A little fun to look back in time....... Original press release for the Nikon D2X

September 16, 2004

Nikon D2X — The high-end professional digital SLR camera delivers 12.4 effective megapixels for high-precision, high-speed performance.

Tokyo — Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce the introduction of a professional digital SLR camera that delivers high-precision, high-speed performance with a Nikon DX-format image sensor: the Nikon D2X.

The launch of the D1 series in 1999 began with the D1 digital SLR camera, followed by the D1X, a professional model with increased pixel-count and then D1H, offering high-speed shooting. In 2003, Nikon released the D2H with innovative functions and operations, as well as a new lightweight and easy-to-handle body. Since that time, there has been a demand for a digital SLR camera that provides the high performance of the D2H with an even higher pixel-count.

Since the launch of the D1 in 1999, all Nikon digital SLR cameras, from consumer-class to professional models, have utilized Nikon DX-format image sensors of the same size. Following in the footsteps of the D2H, the D2X provides the same performance and design innovations combined with a Nikon DX-format image sensor that delivers a higher pixel-count. Improved image quality made possible by the higher pixel-count of the D2X is achieved by incorporating a new CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor with an effective pixel-count of 12.4 megapixels.
Added to this, shooting speed in continuous shooting mode has been increased by using a 4-channel output method with the improvement of the speed of transferring image data from the image sensor to a memory card. This improvement allows the D2X to capture 12.4 megapixel JPEG images or RAW image at a rate of 5 frames per second in continuous shooting mode.
Continuous shooting at a rate of up to 8 frames per second is possible by using a High-Speed Crop function that crops the center of an image at 6.8 megapixel resolution.
In addition to the new dual-area image sensor, all image-processing functions have been either newly developed or refined. Tone characteristics have been improved with both analog and digital processing for optimum color distribution. Moreover, the enhanced accuracy of digital processing in the ASIC provides smoother shading in gradual color changes, important for subjects, like a blue sky with very subtle tone changes within the blue range.
The D2X also supports the sYCC color profile found in many of the latest printers. This means that the wider range of colors can be reproduced for printing JPEG data than the conventional color profile. Professional photographers will also appreciate the ability to select Adobe RGB in any of the three color modes. With its broader range of colors, the Adobe RGB profile is ideal for every stage of the professional photographer’s workflow and compliments the Nikon Electronic Format file.
The combination of image-processing technologies and 3D-Color Matrix Metering II improved with new algorithms found in the D2X makes it possible to capture beautiful 12.4-megapixel images that will fulfill photographers’ needs for larger files that are rich in detail, color and smooth tone range.
Functions such as the R (red), G (green) and B (blue) channel-specific histogram display, the World Time function and the ability to create multiple exposures composed of 2-10 images are just a few examples of the manageability and convenience provided with the D2X. Of course, those capabilities inherited from its predecessor, the D2H, remain instant, including excellent high-speed shooting performance, rapid start-up, a release time lag of just 37ms, and the 11-area autofocus system, all of which enable the user to concentrate on shooting without being distracted by time-consuming process of obtaining the most suitable settings for the best possible result.
As part of Nikon’s Total Imaging System, the D2X is compatible with Nikon’s digital-exclusive DX Nikkor lenses as well as Nikon’s 35mm/digital compatible AF Nikkor System. When used with the SB-800 or SB-600 Speedlights, the D2X also maximizes the potential of Nikon’s Creative Lighting System with high precision flash performance including i-TTL flash control and support for Nikon’s Advanced Wireless Lighting system.
Nikon’s Wireless Transmitter WT-1 opened new roads in digital SLR photography by making it possible to transmit images directly from the camera over a wireless LAN. In addition to the WT-1, the new IEEE802.11b/g compatible Wireless Transmitter WT-2 provides faster image transmission with improved security and compatibility with the latest protocols, and has newly added capability for wireless LAN remote control of the D2X used with Nikon Capture 4 version 4.2 (optional) software in a computer.
Nikon has also developed a new cable, the MC-35, which enables connection of the camera to a GPS device for including information such as latitude, longitude and altitude at the time of capture with shooting data.
Bundled with the D2X is PictureProject, an easy-to-use software application. The D2X is also compatible with Nikon’s own photo-finishing application Nikon Capture 4 version 4.2 (optional), a convenient tool for professional photographers. Nikon Capture 4 version 4.2 has been enhanced with faster processing, improvements to image processing functions, as well as several new functions.
The design of the camera’s ergonomic styling is adopted from one created by famed industrial designer Giorgetto Giugiaro^* exclusively for a new generation of Nikon camera.