DailyTech - Nikon Outs its Own D3x D-SLR

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Gadgets Nikon Outs its Own D3x D-SLR
Shane McGlaun (Blog) - November 28, 2008 11:39 AM

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24 comment(s) - last by strikeback03.. on Dec 1 at 8:39 AM

D3x Magazine Page (Source: Engadget)

Details on the Nikon D3x show up in Nikon Pro magazine

Professional photographers and enthusiast using high-end Nikon gear will have a new product soon to put at the top of their wish list. The information comes by way of a leak of sorts on a new Nikon camera that is coming.

Nikon leaked the D3x in its own Nikon Pro Magazine according to Engadget. Important specifications like price and availability are still unknown, but details are now available. The camera will have an FX-format 24.5-megapixel sensor.

In addition to lots of megapixels, the sensor will boast impressive, high-speed burst shooting at five frames per second in full 24.5-megapixel resolution. Drop the resolution down to a mortal 10-megapixels and the D2x can shoot at a blistering seven frames per second.

A few other tweaks compared to the original D3 are offered including an extended ISO range of 50-6400.Most of the functions are the same as the current D3 according to Engadget including the body design, AF, metering, and other main functions.

The sensor measures 35.9mm x 24mm and offers an optical low pass filter. Start-up time is quoted in the magazine at 12ms and shutter lag time is 41ms. The camera sports dual CF slots and can write to the CF cards at 35MB per second. The screen on the rear of the camera is 3-inch wide and offers 922,000 dots for high resolution. Live View is a featured allowing alignment of shots on with the LCD is the viewfinder is not appropriate.

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No video?

By IvanAndreevich on 11/28/2008 1:00:05 PM , Rating: 1

Seriously, why not?

RE: No video?

By Xerio on 11/28/2008 1:23:05 PM , Rating: 3

Dude, it's a still camera, and a pro DSLR at that. Why the heck would you need video on this if you are in this market. Video on a still camera is for point and shooters, not pro DSLRs. Get a video camera for your video.

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RE: No video?

By KnIgHtCoM on 11/28/2008 3:18:50 PM , Rating: 5

Because you can use interchangeable lenses and achieve low light capabilities you normally wouldn't on a video camera. Video on DSLR's are going to change the whole market. I'm still waiting to get my hands on a 5D Mark II and shoot in all its 1080 glory.

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RE: No video?

By Xerio on 11/28/2008 3:40:23 PM , Rating: 1

Video on DSLRs better not become commonplace. If it does, DSLRs will be worse off, not better. If you want your interchangeable lenses and low light capabilities, get a Canon XL H1 series camera or a RED ONE (www.red.com). Granted, you will spend a lot more, but you get what you pay for.

Keep DSLRs still. PLEASE don't add video. It degrades a beautiful thing.

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RE: No video?

By zebrax2 on 11/28/2008 7:40:24 PM , Rating: 5

why would it degrade the DSLRs?

if it doesn't affect the quality of your shots why would you turn down an extra feature

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RE: No video?

By nilepez on 11/30/2008 9:56:38 PM , Rating: 2

People who spend 10 or 20K (possibly more) on a camera are already carrying one or more back up cameras, and if, they really felt the need for video, they could carry an D90....but I don't think they'd generally want that. Even if they were scouting a site for a future shoot, they'd either take photos or they'd just bring a video camera.

I can't think of a pro would use a hammer to put in a screw....and I can't imagine many consumer/prosumers using a camera like this one. Maybe in a few years, when the price drops.

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RE: No video?

By wordsworm on 11/28/2008 9:31:14 PM , Rating: 1

That's right, why lug around 1 camera when you can drag around 2? What a silly notion: take one device that does two things. Translation: kill 2 birds with one stone. Doesn't seem such a bad idea to me. I'm just waiting for the D90 video technology to trickle down to D60, or prices down to $800. Was about to buy a new camera when that thing came out, now I'm waiting.

btw, point and shoot video sucks. The d90 video is pretty good.

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RE: No video?

By howarchaic on 11/29/2008 5:28:38 AM , Rating: 1

Jack of all trades, master of none.

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RE: No video?

By melgross on 11/29/2008 7:25:56 PM , Rating: 3

That's absurd!

It'd now accepted that all pro level D-SLRs will also have video after a while. This camera was likely in development too early to include it, no matter what they may say. Photojournalists have been saying that this is a very helpful feature.

Degrade a beautiful thing? What does that even mean?

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RE: No video?

By Cunthor666 on 11/29/2008 1:37:31 AM , Rating: 2

If you were buying D3x, you would not buy it because it had video. You would get it because you need a) a Nikon camera with very high resolution sensor, b) AF which works c) Pro build/metering/shutter count etc.

Adding video would make the price much higher then it is, and with the world economy where it is, would not make much sense to implement especially as the camera is aimed at non PJ market (where there might be a use from video capture). Basically, this is a camera for serious photographers (not check-sheet hobbyists...) which have a need for large files with best possible low ISO images in a dSLR. Chances are that you've already ordered the D3x if you need its output.

