Nikon was interested in the digital photography since 1986, while presenting to Photokina, an operational prototype of SLR-type digital camera (Still Video Camera): Nikon SVC
This camera, whose design lines precede them of Nikon N8008 which will come out two years later, is built around a sensor 2/3 " CCC of 300 000 pixels.
Luminous signals catched by the CCD, are converted in tension whose value is continuous and, to the difference of actual digital cameras are not translated in bytes. These tensions are then recorded on a magnetic floppy disc of 2'' of diameter. This floppy disc allows recording 25 or 50 B&W images, depending of the definition.
The same diskette will be used by the Canon Ion, first digital camera for the mass-market.
It is because there are no conversion tension-bytes that this camera will keep the designation "electronic" or "analogical" and not "digital".
The small size of the sensor brought to the adoption of a specific mounting, the F lenses, which can be gone up using an adapter.
Two lenses were foreseen 6mm/1,6 and 10~40mm/1,4.
floppy disc 2" VF10
Only some specimens of this model seem to be built at ends of evaluation.
Nikon present with this camera, the Nikon Telephoto-Transmitter NT-1000A that is a scanner of slides 24*36 coupled to a transmitter (transmission by line STN).
This Nikon NT1000A of 12 kg allows acquisition and the transmission the news services for the press agencies of photos taken by press reporters. It can be plugged with a microcomputer and to Nikon Monitor Printer NW-100.
The Nikon indicated on his documentation: Nikon expects that its digital camera video as an electronic complex component first dedicated to the illustration and press.
This camera is rather close to that presented to Photokina two years earlier. The sensor is one 2/3 " CCC with a resolution of 380 000 pixels and the recording is always "analogical". The shutter can reach the 1/2000 of second, four modes of exposure are possible, the sensitivity is from 400 to 1600 iso and it can reach 20 frames by second (to the 1/1000).
Three types of image definition are possible. The recording is always in analogical mode (non-digital) on a floppy disk of 2 inches.
Mounting, baptized QV is specific as well as the two zooms: QV Nikkor 11-120mm f/4, that covered the angle of field of a 43-500mm in 24x36 and QV Nikkor 10-40mm f/1.4, equivalent to a 40-150mm and that had a macro position to 10cm. This lens is perhaps the same designed for the first SVC.
The Nikon QV-1000C weighs 1,5 kg with its standard lens.
Two Nikon QV-1000C are in France, the first was offered by NIKON to the Museum of photography at Bièvres, the other is in "Espace Nikon" shop, 88 boulevard Beaumarchais at Paris (2009).
It weighs 1,5 kg with standard lens.
A new ' transmitter' the QV-1010T allows to transmit the images of the floppy disk by a telephone line, or to visualize them on a NTSC television set or to print them.
Kodak was a pioneer in design, manufacturing and sales of digital SLR and has launched since 1991 many models called Kodak Professional DCS.
These cameras are built from CCD sensor designed and manufactured by Kodak on the basis of Nikon camera bodies: first N8008 then N90 and N90x and finally F5.
When Kodak decides to built these new models DCS Professional from a basis of Canon EOS 1, it is time for Nikon to come back on this market
In 2003, Kodak presents a full format 135 SLR camera, abandons the production of these others DCS cameras and replaces its CCD sensor for a CMOS of 14 millions of pixels. The Kodak DCS 14 pro is built from N80 and F100 parts and accepts all Nikon lenses. It completes by the top he offers of Nikon Corp. More information on Kodak DCS camera with Nikon body is in special web page.
In 1994 Nikon comes out Nikon E2.
This camera was developed in collaboration with Fuji, which provided the sensor 2/3 " CCC of 1,3 million pixels. It is the first a professional SLR-type digital camera with being sold under the bar of the 20 000 $. It is entirely compatible, by the use of an internal lenses system, with the system Nikon 24x36 (lenses, additional TTL flashes). It has a matrix measurement with five segments, of a balance of automatic white, storage on PCCard I or II, several modes of exposure and smoothness of images, of a shooting mode (3 frames/sec. during seven consecutive pictures) with the E2s model.
