When Nikon released the D90 in 2008, it wasn’t just another incremental update in its DSLR lineup—it was a bold step forward that set new standards for enthusiast-level digital cameras. The D90 was the first DSLR in the world to offer video recording, a feature previously reserved for camcorders. But beyond that headline innovation, the D90 also delivered exceptional still image performance, user-friendly ergonomics, and professional-grade features, all at a price point that made it accessible to advanced amateurs and semi-professionals alike.
More than 15 years later, the Nikon D90 remains a respected and often nostalgic camera for many photographers. This article explores the D90 in depth, covering its build, image quality, video capabilities, lens compatibility, legacy, and why it remains a capable tool even today.
Design and Build Quality
The Nikon D90 follows Nikon’s tradition of durable, ergonomic DSLR design. While it is not built from a full magnesium alloy shell like higher-end models, it does feature a polycarbonate body with a magnesium-alloy top and rear chassis, providing a good balance between strength and weight.
The camera feels solid and secure in the hand. With its well-contoured grip and strategically placed buttons, the D90 is a joy to hold, even for extended shooting sessions. The top-mounted LCD screen provides at-a-glance access to key settings like ISO, aperture, shutter speed, and battery life. It features dedicated buttons for ISO, white balance, metering, and autofocus modes—functions that are often buried in menus on entry-level cameras.
Weighing in at about 620 grams (body only), the D90 is not exactly lightweight, but it’s portable enough for travel, events, and all-day shooting. It strikes an excellent balance between functionality and portability.
Sensor and Image Quality
The D90 houses a 12.3-megapixel DX-format (APS-C) CMOS sensor, which, at the time, represented a significant leap from the CCD sensor found in its predecessor, the D80. The switch to CMOS allowed for better power efficiency, faster readout speeds, and improved performance at high ISO levels.
Image quality from the D90 remains impressive even by today’s standards—particularly in good lighting conditions. JPEGs straight out of the camera have Nikon’s characteristic vibrant colors and strong dynamic range. RAW files provide ample latitude for post-processing, especially in highlights and shadows.
The ISO range of 200–3200 (expandable to 100–6400) is decent for its time. While noise becomes more prominent above ISO 1600, images remain usable for casual and even some professional work, particularly with noise reduction in post.
Autofocus and Metering
The D90 employs Nikon’s Multi-CAM 1000 autofocus system, offering 11 AF points, including one cross-type sensor in the center for added precision. Though not as advanced as the 51-point systems found in higher-end models like the D300, the D90’s autofocus is fast, accurate, and more than adequate for most situations—portraits, landscapes, events, and even some sports.
Metering is handled by Nikon’s 420-pixel RGB sensor, offering 3D Color Matrix Metering II, which intelligently evaluates scene brightness, contrast, and color to determine optimal exposure. In most situations, it performs admirably, although high-contrast scenes may require manual exposure compensation.
LCD and Viewfinder
One of the most noticeable upgrades over the D80 is the 3.0-inch LCD screen with 920,000 dots of resolution. This was a major improvement in brightness, sharpness, and color fidelity, making image playback and menu navigation much more enjoyable. The high-resolution screen also made Live View mode more practical, even though autofocus performance in Live View was slow due to contrast-detection limitations.
The optical pentaprism viewfinder offers 96% frame coverage and 0.94x magnification, giving a bright and fairly accurate representation of your shot. It’s better than the dimmer pentamirror viewfinders found in entry-level DSLRs.
Video Recording: A Game Changer
The Nikon D90 was the first DSLR to offer video recording, and though limited by today’s standards, this feature alone was revolutionary at the time.
- Resolution: 720p (1280×720) at 24 frames per second
- Format: Motion JPEG AVI
- Audio: Mono microphone (no external mic input)
While it didn’t shoot Full HD and lacked manual control over video settings, the D90 opened the floodgates for DSLR video creativity. Filmmakers suddenly had access to large-sensor cameras with interchangeable lenses at an affordable price, a shift that changed independent filmmaking forever.
The D90’s video mode was, however, more of a novelty than a professional tool. There was no continuous autofocus during recording, rolling shutter artifacts were present, and the lack of audio input limited its use. Still, for B-roll, artistic video clips, or experimentation, it was a significant and exciting step forward.
Speed and Performance
The Nikon D90 features a 4.5 fps continuous shooting speed, which is fast enough for most everyday photography needs, including candid moments, street photography, and some action or sports.
It has a buffer capacity of about 25 JPEGs or 11 RAW files, which may limit burst shooting in RAW, but for general use, this is quite adequate.
Startup is near-instant, and shutter lag is minimal, making it responsive and ready for action with little delay.
Lens Compatibility
The D90 uses Nikon’s F-mount, which is compatible with a wide range of lenses—from classic manual focus primes to modern AF-S zooms.
Importantly, the D90 has an in-body autofocus motor, which allows it to autofocus with older AF and AF-D lenses that lack built-in motors. This significantly expands your lens options, including many budget-friendly options on the second-hand market.
It’s also compatible with DX lenses, optimized for the APS-C sensor size, as well as FX lenses, which provide full-frame coverage.
Battery Life and Storage
Powered by the EN-EL3e rechargeable battery, the D90 offers excellent battery life—often exceeding 850 shots per charge, depending on usage.
It uses SD and SDHC memory cards, with support for cards up to 32GB. UHS support is not included, but with the D90’s file sizes and write speeds, standard Class 6 or Class 10 cards are more than sufficient.
User Interface and Features
The D90’s interface is well laid out and user-friendly, with enough depth to keep enthusiasts engaged. It includes several helpful features:
- Scene modes for beginners
- Custom settings menu for tweaking performance and controls
- Image retouching tools for quick edits in-camera
- Depth-of-field preview button
- Built-in flash and hot shoe
For those learning photography, the D90 offers guidance and flexibility. For experienced users, it offers the control and precision needed for professional-style results.
Legacy and Modern Relevance
The D90 was succeeded by the D7000 and later models, but it still holds relevance today, especially in three areas:
- Learning Tool: For students or newcomers, the D90 teaches DSLR fundamentals with manual controls and broad lens compatibility.
- Budget Photography: Available used for under $200, it’s one of the best bang-for-buck DSLRs available.
- Legacy Lens Use: Its in-body motor allows use of affordable classic Nikkor lenses, making it ideal for experimenting with older optics.
Despite the lack of modern features like Wi-Fi, 4K video, or fast live view AF, the D90’s image quality and reliability make it a solid choice even today for many photographic needs.
Conclusion
The Nikon D90 represents a landmark in digital photography. It brought video to the DSLR world, delivered excellent still-image quality, and offered enthusiast-level performance in a reasonably compact, durable body. For many photographers, it was the gateway to serious photography—and in some cases, filmmaking.
Even today, it remains a viable and rewarding camera for beginners, hobbyists, and vintage gear enthusiasts. The D90 may no longer lead in specs, but in spirit and legacy, it remains one of Nikon’s most influential and beloved DSLRs.
