Nikon outs D3x in own Pro magazine

Uh, oops. Sorry Nikon but your D3x is now even less of a mystery. According to your own Pro magazine, the D3x will sport an FX-format, 24.5 megapixel sensor shooting 5fps at full resolution or 7fps at a reduced 10 megapixels. Nikon made a few other tweaks including an extended ISO 50-6400 range but the body design, AF, metering, and main functions remain the same as the D3. The only thing we need now is a price and confirmed release date. Back to you Nikon. One more shot detailing the features after the break, full details beyond the read link.

[Via dpreview forums]

[Tohe @ Nov 28th 2008 7:28AM]

Sweet, I knew Engadget would not sleep until they scored more info on this cool camera. Thanks guys, whole heartily :)

[Sarai @ Nov 28th 2008 6:52PM]

Thanks for the review of the D3X. I had been looking for more info. on it but til now found nothing. Very helpful.

[Tohe @ Nov 28th 2008 7:54AM]

Yeah, non of this is coincidence. Nikon knows Mr. fancy pants Canon EOS D5 Mark II is stolen the spotlight and they are not having it anymore.

On another note, I like the frame of this camera, it seems slim in comparison to its counterparts and it remains current and sleek. What I'd like to know is whether they will bring HD video to their professional line at some point?

[Dopefish @ Nov 28th 2008 9:24AM]

No they wont!

Why, WHY would a professional PHOTOGRAPHER need to video things?!

[mjtobler @ Nov 28th 2008 10:03AM]

If you want a still / video hybrid, do it right, get a Red, and be done with it.

[kevin @ Nov 28th 2008 10:39AM]

@ dopefish:

Because at most newspapers with video on their website, the photographer is shooting both the still photos and the video story. A fully functional SLR that also shoots high quality video would mean less equipment to take on assignments, which translates into more time to work and a better final product.

[TRLK @ Nov 28th 2008 10:55AM]

I highly doubt someone would use the video features on DSLRs professionally

[TurboGreg @ Nov 28th 2008 10:59AM]

@dopefish

Plenty of us (pro photographers that is) would like to have video.

People like me who have a wide variety of very expensive glass can now used them should we want to..
With out the expense of a DV Camcorder, and most of our glass won't work with them anyways.

A perfect example of that is the new 5D MII. The video from that camera is Amazing. From what I've been seeing the Red camera system will be quite impressive too.

A perfect example I'd use it for is documenting a shoot. Video my whole setup placement etc, and doing so with out having to worry about bringing a camcorder, or a point and shoot to do so..

Just because YOU can not see pro photographers using video doesn't mean they won't. :) I know we will/do.

TG

[JeffDM @ Nov 29th 2008 8:43PM]

Guys, have you seen Vincent Laforet's Reverie? He got three cine job offers within a couple days of release as a result of that short. And he's "just" a photographer.

[Dopefish @ Nov 28th 2008 7:35AM]

No big surprises here.

It didn't take a genius to predict they would do this, as they have done it with all their pro series cameras so far.

[Ian @ Nov 28th 2008 7:46AM]

Is this the same as the Sony sensor in the A900, or is it another one?

[Temple @ Nov 28th 2008 8:48AM]

Its the same, but it seems to be using Nikon's own image processing algorithms. Which tend to be better in noise-reduction, also, it says it can do color depth of 16-bit, but it seems to have lost the in-body image-stabilization of the A900.

The biggest draw over the A900 or will be Nikon's 51-point AF/metering in a pro body. The real question is the costs, I doubt it'll cost as much as the ~$8k 1DsMkIII.

[Michael @ Nov 28th 2008 7:52AM]

Any word on video features if any?

[Mam00th @ Nov 28th 2008 8:36AM]

Dude seriously, there is a much better way to bring people to you website, it's called not having a shitty website...

[Patriks7 @ Nov 28th 2008 8:39AM]

They just had to include the Apple keyboard in the picture to make it a worthwhile post on Engadget :p

[Kelmon @ Nov 28th 2008 9:22AM]

That's an old skool keyboard, probably complete with fluff and the rest of the crap that would end up in it. Still, you could pop the keys off and wash it, although having taken a picture of the keyboard layout first was always recommended.

[Brian @ Nov 28th 2008 8:55AM]

Nikon FTW!

[Alex @ Nov 28th 2008 7:28PM]

in short, what are the advantages over the D3 please?

[Kelmon @ Nov 28th 2008 9:28AM]

It's a bit hard to tell until we see a full specification list but the main difference appears to be more megapixels (24.5MP from the D3's 12.1MP) from the same size sensor. The frames per second appears to have dropped on this model from 9fps to 5fps, presumably due to the much bigger image files generated. Aside from that it looks the same to me.

[Temple @ Nov 28th 2008 10:09AM]

D3= sports photographers, speed (9-11fps), low-light sensitivty, pro-AF/metering
D3x= studio photographers, more megapixels ideal for large print ads or portraits, pro-AF/metering, a DX-mode that is actually useful (10MP vs 5.1MP in D3); Nikon's 1.5 crop 10MP DX-mode matches up well with the Canon's 1.3crop 10MP 1DMkIII (granted 7fps vs 10fps)

They are complimentary products, not replacements for each other. Similar to the Canon's 1D and 1Ds.

[FarewellTransmission @ Nov 28th 2008 9:12AM]

Dammit, I want this camera. My D200 is in the shop being fixed and my D100 is on its last legs. I need this for work :(

[Ryan @ Nov 28th 2008 10:11AM]

I'm a pro photographer and I'm really disappointed by this. The high resolution sensor is going to mean tons more noise. The problem is, you can lower the resolution that it captures, but you are still dealing with much smaller sites on the sensor, so much higher noise. What most pros love about the D3 and D700 is it's extremely low noise. I guess if your a landscape photographer this would be fine.