P.S. I haven't met any studio photographers which shoot video professionally. Or photographers for that matter...

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RE: No video?

By kelmon on 11/29/2008 3:59:48 AM , Rating: 2

Simply because the target market (i.e serious professional photographers) aren't interested in the feature. Sure, it's something that the press gets excited about and I can certainly see the point on a lower-end DSLR as amateur/enthusiasts migrate from compacts to DSLR, but I don't see a professional using the feature. By all means add the feature if there is time but it's certainly not important enough on something like this.

In the same way I rather doubt that pro photographers are that bothered about Live View. I want image quality, speed, accuracy and high ISO performance in a package that is easy to handle. Anything after that is a bonus.

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Understand the specs!

By melgross on 11/30/2008 1:06:12 AM , Rating: 1

[quote]A few other tweaks compared to the original D3 are offered including an extended ISO range of 50-6400.[/quote]

I woudn't call this a "tweek". I would call this a serious lowering of the specs.

From Nikon's site, this is the spec for the ISO range for the D3:

[quote]Extreme low-noise ISO range with advanced noise reduction: This enables photographers to confidently select from 200-6400 ISO with an expanded range that includes: Lo-1 (100 ISO), Hi-1 (12,800 ISO) and Hi-2 (25,600 ISO).[/quote]

Apparently, this camera isn't nearly as good in the noise and dynamic range department as the D3, as Hi-2 is 6400..

RE: Understand the specs!

By Fritzr on 11/30/2008 1:40:19 AM , Rating: 2

Spec for D3 gives ISO 200-6400
Spec for D3x gives ISO 50-6400

Hmm low end drops from 200 to 50 ... personally I would say they extended the range, but I guess that extending the lower limit does not count :P

Since this is still basically a D3 I would expect that the lo-1, Hi-1 & Hi-2 are still present. With the new lower limit I would suspect that there is also a lo-2 and possibly a lo-3 setting. Have to wait for Nikon to release real specs for the release version of the D3x to be certain of final feature set though.

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RE: Understand the specs!

By finbarqs on 12/1/2008 1:46:13 AM , Rating: 2

quote:
by Fritzr on November 30, 2008 at 1:40 AM

Spec for D3 gives ISO 200-6400
Spec for D3x gives ISO 50-6400

Hmm low end drops from 200 to 50 ... personally I would say they extended the range, but I guess that extending the lower limit does not count :P

Since this is still basically a D3 I would expect that the lo-1, Hi-1 & Hi-2 are still present. With the new lower limit I would suspect that there is also a lo-2 and possibly a lo-3 setting. Have to wait for Nikon to release real specs for the release version of the D3x to be certain of final feature set though.

the base spec for the D3 is ISO 200-6400. Software can push it to ISO 100-25,600.

the base spec for the D3x is iso 100-1600. Software can push it to ISO 50 (lo) and ISO 6,400 (hi)

As far as dynamic range goes, nobody can conclude what kind of dynamic range this bad boy has! ISO's does NOT affect Dynamic range! Obviously we know that Nikon uses the Sony 24.6 sensor. If anything, that has MORE dyanmic range than the D3! (read the DPreview.com review of the Sony A900 when they compare the dynamic range).

Anyways, with such a high pixel count in such a small sensor, of course sacrifices had to be made! For example, Low light shooting capabilities! The pixel density must be equivalent to an APS-C sensor! (that actually would make sense)

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RE: Understand the specs!

By strikeback03 on 12/1/2008 8:39:36 AM , Rating: 2

Strange you would say ISO does not affect dynamic range if you read the DPR reviews.

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LOL!

By BruceLeet on 11/28/2008 12:23:22 PM , Rating: 3

quote:
Live View is a featured allowing alignment of shots on with the LCD is the viewfinder is not appropriate.

What?

RE: LOL!

By technohermit on 11/28/2008 12:54:40 PM , Rating: 2

Yep, that's right. What the hell DT? Every post it's the same ridiculous hurry up and get it out mentality. Funny, but not in a good way.

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RE: LOL!

By sgtdisturbed47 on 11/28/2008 12:55:36 PM , Rating: 1

IF not appropriate. It's just a typo.

Anyway, I am looking forward to getting a D90. I don't need no fancy super camera, I just want something with enough useful features that it won't bore me, but not too many features that I get overwhelmed. I used to have a D80 and I loved it, and never had any interest in the really high-end gear. At least not yet.

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Seriously?

By FliGuyRyan on 11/29/2008 12:06:37 AM , Rating: 2

This is one of the most heinously-edited articles I’ve ever read. As a photojournalist for the Army, I’m glad to see the author doesn’t work for Uncle Sam or he would be dishonorably discharged for his absent-minded writing and complete and utter lack of editing ability.

Microsoft, as atrocious as Vista can be, has produced a neat little program called “Word” and it would help quite a bit if you use its feature called "spelling & grammar check."

Good Lord…
RC

RE: Seriously?

By kelmon on 11/29/2008 4:02:57 AM , Rating: 2

Having an editor, or at least someone else, read your work might also help. I notice that if I read my own work then I'll quite often miss my own typos or mistakes. Odd.

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