We've been hearing rumors regarding Nikon's D3X, the successor to the company's famous (and very successful) D3 model, for the past couple of weeks, but it would seem that this "mystery" DSLR has finally become official, Nikon officially announcing its availability just in time for photographers to make themselves a high-end Christmas present.

Although it's been built on the platform of the D3, the D3X offers some pretty serious improvements compared to its predecessor, probably the most important being related to the sensor. Hence, the D3X features a Nikon FX-format CMOS imaging sensor (35.9 x 24.0 mm) with an imaging area equivalent to 35mm film, which is capable of delivering 24.5 effective megapixels and photo resolutions of up to an impressive 6,048 x 4,032 pixels.

The ISO range provided by the D3X varies between ISO 100 and ISO 1600, but it can also be increased by two stops (up to ISO 6400 equivalent) and decreased by one stop (down to ISO 50 equivalent). Furthermore, the device also provides high-speed shooting, namely up to 5 frames per second in FX format (24.5 megapixels) / 5:4 (20.4 megapixels) and up to 7 frames per second in DX format (10.5 megapixels).

The images are processed at a very high speed due to Nikon's new EXPEED digital image processing system, which provides precise color reproduction for a broad spectrum of hues, plus vivid saturation and smooth gradation, as well as noise processing and reduction without interfering with other factors, including hue.

The D3X uses the same Multi-CAM 3500FX autofocus sensor module, originally incorporated in the D3 and provides two different LiveView models, namely Handheld (TTL phase-difference AF using all 51 AF points is activated) and Tripod (focal-plane contrast AF on a desired point within a specific area). It also sports the Active D-Lighting system, which determines an exposure by utilizing a gradation of highlights, detects lost shadows, then reproduces them after digital processing. In this way, the DSLR actually prevents images from looking flat through localized tone control technology, and creates realistic contrast while compensating lost shadows and highlights.

Other noteworthy features include the high-resolution 3-inch LCD monitor with approx. 920k-dots (VGA), 170-inch wide-viewing angle and reinforced glass, plus the fact that the device features two memory card slots, which allows users to choose between Continuous recording, Backup recording, and RAW + JPEG Separation recording (records the same image in RAW and JPEG on different cards).

And now, for one piece of information you've surely been waiting for, namely the pricing and availability. Thus, the Nikon D3X will hit the shelves over the course of December and will sell for an estimate 8,000 US dollars, which, if you do a little research, is the same price point as that of Canon's 1Ds Mark III.