The much-rumored and even more longed-for update to the Nikon D80 has arrived. Or will, in a couple of weeks. The Nikon D90 doesn’t replace the popular D80, which moves down Nikon’s dSLR product line, and unsurprisingly, provides some significant enhancements over that 2-year-old model. Most notably, the D90 is the first digital SLR to support movie capture.

Front View , Side View

Though its movie-capture specs aren’t too shabby–24fps 1280×720 motion JPEG and support for VR optical image-stabilization if the lens has it–D-Movie still doesn’t match the best of the snapshot-camera movie modes.

Specification

• 12.3-effective megapixel DX-format CMOS imaging sensor
• 5.8x AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens included
• D-Movie Mode — Cinematic 24fps HD with sound
• One-button Live View
• Continuous shooting as fast as 4.5 frames per second
• Low noise ISO sensitivity from 200 to 3200
• 3-inch super-density 920,000-dot color LCD monitor
• Built-in image sensor cleaning
• 11-point AF system with Face Priority
• One-button Live View
• Nikon 3D Color Matrix Metering II with Scene Recognition System
• Comprehensive exposure control
• Auto Active D-lighting
• Shutter precision and durability
• In-Camera Image Editing
• GPS geo-tagging
• Card: SD and SDHC
• Startup time: 1.5 sec
• Flash: popup GN 17/56 200 ISO
• Viewfinder: Coverage 96% magnif. 0,94 x (aprox.)
• PictBrige: yes
• Powerful speaker (for video in review mode)
• Matrix sensor for metering 420 pixels RGB
• Powerful speaker (for video in review mode)
• Lens included: You’ll be ready to go in no time with the included 5.8x AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens.

Compared with D80 vs D90 vs D40

Nikon expects to ship the camera in early- to mid-September. It will be available body only for $995, or in a kit with the new f3.5-5.6 18-105mm VR ultrasonic lens for $1,299.95.

Nikon D90 Other Features

• Gives you quick response, with 0.15-second start-up, 65 ms shutter release time lag and 4.5 fps continuous shooting.
• 3-in., approx. 920-k dot high-resolution LCD monitor with wide viewing angle that lets you change composition of the frame during shooting from various angles and easily confirm your image during playback.
• Built-in flash with 18mm lens coverage, Guide Number of approx. 18/59 (ISO 200, m/ft., 20°C/68°F) and Nikon’s original i-TTL flash control; works as a commander; controlling up to two groups of remote Speedlights.
• Highly efficient energy-saving design allows approx. 850 images 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)
• Extensive playback functions offer ample options for viewing and selecting the right shot, including 72-frame playback, calendar playback and histogram display for magnified portion of the image. ? Versatile Pictmotion menu creates slideshows combining five choices of both background music and image effects.
• Compatible with HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) output.
• Supports the Nikon Creative Lighting System when using the SB-900, SB-800, SB-600 Speedlight, or Wireless Close-up Speedlight System R1C1; ensures accurate exposures via i-TTL flash control.
• Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D80 (Optional, in common with the D80) gives you the choice of using one or two Rechargeable Li-ion Batteries EN-EL3e or six R6/AA-size batteries to extend battery life.
• New optional Remote Cord MC-DC2 enables shutter release and long time exposures (bulb) remotely.
• With the new optional GPS Unit GP-1, location information such as latitude, longitude, altitude and time is automatically recorded to each image’s EXIF data.
• Included Nikon ViewNX image browsing and editing software lets you organize, label and select images as well as perform RAW image editing adjustments and conversions.
• Optional Capture NX 2 photo-editing software features patented U-Point® technology and powerful tools for quick and easy photo editing including enhanced RAW (NEF) Editing

[Sourced Via NikonRumors & Cnet & dpreview]