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Nikon Makes Full-Frame Debut with the D3A truly revolutionary concept |
By Tudor Raiciu, Technology and Science Editor
23rd of August 2007, 07:54 GMT
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This is probably the first time when almost all of the rumors circulating prior to the release of major cameras proved to be true. Yes, you heard that right, the rumor-based article published yesterday on Softpedia could have very well been the real announcement. I had a hard time believing that all of yesterday's rumors are present in Nikon's today press releases on the D3 and D300.
Let's start with the professional D3, which is Nikon's first digital 35mm full-frame camera and a dream come true for many users. The camera boasts a new CMOS sensor, with a new FX format, measuring 23.9 x 36mm and having 12.1 megapixels. Compared to the EOS 1Ds Mark III's whopping 21MP resolution this might seem a joke, but few photographers actually need the 21 megapixels and, what's more, the 12.1 megapixels on a 35 full-frame sensor means a higher pixel pitch (which has a crucial impact on dynamic range and signal to noise ratio) of 8.45µm. Canon's recently announced 1Ds Mark III has a pixel pitch of 7.2 µm.
The FX sensor also has the aforementioned DX mode, which allows Nikon photographers to use DX lenses, albeit only at 5.14 megapixels. However, the D3 has an additional mode, called 5:4, which uses 30 x 24mm of the sensor and is aimed at portrait photographers. The 5:4 mode produces 10 megapixel images.
This high pixel pitch allows the D3 to reach unbelievable ISO values. The press release informs that future owners of the D3 will be able to go natively between ISO 200 and 6400, with extended modes for ISO 100 and up to ISO 25,600 (that's twenty five thousand six hundred). Probably the only snag in this department is the extended mode ISO
100. Canon's EOS 5D has an extended mode for ISO 50, but you lose some of the dynamic range. It remains to be seen whether the D3 suffers from the same problem.
Aside from the ludicrous ISO range, Nikon also claims a dynamic range 300% higher, but thorough tests are needed to prove this.
Nikon also introduced a new imaging processor, the Expeed, which uses 14-bit A/D conversion and 16-bit image processing to support these performances.
In terms of autofocus and speed, Nikon's engineers have completely redesigned the system and the stated performances are mind-boggling. When used at full-resolution (12.1 megapixels) or in the 5:4 mode the D3 will go up to 9 frames per second for up to 64 consecutive frames in JPEG, Normal compression. For NEF (RAW) files, the D3 can shoot up to 20 or up to 17 consecutive frames depending on whether it is set to 12-bit or 14-bit images.
When used in the DX mode, the camera will reach 11 frames per second, but with some restrictions.
One of the biggest surprises is the autofocus module, which now has 51 points, 15 of these being cross-type and 36 being horizontal. These sensors can either be used individually or in groups, with the option for Single Area AF mode and Dynamic AF modes using groups of either 9, 21 or all 51 focus points. The system also features 3D Focus Tracking with automatic focus point switching that takes advantage of all 51 AF points as it uses color and light information to accurately track the subject.
Surprisingly, Nikon also introduced a LiveView feature, which is slightly different from the Canon version. "The D3's LiveView feature offers two modes for confirming subjects and composition on the new 920,000-dot, high-resolution 3-inch LCD monitor while shooting. The Tripod mode is designed for precise focus and accuracy when the camera is on a stable platform and the subject is not moving. In this mode, the camera focuses on the subject using focal-plane contrast and any point on the LCD screen can be selected as the focus point for the picture. The second mode, called Handheld mode, allows photographers to use the camera's conventional TTL focusing system, with all 51-points and 15 cross-type points available. When using this mode, the camera activates focusing immediately when the shutter button is pressed, to ensure accurate focus," the press release informs. Rob Galbraith has more details on this feature.
In terms of storage, the D3 features two CompactFlash that can be used for consecutive recording (overflow), simultaneous recording (backup), separating recording of RAW and JPEG files or even copying pictures between the two cards.
The exterior of the D3 is crafted of magnesium alloy and the camera's shutter mechanism is tested to 300,000-cycle releases. The 3.0-inch LCD is strengthened with tempered glass and the D3's comprehensive array of rubber gaskets and seals protect vulnerable entry points from dust and moisture.
With a price tag of $5,000, the new D3 really puts Nikon back on track in the race against Canon's professional 1Ds Mark III and 1D Mark III. Of course, complete reviews will tell if the D3 actually achieves better performances but the specs are quite impressive. Availability is slated for November 2007.
We are just a few, but there are many of you, Softpedia users, out there. That's why we thought it would be a good idea to create an email address for you to help us a little in finding gadgets we missed. Interesting links are bound to be posted with recognition going mainly to those who submit. The address is  .
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