NIKON Announces D90 Digital SLR
by Wesley Fink on August 27, 2008 1:00 PM EST- Posted in
- Digital Camera
AF-S DX NIKKOR® 18-105MM F/3.5-5.6G ED VR LENS
MELVILLE, N.Y. (Aug. 27, 2008) - Nikon Inc. today introduced a new AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens, a welcome addition to an existing Nikon DX-format D-SLR system and the ideal counterpart to the D90 Digital SLR camera also announced today. This flexible new DX lens offers photographers remarkable versatility, a broad focal range and the benefit of Silent Wave Motor (SWM) and Vibration Reduction (VR) Image Stabilization technology.
The new compact and affordable AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens continues the tradition of NIKKOR precision optics to provide photographers with sharp, high-resolution images. The integration of an ultra-compact Silent Wave Motor ensures fast, quiet and accurate autofocus operation, and complements the lens' compact form factor.
"With the new AF-S DX Nikkor 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens, Nikon answered a demand from D-SLR camera customers for a compact wide-ratio zoom lens with dramatic wide-angle perspective to a practical and useful telephoto view," said Edward Fasano, general manager for marketing, SLR Systems Products at Nikon Inc. “The new AF-S DX Nikkor 18-105mm VR lens will solve a broad range of photographic challenges with VR image stabilization technology and advanced optical features."
Along with the SWM, the new 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens incorporates the benefit of VR Image Stabilization technology, which gives photographers the ability to shoot at shutter speeds up to three stops* slower than would otherwise be possible, while dramatically reducing the image blur caused by camera shake in handheld photography. Whether shooting sports action from the sidelines, wildlife or just capturing family memories, users can have confidence their handheld picture taking will be sharper than ever, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The VR function also stabilizes the camera's viewfinder image, making composing and capturing images even easier.
The AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens provides excellent image reproduction capability, thanks to a newly designed optical system and the integration of an Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass element and an advanced aspherical lens element. The rounded diaphragm opening makes out-of-focus background elements appear more natural, while Nikon's Super Integrated Coating ensures outstanding color balance and reproduction while reducing instances of ghosting and lens flare.
DX-NIKKOR lenses are specially engineered for optical excellence with Nikon DX-format digital SLR cameras, including the recently announced D90 D-SLR. DX-NIKKOR versatility is further extended by compatibility with Nikon's FX-format D3 and D700 D-SLRs that automatically recognize when a DX-format lens is mounted, and will compensate accordingly. The new 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 lens offers a 5.8x zoom range, and a visual perspective equivalent to that created by a 27-157.5mm lens on a 35mm film camera.
The AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens is scheduled to be available at Nikon authorized dealers beginning September 2008 at an estimated selling price of $399.95. It will also be available as part of the D90 18-105mm VR lens kit for an estimated selling price of $1299.95** For more information, please visit www.nikonusa.com.
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xeroshadow - Sunday, September 14, 2008 - link
I know, I should always expect as soon as I buy some cool gadget I should expect it to be outdated in within a few months. I just bought the D60 but would have waited if I'd known about the D90. I'm not a professional photographer so i would love the HD video option. Oh well, still waiting for the review from dpreview. At least it will give it some time to drop in price once the demand for it cools down.PenGun - Sunday, September 7, 2008 - link
I think what's most interesting about the video capabilities is the back door. It has HDMI out and although this is for a viewing use I believe it does 1080 although there is not much info out there. An Intensity from Blackmagic can capture output from HDMI.Might be the best way, it is for quite a few devices.
Rupan3 - Monday, September 1, 2008 - link
It's nice to see Nikon is launching SONY's Alpha 700 i bought in Circuit City months ago. Now people with NIKON lenses can enjoy the spead and in body image stabilizer.Visual - Thursday, August 28, 2008 - link
I wonder how good that video recording works... There are very few things that are needed to make a great camcorder.Is it comfortable to hold and point around while looking at the LCD at the same time?
Can you easily pause and resume recording?
Can you easily change optical zoom while recording?
Do the image stabilization, auto-focus and auto-whatnot features work well in video mode?
1080p would have been so great to have... and I'm sure it will come to other models in a couple of years. But the above factors are certainly more important than resolution and if they got those right, I am definitely buying it.
I have never ever had a camera before, so I guess a point-and-shoot one for photos and a normal camcorder for video would be much easier for me. Still the possibility to get the two in one package is interesting.
strikeback03 - Thursday, August 28, 2008 - link
Optical zoom will obviously work (assuming you have a zoom lens attached) as it is mechanical in the lens. It might introduce shakiness in the image depending on how smooth the twist action is for the zoom ring. I'd assume autofocus works, but is of the contrast detect variety, so who knows how fast it will be. The article says image stabilization works on movies. If you are looking at it primarily as a camcorder, I'd imagine there are better options.RemingtonSteele - Thursday, August 28, 2008 - link
You have the base price at $399. I believe that should read $999.RemingtonSteele - Thursday, August 28, 2008 - link
Oops, that would be the price of the lens, not the base camera. :PHexiumVII - Wednesday, August 27, 2008 - link
I've sold my D80 for almost a grand in April anticipating this camera. I've bought a Canon XSI and almost got a D300, but it was definetly worth the wait. It has everything anticipated and much more. Live view is what I wanted the most and it even has a VGA screen to make the most of it. HD video recording was a big surprise, and a very welcome feature. Lot of people will scruff at it, but seriously, it's a free HD camcorder built in. How many camcorders have you seen with such a large sensor and INTERCHANGEABLE lenses? What, you have the RED1 which is like a couple grand. Yeah i thought so. When live view was introduced for SLR everyone said it was useless, but i've found it to be invaluable for all but action and sport shots. Face detect on an SLR? Very interesting, hopefully not as useless as on compacts. This has got to be the biggest jump in an SLR in a very long time unlike the tiny hops we've seen in the D70-D80, 30D-50D. Bravo Nikon.yyrkoon - Wednesday, August 27, 2008 - link
Yet another MP increase on a mid level camera(in the last week), but no mention of Dynamic Range ?Hell Nikon, Canon, whoever, give me a camera that is hand crank operated but increase Dynamic Range damnit !
You would think they would learn to listne to their customers . . .
n4bby - Wednesday, August 27, 2008 - link
for including a brief intro this time.