Nikon has launched the DX-format digital D90

Nikon has announced the launch of its 12.3 megapixel camera, the D90,  which has a wide sensitivity range.

The D90 employs the 'image sensor cleaning function', which makes the image clear by removing the dust particles from the sensor's optical low-pass filter. It also comes equipped with a 'live view mode' and a 'face detection system' that detetcts and focuses on human faces.

The camera offers a movie function that allows users to shoot 320 x 216 pixels, 640 x 424 pixels or HD720p (1,280 x 720 pixels) movies at a smooth 24 frames per second in motion in the JPEG format.

This camera has a  420-pixel RGB sensor, which interprets the colour and brightness of the scenery and applies this to the auto focus, auto exposure and auto white balance.

The D90 recognises human faces, using the new face detection system that enables the camera to automatically focus on the object's face 'in live view mode', and immediately zoom into people's faces in 'playback zoom mode'.

The  3-inch, 920k-dot colour LCD screen gets activated at the press of a button.

There are three contrast-detect autofocus modes that let you focus on any point in the frame: face priority autofocus ,wide area autofocus  and normal area autofocus .

The Nikon VR (vibration reduction) lenses enable photographers enjoy the benefit of a smooth images with the vibrations having been removed.

The pictures can be easily customised using six original setting options namely, 'standard', neutral', 'vivid', 'monochrome', 'portrait' and 'landscape'.

The D90 has been priced at approximately $1,000 in the US. 

Technical Specifications:

Type of Camera: Digital SLR camera (Single-lens reflex digital camera) 

Effective Pixels:12.3 million

Image Sensor: Nikon DX format (23.6 x 15.8 mm) CMOS sensor

Image Size (Pixels):
4,288 x 2,848 [Large],
3,216 x 2,136 [Midium],
2,144 x 1,424 [Small];

Storage Media: SD memory card (SDHC compliant)

Shooting Modes:
1) Single frame shooting mode,
2) Continous low shooting mode,
3) Continous high shooting mode,
4) Self-timer mode,
5) Delay remote mode,
6) Quick-response remote mode
7) D-Movie
 
White Balance: Auto (TTL white-balance with 420-pixel RGB sensor), 12 manual modes with fine-tuning; color temperature setting; preset white balance; white balance bracketing

LCD Monitor: 3.0", 920,000-dot low-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD, allows up to 170-degree wide viewing angle

Playback Function:
1) Full frame,
2) Thumbnail (4, 9, 72 and calendar),
3) Magnifying playback,
4) movie playback,
5) Pictmotion,
6) Slide show,
7) Histogram indication,
8) Highlights point display,
8) Auto image rotation,
9) Image comment 

Interface: USB 2.0 (High-speed)

Picture Angle: (in 35mm [135] format equivalent) Approx. 1.5x lens focal length

Focus Modes:
1) Autofocus (AF):
Single-servo AF (AF-S);
Continous-servo AF (AF-C);
Auto AF-S/AF-C selection (AF-A),
2) Manual focus (M) can be selected from 11 focus area

Maximum Shutter:1/4000; Minimum shutter: 30
 
Shutter: Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal plane shutter

Flash Sync Modes:
1)Auto,
2)Fill-in flash,
3)Red-eye reduction,
4) Red-eye reduction with Slow sync,
5) Slow sync,
6)Rear-curtain sync, 
7) Off

Self-Timer: Electronically controlled timer with duration of 2, 5, 10 or 20 s.

Depth of Field Preview Button : Yes

Remote Control: Via Wireless Remote Control ML-L3 (optional)

GPS: via GP-1 GPS Unit (optional)

Power Requirements: Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3e, AC Adapter EH-5a (optional)

Battery Life (on a fully charged battery):
Approx 1,000 shots

Tripod Socket:1/4 in. (ISO1222)

Dimensions: Approx. 132 x 103 x 77mm

Weight (without battery, memory card or body cap):Approx. 620g

(as per the company website)