Nikon's New D90, the World's First DSLR with a Movie Shooting Mode

Rumors regarding Nikon's upcoming digital single-reflex camera, the D90, have been going around the Internet for the past few weeks, the device popping up (and then being immediately withdrawn) on various websites, online vendors in particular. So, in order to put an end to this long streak of leaks, Nikon has finally decided to get official with the new D90, which builds upon the successful platform of its predecessor, the D80, while adding some features that will most likely draw even more fans (or alienate others).

First and foremost, let's see what the major improvements and innovations brought by Nikon's new DSLR are. And we'll start with the camera's most important element, the sensor. Nikon decided to drop CCDs for this particular model and went with a newly designed, 12.3 effective megapixel sensor, which enhances the quality of the shots.

Furthermore, the wide sensitivity range, of ISO 200 to 3200, delivers low-noise characteristics throughout, while the sensitivity can be increased to Hi 1 (ISO 6400 equivalent) and decreased to Lo 1 (ISO 100 equivalent) to expand shooting versatility.

And since we've reached the issue of versatility, it's also important to underline yet another major feature of the D90. According to the company, this is the world's first DSLR equipped with a movie mode, meaning that it's capable of shooting 320 x 216 pixel, 640 x 424 pixel or HD720p (1,280 x 720 pixels) movies at 24 frames per second in motion JPEG format.

While this particular function might actually improve the sales figures, there are lots of amateur and semi-pro photographers out there who feel that it somewhat "taints" the idea of DSLR, since it's something usually encountered in the case of compact, point and shoot and bridge digital cameras.

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 center. In addition, the D90 features versatile AF-area modes to handle most shooting situations and there are also three contrast-detect AF modes that let you focus on any point in the frame.

Nikon's DSLR also incorporates a new Face Detection System, enabling face priority AF in Live View mode and immediate zoom into people’s faces in playback mode.

And since we've mentioned the Live View feature, we'll also have to point out the fact that the camera has been equipped with a 3-in., approx. 920k-dot color LCD, which can be used either for taking/viewing/editing photos or for controlling the camera's various functions.

Beside the LCD, the D90 has also been equipped with a precise eye-level pentaprism viewfinder with approx. 96% (centered) frame coverage and an easy-to-view 19.5 mm eyepoint (at -1.0 m-1), with a built-in 16-frame superimposed grid display.

The Nikon D90 will be accompanied by an AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR kit lens and will have a retail price of $1299.99.

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