“digital single lens reflex (SLR) camera that redefines the creative boundaries of digital photography allowing photographers to easily create stunning still images and High Definition (HD) movie clips with sound”

Among the new features that the press release highlights are:

“Borrowed from Nikon’s professional line of digital cameras, the D90 is the most affordable camera to include Nikon’s Scene Recognition System and adds newly-developed advanced Face Detection technology”

According to some reviews this feature, takes the process of taking semi professional pictures a step beyond in quality and effectiveness. All this features were included in more professional models before so Nikon is counting on the increase of interest in semi professional photography by household users.

Ever since the first DLSR showed up in the scene everybody has wondered why they were not able to record video, some purists likes it that way but in this case Nikon again is betting on the average family user with an increased interest in photography including this feature as the breakthrough characteristic of this model.

Nikon D90 movie capabilities

“For the first time in digital SLR photography, Nikon introduces the addition of the D-Movie mode, allowing consumers to create their own HD movie clips (1280 x 720) with sound from their D-SLR camera. Photographers will appreciate the cinematic qualities that come from the 24fps frame rate, which matches theatrical film,”

Apart from That the Nikon D90 also includes some fancy tweaks that for sure will spark the creativeness of the most unimaginative user:

• New Distortion Control: Adjusts the annoying lens aberration
• Straighten picture: This feature helps to correct linear inclination of an image for straight horizons and landscapes, no more crooked photos
• Fisheye Effect: In camera filter produces optical effects similar to a fisheye lens.

If you want to know if it’s really worth updating your “old” Nikon D80 for the new D90 you will have to judge it yourself. Here are the main differences between the nikon D80 and the Nikon D90:

Effective pixels

D90: 12.3 million
D80: 10.2 million

Not enough to make your money worth.

D80 and D90 Sensor

D90: CMOS sensor, 23.6 x 15.8 mm; total pixels: 12.9 million; Nikon DX format
D80: RGB CCD, 23.6 x 15.8 mm, 10.75 million total pixel; Nikon DX format

Here stives one of the main differences between the two.

Image size in the D80 and in the D90 in pixels

D90: DX Format 4,288 x 2,848 [L], 3,216 x 2,136 [M], 2,144 x 1,424 [S]
D80: (3,872 x 2,592) / M (2,896 x 1,944) / S (1,936 x 1,296)

Both big enough to make nice large posters, the Nikon D90 will just be sharper.

Sensitivity

D90: ISO 200 to 3200 in steps of 1/3 EV, can also be set to approx. 0.3, 0.7 or 1 EV
D80: to 1600 (ISO equivalent) in steps of 1/3 EV, plus HI-0.3, HI-0.7 and HI-1

Here the Nikon D90 will allow you to take better pictures under worse lighting conditions

Screen

D90: 3-in., approx. 920,00-dot (VGA), 170-degree viewing angle, approximately. 100% frame coverage
D80: 2.5-in., 230,000-dot

Half an inch never gave more! what can I say.

Exposure modes

D90: Auto modes (auto, auto [flash off]), Advanced Scene Modes (Portrait, Landscape, Sports, Close-up, Night Portrait), programmed auto with flexible program, shutter-priority auto, aperture-priority auto (A), manual (M)
D80: Digital Vari-Program (Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Macro Close up, Sports, Night Landscape, Night Portrait), Programmed Auto flexible program; Shutter-Priority Auto [S]; Aperture Priority Auto [A]; Manual [M]

Nikon D80 and D90 weight

D90: Approx. 620 g
D80: Approx. 585g

A sliker camera yet a heavier one

Video Capabilities of the Nikon D90

The new Nikon D90 is among the first D-SLRs to be able to capture high-def video, being able to capture video with any lens or any setting defined in the camera which in itself is a breakthrough change in the Digital SLR.

Tags: nikond90 and d80 differences, nikon d90, D SLR video, Nikon, professional photography