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Rent NowThe Nikon D90 is a prosumer DSLR announced in 2008, positioned between Nikon’s entry-level and professional bodies as the successor to the D80. It holds historical significance as the world’s first DSLR with video recording capability, a feature that soon became standard across the entire DSLR industry, and it’s aimed at photo enthusiasts who want strong image quality and creative control in an intuitive, everyday-friendly body.
At the core of the D90 is a 12.3MP DX-format CMOS sensor paired with Nikon’s EXPEED image processor, offering a native ISO range of 200-3200, expandable to 100-6400 for shooting in relatively low light. Autofocus is handled by Nikon’s Multi-CAM 1000 sensor module, an 11-point TTL phase-detection AF system (including one cross-type sensor) with real-time autofocus tracking that follows a moving subject within the frame, along with an AF-assist illuminator effective from 1.6 to 9.8 ft. Continuous shooting reaches 4.5fps, and the camera delivers instant shutter response with a lag time of just 65 milliseconds.
The D90’s landmark feature is its D-Movie mode, recording HD 720p video at 24fps with monaural sound in Motion JPEG format onto SD/SDHC cards, a genuine first for a DSLR at the time of release. Nikon’s Scene Recognition System and Active D-Lighting work together to automatically optimize exposure balance and bring out shadow and highlight detail, while the Picture Control system offers Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome, Portrait, and Landscape presets for consistent, customizable color and tone straight out of camera.
Handling centers on a large optical viewfinder offering approximately 96% frame coverage and 0.94x magnification, along with a 3.0-inch, 920k-dot LCD monitor and one-button Live View access. The shutter mechanism is tested and rated for over 100,000 cycles. Build quality reflects a slim, compact, remarkably light body (approximately 1 lb. 6 oz. / 620g) with buttons and controls arranged for intuitive operation, and the D90 is the first Nikon camera to include a third firmware module (labeled “L”) providing an updateable lens distance integration database for improved autoexposure accuracy.
The camera is powered by a rechargeable Nikon EN-EL3e lithium-ion battery, rated for approximately 850 shots per charge (CIPA standard), and it can act as a commander for wireless flash control of compatible external units like the SB-600 via its built-in flash. The D90 uses Nikon’s F-mount lens system, providing broad compatibility with Nikon’s full lineup of AF Nikkor lenses and digital-exclusive DX Nikkor lenses, including older manual-focus AI-S lenses.
Key Features
– 12.3MP DX-format CMOS sensor with EXPEED processor
– ISO 200-3200 (expandable to 100-6400)
– 11-point Multi-CAM 1000 phase-detection autofocus (1 cross-type sensor)
– Real-time autofocus tracking
– Up to 4.5fps continuous shooting
– D-Movie mode: HD 720p video at 24fps with mono sound (first DSLR with video)
– Scene Recognition System and Active D-Lighting
– Picture Control system (Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome, Portrait, Landscape)
– Optical viewfinder, approximately 96% coverage, 0.94x magnification
– 3.0″ 920k-dot LCD monitor with one-button Live View
– Shutter rated for over 100,000 cycles
– EN-EL3e battery (~850 shots per charge, CIPA)
– Compact, lightweight body (~620g)
– Nikon F-mount lens compatibility (AF and manual-focus AI-S lenses)
