Nikon D 90 camera: specifications, description, photos and reviews

Nikon D-90 is a 12.3-megapixel digital SLR camera, the release of which was announced in late August 2008. Based on the number of pixels, the device caught up with the more professional D300 model, and reached its sensitivity range from ISO 200 to 3200, plus L1 (100) and H1 (6400).

What changed?

Another significant update of Nikon D-90 was the transition to a 3-inch LCD screen with a high resolution. The display is 0.92 million pixels. It has a 170 ° viewing angle and is not inferior in quality to the D3 and D300 screens, making it much more enjoyable to test the focus and use the Live View mode.

New to the mid-price segment, Live View offers some new features, including face recognition technology. True, in this mode, for some reason, there is no autofocus of phase detection, only three contrast ones: "Face Priority", "Wide Area" and "Normal Region". In the first case, the detected faces are enclosed in a frame that follows them across the screen. The device can track up to 5 persons. Real-time viewing is activated by means of a dedicated button to the right of the LCD.

The Face Detection feature has become an integral part of Nikon's scene recognition system. Thanks to the 420-pixel sensor, you can combine color metering with the data of the auto focus sensor and adjust the Nikon D-90 for white balance and exposure so that the faces look properly.

The 11-point AF system is lined up in a diamond shape and now includes a 3D tracking mode, the same as on the D3 and D300.

"Nikon D-90" records AVI-video at a speed of 24 fps with a resolution of 1280x720. Other supported formats are 320x216 and 640x424. Focusing is manual, the aperture during recording remains fixed, the soundtrack is captured through a monophonic microphone.

The Nikon D-90 kit includes a Nikkor 18-105 mm F / 3.5-5.6 ED VR lens with an ultra-low dispersion lens.

The Nikon D90 is similar to the D80. Even the lens resembles its predecessor, only a little shorter. The dimensions of the case are identical, 132x103x77 mm, and the weight is only 35 g heavier. But what was received in return is really noticeable.

Appearance

Although many elements underwent an easy change, the front of the device acquired only one new feature - 3 microphone holes, higher and to the left of the logo for the new video recording mode. All buttons are in the same places and perform the same function. The screw of the automatic focus drive is still in place, indicating that it is possible to control both old autofocus lenses and new electronic lenses . In less expensive models D40, D40x and D60 this is not.

The controls on the rear panel also changed slightly, and the LCD screen became larger. To the right of it is the Live View button. Below there is a new navigation cluster with the OK button in the center. Underneath it, the focus area lock switch is located. The Info button brings up the camera status screen, and pressing it again brings up a new on-screen menu.

The upper part has not changed, except for the shape of the buttons and the layout of the upper LCD screen. A significant upgrade here was the 18-105-millimeter lens. Although it lacks an additional coverage of 18-135 mm D80 optics, the D90 is able to suppress vibration by optical image stabilization.

Capture and Capture

The camera Nikon D-90 is similar to the D80. The camera is smaller and lighter than the D300, but it has a good handle, with notches under the fingertips.

The new status display, called by the Info button, includes various elements designed for enthusiastic photographers - noise reduction for long exposure and high ISO, active D-Lighting, image management mode, setting of function keys.

Changes to most other important parameters are also made by a simple press, including ISO setting, white balance, changing the metering method, exposure compensation, setting Drive mode and auto focus (on the top panel). Even the flash exposure compensation is integrated into its button located to the left of the lens mount. All these important functions that need their own shortcut key are located where they can be easily found.

The location of the power switch near the shutter button is always preferable, because you can turn on the camera without taking your eyes off the viewfinder.

As with other devices of this manufacturer, the sound of the shutter is relatively quiet.

According to the company, the Nikon D-90 camera has a speed response in some cases that exceeds the speed of its predecessor, including the start-up time (0.15 s versus 0.18 for D80), shutter delay (0.065 s versus 0 , 08), as well as the darkening time of the viewfinder, which was reduced to 120 ms from 150.

Optical viewfinder

Like the D80 viewfinder, the 11-point Nikon D90 autofocus system is lined up in the shape of a diamond. The AF Multi-Cam 1000 engine has been updated to include 3D tracking and face recognition, which corrects the AF's work for focusing on the eyes, not other parts of the face.

