key features:12.3-megapixel DX-format CMOS imaging sensor: Coupled with Nikon's EXPEED image processing technologies and NIKKOR optics, breathtaking image fidelity is assured.
Continuous shooting as fast as 4.5 frames-per-second: Combined with fast 0.15ms power-up and split-second 65ms shooting lag, dramatic action and decisive moments are captured easily.
World’s first D-SLR with an HD movie mode: Record cinematic-quality 24fps movie clips with sound at up to 720p HD (1280 x 720 pixels) in Motion JPEG format, enhanced by NIKKOR interchangeable lens quality and versatility.
Low noise ISO sensitivity from 200 to 3200: High signal-to-noise components and design deliver exceptional performance, even at high ISO setting.
3-inch super-density 920,000-dot color LCD monitor: High resolution, 170-degree wide-angle viewing guarantees confident image review and movie playback.
Built-in image sensor cleaning: Effective 4-frequency, ultrasonic sensor cleaning frees image degrading dust particles from the sensor's optical low pass filter.
11-point AF system: Consistently fast and accurate autofocus, reinforced by the Nikon Scene Recognition System, delivers razor sharpness in a wide variety of conditions.
One-button Live View: Easy to use Live View activates access to 3 contrast detection focus modes including Face Priority AF.
Nikon 3D Color Matrix Metering II with Scene Recognition System: Nikon's renowned 420-pixel RGB 3D Color Matrix Metering II, teamed with the exclusive Scene Recognition System, evaluates images, referencing an on-board database of over 30,000 photographic scenes, for unmatched exposure accuracy.
Comprehensive exposure control: Five advanced scene modes plus Program Auto, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority and Manual.
Auto Active D-Lighting: Selectable and Automatic, Active D-Lighting optimizes details within shadows and highlights, taming high-contrast situations in real time.
Durable, high precision shutter: Testing to over 100,000 cycles assures shutter life and accuracy.
In-Camera Image Editing: Creative freedom stems from exclusive in-camera image editing, featuring Fisheye effect, Straighten and Distortion Control as well as D-Lighting, Red-eye Reduction, Image Overlay, Monochrome and more.
GPS geo-tagging: GP-1 GPS unit (optional) provides automatic real-time geo-tagging.
technical specifications:
Image Sensor Format
DX
Image Sensor Type
CMOS
Sensor Size
15.8 x 23.6mm
Total Pixels
12.9 million
Effective Pixels
12.3 million
Image Area (pixels)
DX-format(L) 4288x2848(M)3216x2136(S)2144x1424
Top Continuous Shooting Speed at full resolution
4.5 frames per second
Continuous Shooting Options
DX-formatCH: Up to 4.5 frames per secondCL: Up to 4 frames per second
LCD Monitor Size
3 in. diagonal
LCD Monitor Type
Super Density
LCD Monitor Resolution
920,000 Dots
LCD Monitor Angle of View
170-degree wide-viewing angle
LCD Monitor Adjustments
Brightness,7 levels
Shutter type
Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane
Slowest Shutter Speed
30 sec. in steps of 1/31/21 EV
Fastest Shutter Speed
1/4000 sec. in steps of 1/31/21 EV
