Nikon D90 Adds High-Def Video Recording (PC Magazine)
P.J. Jacobowitz - PC Magazine Tue Aug 26, 7:50 PM ET
Nikon on Wednesday announced its new D90 D-SLR, an update to the PC Magazine Editors' Choice D80. The D90 has an almost identical look as its predecessor, but boasts notable improvements including 12.3-megapixel capture, a new "Expeed" image processor for faster captures and improved picture quality, a "Live View" option, and the ability to capture high-definition video at a resolution of 1280-by-720 at 24 frames per second.
The D90's high-def video capability was highly anticipated on tech blogs in the weeks leading up to Wednesday's announcement, as the D90 is among the first D-SLRs to be able to capture high-def video. (Canon's recently announced high-grade EOS 50D SLR surprisingly does not feature HD capability.) When in HD video capture mode, the camera can record with any lens and with any other image adjustments like color filter effects, lighting modes, and exposure settings. An HDMI out also allows for picture and audio/video playback on HDTVs.
According to Nikon, the new Expeed processor will help boost the D90's overall ability to capture images quickly; the camera will start up in .15 seconds, continuously shoot at 4.5 images-per-second on its highest quality setting, and have shutter lag of a mere .65 seconds.
The camera's sensor has an upgrade of its own: The D90 will have Nikon's "dynamic integrated dust reduction system," which automatically removes dust from the sensor. This feature is currently on its higher-end D-SLRs including the D300.
In addition to features from Nikon's high-end D-SLR line, the D90 will incorporate features from the point-and-shoot Coolpix line, including face detection, scene recognition, and automatic white balance. A "Live View" option also turns the LCD screen into a viewfinder, a standard feature on most point and shoots.
Users should also see an improvement in the clarity of images viewed on the 3-inch LCD screen. The new screen now packs 920,000 pixels, compared to its predecessor, which was only 230,000 pixels. Since the new LCD screen has four times the resolution, text and pictures should look much sharper on the D90.
The D90 will be available mid-October at an estimated retail price of $999.95 for the body only. A package including the body and a lens kit will also be available in October for $1,299.95.