
First introduced on the D3 and D300 flagship cameras, Nikon’s breakthrough Scene Recognition System is also featured in the D90. This unique technology utilizes a 420-pixel RGB sensor to analyze immense amounts of scene and color information in order to understand what the camera is about to shoot. Milliseconds before the shutter is released, the camera optimizes the autofocus, auto exposure, i-TTL control and white balance. The D90 also uses Nikon’s new Face Detection System to render human faces with a newfound sharpness and accuracy.

The D90 demonstrates amazing autofocus accuracy by utilizing color and brightness information from its 420-pixel RGB sensor. When shooting in Auto-area AF mode, the camera quickly focuses on the main subject by detecting foreground, background and subject position. When using 3D-tracking (11 points) mode, the camera uses your subject’s color and brightness information to keep it in sharp focus as you change the composition.
Nikon’s 3D Color Matrix Metering II became one of the most highly acclaimed metering systems by delivering consistently well-balanced exposures — even in lighting conditions that confuse other systems. Further extending its exposure capability, Nikon’s Scene Recognition System evaluates each scene’s highlights, delivering even more light metering precision. Moreover, the D90 detects faces when using face priority AF, giving you ideal exposures of your human subjects.
Auto white balance combines with Nikon’s Scene Recognition System to analyze each scene’s light sources, cross-referencing this information with 5,000 actual picture data examples from over 20,000 images in its onboard white balance database. Even under mixed lighting or difficult light sources like mercury vapor lights, the D90 calculates an ideal white balance for remarkably faithful colors.

Utilizing information from the new Face Detection System, the D90 detects up to ten human faces during playback. Select one face and the D90 zooms in for faster focus confirmation.
Thanks to Multi-CAM 1000 autofocus module, the D90’s 11-point AF system has fast and precise autofocus coverage across the frame with the most sensitive AF sensor operating from the center. In addition, the D90 has versatile AF-area modes to handle most shooting situations. The center focus point can be switched from normal to wide according to the movement of the subject.


The D90 has a precise eye-level pentaprism viewfinder with approx. 96% (centered) frame coverage and an easy-to-view 19.5mm eyepoint (at -1.0 m-1), so photographers can concentrate on capturing the moment. The built-in 16-frame grid display can be activated to align the horizontal and vertical lines in your image or assist in more pleasing compositions.

With the D90’s Live View function, you can shoot effectively without looking through the viewfinder. Simply press dedicated Live View button for instant access. Three contrast-detect AF modes let you focus on any point in the frame.

The D90’s 3-in., approx. 920k-dot LCD monitor provides unprecedented quality of image display. A wide 170-degree viewing angle makes it easy to confirm focus after shooting or during Live View.
The D90 captures crucial moments thanks to its impressive 0.15-second start-up time, 65-millisecond shutter-release time lag (CIPA standard) and ability to shoot at 4.5 frames a second for up to 100 shots*.
*Normal-Large image setting, using a Panasonic Pro HIGH SPEED 2 GB SD memory card.

Reliability is not a luxury — it’s a necessity. That’s why Nikon subjected numerous D90 shutter mechanisms to grueling 100,000-cycle shutter-release tests with the unit fully assembled in the camera.
When you’re not sure which camera settings are appropriate, simply rely on the Advanced Scene Modes. Just turn the mode dial to the appropriate icon: Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Sports or Night Portrait. Unlike traditional scene modes, the D90 will automatically optimize the exposure, image processing, Active D-Lighting, and Picture Control to get the most out of your subject matter. What’s more, the D90 has exceptional low-noise performance and accurately adjusts the camera settings whether VR (Vibration Reduction) is activated or not, so you can expect beautiful, crisp images, even in many low-light scenes.


The D90 is equipped with Nikon’s i-TTL flash control, renowned for consistently accurate and balanced flash exposures. The built-in flash has an 18mm lens coverage and works as a wireless commander, controlling up to two independent groups of an unlimited number of remote Speedlights and providing incredible creative lighting control — on location or in the studio.

Because of the D90’s highly efficient energy-saving design, approx. 850 pictures can be taken on a single charge of the Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3e. (CIPA standard, with AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, with 50% of pictures taken with flash)