LCD display

Another important improvement of Nikon D-90 is the characteristic of the display, a bright, clear, 920000-pixel LCD screen, like the D300, D3 and D700. The size of 3 inches, it allows you to more confidently view images; And AF in Live View also became more accurate. The D80 was good, but the higher resolution speaks for itself. The menu from this won, and the screen color became more saturated. Now it is possible to use smaller fonts to create more informative headlines and increase the amount of explanatory text.

The removable screen cover is still included in the D90, although the rear window is hardened to withstand scratches and other mechanical damage. Its main advantage is that, at a cost of $ 20, it's easier to replace it than the LCD.

Shooting in Live View

This mode on other Nikon SLR cameras to fix the mirror required turning the dial and pressing the shutter release, which is not very convenient. In this device, on the rear panel to the right of the LCD display, within the reach of the thumb, there is a dedicated Lv button, with one click of which the mirror is turned over and the Live View is turned on.

Lv-AF Nikon D-90 camera user reviews are called slow, without the option of phase detection, and the increase and resolution is insufficient. The camera allows focusing only in the contrast detection mode, while the Nikon D300 and D700 allow for selection between hand-held and tripod-shot shooting. The Phase AF in the Live View SLR is always noisy, as it usually includes lowering and raising the mirror twice (once to focus the image and the second to take a picture), but it is usually faster than contrast, especially in the implementation on " Nikon D-90. "

If face detection is enabled, the camera starts searching by placing a yellow border around each of them, up to five at a time. After hovering, the field turns green.

Nikon became the pioneer of recording video in Live View mode. To start it, just click on the "OK" button. Focus should be set in advance, but it can be done manually and when shooting, as well as zoom. Together with the sound, the noise of the zoom ring will be recorded.

The resolution of the video is 1280 x 720, 640 x 424 and 320 x 216. The recording time is limited to 5 minutes for a clip for HD mode and 20 minutes for a clip for the last two formats. Most likely, this is caused by the problem of sensor heating, which degrades image quality. The frame rate is 24 fps, audio is mono, not stereo. The approximate maximum file sizes for the two modes are -588 MB for video with a resolution of 1280 x 720, and up to 2 GB for 640 x 424.

Prior to that, Nikon had never produced a special video camera, and it was the first to overcome this barrier in the world of SLR cameras.

Viewing images

The playback mode enhancements include a new calendar, a display of 72 thumbnails, screens for 12, 9 and 4 thumbnails, as well as viewing histograms. In the retouch menu, new functions have been added, including the Cross screen and image overlay settings, the ability to rotate photos and create a fisheye effect.

Sensor

In comparison with the 10.2-Mp D80 sensor, the CMOS sensor in Nikon D-90 (photo below) has improved to 12.3 Mp. Its size is 23.6 x 15.8 mm. The output is 12-bit, so that neither the same fine 14-bit images in RAW nor the 14-bit analog-to-digital conversion, as on the D300, can be obtained.

Sensor cleaning is multi-frequency, the low-pass optical filter vibrates in a perpendicular direction, and not parallel, as in most sensor cleaning systems. Due to the extreme variability of dust types, full purification is not to be expected, but thanks to that.

Scene Recognition

Recognition of the scene is what Nikon has been working on for many years, and its quality is constantly growing.

The 3D Color Matrix system uses a 420-pixel RGB-exposure meter that covers most of the image area (models D300 and above use an RGB sensor with 1005 pixels). As in previous models, Nikon D-90 compares photo examples with a database of 30,000 photographs to make a decision for each scene. Previously, the calibration of white balance and moving objects was added, and now it is possible to track faces with the help of SRS.

Autofocus sensors have become another part of the SRS puzzle, each aspect of which informs and tunes each other. Eye detection and focusing on them, and not on foreground objects, or even other parts of the face, such as the forehead and nose, has become one of the advantages of such integration. Another distinguishing feature is the improvement of 3D tracking of objects moving around the entire image area. The RGB sensor may not be able to focus on the object, but it adds the data set necessary for the AF system to work. For example, if a red object crosses the frame from left to right and increases in size, the SRS will add this information to the AF sensor data in order to adjust the focus faster.

