Craig August 29th, 2007
Rounding out the major announcements from the big two manufacturers is Nikon’s D300 which features a 12 megapixel CMOS sensor, 14-bit A/D conversion, EXPEED image processor, sensitivity up to ISO 6400 (with boost), the new CAM3500DX AF sensor (51 point), HDMI video output, UDMA CF support and a 3.0″ 922,000 pixel LCD monitor with Live View. No ordinary Live View either as this one supports Auto Focus in two ways; using the current ‘normal’ mirror-drop / mirror-raise but also contrast detect in the same way as a compact camera (although slower). The D300 will be available in November, at around US$1800.
Continue Reading »
Craig August 26th, 2007
Nikon have announced the new D3, their first full frame DSLR.
- A Nikon-original 12.1-megapixel FX-format (23.9 x 36mm) CMOS sensor, in concert with Nikon’s exclusive Expeed digital image processing technologies, delivers breathtakingly rich image quality and greater handling speed, while also reducing noise to unprecedented levels, even high ISOs.
- Continuous shooting at up to 9 frames-per-second at full FX resolution eliminates the image quality issues that face so many low-light sports shooters.
- The 3.0-inch Super Density 920,000-dot VGA Color Monitor with 170-degree wide-angle viewing makes possible even more critical image review.
- Nikon’s exclusive Scene Recognition System, with an enhanced 1,005-pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering II, provides even more intelligent light metering capabilities, along with smarter white balance detection and faster and more accurate AF performance.
- Nikon’s self-diagnostic shutter system, tested to 300,000 cycles, is a clear indicator of advanced engineering and durable construction.
- 2 LiveView Shooting Modes are just one of the D3’s features that support unmatched versatility.
- Available November 2007
Continue Reading »
Craig August 7th, 2007
Wanderlust, the UK’s leading adventure/travel magazine, is teaming up with Nikon and the South Australian Tourist Commission to present the UK’s longest-running annual travel photography competition. Four winners from the Amateur category will win a trip to South Australia, while the winner of the new Portfolio category receives £5,000 cash.
∞
Nikon UK Press Release
Nikon teams up with Wanderlust
Continue Reading »
Craig March 6th, 2007
Nikon D40x Less than four months after the release of the Nikon D40, Nikon have announced an upgrade in time for PMA. The D40x is mostly the same as the D40 but with three major differences. The pixel count has been upped, from 6.1MP on the D40 to 10.2MP on the D40x. A lower base sensitivity of ISO100 (ISO200 on the D40) and faster continuous shooting at 3 frames per second (2.5fps for the D40). They also claim an improved Image Processing Engine and longer battery life. The key specifications/features are :
- 10 megapixel DX format CCD (1.5x FOV crop)
- Nikon Image processing engine (as D80 / D200)
- 3D Color Matrix Metering II, 420 pixel sensor (as D80 / D50)
- New Multi-CAM530 three area AF sensor
- ISO sensitivity range 100 - 1600 plus HI 1 (3200 equiv.)
- 3.0 fps continuous shooting, unlimited in JPEG
- No status LCD, new LCD monitor based status / settings screens
- Help suggestions on LCD monitor (eg. scene too dark, try using flash)
- Large 2.5″ 230,000 pixel LCD monitor
- Bigger viewfinder view (x0.8 magnification, 95% coverage)
- Short shutter lag and viewfinder blackout
- Support for SDHC (SD cards over 2 GB in capacity)
- In-camera retouching
- D-Lighting (shadow / highlight enhancement)
- Red-eye reduction
- Trimming
- Monochrome
- Filter effects
- Small picture
- Image overlay
- USB 2.0 with PTP and Mass Storage device support
- Very compact, light body (smaller, lighter than D50)
- Improved menu user interface (as D80 / D200)
- New EN-EL9 Lithium-Ion battery (7.2V, 1000 mAh)
Set for a global launch on March 22nd, the Nikon D40x is priced at $799 with the 18-55mm kit lens.
Nikon AF-S DX VR 55-200 mm lens Along with the D40x announcement, an updated version of the AF-S DX 55-200 mm lens was announced, the AF-S DX VR 55-200 mm F4.0-F5.6G IF-ED. Designed specifically for Nikons DX Format DSLRs (D80,D40, D40x), it features Nikon’s VR (vibration reduction) system for image stabilisation and sports a Silent ave motor for fast, accurate autofocusing. When used on a 1.5 crop body such as the D40x, the 55-200mm lens gives an equivalent field of view of 82.5-300mm.