At PMA in February 2000, Fuji presents (alone, without Nikon) the Fuji S1 PRO, built on the basis of Nikon N60. It has a 6,1 Megapixels for pictures of 3040 x 2016 pixels. This CCD has a ratio of 1,5 as compared as135 format.
It uses SmartMedia or Compact Flash cards (including 340 Meg microdrive) and was sold 4,200 € in January 2000.
Two years after, during the PMA 2002, Fuji presents the Fuji S2 PRO, built on the Nikon N80 body. This camera allows all AF-S and AF-D lenses, with or without internal AF motor.
It has a new 6,1 Megapixels CCD (15,5 x 23 mm) which delivers 4.256 X 2.848 pixels pictures. It uses also SmartMedia and CompactFlash cards (including 1 Go IBM microdrive).
Images may be transfer to a PC by Firewire IEEE1394 or USB connection. It is possible to drive the S2 body through the Firewire link.
It was sold 2,500 € in January 2002.
Two years after, during the PMA 2004, Fuji presents the
Fuji S3 PRO, built again on the Nikon F80 but with a rounded design and a vertical grip.
It has a new 4th Generation Super CCD SR sensor that uses 6.17 million S-pixels and 6.17 million
R-pixels (12.3 million effective photodiodes) to deliver 12 million recorded pixels. This camera accepts both xD-Picture Card™ and Compact Flash Type I/II (inc. Microdrive™).
It has a new 2.0" 235,000 pixel LCD monitor and offers both high-speed IEEE1394 and USB 2.0 interfaces.
It was sold 2,300 € in February 2004.
Two years after, at the Photokina 2006, while we are waiting a S4 but Fuji presents the
Fuji Finepix S5 PRO, built on the Nikon D200 body.
The name S4 Pro was not retained by Fuji for reasons of superstition because the figure 4 is bearing misfortune in Asia.
The Fuji Finepix S5 PRO has a SuperCCD SR of 12,34 Millions of pixels distributed in 6.17 million 'S photodiodes' (normal DR)
and 6.17 million 'R photodiodes' (highlight DR) . This camera inherits of D200 characteristics including
possibilities of WiFi connection and adds Face Detection Technology.
The Fuji S5Pro will be available in February 2007 for 2,000 €.
In 2007, Fuji launches, for the US market only, the Fuji Finepix IS Pro. Its camera is based on the S5 Pro with modified CCD filter pack. It is sensitive to Ultraviolet and Infrared light between
380nm and 1000nm and replaces the Fuji FinePix S3 Pro UVIR, SLR. This camera is designed to record non-visible light and is offering for $2599 (nov 2007) for the body only.
It requiresthe addition of a Quartz UV lens for optimum Ultraviolet sensitivity. least - in .
This camera, Nikon D1 was presented in February 99 and is available until end of 2001.
It has a design between the design of F100 and F5.
It is the first camera of a new series of digital professional camera and offers a lighter reply (and best value reply) to professional's demands. The compatibility with the Nikon system is large. It has a 2,74 million pixel CCD.
It was sold 5,200 € in June 1999.
Presented in February 2001 at PMA, The Nikon D1H is a new release of D1, which it replaces. It offers updated consecutive shooting (up to 40 shots at 5fps) as well as faster image processing and data transfer both to CF media and direct to computer (transfer speed by IEEE1394 is now enhanced). It will become the standard for press photographers and professionals for whom speed is absolutely essential. It was sold 4,000 € in February 2001.
