Now is the time for new creativity, and to rethink what a digital SLR camera can achieve. It's time for the D90, a camera with everything you would expect from Nikon's next-generation D-SLRs, and some unexpected surprises, as well. The stunning image quality is inherited from the D300, Nikon's DX-format flagship. The D90 also has Nikon's unmatched ergonomics and high performance, and now takes high-quality movies with beautiful results. The world of photography has changed, and with the D90 in your hands, it's time to make your own rules. The D90 incorporates a newly developed DX-format CMOS image sensor with technology directly inherited from the D300, Nikon's DX-format flagship. With its 12.3 effective megapixels and extraordinarily high signal-to-noise ratio, the D90 delivers low-noise images with detail and tonal gradation beyond your expectations, while Nikon's Integrated Dust Reduction System works to free image-degrading dust particles from the sensor's optical low-pass filter. Nikon's comprehensive EXPEED technology is engineered to make the most of the sensor's rich, 12.3-megapixel data. The result - color, detail and high-speed processing inspired by the groundbreaking D300. The D90's image-processing engine produces high-resolution pictures at remarkable speeds, better enabling high-speed continuous shooting. EXPEED also contributes to the outstanding performance of other powerful features, including Live View and the new Face Detection System. The D90 gives you the freedom to shoot in a remarkably wide variety of lighting conditions, including dimly lit scenes, without worrying about image-degrading noise. ISO can be raised as high as Hi 1 (ISO 6400 equivalent) or lowered to Lo 1 (ISO 100 equivalent). Details in the shadows and highlighted areas of your photos are often lost when strong lighting increases the contrast between the bright and dark areas of your image. Nikon's unique Active D-Lighting technology accurately restores these important details by localizing tone control while you shoot. Choose from four levels, including the new Extra High. Active D-Lighting can be used manually or set to Auto mode. It is also possible to bracket your pictures to get one with Active D-Lighting and one without. 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.