The Nikon D90 is a 12.3-megapixel APS-C DSLR with a 23.6 ร 15.8 mm CMOS sensor, EXPEED processor, 11-point autofocus system, 4.5 fps burst shooting, 720p HD video at 24fps, and an impressive 850-shot battery life โ all in a 620 g body that takes the full range of Nikon F lenses.
Key Specifications
- Sensor: 12.3 MP APS-C CMOS, 23.6 ร 15.8 mm, 1.5ร crop factor
- Resolution: 4,288 ร 2,848 pixels
- Autofocus: 11-point AF system with Nikon i-TTL flash compatibility
- Burst speed: 4.5 frames per second
- ISO range: ISO 200โ3,200 (expandable to ISO 6,400)
- Video: 1,280 ร 720 HD at 24fps (D-Movie mode)
- Viewfinder: Optical, 95% coverage, 0.63ร magnification
- LCD: 3-inch, 921,000-dot fixed screen
- Battery: EN-EL3e, rated for 850 shots per charge
- Lens mount: Nikon F โ compatible with virtually every Nikon F-mount lens ever made
- Storage: SD card (single slot)
- Body dimensions/weight: 132 ร 103 ร 77 mm / 620 g
What makes the Nikon D90 special?
When it launched, the Nikon D90 was a genuine milestone: it was the first DSLR in the world to offer HD video recording. That D-Movie mode shoots 720p at a cinematic 24fps, giving video a filmic look that many indie filmmakers actually sought out at the time.
The D90 sits in a sweet spot in Nikon's APS-C lineup. Compared to entry-level models like the Nikon D3100 or Nikon D3200, it offers a more robust magnesium-alloy-reinforced body, a higher-resolution 921,000-dot LCD, and a deeper feature set aimed at enthusiasts stepping up from a compact. Against the more advanced Nikon D300, it trades weather sealing and the 51-point AF system for a lighter, more affordable package.
The DXOMark sensor scores are instructive: a colour depth of 22.7 bits, dynamic range of 12.5 EV, and low-light ISO score of 977. Those numbers hold up well for a camera of this generation, especially in good light or with fast glass. The large 5.53 ยตm pixel pitch means individual photosites gather more light than the smaller pixels found in higher-megapixel APS-C sensors, which contributes to solid per-pixel quality at lower ISOs.
If you're considering alternatives like the Canon EOS 250D or modern mirrorless options such as the Sony Alpha 6400 or Fujifilm X-T30, be aware that those cameras outclass the D90 in ISO range, burst speed, and video capabilities. But they also cost more on the used market and don't give you access to decades of affordable Nikon F glass.
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