Bulb Shutter Setting
Yes
Lowest Standard ISO Sensitivity
200 in steps of 1/31/21 EV
Highest Standard ISO Sensitivity
3200 in steps of 1/31/21 EV
Lowest Expanded ISO Sensitivity
Lo-1 (ISO 100 equivalent)
Highest Expanded ISO Sensitvity
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
SDSDHC
File Format
JPEG: JPEG-baseline-compliant; can be selected from Size Priority and Optimal QualityAVICompressed 12-bit NEF (RAW)
File System
Compliant with DCF 2.0DPOFEXIF 2.21
Exposure Modes
Programmed Auto (P) with Flexible ProgramShutter-Priority Auto (S)Aperture-Priority Auto (A)Manual (M)AutoAuto (flash off) Advanced Scene Modes
Advanced Scene Modes
PortraitLandscapeClose-upSportsNight Portrait
Exposure Metering System
420 pixel RGB sensor 3D Color Matrix Metering IICenter-weightedSpot
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, at 20 degrees C/68 degrees F)
Exposure Meter Coupling
CPU
Exposure Compensation
±5EV in increments of 1/31/21
Exposure Lock
Yes
Exposure Bracketing
Yes2 or 3 frames in steps of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, 1 or 2 EV
Shutter Release Modes
Single-frame [S] modeContinuous low-speed [CL] mode; 1-4 frames-per-secondLive View [LV] modeSelf-timer modeContinuous high-speed [CH] mode: 4.5
Movie Modes
Movie with soundHD 1280 x 720/24 fps VGA 640 x 424/24 fps QVGA 320 x 216/24 fps
White Balance
SunShadeFluorescentIncandescentFlashPresetFine Tune by Kelvin color temperature setting AutoAuto (TTL white balance with 420-pixel RGB sensor) Seven manual modes with fine-tuning; Sun Shade Fluorescent Incandescent Flash Preset Fine Tune by Kelvin Color temperature setting
White Balance Bracketing
Yes, 2 or 3 exposures, in increments of 1, 2 or 3
D-Lighting Bracketing
2 exposures
Live View Shooting
yes
Playback Functions
Full frameZoomSlideshowPictmotionHistogram displayShooting dataHighlight point displayAuto image rotationSound playbackD-Movie playback Thumbnail (4, 9, 72 segments) Calendar
Interface
Hi-speed USBNTSCHDMI
Lens Mount
Nikon F bayonet mount
Compatible Lenses
1) DX AF NIKKOR: All functions possible 2) D-/G-type AF NIKKOR (excluding IX NIKKORlenses): All functions possible (excluding PC Micro- NIKKOR) 3) AF NIKKOR other than D-/G-type (excluding lenses for F3AF): All functions except 3D-Color Matrix Metering II possible 4) AI-P NIKKOR: All functions except Autofocus, 3D-Color Matrix Metering II possible 5) Non-CPU AI NIKKOR: Autofocus not supported. Can be used in exposure modes A and M but exposure meter does not function. Electronic range finder can be used if maximum aperture is 5.6 or faster; Color Matrix Metering and aperture value display supported if user provides
Picture Angle
1.5
Viewfinder
-2.0 to +1.0 m-1
Viewfinder Frame Coverage
Approx. 96%
Viewfinder Diopter Adjustment
(-2.0 to +1.0 m-1)
Viewfinder Eyepoint
19.5
Reflex Mirror
Quick-return type
Focusing Screen
Type-B BriteView Clear Matte screen Mark II with superimposed focus brackets and On-Demand grid lines
Interchangeable Focusing Screens
No
Viewfinder Magnification
Approx. 0.94
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 approx. 0.5-3 m/1 ft. 8 in.-9ft.10 in.)
