The worst kept secret in camera launch history was made public, the new Nikon D90. Seems pretty normal at 12 megapixels, 3″ screen, 5 frames per second and looks like a D300. Wait, what the!!! This camera shoots video! And its HD too! So, I was thinking OK this must be an the biggest gimmick of all time and then started

to think of the quality of the home movie. Hmm, 720p HD movie shot with a 600mm lens could actually be kinda kewl. Perhaps this is a interesting choice for a back up camera after all! The price is going to around $1000.

Key features from NIkon’s website:

• 12.3-megapixel DX-format CMOS imaging sensor: Coupled with Nikon’s EXPEED image processing technologies and NIKKOR optics, breathtaking image fidelity is assured.

• Continuous shooting as fast as 4.5 frames-per-second: Combined with fast 0.15ms power-up and split-second 65ms shooting lag, dramatic action and decisive moments are captured easily.

• D-Movie Mode—Cinematic 24fps HD with sound: Record cinematic-quality movie clips at up to 720p HD (1280 x 720 pixels) in Motion JPEG format, enhanced by NIKKOR interchangeable lens quality and versatility.

• Low noise ISO sensitivity from 200 to 3200: High signal-to-noise components and design deliver exceptional performance, even at high ISO setting.

• 3-inch super-density 920,000-dot color LCD monitor: High resolution, 170-degree wide-angle viewing guarantees confident image review and movie playback.

• Built-in image sensor cleaning: Effective 4-frequency, ultrasonic sensor cleaning frees image degrading dust particles from the sensor’s optical low pass filter.

• 11-point AF system with Face Priority: Consistently fast and accurate autofocus, reinforced by the Nikon Scene Recognition System, delivers razor sharpness in a wide variety of conditions.

• One-button Live View: Easy to use Live View activates access to 3 contrast detection focus modes including Face Priority AF.

• Nikon 3D Color Matrix Metering II with Scene Recognition System: Nikon’s renowned 420-pixel RGB 3D Color Matrix Metering II, teamed with the exclusive Scene Recognition System, evaluates images, referencing an on-board database of over 30,000 photographic scenes, for unmatched exposure accuracy.

• Comprehensive exposure control: Five advanced scene modes plus Program Auto, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority and Manual.

• Auto Active D-Lighting: Selectable and Automatic, Active D-Lighting optimizes details within shadows and highlights, taming high-contrast situations in real time.

• Durable, high precision shutter: Testing to over 100,000 cycles assures shutter life and accuracy.

• In-Camera Image Editing: Creative freedom stems from exclusive in-camera image editing, featuring Fisheye effect, Straighten and Distortion Control as well as D-Lighting, Red-eye Reduction, Image Overlay, Monochrome and more.

• GPS geo-tagging: GP-1 GPS unit (optional) provides automatic real-time geo-tagging

Here is some more information from Amazon.

Nikon D90 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S VR DX Nikkor Zoom Lens

Opteka Battery Pack Grip for Nikon D80 & D90 Digital SLR with 2 EN-EL3e Batteries (3400 mAh Total)