Presented on the same show, The Nikon D1X is featuring a new 5.47 megapixel CCD, which keeps the same size as 2,74 -megapixel CCD. It allows photographers to capture ultrahigh-resolution images at recording pixels of 3,008 x 1,960 and 2,000 x 1,312, while also enjoying improved color management capability for super high color fidelity. An improved version of the Nikon Capture software allows the full 16-bit image quality and control either in the studio or when post-processing RAW files. Connection is also direct to computer (transfer speed by IEEE1394 is now enhanced). It was sold 7,500 € in February 2001
Nikon D100
Presented at the PMA 2002, the Nikon D100 is built on the N80 body (like the Fuji S2 Pro, presented in the same time).
With its price of 3000 $ (February 2002) and its possibilities, it is a very attractive product for professionals and experts. Its 6,31 Megapixels CCD delivers 3.008 x 2.000 pixels images that are stored
in RAW, Tiff or jpeg mode on CompactFlash I or II or IBM Microdrives.
It may be connected to a PC by an USB link and is described in the minutes of PMA 2002 News.
Presented in July 2003, the Nikon D2H becomes the new reference for the reporters and actions photographers.
Built around a 4,1 megapixels sensor specially designed and developed by Nikon, the D2H, with its design character from
Giugiaro, offers many innovations. It allows shooting 40 consecutive views at 8 frames/seconds.
It has also a large 11 autofocus areas and optimized digital functions, as the white balance measurement, orientation sensor and the possibility to transmit images immediately with a WiFi (to see image the back above) optional transmitter.
For more information, click on
Available since end of March 2004, The Nikon D70 is the answer of Nikon to the Canon 300D. It has a design close to the D2H and the Nikon D100 CCD for an aggressive price of 1000 € body only.. As its challenger, it can be bought in kit with a zoom Nikkor DX 17~70 mm (equivalent to 28~105 mm in format 135). It was sold 1,350 € in kit in January 2004.
In April 2005, Nikon announces two new DLSR: the Nikon D50 , which is a new entry point DLSR of Nikon.
It has a 6,2 Megapixels CCD, is compact and uses SD card. It was sold 950 € in kit in April 2005.
the Nikon D70s is an evolution of D70 bestseller, a million bodies sold in one year. It has a new battery EN-EL3a,
a 2" LCD instead of 1.8", a built-in flash that covers 18mm and a connector for MC-DC1 remote cord. It was sold 1,200 € in kit in April 2005
Nikon D200
Presented in November 2005 the Nikon D200 is a camera for expert and professional
photographers with its APS-C 10,2 Megapixels CCD. It will replace the Nikon D100 and challenging the Canon EOS 5D.
AI-S lenses can be used with Nikon D200 that has a built-in flash with i-TTL mode wireless, a large 2,5 inch LCD monitor and an 11 area autofocus
with the by the Multi-CAM2000 module.
It is sold for 2000 € (December 2005) or for 3000 € in kit with the zoom AF-S VR 18~200 mm.
Nikon D80
Nikon D40
Nikon D40X
The Nikon D80, presented a month before the Photokina 2006, is a camera for large public and replaces the D70 with a depth-of-field preview button and i-ttl flash wireless control.
It has the same 2,5" TFT LCD and the same APS-C 10,2 Megapixels CCD as Nikon D200 but the SD card, body and 3D color Matrix Metering system are coming directly from D50.
It was sold 1,000 € (September 2006).
The Nikon D40, available end 2006, is a small digital reflex extremely compact, that uses the same 6 millions of pixels CCD than D50 and D70.
If it keeps the matrix exhibition measure and the flash i -ttl, the body don’t have built-in focus engine. That means that the autofocus function is insured
only with Nikon AFS lenses. It uses the SD card, the GUI is provided only through the rear screen of 230.000 pixels, It has a new compact battery (1,000mAh
EN-EL9). The public price is 599 $ for the kit (November 2006) with the new zoom AF-S DX ED 18-55 f/3,5-5,6 G-II. At the end of its commercial life,
it is sold 200 $ for the kit (December 2009).
Nikon presents at PMA 2007 an upgrade of Nikon D40, The new Nikon D40x has a 10,2 megapixel CCDs.
The sensitivity goes until 1600 Iso ("Hi" 3.200 ISO), the synchro-XX to 1/200s and the motor cadence to 3 i/s instead of 2,
it can also record in continue until 100 Jpeg views. Other features are the same as previous model.
The public price is 799 $ for the kit (March 2007).
Nikon D3
Presented in August 2007, the Nikon D3 is dedicated to the professionals.
It is the first numerical reflex camera Nikon with a full format sensor CMOS (FX) of 12,1 million pixels, but authorizing the use of format DX
and also a 5:4 mode (30 X 30 mm). This sensor must deliver an image of very great quality and the progress recorded in term of buffer
and it can shoot at 9 frames per second in FX mode and 11 frames per second in DX mode. This allows Nikon to propose only one general-purpose camera and either versions X or H.
D3 has also a new matrix measurement and a new system AF at 51 points, functions optimization images
D-Lighting and of Scene Recognition System, an HDMI video output, a dual CompactFlash TM compartments (with UDMA support) and an 3.0" 922,000 pixel
LCD monitor with Live View (including contrast detect auto-focus),
the D3 can receive a module WiFi (WT-4) and is compatible with the GPS and the origin of image. It receives the EN-EL4a
battery and its autonomy is better as its predecessor.
It is proposed at the price of 5,000 € (November 2007).
Nikon D300
Presented with the D3, the Nikon D300 is a camera for experts and professionals
with its a CMOS sensor APS-C of 12,3 Megapixels. It replaces the D200, whose its price drops.
Except its sensor, it has the majority of the innovations of Nikon D3 plus a dust-protecting system. It has also a better colors management,
an 3 inches monitor ACL, 2 LiveView modes and an HDMI output. the new image processing processor EXPEED associated with
new system AF Nikon at 51 points allows 6 frames per second and a sensitivity up to 3200 ISO.
It is proposed at the price of 1,900 € (November 2007).
Nikon D60
Presented at the PMA 2008 in February, the Nikon D60 keeps the same body and the same
CCD of the Nikon D40x that it replaces.
This new camera is the next best-seller of Nikon and has the objective to keep the 2007 first place of Nikon on the sales
of DSLR in Japan.
Like the D40x, it has a CCD APS-C of 10,2 Megapixels, the autofocus function is insured only with Nikon AFS lenses and
the same size and weight (471 grams). It uses also a SD card but adds a dust-protecting system, a LiveView mode and the
possibility to create some pictures animation.
The kit with a new lens 18~55mm AFS-G VR with vibration reduction is sold 679 € (March 2008).
Nikon D700
Presented at the beginning of July 2007, the Nikon D700, dedicated to experts and
professionals, has the same structure as D300 with a larger HP viewfinder with 95% coverage (100% for D3 and D300)
useful for the 12.1-megapixel FX-format (23.9 x 36mm) CMOS sensor of D3 associated with EXPEED digital image processing.
Like the D3, it has a 51-point AF with 3D Focus Tracking, a system of measurement 1,005-Pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering II
measurement system, an ISO sensitivity from 200-6400 ISO, with the added versatility from 12.800 to 25,600 ISO in H and
two Live View modes with AF detection of phase on a 3’’ 920,000-dot VGA color monitor.
It has additional functions from D3: an i-TTL built-in pop up flash with distant flashes pilot (the new SB900 for example),
an image sensor cleaning system, indication on the focusing screen by software function, an Virtual Horizon level
indicator in Live View mode but with lower burst rate (5 fps and 8 fps with optional MB-D10 battery pack).
It has only CF card slot.
Announced at 2999 $ (July 2008), The Nikon D700 constitutes a lighter and complete professional camera body than D3.
Nikon D90
Presented before the Photokina 2008, in August, The Nikon D90 is a camera for experts
that replaces the D80 launched two years ago. The D90 has a new 12.9 megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor (effective pixels: 12.3
million), designed by Nikon with Image sensor cleaning (sensor shake). It keeps the same 3.0-inch 920,000 pixel (VGA x
3 colors) TFT-LCD rear screen as Nikon D3 and D300.
This screen allows Live View with contrast-detect AF and a the world's first DSLR movie mode with capture movie at up to
1280 x 720 (720p) 24 fps with mono sound. This is a possibility to have HD camera without AF but with all optical
possibilities of interchangeable lenses (macro, telezoom, fish-eye) with a large sensor. The D90 has an HDMI output.
It uses SDSH card and allows 4.5 frames per second continuous shooting (buffer: 7 RAW, 25 JPEG fine, 100 JPEG Normal).
It is sold 1000 $ body only (September 2008) or in a kit with a new lens 18~1055mm AFS-G VR with vibration reduction for
1200 $ (September 2008).
Nikon D3x
In December 2008, Nikon updates its flagship with a Nikon D3x which keeps same fit,
features and design of D3 but is based on a full format sensor CMOS (FX) of 24,5 million pixels. This sensor is probably
manufactured by SONY (the same as SONY Alpha 900) but in 14 bits.
The D3x can be used in format DX (restricted to 10 million pixels).
It is proposed at the price of 7500 € (January 2009).
Nikon D5000
Nikon D5000 with adjustable rear monitor
The Nikon D5000, launched in May 2009, inherits of D90 characteristics including
12.3-megapixel DX-format CMOS image coupled with Nikon's EXPEED image processing, 11-point autofocus system with 3D focus
tracking in a body camera and viewfinder coming from Nikon D60.
Like the D90, it allows D-Movie mode with sound and records at 720p HD movie clips but without AF.
It has also a double dust-protecting system with effective 4-frequency, ultrasonic sensor cleaning and internal system
(venturi effect), a 2.7-inch Vari-angle adjustable monitor with 230 000 pixels which flips and turns in the center of the camera.
All that is completed with Live View mode with AF contrast and face tracking, 19 scene Modes and filters
including "Soft" filter that can be restrictes to faces,
Like the D60, D5000 used SD-CD card, the autofocus function is insured only with Nikon AFS lenses and buil-in flash can not pilot
external flashes.
It sold at the price of 735 € (May 2009).
Nikon D3000
Nikon D300s
The Nikon D3000, launched in August 2009, is the new entry-level DSLR of Nikon. Ir replaces D60 and
inherits its 10.2 MP DX-format CCD sensor and 3fps continuous shooting rate. It adds a larger, 3.0 inch LCD and the 11-point AF system with 3D tracking.
The Nikon D300s, also launched in August 2009, is evolution of D300. It keeps same characteristics: the 13.1 megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor
(effective pixels: 12.3 million), the 3.0" LCD monitor (920,000 dots), Image sensor cleaning (sensor shake), 51 AF points (with 3D tracking) IS0 200-3200 range (6400 expanded) and
Expeed processor.
The D300S have new functions: a 720p HD video, including autofocus while recording, an SD card slot in addition to existing CF slot, a faster continuous shooting (7fps, vs. 6fps), an
socket for external microphon, a new 'OK' button in multi controller Interactive settings display screen Auto and extra high active D-Lighting options.
At least it has a quiet drive mode and a Virtual horizon display.
Nikon D3s
Launched in Ocober 2009, le Nikon D3s upgrades the D3 with 720p HD video recording and a sensitivity range up to ISO 102,400 for
improved low light performance. Images are captured on a new 36 x 23.9 mm CMOS sensor and buffer size has been increased for 48 RAW frames in one burst.
Futher improvements include a faster contrast detect AF in Live View and in-camera RAW-processing. Body shape, quality and operation are virtually identical to the D3.
It sold at the price of 5200 € (October 2009).
