steve digicams review and store

Nikon D300 Hands-on Preview

Preview based on a pre-production Nikon D300

Just under two years since the D200 Nikon reveals the D300, the range of changes is so significant that it wouldn't be inappropriate to call it a 'compact D3' (less the full-frame sensor of course). From the top there's a new CMOS sensor with twelve megapixels, a new auto-focus sensor with 51-points (15 of which are cross-type sensitive), there's focus tracking by color, scene recognition, Picture Control presets, six frames per second continuous shooting (or eight frames per second with a battery pack), Compact Flash UDMA support, Live View (with contrast detect AF) and the mighty impressive 3.0" 922,000 pixel LCD monitor (oh and HDMI video output). It's an impressive list, the D200 was a fair step up from the D100, the D300 can be seen as just as big a step, certainly more than enough to make the competition sweat.

Model line history

Nikon D300 Key Features

12.3 megapixel DX format CMOS sensor	Viewfinder pentaprism
Main board with EXPEED processor	EXPEED processor
51-point Multi-CAM 3500DX AF sensor module	51 AF point locations in frame (approx.)
1005-pixel metering sensor	Shutter

Nikon D300 vs. D200 feature and specification differences

	Nikon D300	Nikon D200
Sensor	• 12.3 million effective pixel CMOS • DX format	• 10.2 million effective pixel CCD • DX format
A/D converter	14-bit	12-bit
Image processor	Nikon EXPEED	Unspecified
Image sizes	• 4288 x 2848 • 3216 x 2136 • 2144 x 1424	• 3872 x 2592 • 2896 x 1944 • 1936 x 1296
RAW files	NEF / Compressed NEF 14-bit	NEF 12-bit
TIFF files	Yes	No
Dust reduction	Self-cleaning sensor unit	No
Auto focus	• 51-point Multi-CAM 3500DX • 15 cross-type sensors • Contrast detect in Live View mode	• 11-point Multi-CAM 1000
Focus tracking by color	Yes	No
AF area mode	• Single point AF • Dynamic Area AF [9 points, 21 points, 51 points, 51 points (3D-tracking)] • Automatic-area AF	• Single Area AF • Dynamic AF with Focus Tracking and Lock-on • Group Dynamic AF • Closest Subject Priority Dynamic AF
Sensitivity	• Default: ISO 200 - 3200 • Boost: ISO 100 - 6400 • 1/3, 1/2 or 1.0 EV steps	• Default: ISO 100 - 1600 • Boost: Up to ISO 3200 • 1/3, 1/2 or 1.0 EV steps
Continuous shooting	• With built-in battery: up to 6 fps • With AC adapter or MB-D10 pack and batteries other than EN-EL3e: up to 8 fps	5 fps
Image Parameters	• Picture Control (4 presets) • Sharpening • Contrast • Brightness • Saturation • Hue	• Presets (6 presets) • Sharpening • Tone • Color mode • Saturation • Hue
Active D-Lighting	Yes (also adjusts exposure)	No
Viewfinder	100% frame coverage	95% frame coverage
LCD monitor	• 3.0 " TFT LCD • 922,000 pixels	• 2.5 " TFT LCD • 230,000 pixels
LCD Live View	• Handheld mode (phase detect AF) • Tripod mode (contrast detect AF)	No
Compact Flash	Type I / II (UDMA support)	Type I / II
Vertical grip	MB-D10	MB-D200
Video output	HDMI (HD)	Composite (SD)
Menu languages	14	13
Dimensions	147 x 114 x 74 mm (5.8 x 4.5 x 2.9 in)	147 x 113 x 74 mm (5.8 x 4.4 x 2.9 in)
Weight (no batt)	825 g (1.82 lb)	830 g (1.8 lb)

edit @ 13 Dec 2007 02:47:19 by steven

edit @ 13 Dec 2007 03:09:27 by steven

edit @ 13 Dec 2007 03:25:01 by steven

Nikon D3 Hands-on Preview

Preview based on a pre-production Nikon D3

The professional Nikon D 'single digit' series of digital SLR's started life back in June 1999 with the groundbreaking D1. Groundbreaking because it was the digital SLR which broke Kodak's stranglehold on the digital SLR market and fundamentally brought prices down to a level which most professionals could afford (around the US$5,500 mark). Since then we have seen a steady progression of this line of cameras, while the core values of a high quality full size body with integrated grip have remained the line split into two halves, one targeted at high resolution photography the other high speed sports type photography (lower resolution but faster continuous shooting); the X and H suffixes. It's been almost three years since Nikon introduced a completely new digital SLR with a new sensor (the D2X) and there has been much anticipation that Nikon's next move would be a full-frame chip.

This predictions have come true with the introduction of the 'FX format' (new moniker created by Nikon) D3 which features a 36 x 23.9 mm 12.1 megapixel CMOS sensor as well as a vast array of new features which absolutely raise it another notch above previous single digit Nikon DSLRs. Important headline improvements include high sensitivity support by default, up to ISO 6400 with 25600 available as a boost option, 14-bit A/D conversion, a new standard image processor, a new shutter, new auto focus sensor, focus tracking by color, nine frames per second continuous, dual compact flash support, DX lens support (albeit at lower resolution) and a 3.0" 922,000 pixel LCD monitor (which it has to be said is lovely).

