D2X

D2X

12.4 Effective Megapixels: High Resolution 12.4 Effective Megapixel CMOS DX Sensor with fast 4-channel output for 4,288 x 2,848-pixel images.   

  

Compatible Lenses: AF Nikkor (including AF-S, DX, VR and D-/G-type): All functions possible; D-type Manual-Focus Nikkor: All functions except autofocus and some exposure modes available; AF Nikkor other than D-/G-type: All functions except 3D Color Matrix Metering II and 3D Multi-Sensor Balanced Fill-Flash possible; AI-P Nikkor: All functions except 3D Color Matrix Metering II, 3D Multi-Sensor Balanced Fill-Flash and AF possible; Non-CPU AI Nikkor: Usable in [A] or [M] mode with Matrix-Metering, Center-Weighted and Spot metering available. Indication of aperture number after user inputs the aperture f/stop and focal length f=mm by multi-selector operation. Electronic Rangefinder usable with maximum aperture of f/5.6 or faster.  

  

Exposure Control: Programmed Auto with Flexible Program [P], Shutter-Priority Auto [S], Aperture-Priority Auto [A], Manual [M]; Exposure compensated in ?5.0 EV range in 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV steps; Auto Exposure bracketing; Number of shots: 2 to 9 frames Compensation steps: 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, or 1 EV steps; Continuous shooting mode: Provides an amazing 5 frames per second continuous shooting at full resolution, for 21 JPEG or 15 NEF images. Wireless: WT-2A Wi-Fi transmitter (optional) Wireless connectivity using 802.11g technology is possible through this accessory with full remote camera control using new Nikon Capture 4.2 software for unparalleled creative remote and unattended photography; Top shutter speed: 1/8,000 sec.  

  

Improved 3D Color Matrix Metering II with more refined exposure evaluation algorithms and larger database for difficult-to-meter scenes. TTL full-aperture exposure metering system: 1) D-/G-type Nikkor lenses support 3D-Color Matrix Metering II using the 1,005-pixel RGB sensor while other AF Nikkor lenses with built-in CPUs support Matrix Metering (Non-CPU lenses require manual input of lens data); 2) Center-Weighted Metering (75% of the meter's sensitivity concentrated on the 8mm dia. circle) given to 6,10 or 13mm dia. circle in center of frame, or weighting based on average of entire frame; 3) Spot Metering (3mm dia. circle, approx. 2% of entire frame); Metering position can be linked to the focus area when using Nikkor lenses with built-in CPU.  

  

Autofocus: Multi-CAM 2000 Autofocus system provides 11-area autofocus system with group dynamic AF, close-subject priority dynamic AF, close subject in a group priority dynamic AF and Lock-On(TM) for various methods of following the fastest action.  

  

Flash: Nikon Creative Lighting System support for Nikon Speedlights SB-800, SB-600 for full i-TTL flash control with Nikon Advanced Wireless Lighting, color control, FP High-Speed Sync, Modeling flash and more!   

  

In the Box -- Supplied Accessories: Type-B Focusing Screen, Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL4, Quick Charger MH-21, Body Cap, Camera Strap AN-D2X, Audio Video Cable EG-D2, USB Cable UC-E4, LCD Monitor Cover BM-3, Battery Chamber Cover BL-1, PictureProject software CD-ROM; Supplied accessories may differ by country or region. 

Content and images originally posted by Andy Bright

Reviews

Andy Bright's review

Although 12.8mp sounds a guarantee to great images, that is only a part of what the camera is about. In truth, for most purposes you will never see much difference between 6mp and 12mp, though it does allow you to crop substantially and still have an image capable of a good print or publication at a sensible size (which is mighty handy in the bird photography world)

The Nikon D2x, unlike the big Canons, still uses the same sensor size as previous Nikons, so it does give this 12.8mp + the 1.5x crop factor that occurs when you attach a 35mm based lens.... great for telephoto photography, but not good news for landscape guys.

I have never owned a pro body camera before (even my Nikon F100 was not that calibre), the obvious difference is that they weigh a lot and are built to stand up to the rigours of hard daily use... as well as being sealed well enough to withstand the elements.

AF speed is suitably faster than with most cameras, as well as almost non-existant shutter-lag and the camera ready to take a photo almost the instant you switch it on. Responsiveness is the keyword here, it is desirable in the world of amateur photography... but absolutely essential in most areas of professional photography. Frame rates of 8fps may seem over the top but the duration of a spectacular scene is often short, so it is vital to cover your bases with as many shots as possible... it could be the difference between a �50 shot and something that will help secure your financial security for life.

All of this equally applies to Canon pro bodied dslr cameras, I am just highlighting what pro dslr cameras are about.... it is not all about megapixels.

One thing that is amazing is the battery the d2x comes with, at 67% after two days of shooting and playing around (yep, you can check battery life to the % point)... god knows why i purchased a spare.

Images taken with this camera can be seen here http://www.digiscoped.com/Dslrphotography.html

Pros

• Speed in every aspect
• Resolution
• Build quality
• Monitor
• Battery life

Cons

• noise at iso800 could be better
• as could mirror/shutter noise

checklg's review

This was a slightly unintentional purchase as I was initially enquiring about a �D100 successor�. However, as the D200 was not on the horizon and the specifications seemed unsettled I decided to check out the D2X, planning to discount it as too expensive. I�ll stick with the D100 for now I thought�.

