Nikon announces the D2X at long last
Update! - see later news
Canon EOS-1Ds busting 12.4 megapixel sensor should lift Nikon fans' spirits
Early this morning Nikon revealed news of its long overdue replacement to the D1x, its flagship digital pro SLR. We had all guessed the name, D2X, months ago and many had expected the new camera to be launched at PMA in February. But with a 12.4 megapixel sensor and fast frame rate shooting options, on paper at least, the wait seems to have been worth it.
And there is more from Nikon too
Nikon has also revealed a development of the 8 megapixel CoolPix 8700, called the
8800, featuring integrated ant-shake, another 8 megapixel model - the
8400 - with extra-wide angle (24-85mm) 3.5x zoom, plus a more affordable model 4 megapixel
4800 model that has an 8.3x zoom. A 3X telephoto conversion lens, the TC-E3PF, for the 8400 has also been revealed, boosting the maximum zoom an equivalent of 255mm focal length without darkening the image.
On top of that, Nikon has announced a new AF-S VR 300mm f/2.8G IF-ED stabilised telephoto, which is equivalent to a 450mm f/2.8 when used with Nikon mount DSLRs fitted with APS-C sensors (1.5x focal length shift factor).
Nikon UK us previewing the new products to the UK press later today and I'll be updating this story as soon as I return to the office this afternoon.
D2X feature highlights
The big surprise is the 12.4 megapixel resolution Nikon has managed to pull off, even though, perhaps to the disappointment of some, the sensor remains APS-C sized rather than a full (35mm film) frame. Nikon now has a camera that has a mexapixel and a bit over its natural rival, the Canon EOS-1Ds.
By sticking with the APS-C sensor size, combined with continuing investment in DX lenses designed specifically for this sensor size, anyone expecting Nikon to produce an alternative to the full-frame Kodak DCS-14 Nikon-mount DSLR, will probably realise it's not going to happen, confirming what I have been predicting for a long time.
Nikon oversaw the development of the new 12.4MP sensor itself and another surprise is that it's of the CMOS variety. This keeps manufacturing costs lower but is a tougher challenge to keep sensor noise under control. Canon has pioneered CMOS sensors in high quality cameras and it will be very interesting to see if Nikon has equalled Canon's excellent noise management technology.
In normal full resolution mode, the D2X can shoot continuously at 5 frames per second – another plus over the Canon EOS-1Ds, which is limited to 3fps. Up to three second burst at 5fps can be accommodated by the D2H when shooting RAW mode – 15 frames at a time in other words.
8fps shooting option
By switching to what Nikon calls a 'Speed Crop' mode, you can shoot at 8fps. Basically this means that only the central 6.8 million pixels of the chip are recorded. The bonus for press, sports and nature photographers is that it increases the focal length shift factor, giving the effect of extending the reach of telephoto lenses, though you won't see any difference through the viewfinder.
Like the new Minolta Dynax/Maxxum 7D, announced yesterday, the D2H has a good-sized 2.5 inch LCD monitor. There is also extended colour space support for specialist professional applications and even some special effects you might not expect to find in this type of camera, like double exposure and overlay modes.
D2X press release
CoolPix 8800 press release
CoolPix 8400 press release
CoolPix 4800 press release
Update! - see later news