[kadajawi @ Nov 28th 2008 10:35AM]

I guess they are continuing to make the D3, they would be stupid if not. If I had the choice, I would also take the D3 over the D3x any day. If I wanted more resolution, why on earth wouldn't I just buy the Canon 5D MkII? That way I get awesome video capabilities too.

[David @ Nov 28th 2008 11:43AM]

"I'm a pro photographer and I'm really disappointed by this."

How can you possibly be? If you don't want the extra pixel count, there's the D3. This is the D3 but with the resolution vs. high-ISO tradeoff skewed toward the former for a different class of photography (studio, landscape, etc.). So, Nikon is offering you either option and you are complaining about the existence of a second option when the first is still available??

[Temple @ Nov 28th 2008 12:37PM]

The sensor is designed for the studio. The base-ISO is 100 in the D3x, extended to ISO50 in Lo1. The D3 has a base ISO of 200.

So this camera is designed to get the maximum performance in a studio environment.

The D3 will do better in low-light situations and get low noise. The D3x will capture more detail and better pictures in well-lit environment. Not a camera for everyone, and Nikon will not discontinue the D3. For many people the D3/D700 offers enough megapixels and has better low-light, each camera is designed for a different purposes, and they are good in most fields and excellent in their particular niche.

[Payal @ Nov 28th 2008 11:56AM]

I have to say that I choose my Canon Rebel XSi over the Nikon's with it's dust sensor and crisp resolution.

[Chris @ Nov 29th 2008 4:33AM]

You know nothing about cameras...

[Max Fightmaster @ Nov 28th 2008 12:26PM]

Honestly, if you're the kind of pro that buys a D3x, you're the kind of pro that can afford fast lenses that render the noise issues moot.

[TurboGreg @ Nov 28th 2008 1:21PM]

Sorry but shooting a beach wedding that is lit by candle light with a 50mm F1.2 NOCT Lens does not resolve the noise issues. Night time street photography with a 24mm F1.4 does not resolve the noise issues. A sensor with LARGE photosites, and advanced noise control processing AND expensive fast glass helps the noise issues.

The only folks that will not be affected by the increased noise due to sensor density are going to be portrait, group photo's, landscape, or studio, and most of those are not shot at anything below F5.6-F8.

Quite honestly.. The megapixel race needs to be put on hold. Shoving more MP into a 35mm sensor is not the answer.
The industry needs to be focused on image quality, and development on super wide aperature lenses needs to continue.

[grumps01 @ Nov 28th 2008 2:31PM]

Looks like D3x mean just an update to keep things current and probably not a full replacement some left for a different name altogether like D4?
Perhaps I'm wrong, but wouldn't this sound reasonable since it really only feels like the major update is a megapixel update!

[Kyle Wright @ Nov 28th 2008 2:52PM]

@TurboGreg

Obviously this isn't the camera for you. But Nikon already makes the camera you seem to want. It's called the D3. It has large photosites, advanced noise control, and can use Nikon's expensive fast glass. Since the D3 covers that crowd, Nikon is releasing the D3x for the people who want the higher resolution. Personally I think it's great that Nikon has the two cameras to cover both ends of the spectrum. While the original D3/D700 is more along the lines of what I would use, it's good to see that Nikon is working to make sure that all their customers' different tool needs are met.

What I'd like to see in future Nikons: Removable IR filter, swappable focus screens, and 60 megapixel 3D full frame with zero noise at ISO 25,600 and 50 fps for $1,000. I'll settle for just the first two however...

[gerrrg @ Nov 28th 2008 3:31PM]

Yes, I like that idea: removable IR filter.

[EOJ @ Nov 28th 2008 6:05PM]

Thank you Nikon. As a professional photographer I have been waiting for Nikon to create lenses and full frame cameras that meet my needs.

The 14-24/24-70/70-200 pro lenses are all amazingly sharp. The D3 was fantastic and the D3X is ever closer to perfection.

[Newsom02 @ Nov 28th 2008 6:55PM]

This needs to be a Black Friday giveaway prize.

[??? @ Nov 28th 2008 8:42PM]

Still waiting out on the MX...

[james knowles @ Nov 28th 2008 9:50PM]

Yes. There is a Santa Clause....

Check this out, and then use your own rational minds to decide what's best for what you need:

http://www.dxomark.com/

These dudes have magnanimously posted test results of all cameras - extremely scientific testing they use for creating highly complex
and precise software for photographers. Uh - you might be surprised by some stuff. heheheee....

[balls @ Nov 29th 2008 2:04AM]

Sweet!

Canon user myself, but good to know Nikon is keeping up the good fight.

[Chris @ Nov 29th 2008 4:33AM]

I looked at that site and I feel all dirty now...

Must.

Shower.

[Chris @ Nov 29th 2008 4:37AM]

You have to admit though, Nikon screwed up sending out the Pro mag a couple of days early. I think heads will roll somewhere for screwing up their own press announcement!

[brian sturgess @ Dec 22nd 2008 4:50PM]

How dose the (EOS-1 DS Mark 11 digital) steal compaire to the D3 and the Soney A900, which one would suit you.

[Scott @ Dec 5th 2008 4:30PM]

Just because it has a high pixel count doesn't make it right for studio work. People that shoot for magazines use medium format cameras and solve the resolution problem without creating a pixel density problem.

Yes, the D3 is still available but this shows the general trend toward noisy overly resolved sensors. The "end of days" is nigh unless this useless march toward pixel count superiority abates.