Nikon completes the family with 24.5MP 'X' Factor full frame pro DSLR model
DPNow comment:
It was rumoured months ago, Nikon's own magazine for pro photographers spilled the beans a bit early last week, and today the 'X' factor Nikon, the D3X, is officially launched. Packing all of 24.5 megapixels, this FX or full frame flagship DSLR is yet another Nikon that keeps Canon on its toes in the pro market. The D3X can shoot at up to 5fps in FX mode or up to 7fps in cropped 10MP mode. Externally, the D3X looks very similar to the current 12MP D3. We only hope certain D3 similarities don't extend to the D3's lack of self-cleaning mode at the sensor. This crucial feature is included in the Nikon D700, but there is no mention of it in the D3X specifications we have. Nikon says the D3X completes the family. We do wonder if a 24MP 'X' version of the D700 is in the pipeline to compete with Canon's new EOS-5D Mark II and, of course, the much more affordable Sony Alpha A900. The Nikon D3X guide price is, give or take a few pence, £5,500, which puts it firmly in the same price category as Canon's EOS-1Ds Mark III, though you could get three Sony Alpha A900s for that money.
Press release issued by Nikon UK:
Nikon Completes the Family with new DSLR
RRP: £5499.99 / €7728.00
Availability: Late December 2008
Nikon UK is pleased to introduce its new top-of-the-range premium D-SLR - the D3X. Building on the reliability, handling and durability of the award-winning D3, the D3X offers an imaging sensor with over twice the resolution of the revolutionary D3, breaking new ground in image quality.
The all-new 24.5MP CMOS sensor makes the new model eminently suitable for the broadest range of shooting situations, both in the studio and on location – ideal for photographers seeking unrivalled detail.
“This is the camera that many professional photographers have been waiting for,”said Robert Cristina, Professional Products and NPS Manager at Nikon Europe. “Just as the D3 has become the professionals’ camera of choice in sports photography, the D3X’s extremely high imaging resolution will raise the bar for commercial, fashion and stock photography. The results speak for themselves: this is without doubt our highest-quality camera to date.”
The World is Your Studio
The D3X boasts a specially-developed FX-format CMOS image sensor with 12-channel readout, gapless micro lens array and on-chip noise reduction. It delivers class-leading levels of continuous shooting speed and noise management at higher sensitivities without sacrificing detail.
The D3X supports a broad ISO range from ISO 100-1600, extendable down to ISO 50 and up to 6400 equivalent with up to 5 fps continuous shooting at full resolution, or 7 fps in the 10MP DX-crop mode. The acclaimed MultiCAM3500FX 51-point autofocus system enables extreme accuracy with outstanding dynamic tracking for fast moving subjects in low light.
The camera’s LiveView function offers a smooth workflow option, perfect for studio work or other situations where the use of the viewfinder is impractical. The camera also delivers a superb response rate, with a start-up of just 12 milliseconds and 40ms shutter lag. The Kevlar/carbon fibre composite shutter has been designed for intensive professional needs and tested to 300,000 cycles.
Images with the X factor
The D3X reaps the benefits of the very latest developments in sensor design and image processing technology. Designed to produce files suitable to meet the demands of tomorrow’s commercial and stock requirements, the camera produces 50MB 14-bit NEF (Raw) files. Using Capture NX2 software, NEF files can be processed into medium format terrain; 140MB (16-bit TIFF-RGB). Fine details are reproduced with incredible clarity, whilst shadows and highlights contain tonal gradation with minimal clipping for pictures with a unique look and feel.
Intuitive control
The D3X shares the same ergonomics and handling as the D3, which have been designed to enable anyone to get to work quickly and efficiently. The bright, uncluttered viewfinder features 100% coverage and comprehensive illuminated displays, while the high-definition, 3-inch, 920,000-dot VGA TFT monitor enables outstanding playback quality for on-the-spot image assessment. The D3X’s magnesium body, which is sealed for moisture and dust resistance, also supports Nikon’s wireless system (the WT-4), HDMI output, offers a dual slot for CF cards and is compatible with the new GP-1 GPS unit.
