New nikon d90 dslr shoots 720/24p using the full sensor! (for $999)

wow... I wonder what are the tech specs on the video quality and how does it hold up in comparison to any of the other Pro formats. They dont give any real detail on what data and such does the D90 output video at. But anyways this is a step in a very interesting direction...
 
I can picture it in just a short while... filmmakers hawking their HVX's and adapters for D90's outfitted with matteboxes... lol another tidbit would be managing sound- I wanna see what are others' opinions are on this...

Edit: I'd like to see if this wiki article would apply for understanding of the MJpeg Format- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motion_JPEG - if it is an Intraframe compression scheme that means it may be very safe to deduct that it will produce a fairly easy to cut picture after all is said and done.
 
Last edited:
I suppose it was always going to simply be a matter of time before these started appearing. I can certainly see cameras like this taking over from the small video cameras that people are currently pairing with 35mm adapters.

It'd provide a backup DSLR for photographic work as well. Very interesting stuff, I'll see if Nikon will send us a copy to put it's video features through their paces.
 
If the video is quality, it makes me wonder about the video world and its "HD" lenses can charge thousands while a still camera with video as a bonus is sold at $1,000.

I know volume of sales come into play, but the video world might have some negative price implications...

But sound and previewing are important, so the stills are not the total solution.

I would rather use a tricked out still camera that would serve as both a pro still camera and a shallow DOF video instrument than using a 35mm adaptor rig.
 
We have a couple of great Nikon lenses for our D200.

I can't locate information that indicates if these will be compatible with the D90.
 
Known facts:

Highest Video Resolution: 1280x720 (aka 720p) downsampled(not cropped) from a APS-C/S35 4k sensor
Framerates: 24fps fixed, not variable
Format: Motion JPEG/MJPEG 4:4:4 (wikipedia it)
Datarate: 588mb/5min or 1.96mb/s (thats megabytes not megabits)
Exposure lock: Avaliable
Exposure compensation: Avaliable
Iris/Aperture control: Yes - also displayed on LCD
Focus control: Manual lens ring only, no AF
Shutter speed control: Yes, via exposure lock - also displayed on LCD
ISO control: Yes, via exposure lock - also displayed on LCD
Price: $1000US without lens



Sample footage from Nikon:

http://imaging.nikon.com/products/imaging/lineup/d90/en/d-movie/

Moive mode demo at IR:

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/D90/D90focus.mp4

DP review has a hands on preview:

http://www.dpreview.com/previews/nikond90/

D-Movie: the world’s first D-SLR movie mode
In a world first for D-SLRs, the D90 offers a movie function, allowing you to shoot HD720p (1,280 x 720 pixels), 640 x 424 pixels or 320 x 216 pixels movies at the professional smoothness of 24 frames per second in motion JPEG format. The D90’s sensor, which is much larger than the sensor of a typical camcorder, ensures higher image quality and exceptional low-noise, high ISO sensitivity performance, even during movie shooting. Capturing creative movie clips or the drama of life’s moving moments is further enhanced by the wide selection of incredibly sharp NIKKOR interchangeable lenses that are available, from fisheye to wide-angle to super-telephoto. And Micro NIKKOR lenses bring the magic of extreme close-up imagery to movie making.

*************************************************************************

Whats interesting is that the movie mode will do up to 720p24 in motion jpeg. Motion jpeg isn't great but if you crank up the bitrate, it can be pretty nice. Also, the D90 sensor is natively ~4K+/12MP so downsampling that to 720p should give the footage full luma and color resolution. Since its stored in a RGB format, you can pretty much call it 4:4:4. Also sports a nice 3" 630x480 LCD. This is on top of a S35 sized sensor and the ability to take Nikon mount SLR lenses both AF and manual with manual aperture all for $1k.

For that price, I might just pick one up and shoot some test footage with it but I'm sure we'll see plenty of that anyway in the next few months online. And if you want to check one out, I'm sure all your local retailers will have one so its not going to be some rare thing you'll never get to see if you don't buy one or know someone who has one.
 
Interesting, BUT it lacks in the audio. Where to you plug in an XLR mike? Also, the video you see is sized down. I would need to see the source file to see if it's over compressed and has compression noise or not.

Bob Diaz
 
David S. said:
We have a couple of great Nikon lenses for our D200.

I can't locate information that indicates if these will be compatible with the D90.
Click to expand...

Both the D90 and D200 have APS-C size sensors (Nikon uses the term DX), so all your lenses should work.
 
BobDiaz said:
Interesting, BUT it lacks in the audio. Where to you plug in an XLR mike? Also, the video you see is sized down. I would need to see the source file to see if it's over compressed and has compression noise or not.

Bob Diaz
Click to expand...

Since the camera is only $1000, you can probably afford to record sound separately.

I can see some difficulties in pulling focus, but I'm sure some clever people will come up with ways to ease the pain.

What an exciting development! You can get 35mm DOF from a $1000 camera. Yes there are some limitations, but the whole playing field can be completely different in a year or two.
 
I need a digital SLR anyway. I was about to pull the trigger on a Canon 40D or Rebel XSi, and was seriously considering a used D200 or a D300. If the D90 gives us D300 quality or close to it then this thing is a no-brainer. Even if it isn't always the best choice for a video shoot -- for example, maybe not the camera you would use for weddings and events or shooting training videos; it could be useful as a B or C cam next to your DVX or whatever you have as your main camera.

Sumfun said:
What an exciting development! You can get 35mm DOF from a $1000 camera. Yes there are some limitations, but the whole playing field can be completely different in a year or two.
Click to expand...

I'm thinking if the D90 is a big hit, which I wouldn't be surprised if it is, then maybe Canon will give us an HV20 or HF11 style camera that exclusively uses 35mm lenses. It could of course take still images as even the HV20 can do to an SD card. If this became the reality, then those who will primarily be doing stills will just get an SLR, while those who do more video work will get the 35mm camcorder unit. Hell, for pros / prosumers / indy filmmakers why not have an offshoot of the XL line using the same or a similar body style that records AVC-HD at 24mbps and has a 35mm mount and just uses a single APS-C sensor?

I'm also thinking that if Nikon, who of all companies is doing this, then RED will not be too far behind in introducing something with interchangeable 35mm SLR lenses in the range between Scarlet and RED ONE. Obviously they are most likely focusing on getting Scarlet ready and their EPIC camera. Who knows though, maybe a year or two from now?

Anyways, the D90 sounds great so far.
 
Here is some simulated MJPEG footage compressed to the same bitrate as the D90 using REDOne 4K footage as the source since the D90 and the REDOne have similar sensor resolution and the 720p from the D90 is obviously downsampled from the 12MP sensor image.

Well guys, I did a quick test with some RED One 4k RAW footage converted to MJPEG at ~2MB/s which is what the D90 is spec'd at:

http://finalpass.net/videos/MJPEG_test/

I used REDCine, MJPEG-A, High Quality, 24fps, 720p. If you do the math, it comes out to 2.05MB/s which is right around the D90's 1.96MB/s.
 
Im sorry but we get so hung up on how this will compare to Pro cameras.... It is at the root a DSLR that has a movie mode which is exciting because of DOF options. I work with the HVX for work and the HV20 for play... shoot 40D for pictures. This is a nice substitute from using the 40D for stills and the HV20/Letus mini for video on say vacation.

In no way would this end up on my work sets. Pure consumer fun, just brining elements we all have come to want into a prosumer camera. Im excited and look forward to this evolving on all DSLRS.
 
I was inches from getting the D-80, but was advised about the D-90...The movie feature just makes it even more SWEET!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top