Nikon D90 Takes HD Video

So Nikon finally did it. There’s been a rumor floating around that it was making a camera that could take high definition (HD) movies. It is officially true as of last week when Nikon announced the release of the D90. This newest digital single lens reflex (D-SLR) camera can take your high-quality HD movies with sound along with still images.

“The D90 delivers incredible imaging performance and control, setting a new standard for its class,” says Edward Fasano, general manager for marketing, SLR System Products at Nikon Inc. “This marriage of outstanding still-image performance and HD movie clip capacity represents the dawn of a new age for D-SLR cameras. The D90’s handling characteristics and long list of features are sure to deliver the photographic experience that Nikon photographers have come to expect from Nikon engineering. Everyone at Nikon is especially eager to see the myriad of ways that imaginative D90 photographers will explore the world of cinematic 24fps HD video through the eyes of NIKKOR optics.”


The biggest buzz about the D90 is the ability to take HD movies in the D-Movie mode. For the first time with a D-LSR, the D90 enables you to create your own HD movie clips (1280 x 720 pixels) with complete sound. If you’re a photographer, you’ll appreciate the theatrical 24 frames per second rate, which matches theatrical film quality. The large size of the D90’s DX-format sensor, combined with a broad selection of NIKKOR lens, allows you to capture images that are not possible with a typical camcorder. D-Movie clips also benefit from Nikon’s VR image stabilization, which is automatically activated during recording to aid low-light capability. All your pictures or movie clips are recorded on an inserted SD/SDHC card. The movies are created as JPEG AVI files.

This camera is inspired by Nikon’s acclaimed flagship DX-format digital SLR and emphasizes image quality with its 12.3 megapixel capability and the advanced Scene Recognition System. The EXPEED image processing system enables you to take pictures with fine details, smooth tones, brilliant colors and low noise with a broad ISO range up to 6400.


Other highlights of the D90 include:

Extended battery life: up to 850 shots with a single charge.

Viewfinder: The bright viewfinder offers a luminous 0.94x magnification.

LCD Screen: The 920,000 dot, three-inch LCD screen gives you a 170-degree angle of view.


Playback: View your images in four, nine or 72 thumbnails or find it in the calendar format. You can also view it in Nikon’s Pictmotion slideshow feaDistortion Control: Adjusts lens aberration.

Fisheye Effect: In-camera filter produces optical effects similar to a fisheye lens.

Additionally, if you’re an adventurous traveler, Nikon’s GP-1 GPS unit is for you and will be sold separately. It provides geotagging on your images with latitude, longitude and altitude data that is imprinted on your images’ metadata.

Nikon’s D90 will be available soon this month for $999.95 (body only) or $1,299.95 (body and lens outfit with the new AFS DX Zoom-NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens). The GP-1 GPS unit will be available in November 2008, and pricing will be announced at the time of its release. Visit www.nikonusa.com for more information.