For more information:
www.nikon.co.uk
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Specifications
| Type |
| Type | Single-lens reflex digital camera |
| Lens Mount | Nikon F mount with AF coupling and AF contacts |
| Picture Angle | Equivalent to angle produced by lens focal length (1.5 times when DX format is selected) |
| Effective Pixels |
| Effective Pixels | 24.5 million |
| Image Sensor |
| Image Sensor | CMOS sensor, 35.9 x 24.0 mm; Nikon FX format |
| Total Pixels | 25.72 million |
| Dust-reduction System | Image Dust Off reference data (optional Capture NX 2 software required) |
| Storage |
| Image Size (pixels) | - FX format (36 x 24): 6,048 x 4,032 (L), 4,544 x 3,024 (M), 3,024 x 2,016 (S)
- DX format (24 x 16): 3,968 x 2,640 (L), 2,976 x 1,976 (M), 1,984 x 1,320 (S)
- 5:4 (30 x 24): 5,056 x 4,032 (L), 3,792 x 3,024 (M), 2,528 x 2,016 (S) |
| File Format | 1) NEF (RAW): 12 or 14 bit, lossless compressed, compressed, or uncompressed
2) TIFF (RGB)
3) JPEG: JPEG-Baseline compliant with fine (approx. 1:4), normal (approx. 1:8), or basic (approx. 1:16) compression ([Size priority]); [Optimal quality] compression available
4) NEF (RAW) + JPEG: Single photograph recorded in both NEF (RAW) and JPEG formats | | Picture Control System | Four setting options: Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome; each option can be adjusted |
| Storage Media | CompactFlash (Type I/II, compliant with UDMA); Microdrives |
| Double Slot | Slot 2 can be used for overflow or backup storage or for separate storage of NEF (RAW) and JPEG images |
| File System | Compliant with DCF 2.0, DPOF, Exif 2.21, and PictBridge |
| Viewfinder |
| Viewfinder | SLR-type with fixed eye-level pentaprism |
| Diopter Adjustment | -3 to +1 m-1 |
| Eyepoint | 18 mm (-1.0 m-1) |
| Focusing Screen | Type B BriteView Clear Matte VI screen |
| Frame Coverage | Approx. 100% (vertical/horizontal) in FX format, approx. 97% (vertical/horizontal) in DX format, approx. 100% (vertical) and approx. 97% (horizontal) in 5:4 |
| Magnification | Approx. 0.7x (50mm f/1.4 lens at infinity; -1.0 m-1) |
| Reflex Mirror | Quick-return type |
| Depth-of-field Preview | When CPU lens is attached, lens aperture can be stopped down to value selected by user (A and M modes) or value selected by camera (P and S modes) |
| Lens Aperture | Instant-return type, with depth-of-field preview button |
| Lens |
| Compatible Lenses*1 | 1) Type G or D AF Nikkor: All functions supported
2) DX AF Nikkor: All functions supported except FX-format (36x24)/5:4 (30x24) image size
3) AF Nikkor other than type G or D*2: All functions supported except 3D Color Matrix Metering II
4) AI-P Nikkor: All functions supported except autofocus and 3D Color Matrix Metering II
5) Non-CPU AI Nikkor: Can be used in exposure modes A and M; electronic rangefinder can be used if maximum aperture is f/5.6 or faster; Color Matrix Metering and aperture value display supported if user provides lens data
*1. IX-Nikkor lenses cannot be used
*2. Excluding AF-Nikkor lenses for F3AF |
| Shutter |
| Type | Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter |
| Speed | 1/8,000 to 30 s in steps of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV; Bulb |
| Flash Sync Speed | X = 1/250 s; flash synchronization at up to 1/250 s |
| Release |
| Release Modes | 1) Single-frame [S] mode
2) Continuous Low-speed [CL] mode
3) Continuous High-speed [CH] mode
4) Live View [LV] mode
5) Self-timer mode
6) Mirror-up [Mup] mode |
| Frame Advance Rate | • DX format (24 x 16): Up to 5 fps (CL) or 5 to 7 fps (CH)
• Other image areas: Up to 5 fps |
| Self-timer | Electronically controlled timer with duration of 2, 5, 10 or 20 s |
| Exposure |
| Metering | TTL full-aperture exposure metering using 1,005-pixel RGB sensor |
| Metering System | 1) 3D Color Matrix Metering II (type G and D lenses); Color Matrix Metering II (other CPU lenses); Color Matrix Metering (non-CPU lenses if user provides lens data)
2) Center-Weighted: Weight of 75% given to 12-mm circle in center of frame, diameter of circle can be changed to 8, 15 or 20 mm, or weighting can be based on average of entire frame (non-CPU lenses use 12-mm circle or average of entire frame)
3) Spot: Meters 4-mm circle (about 1.5% of frame) centered on selected focus point (on center focus point when non-CPU lens is used) |
| Metering Range | 1) 0 to 20 EV (Matrix or Center-Weighted Metering)
2) 2 to 20 EV (Spot Metering) (ISO 100 equivalent, f/1.4 lens, at 20°C/68°F) |
| Exposure Meter Coupling | Combined CPU and AI |
| Exposure Modes | 1) Programmed Auto (P) with flexible program
2) Shutter-Priority Auto (S)
3) Aperture- Priority Auto (A)
4) Manual (M) |
| Exposure Compensation | ±5 EV in increments of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV |
| Exposure Lock | Exposure locked at detected value with AE-L/AF-L button |