Active D-Lighting

In addition to the automatic mode "Active D-Lighting", taken from the D700, the D90 received a super-strong setting, allowing even more detailed shadows. In this case, JPEG files are modified in such a way that the unmodified original, to which it would be possible to return, is already missing. To save the original image, you should shoot RAW + JPEG or even use D-Lighting after capturing.

Picture management mode

In the Nikon D-90 camera, the optimization of the image was replaced by a picture management system. Among the available options - "Standard", "Neutral", "Saturated", "Monochrome", "Landscape" and "Portrait". Each mode includes adjusting the contrast, sharpness, saturation, brightness, hue, toning. The same is true for video.

Connectors

New became the HDMI connector, which provides connection to a high-definition TV, and an output audio-video connector. Separately located remote control port, which also allows you to connect the prefix GP-1 GPS and remote control cable MC-DC1.

Battery and memory

The EN-EL3e battery makes it possible to produce up to 850 pictures (CIPA standard), which does not take into account the use of Live View or video capture. The battery capacity can be increased with the Nikon MB-D80 Multi-Power battery, designed for the D80. For photographers with large hands or when shooting in portrait mode, the battery grip can really increase the comfort level. Also, it can have 2 EN-EL3e batteries or 6 AA batteries. Adding a pen does not increase the frame rate, as it does in the D300 and D700, but it gives more controllability, increasing the weight of the device.

Images are saved on SD cards. Some were disappointed that Nikon switched to SD in digital SLR cameras of this level, but other manufacturers began to follow this example, including Canon. The cards provide enough storage space and have reached the performance of UDMA CompactFlash cards. In addition, they are more reliable, less inclined to bend the contacts of the reader, which leads to its jamming and camera failure.

GPS Option

Simultaneously with the announcement of the release of the D90, Nikon also presented a new GPS-accessory. The GP-1 is a small gadget (50 x 45.5 x 25.5 mm) mounted on the hot shoe and connected to a new dedicated GPS port on the side of the camera using the GP1-CA90 auxiliary cord. The power comes from the camera's battery. The device records the latitude, longitude, altitude, and time in EXIF headers of image files. GP-1 requires an average of only 35 seconds to find satellites and 5 seconds for a hot start. The latter is tied to the settings in the GPS menu: you can set the power off of the device when the metering system is turned off. This saves battery power, but requires 5 seconds to wait after the exposure meter is activated.

Equipment

The composition of the camera kit "Nikon D-90":

• User's manual.
• Warranty and registration card.
• Case cover.
• Front lens cap.
• Strap of the camera.
• Eyecup.
• USB cable.
• Power cable.
• Charger MH-18a.
• Battery EN-EL3e.
• Plastic protector of LCD panel.
• The camera Nikon D-90.
• Getting Started Guide.
• Optic Nikkor 18-105 mm F / 3.5-5.6 G ED VR.
• CD-ROM.

Nikon D-90: reviews of professionals

Among the positive qualities of the camera users note quality optics with image stabilization, automatic correction of chromatic aberration, excellent dynamic range, good performance at high ISO. Among other advantages of the camera is a wonderful interface, fast AF and fast shutter speed, AF operation at low illumination levels, bright AF illumination, which does not require the use of flash, information display, support for old lenses, new dust removal system, accuracy even in darkness. Users note convenient capture, the presence of programmable buttons, built-in retouch menu, quick loading on the PC, the ability to wireless remote control, connect the GPS receiver, etc.

Among the shortcomings of the device, professionals note involuntary shutter movements during video shooting, lack of input for an external microphone, less than that of competitors, speed of flash sync and speed of photography, poor balance of white artificial lighting in the room, limited support for old lenses, the possibility of accidental shift of AF. In addition, the increase in Live View mode is insufficient, and the complete software has limited capabilities for processing RAW files.

The Nikon D90 is an excellent camera for an average photographer and a good choice for D200 or D300 owners. The addition of the video was innovative and opened up new possibilities. The only disappointment was the slow shooting speed, although it increased to 4.5 fps from 3 in the Nikon D80.