NIKON INTRODUCES D2x DIGITAL CAMERA

by Bob Harrington

On September 16, Nikon announced the 12.4-megapixel D2x digital SLR, the long-awaited follow-on to the D1x.

One of the most significant characteristics of the D2x is the sensor size of 23.7 x 15.7 mm, which means that the D2x will have the same crop factor (about 1.5) as the D1x and Nikon’s other digital SLRs (D100, D2H, etc.). This places the D2x in a different class from the full frame (36 x 24 mm) Canon 1Ds (and it’s just-announced 16.6-megapixel 1Ds Mk II) and Kodak DCS SLR/c digital SLRs.

Since the D2x has about twice the number pixels as its predecessors in the same size, the size of individual pixels is reduced by about a factor of two and the light gathered by each is reduced by the same factor. Since noise is more or less independent of pixel size, the signal-to-noise ratio should be expected to be reduced by the same amount, all other factors being equal. Hence the big question, that will be answered only when tests results become available, is the noise performance of the D2x.

The D2x will be capable of 5 fps for up to 21 JPEG and 15 NEF (raw) images. In addition, it will have a Hi-Speed Crop mode, which produces 6.8-megapixel images with a crop factor of 2, at a speed of 8 fps for 35 JPEG or 26 NEF images, placing it in close competition with the Canon 1D Mk II, which has a speed of 8.5 fps.

New features in the D2x will be options for wireless downloads and a GPS interface. It will use Nikon’s Multi-CAM2000 autofocus system and have many other advanced features in metering, color balance, tonal adjustments and others.

A thorough preview of the D2x can be seen at http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/multi_page.asp?cid=7-6459-7204

Nikon announced that the D2x will be available in January, 2005. The company did not announce the price; speculation is that the street price will be around $5,000.

Comments welcome to Bob at robthrr@cox.net

This article was written for the October 2004 Lens Paper, newsletter of the North County Photographic Society of San Diego