Now that's interesting: large sensor, exchangable lenses, 12 MP still images ... and ... 720p @ 24fps video with sound:
The Nikon D90 is here
It doesn't have a rotating display but an external monitor should show the LiveView stream.
- Details:
- 1280 x 720 pixels (16:9, 720p) @ 24fps
- MJPEG @ 14 - 22 Mbits/s
- Mono sound recording @ only 11 kHz
- Max. 5 min single clip duration
- Recording is started and stopped by pressing the "OK" button in LiveView mode
- Only manual focus and zoom during movie recording
- Exposure, white balance and ISO can be locked before recording.
The 1280 x 720 pixels are obviously downsized from the full sensor area which gives a very interesting advantage to the RED Scarlet:
Although the Red Scarlet sensor has a lot less pixels it's the size that allows the narrow depth of field (DOF) somuch wanted by movie makers. The D90 DX sensor has the same size as a 35mm movie camera frame or the RED One. Note that "Photo 35mm" are larger than "Film 35 mm". A 35mm film strip is 35 mm wide but is used horizontally in photo cameras while its used vertically in a film camera.
The video is recorded from the LiveView stream and stored as Motion JPEG in an AVI container format.
First samples show a data rate of 14 - 22 Mbits/s or 1.75 - 2,75 MB/s. This is less than medium to less than high quality. Below is an overview of the data rates produced by different JPEG compression quality settings. Unfortunately Nikon did skimp on the video recording bitrate. I hoped for at least 5 MB/s. I suppose the reason for staying around 2 MB/s is to be able to use any SD card. I wouldn't mind if movie recording would require a Class 6 SDHC card but Nikon obviously thinks otherwise.
| Quality slider | Mbits/s | MB/s | 5 minutes clip size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low-Medium | 11 | 1,375 | 412 MB |
| Medium | 16 | 2 | 600 MB |
| Medium-High | 22 | 2.75 | 825 MB |
| High | 30 | 3.75 | 1.1 GB |
| High-Best | 40 | 5 | 1.5 GB |
| Best | 130 | 16.25 | 4.9 GB |
124fps, 1280 x 720 movie exported to Apple Photo - JPEG with QuickTime Pro. Data rates will vary depending on the complexity of the scene just like different photos result in different JPEG file sizes. The movies where without sound. Mono CD sound quality adds about 1 mbit/s to the data rate.
More info at Nikon.com
UPDATE:
After downloading and watching first AVI samples at vimeo.com/d90 it's still unclear if this camera really records better movies than a point and shoot. I mean compression wise, the DOF and dynamic range of course are clearly superior. Some good looking samples unfortunately are converted to H264 or WMV. Not only the compression but also the scaling method from the sensor area to 720p seems to be sub optimal. Also there seems to be no easy control over shutter speed and ISO. All in all D-movie seems to be nothing really serious.
The D90 receives a lot of attention by film makers as this forum thread proves. If you've the time to read through this looooong thread you'll see how enthusiasm quickly turns into disillusion after using the D90.
Anyway this camera will start a trend and we'll see professional high quality hybrid cams in the future. Imagine a replacement of the Nikon D300 or D700 with Full HD movie mode and full manual control ability.