| Exposure Bracketing | Exposure and/or flash bracketing (2 to 9 exposures in increments of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1 EV) |
| Sensitivity | ISO 100 to 1600 in steps of 1/3, 1/2, or 1 EV; can be set to approx. 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, or 1 EV (ISO 50 equivalent) below ISO 100, or to approx. 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1, or 2 EV (ISO 6400 equivalent) over ISO 1600 |
| Active D-Lighting | Can be selected from [Auto], [Extra high], [High], [Normal], [Low], or [Off] |
| Focus |
| Autofocus | Nikon Multi-CAM 3500FX autofocus sensor module with TTL phase-detection; 51 focus points (including 15 cross-type sensors); AF fine tuning possible |
| Detection Range | -1 to +19 EV (ISO 100 at 20°C/68°F) |
| Lens Servo | 1) Autofocus: Single-servo AF (S); Continuous-servo AF (C); Focus Tracking automatically activated according to subject status
2) Manual focus (M) with electronic rangefinder |
| Focus Point | Single AF point can be selected from 51 or 11 focus points |
| AF-Area Mode | 1) Single-point AF
2) Dynamic-area AF [number of AF points: 9, 21, 51, 51 (3D-Tracking)]
3) Auto-area AF |
| Focus Lock | Focus can be locked by pressing AE-L/AF-L button or by pressing shutter-release button halfway (Single-point AF in AF-S) |
| Flash |
| Flash Control | 1) TTL flash control with 1,005-pixel RGB sensor; i-TTL balanced fill-flash and standard i-TTL fill-flash available with SB-900, 800, 600 or 400
2) Auto aperture (AA): Available with SB-900, 800 and CPU lens
3) Non-TTL auto (A): Available with SB-900, 800, 28, 27 or 22s
4) Range-priority manual (GN): Available with SB-900, and 800 |
| Flash Sync Modes | 1) Front-curtain sync (normal)
2) Slow sync
3) Rear-curtain sync
4) Red-eye reduction
5) Red-eye reduction with slow sync |
| Flash-ready Indicator | Lights when Speedlight such as SB-900, SB-800, SB-600, SB-400, SB-80DX, SB-28DX, or SB-50DX is fully charged; blinks after flash is fired at full output |
| Accessory Shoe | ISO 518 hot shoe with sync and data contacts, and safety lock |
| Sync Terminal | ISO 519 sync terminal with locking thread |
| Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS) | With Speedlights such as SB-900, SB-800, SB-600, SB-R200, SU-800 (commander only), supports Advanced Wireless Lighting, Auto FP High-Speed Sync, Flash Color Information Communication, modeling flash and FV lock |
| White Balance |
| White Balance | • Auto (TTL white balance with main image sensor and 1,005-pixel RGB sensor);
• Seven manual modes can be preset with fine-tuning; color temperature setting; white balance bracketing: 2 to 9 exposures in increments of 1, 2 or 3 |
| Live View |
| Modes | Handheld mode: TTL phase-detection AF with 51 focus areas (15 cross-type sensors) Tripod mode: Contrast-detect AF on a desired point within a specific area |
| Monitor |
| LCD Monitor | 3-in., approx. 920k-dot (VGA), 170-degree wide-viewing-angle, 100% frame coverage, low-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD with brightness adjustment |
| Playback |
| Playback Function | Full-frame and thumbnail (4 or 9 images) playback with playback zoom, slide show, histogram display, highlight display, auto image rotation, image comment (up to 36 characters), and voice memo input and playback |
| Interface |
| USB | Hi-Speed USB |
| Video Output | NTSC or PAL; simultaneous playback from both the video output and on the LCD monitor available |
| HDMI Output | Type A connector is provided as HDMI output terminal; simultaneous playback from both the HDMI output terminal and on the LCD monitor not available |
| 10-pin Remote Terminal | Can be used to connect optional remote control, GPS Unit GP-1, or GPS device compliant with NMEA 0183 version 2.01 and 3.01 (requires optional GPS Adapter Cord MC-35 and cable with D-sub 9-pin connector) |
| Supported Languages |
| Supported Languages | Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish |
| Power Source |
| Battery | One Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL4a/EL4, Quick Charger MH-22/MH-21 |
| AC Adapter |
AC Adapter EH-6 (optional) |
| Tripod Socket |
| Tripod Socket | 1/4 in. (ISO 1222) |
| Dimensions/Weight |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | Approx. 159.5 x 157 x 87.5 mm/6.3 x 6.2 x 3.4 in. |
| Weight | Approx. 1,220 g/2 lb. 11 oz. without battery, memory card, body cap or accessory shoe cover |
| Operating Environment |
| Temperature | 0-40°C/32-104°F |
| Humidity | Under 85% (no condensation) |
| Supplied accessories |
| Supplied accessories* | Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL4a, Quick Charger MH-22, USB Cable UC-E4, Audio Video Cable EG-D2, Camera Strap AN-D3X, Body Cap BF-1A, Accessory Shoe Cover BS-2, Eyepiece DK-17, Battery Chamber Cover BL-4, USB Cable Clip, Software Suite CD-ROM
*Supplied accessories may differ depending on country or area |
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