Some will undoubtedly question Nikon for 'only' delivering twelve megapixels on their first full frame digital SLR, all we can presume by looking at past model line history is that this camera is designed for speed (both in sensitivity, auto-focus and continuous shooting).

Model line history

*1 Also 8 fps in cropped mode (6.7 MP)
*2 Up to 11 fps with DX format (5.1 MP)

Nikon D3 Key Features

• First ever Nikon DSLR with a Full-Frame (36 x 24 mm) sensor (coined FX format)
• 12.1 megapixel full-frame sensor (8.45µm pixel pitch)
• ISO 200 - 6400 (with boost up to ISO 25600)
• Also supports DX lenses, viewfinder automatically masks (5.1 megapixels with DX lens)
• 5:4 ratio crop mode (10 megapixels, up to 9 fps, viewfinder masked)
• 14-bit A/D conversion, 12 channel readout
• Nikon EXPEED image processor (Capture NX processing and NR algorithms, lower power)
• Super fast operation (power-up 12 ms, shutter lag 41 ms, black-out 74 ms)
• New Kevlar / carbon fibre composite shutter with 300,000 exposure durability
• New Multi-CAM3500FX Auto Focus sensor (51-point, 15 cross-type, more vertical coverage)
• Auto-focus tracking by color (using information from 1005-pixel AE sensor)
• Auto-focus calibration (fine-tuning) now available (fixed body or up to 20 separate lens settings)
• Scene Recognition System (uses AE sensor, AF sensor)
• Picture Control image parameter presets (replace Color Modes I, II and III)
• Custom image parameters now support brightness as well as contrast
• Nine frames per second continuous with auto-focus tracking
• Eleven frames per second continuous without auto-focus tracking
• Ten / eleven frames per second continuous in DX-crop mode (AF / no-AF)
• Dual Compact Flash card slots (overflow, back-up, RAW on 1 / JPEG on 2, copy)
• Compact Flash UDMA support
• 3.0" 922,000 pixel LCD monitor
• Live View with either phase detect (mirror up/down) or contrast detect Auto Focus
• Virtual horizon indicates if camera is level (like an aircraft cockpit display)
• HDMI HD video output
• 'Active D-Lighting' (adjusts metering as well as applying D-Lighting curve)
• Detailed 'Control Panel' type display on LCD monitor, changes color in darkness
• Buttons sealed against moisture
• Dual battery charger as standard
• Available November 2007

Technology under the skin

FX format sensor (Nikon design)	Sensor mounted on its module
Main board with EXPEED processor	EXPEED processor
51-point Multi-CAM 3500FX AF sensor unit	Viewfinder pentaprism
1005-pixel metering sensor	Shutter

edit @ 13 Dec 2007 03:26:08 by steven

edit @ 13 Dec 2007 03:26:46 by steven

Nikon Coolpix P5100 Review, November 2007

Based on a production Nikon Coolpix P5000 Firmware version 1.0

Announced just six months after the launch of the P5000, the Nikon P5100 is a gentle re-working of the existing model with a slightly larger, more pixel-dense sensor and hardware-based face-detection. Beyond that, the changes are predominantly cosmetic alterations to the existing model. The camera is Nikon's flagship compact camera, with the 'P' denoting 'performance.' Although it may not visually leap out from a line-up of contemporary compacts, its magnesium alloy body and manual exposure controls belie the unassuming appearance. It aims to offer a greater degree of manual control than the majority of compact cameras and has a strong feature set to help it stand apart. We were actually very impressed with the P5000's image quality and feature set, and only really complained about the sluggish performance. So has Nikon fixed the P5000's Achilles' heel in this update? Lets find out!

Differences compared with P5000

• Faster, hardware-based face-detection, allowing more faces to be identified
• Expeed processing 'concept'
• Continuous flash shooting mode (3 consecutive frames at ~1fps)
• Distortion control to counteract lens distortion
• Improved user interface
• Marginally larger sensor making the lens slightly wider-angle (35mm vs 36mm)
• Fractionally shorter battery life (240, rather than 250 shots, CIPA standard)
• 1:1 aspect ratio shooting mode
• Can add black borders to images

Unlike the names applied to image processors by many of Nikon's rivals, Expeed doesn't specifically refer to any particular technology or set of features. Rather, it is a "digital image-processing concept," so shouldn't be taken to imply any kinship to the D3 and D300 DSLR models that share the name, beyond the the use of similar Nikon algorithms and know how.

Key features

• 12 megapixel 1/1.8-inch CCD
• 3.5x Zoom-Nikkor lens
• Lens shift VR (Vibration Reduction)
• ISO 64-1600 (3200 in 5MP mode)
• BSS (Best Shot Selector) identifies and saves the sharpest image automatically from ten sequential shots
• P/A/S/M modes plus 16 scene modes
• Compatibility with system-expanding accessories
• Macro shooting enables shooting from as close as 4cm (1.6 in.)
• SDHC card compatibility
• Approx. 52 MB of internal memory
• Face-priority AF, In-Camera Red-Eye Fix, D-Lighting
• 2.5-in wide viewing angle TFT LCD with anti-reflection coating

Nikon Coolpix P5100 specifications

http://astore.amazon.com/steve-digicam-review-and-store-20

edit @ 12 Dec 2007 16:55:13 by steven