D3X

[soydios]

http://imaging.nikon.com/produ...mera/slr/d3x/index.htm

yay new confusing marketing term from Nikon: Total Imaging System. for other examples of confusion, note Nikon's AF-S using SWM motors, CLS using i-TTL, etc.

other than that I don't see anything new. it's a D3 with a 24.5MP, ISO 100-1600 (50-6400 boosted), 5fps FX / 7fps DX, . interestingly there's an entire megapixel of masked-off pixels for noise reduction.

 

[996GT2]

Turns out the D3x has a 14 bit A-D converter, but uses 16 bit internal processing (the NEF files are described as being 14 bit)

On a side note, I've always thought that Nikon's marketing terminology was more confusing than Canon's.

Examples:

IS vs. VR
Ultrasonic (USM) vs. Silent Wave Motor (wtf?)

 

[soydios]

using 16-bit-wide circuits to process 14-bit-data is fairly standard. you get 14 bits of resolution out of your ADCs, and you don't lose any in processing because the extra bits provide overflow to avoid rounding errors (JPEG compression, on the other hand...)

 

[ElFenix]

isn't silent wave motor an olympus trademark?

 

[Heidfirst]

sensor is identical size to A900's.
2 1/2 times the price of an A900 (or 5D MkII) - will be very interesting to see if the output is 2 1/2 times as good

I'm sure that for pros (especially ones already using Nikon) that it will be worth it though as the D3/D3X body has features above those.

 

[996GT2]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
isn't silent wave motor an olympus trademark?

Olympus uses SWD...which is too close anyway

 

[Koing]

Originally posted by: Heidfirst
sensor is identical size to A900's.
2 1/2 times the price of an A900 (or 5D MkII) - will be very interesting to see if the output is 2 1/2 times as good

I'm sure that for pros (especially ones already using Nikon) that it will be worth it though as the D3/D3X body has features above those.

Thats about it mate.

Top end stuff has savage law of dimenishing returns.

5D MkII/A900 will do 90% of the stuff that the D3X can do but the extra 10% if going to cost you 3x as much!

No amateur unless with deep pockets gets a $8k camera. Working Pro's will for the studio.

Koing

 

[Deadtrees]

What a price!!
Anyway, D700x or D800 is in preparation.

 

[soydios]

Eh, if you need the extra features that the D3X provides over the A900 (autofocus, build quality, dual card slots, battery life, smaller size and weight with grip).

 

[GrJohnso]

I'm looking forward to see what Nikon has done with Sony's sensor... It'll be nice to see how it performs matched up with Nikon's Pro level bells and whistles... I don't expect much of an IQ difference if any from Sony's implementatuon, but we'll see...

The price is, well, not cheap... But hey, if this is your job, you work with the best equipment you can to get it done. In this case if you are working in a more controlled environment where resolution is king, here ya go... If you are more of a reporter/sports photographer who needs to get a shot in any conditions, the regular D3 is still your best bet... At least that's my take based on the performance shown by the a900, lower ISO specs and FPS rates of the D3x, and what's known about the D3...

Still, fun times for photography... Plenty of cool gear to play with...

 

[virtuamike]

Originally posted by: Koing

Originally posted by: Heidfirst
sensor is identical size to A900's.
2 1/2 times the price of an A900 (or 5D MkII) - will be very interesting to see if the output is 2 1/2 times as good

I'm sure that for pros (especially ones already using Nikon) that it will be worth it though as the D3/D3X body has features above those.

Thats about it mate.

Top end stuff has savage law of dimenishing returns.

5D MkII/A900 will do 90% of the stuff that the D3X can do but the extra 10% if going to cost you 3x as much!

No amateur unless with deep pockets gets a $8k camera. Working Pro's will for the studio.

Koing

Phew this might be a tough sell. That's approaching the price range for a used MF digital setup. If it were a couple $k cheaper, then I could consider it next year. As it is though, I really don't know.

Oh and I wouldn't be surprised by the amateurs. I've seen some seriously deep pockets.