The trouble was that the more I looked at the D2X, the more I liked it.

First of all the overall build is more robust than anything I�ve handled since the F5, way more so than the D100. While I�m not planning to chuck the D2X about I�m no longer so worried about little things like changing lenses and bending the aperture control leaver. It is more bulky than its predecessor, but that bulk is made up of a set of camera controls that can be used when the camera is held in portrait mode and a fairly unstoppable battery.

In terms of features the little annoyances like the compact flash slot access, which could be flicked open so easily on the D100, now comes with a separate locking catch. Also, the ISO, Quality and White Balance controls are no longer mixed up with the exposure mode dial, and have their own control buttons positioned beneath the large LCD screen that provides menu access and image review. All in all anyone who has used a D100 should have no problem navigating the basic D2X functions.

So far I�ve been using my D2X for close-up photography, making a great deal of use of the mirror lock-up facility and the MC-30 remote release. This leads me to my only D2X design criticism to date, the remote release socket. This is normally covered by a small plastic screw-in plug which threatens to get lost very quickly. Also, while I could attach the old style shutter release cable to my D100 while wearing woollen mitts (Scottish winters), I don�t think I can do that with the D2X. Cold finger time coming up! Mind you the MC-30 has no sliding mechanical bits so the resulting shutter action is very smooth.

The D2X takes a variety of Compact Flash cards, and after a deal of thought I decided to buy a 2GB card for this camera. As the image size is about twice that of a D100 RAW file an upgrade was inevitable, and I eventually decided to go for 2GB as I can easily take a 100 shots on a good day out with seabirds. The card I ended up going for was the Sandisk Extreme III. OK, with a name like that it should either fly, be an ice-axe or possibly a safety razor, but it is very fast indeed when it comes to saving and previewing images. Highly recommended, and I think the capacity and speed will be very useful for bird-flight photos.

In terms of camera set-up my critical camera settings are:

Image Quality - RAW RAW compression - OFF Long exposure noise reduction - ON High ISO noise reduction - OFF ISO - 100 Image sharpening - None Tone compensation � Automatic Colour space � Adobe Colour mode � II Self timer � 5 seconds Monitor off � 1 minute Exposure delay mode � ON File number sequence - ON.

As mentioned above I�ve been doing some close-up work since the new purchase. The results seem much sharper than what I was able to get with the D100, which didn�t have a mirror lock, only a shutter delay, and as a result I�m now using Bicubic instead of Bicubic Sharper for resizing images in Photoshop CS. Bear in mind that�s with NO in-camera sharpening. I�ve also avoided the cost of a CS2 upgrade by using the Nikon View 6.2.5 RAW plug-in instead, and from my Pre-set White Balance tests I know I�m not getting any colour casts in conversion as a result. This approach also avoids the thorny issue of D2X White Balance encryption�.

Post processing in Photoshop CS now tends to be limited to:

A little exposure compensation at the point of RAW file conversion, +0.4 EV seeming to be spot on when I�m starting from a Matrix metered exposure.

Conversion from the Nikon Adobe profile to the Adobe 1998 Colour Profile. Photoshop seems to force a conversion when I�m doing LAB sharpening so I may as well get it over with.

An examination of black point and white point in Levels. I�ve been finding that the D2X images need very little adjustment, if any, at this stage.

In terms of Colour Saturation I find that the Adobe Colour space with Colour mode II produces pleasant colours that benefit from an up to +8 Saturation adjustment in Photoshop. Colour mode III reproduces the nice autumnal tones of trees but I personally find it a bit strong for wildlife.

Re-size for Internet, printing etc. Starting out with 4,288 x 2,848 pixels also has the comfort factor of being able to do some cropping and still print at up to A4 if required. Also, arguably, any resizing algorithm has more data to work on when it starts out with more pixels, so I can crop down to 3,000 x 2,000 pixels if needed and then still resize with some confidence. Also, the pixel density of the D2X is worth noting, i.e. 4,288 x 2,848 pixels on a sensor 23.7 x 15.7mm in size. Nikon have stayed with a 135 size sensor, but the pixel density should now theoretically match that of a 100 ISO film Nikon have stayed with a 135 size sensor, but the pixel density should now theoretically match that of a 100 ISO film i.e. about 45 line pairs per millimetre.

Anyway, theory aside the images do seem sharp. For a couple of recent photos have a look at:

http://www.pbase.com/grahamcheckley/image/51157360

http://www.pbase.com/grahamcheckley/image/51157299

Regards, Graham.

Pros

• Image quality
• build quality
• handling

Cons

• Fitting the remote release may be fiddly on a cold day (quible)

DaleKeith's review

I have shot about 5,000 shots with the D2X. I really like the camera. As a casual user, not in the photo business, the quality is first class. I have not had any problems to date. I would like to see a larger sensor on the next version - perhaps a 15 megapixel. As a casual user I can only say, if you are able to save the funds for this camera and you are, of course, a nikon user, the purchase of the D2X will bring you great satisfaction.

Pros

• Great feel and features
• great focus
• fast preview
• great battery

Cons

• Price
• Must read the manual