Image parameters

The D90 features five Picture Control presets, which offer different levels of sharpening, contrast, brightness, saturation and hue. There is also a Monochrome mode with a selection of 'filters' that adjust the balance of the three color channels to mimic four traditional color filters used in analogue photography (the output can then have one of nine tints applied in seven levels of intensity). Each picture style can be adjusted, either using a 'Quick adjust' option that changes multiple parameters or by tweaking parameters individually - these changes can be saved as one of up to nine new presets.

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The underlying parameters of the presets vary so, for instance, the Vivid preset has greater saturation and contrast than the Standard preset, even though those parameters are set to '0.'

Image parameter adjustments

  • Picture Control presets: Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome, Portrait, Landscape
  • Quick Adjust, +/- 2 (changes Sharpening, Contrast and Saturation)
  • Sharpening, 0-9 (plus Auto)
  • Contrast, +/- 3 (plus Auto)
  • Brightness, +/- 1
  • Saturation, +/- 3 (plus Auto)
  • Hue, +/- 3

Picture control presets

Below are examples of real-world shots, showing the effects of each of the Image Optimization presets. Our traditional test-shots are also included. Thanks to the in-camera RAW processing, it's possible to re-process any shot you've taken in RAW if, for instance, the Vivid setting has over-cooked the contrast in the scene.

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Sharpening adjustment

The D90 offers ten levels of sharpening, from 0 to 9, with an Auto option that will select the level it thinks most appropriate. The default level '3' sharpening applied in Standard mode is extremely conservative for a camera of this level but, as you can see below, it can be pushed up to 5 or 6 without prompting any concerns about sharpening artefacts appearing.

Sharpening 0
Sharpening 2 (Neutral / Portrait)
Sharpening 3 (Standard / Monochrome)
Sharpening 4 (Vivid / Landscape)
Sharpening 6
Sharpening 9