. High-precision, high-durability shutter: the shutter unit has been tested to well over 200,000 cycles of release to prove durability and precision. Boasts a speed range of 1/8000 to 30s; features an intelligent self-diagnostic shutter monitor and, for the first time, a drive unit designed to reduce the demand on power when the shutter is raised for extended periods during movie shooting. Efficient power management: a re-working of the D800’s circuits now enables approx. 850 shots[3] of still image shooting or approx. 60 min. of movie live view[4]. All on one charge of a Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL15.Build quality: as reliable on the road as it is in the studio, the D800 boasts a weather- and dust-sealed magnesium alloy body that weighs in at approx. 10% lighter than the D700. Storage media: high-speed CF (UDMA 7) and SD (SDXC and UHS-1) dual card slots. High-speed data transfer with USB 3.0. Creative expansion toolsThe D800 incorporates a variety of creative and practical tools for those too busy to spend time in excessive post-production. Time-lapse movies: the D800 extends the popular time-lapse photography function by saving images as a movie file in the camera. With playback rates from 24 to 36,000 times faster than normal. HDR (High Dynamic Range) shoots one overexposed and one underexposed frame in a single shutter release. The range can be widened by up to 3 EV for different looks, full of saturation and tonal gradation, while the smoothness of the edge where the two exposures meet can be adjusted for a more natural appearance. Refined colour temperature control enables minute control over white balance. The monitor hue of live view and the resulting image’s white balance can be adjusted so that the two are aligned. Colour temperature can be manually set in 10-Kelvin increments, or in mired units.Auto shutter speed control for auto ISO sensitivity control: a new auto option for minimum shutter speed, which automatically controls the balance between shutter speed and ISO sensitivity based on the focal length of the lens being used. Four image area options: for the first time in a camera of this class, you can choose from a variety of image crop modes, all visually masked in the viewfinder. 5:4 (30.0 x 24.0 mm), 1.2x (30.0 x 19.9 mm), and DX-format (23.4 x 15.6 mm). In-camera editing: captured images and movies can be altered and edited in camera and on the fly if required. Retouch menus include an array of useful features such as NEF (RAW) processing, resize, distortion control, fisheye, miniature effect, red-eye correction, filter effects and image overlay — as well as the ability to designate the start and end point of movie clips all at once, in order to save them more efficiently.

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