News: New Nikon D90?

Is the Nikon D90 imminent?

The Nikon D80 is about due for replacement, and rumors are heating up about a possible D90 announcement. The D80 used the 10.2-megapixel sensor from the D200, so a consumer camera using the 12.3 megapixel sensor from the D300 makes a lot of sense. The D200 was released in December 2005, and the D80 came nine months later in September 2006. Given the D300 came out in November 2007, the timing seems about right for an August/September or thereabouts launch for a D90.

To further add to the speculation, a UPC code for a Nikon D90 D-SLR was entered into the UPC Database on the 13th of August 2008. Other rumors are stating both Circuit City and Best Buy have the D90 with 18-105VR for $1,299.99 in their internal inventory systems, and a possible leaked (or possibly photoshopped) photo of the D90 can be found on Photography Bay.

So what should the D90 look like?

• 12.3 megapixel sensor – same as the D300. Most likely with the self-cleaning feature (which has limited practical use in my experience, but is a useful marketing feature).
• 14 bit A/D would be likely, given it’s already there in the D300.
• Same with Live View, and the EXPEED image processor.

• Just above and to the left of the D90 logo appears to be a forward facing microphone – does that mean live view has been enhanced with a video recording feature?
• On the bottom right of the picture, there is a separate cover labeled GPS - presumably a different connector. The D300 & D3 currently require the MC-35 GPS cable (which has a street price of about $85) that plugs into the 10-pin connector on the camera and a DB9 serial port on the GPS unit. Presumably this will eliminate the expensive cable, and allow you to use standard DB-9 or even USB data cables? Also note that some much cheaper Nikon Coolpix cameras already have GPS built in.