Maximum Autofocus Areas/Points
11
Autofocus Sensitivity
-1 - +19 EV (ISO 100, 20°C/68°F
Focus Modes
Single-servo AF (S)Continuous-servo (C)Manual (M) with electronic rangefinderLive View autofocus; Face-priority, wide area, normal area
Single-point AF Mode
Yes
Dynamic AF Mode
Yes
Auto-area AF Mode
Yes
Focus Lock
AE-L/AF-L buttonHalf press of shutter-release button (single-point AF in AF-S)
Picture Control
StandardNeutralVividMonochromePortraitLandscapeNine User-customizable settings
In-Camera Image Editing
TrimD-LightingColor BalanceImage OverlayFilter EffectsMonochromeColor BalanceNEF (RAW) processingQuick retouchStraightenDistortion ControlFisheyeSmall pictureRed-eye correction
Built-in Flash
Yes
External Flash Shoe
Yes
Built-in Flash Distance
56 at ISO 200 ft.17 at ISO 200m
Dust-Off Reference Photo
Yes
Save/Load Camera settings
Yes
Nikon Creative Lighting System Compatibility
YesBuilt-in Commander Mode 2 Groups: A/B 4 Channels: 1-4 TTL, Non-TTL Auto and Manual mode
Flash Sync Speed
Up to 1/200
FP High Speed Sync
up to 1/4000
Flash Sync Modes
Front-curtain sync (normal)Slow syncRear-curtain syncRed-eye reductionRed-eye reduction with slow sync
Flash Control
1) i-TTL: TTL flash control by 1,005-pixel RGB sensor, built-in flash, SB-900, SB-800, SB-600, SB-400: i-TTL balanced fill-flash and standard i-TTL flash2) AA (Auto Aperture-type) flash: Available with SB-900 and SB-800 used with CPU lens3) Non-TTL Auto: Available with Speedlights such as SB-800, 28, 27, and 22S4) Range-priority manual flash; available with SB-900 and SB-800
Accessory Shoe
Yes
Self-timer
2, 5, 10, 20 seconds duration
World Time Setting
Yes
Date, Time and Daylight Savings Time Settings
Yes
Battery Type
Rechargeable
Battery / Batteries
EN-EL3e Lithium-ion Battery
AC Adaptor
EH-5a AC Adapter
Battery Charger
MH-18a Quick Charger
Image Comment
Yes
Battery Life (shots per charge)
850 shots (CIPA)
Tripod Socket
¼ inch 20
Approx. Dimensions
Width 5.2 in. (132mm) Height 4.1 in. (103mm) Depth 3.0 in. (77mm)
Approx. Weight
22 oz. (620g)
Supported Languages
Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish
Supplied Software
Software Suite CD-ROM
Optional Accessories
MB-D80 Multi-Power Battery Pack, ML-L3 wireless remote control, DK-21M Magnifying Eyepiece, EH-5a AC Adapter, Capture NX2 Software, Camera Control Pro 2
Other
Specifications and equipment are subject to change without any notice or obligation on the part of the manufacturer.
Supplied Accessories
EN-EL3e Rechargeable Li-ion Battery
MH-18a Quick Charger
DK-5 Eyepiece Cap
DK-21 Rubber Eyecup
UC-E4 USB Cable
EG-D2 Audio Video Cable
AN-DC1 Camera Strap
BM-10 LCD Monitor Cover
Body Cap
BS-1 Accessory Shoe Cover
Software Suite CD-ROM*Supplied accessories may differ depending on country or area.
If you buy the D90 with the 18-105 kit lens, then you're ready to start shooting right away. This lens features Vibration Reduction, which is Nikon-speak for image stabilization. With the body-only kit, you'll have to supply the lens, and you can choose from almost the entire collection of Nikon F-mount lenses. Unlike the D40 and D60, the lens doesn't have to be AF-S in order to use autofocus, as there's a focus motor built into the camera. Being that camera has an APS-C sensor, there will be a 1.5x focal length conversion ratio with whatever lens you use.
Like all D-SLRs, there's no memory card in the D90's box, so you'll need to pick one up (if you don't have one already). The camera supports both SD and SDHC memory cards, and I'd recommend starting out with a 2GB card. It's definitely worth spending a little more for a high speed card when you're using a digital SLR.
The D90 uses the same EN-EL3e lithium-ion battery as the D80 that came before it. This battery packs 11.1 Wh of energy, which is on the higher end of the spectrum. Here's how that translates into battery life:
Like all D-SLRs, there's no memory card in the D90's box, so you'll need to pick one up (if you don't have one already). The camera supports both SD and SDHC memory cards, and I'd recommend starting out with a 2GB card. It's definitely worth spending a little more for a high speed card when you're using a digital SLR.
The D90 uses the same EN-EL3e lithium-ion battery as the D80 that came before it. This battery packs 11.1 Wh of energy, which is on the higher end of the spectrum. Here's how that translates into battery life:
