The new digital SLR Nikon

The Nikon D2Hs and D2Xs

 


Nikon has presented 22 July the Nikon D2H, new professional model camera for the reporters and action photographers.

Giorgetto Guigiaro has designed this model "for a new series of digital cameras". The Nikon D2H replaces the D1H by updFating current functions and bringing new possibilities.

The Nikon D2H has as the Canon 1D a sensor of 4,1 megapixels that seems well conformable to current needs of the reporters and action photographers. Among these main characteristics :

  • Possibility to take 40 consecutive views in jpeg to 8 frames/seconds. 60% faster than the D1H,
  • 11 area autofocus with the by the Multi-CAM2000 module covering 75% the image,
  • Shutter lag of 37 ms (against near 80ms for a Nikon F5)

  • Magnesium body lighter and more compact that others, with environmental protection and orientation sensor, new Ion/lithium battery,
  • Viewfinder covering practically 100% of the image, indicating white balance, size and image quality, ISO ...
  • 2,5 inch LCD monitor of 210 0000 pixels.
  • New white balance and color improved management,
  • New flash mode i-TTL, wireless, with the flash Nikon SB-800

At PMA 2005 Nikon upgrades its Nikon D2H in Nikon D2Hs which has now new functions inherited from D2X (rear screen of 235 000 pixels, Wifi g, USB 2 ...) and allows to take 50 consecutive views in jpeg, 40 in RAW, at 8 frames/seconds.


Nikon has presented at Photokina 2004 the Nikon D2X that has the same body that the Nikon D2H but proposes a new CMOS CCD, developed without doubt by Sony and not by Nikon, that allows to take 5 frames by second with the 12,4 millions of effective pixels CCD, perfect for the studio or 8 frames by second with 6,8 millions of effective pixels. In the first mode, the rate/135 is 1,5, in the second 2 that changes a 300mm/2,8 in 600mm/2,8.

The Nikon D2X is a multi-purposes camera for photographers of mode with its 12,4 millions of pixels as well as for sport photographers. Thus it may replace a Nikon D2H.
By report to the Nikon D2H, the D2X possesses some improvements:

  • 3D Matrix measurement type 2
  • 2,5 inch LCD monitor of 235.000 pixels (instead of 210 000) that displays color histogram
  • Autofocus 11 areas
  • New algorithms of image processing to improve colors and contrast and highs and low key lights
  • sYCC profil
  • input GPS data
  • USB 2.0 upgraded
  • Improvement of the user interface
  • Utilisation of WT-2 module.
In June 2006, Nikon upgrades Nikon D2X in Nikon D2Xs, with over 20 incorporated modifications: electronic viewfinder masking system for the 8 fps High Speed Crop mode, a wide angle LCD screen like the D200, an Image Trim function, a Black and White mode and a new EN-EL4a lithium-ion battery enables 3400 shots between charges.

 


Nikon SB800


viewfinder information with AF areas


WT-1 transmitter

Optional WT-1 and WT-2 Wireless Transmitter

It is possible via this remote that is installed under the camera and connected to the USB port to send directly by radio transmission (norm WiFi 802.11b) to a laptop the images taken. The images are written to the card first and transmit after to an FTP server. This last point presents a certain advantage on the terrain and necessitates a sensor and a sharp real time electronic and treatment.

With the D2X, the remote control WT-2 replaces the WT-1. It allows a WiFi connection with the norm 802 11 b/g (11g is five time faster than 11b). Nikon Capture 4.2 allows a wireless control of the camera..

Nikon LBCAST sensor

The resolution of image of 4.1 efficient megapixels of the sensor and its size, 23.1 x 15.5 mm, correspond well to objectives fixed to the D2H camera.

This new exclusive sensor Nikon LBCAST with JFET detector seems to be a typical CMOS technology sensor but with three layers instead of four. This Nikon sensor project may be old because it is the results of efforts of R&D started ten of year ago.

This sensor allows a reduced power consumption and to read 2 channels of data from each pixel at once. It eliminates also the necessity to correct noise before the recording of the image and allows therefore a rapid writing and the utilization of WiFi module for the transmission of these images.

 pierre j.

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Created July 22 2003, Updated June 3, 2006
© Pierre J.