http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/ Engadget Comments for http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/Dec 2nd 2008 2:30PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/Dec 1st 2008 12:33AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/M]]>Dec 1st 2008 2:08AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/Dec 1st 2008 2:19AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/
This obsession with high ISO abilities is so completely overblown that it has become ridiculous. If you want to shoot at 6400, buy a D3. If you want more resolution, buy a D3x. It's simple.]]>Dec 1st 2008 3:59AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/Dec 1st 2008 12:27AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/
I'm kinda disappointed. This is matching the 1Ds Mark III's specs. However, a Mark IV is due next year. I wonder how thats going to be....]]>Dec 1st 2008 9:53AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/
Sample photos:
http://www.nikon-image.com/jpn/products/camera/slr/digital/d3x/sample.htm
http://chsvimg.nikon.com/products/imaging/lineup/d3/d3x-sp/en/]]>Dec 1st 2008 12:34PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/]]>Dec 1st 2008 12:30AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/One day our digital cameras will work as travelling electron(ic) microscopes..!!]]>Dec 1st 2008 12:34AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/I'm not seeing any real difference between the two (pretty sure they use the same sony-made sensor too) other than price (5000 dollars difference??) ]]>Dec 1st 2008 12:33AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/Dec 1st 2008 12:42AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/Dec 1st 2008 1:06AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/Dec 1st 2008 2:06AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/-Much better performance at high-ISO (IF they do use the same sensor, Nikon's figured out how to process it better)
-Ability to shoot 7fps at DX crop
-More rugged/better sealed body
-Better battery life
-Faster, more sophisticated 51-point autofocus (compared to 9 point)
-Better metering
-More customizable settings (up to 9 shot brackets, 48 custom settings)
-Live View
-Compatibility with practically all Nikon lenses going back over 40 years
-2 CF card slots (instead of 1 CF and 1 Memory Stick)
-This is undocumented, but I believe the D3x will have a larger buffer and allow more frames captured in a burst (and a 12-bit option for smaller RAW files and quicker buffer-flushing)

Before anyone calls me a fan-boy, I don't own a Nikon I own the Sony]]>Dec 1st 2008 11:11AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/
The A900 ISO range is set at 200-3200 native versus 100-1600 native in the D3x. The change is obviously to help the Nikon in studio lighting, however, low-light capabilities of the A900 should theoretically be better. However, Sony's NR algorithms haven't hitherto been as sophisticated as Nikons.

The AF/metering is the real important difference. Since getting every possible shot as sharp as possible, and exposed correctly, is important for a high-MP camera.]]>Dec 1st 2008 12:25PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/http://imaging.nikon.com/products/imaging/lineup/digitalcamera/slr/d3x/sample.htm]]>Dec 1st 2008 12:44PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/
Sony announced at PMA 2008 that they would be selling their full-frame sensor to third-parties. It should also be mentioned that they called their IMX021 in the A700 an exclusive as well, but it is also in the Nikon D300. They usually are referring to 'exclusive' due to the fact it has image-stabilization on the sensor. With the exception of the D3/D700 all of the sensors in Nikon's cameras (including p&s) are supplied by Sony (they do make great sensors).]]>Dec 1st 2008 2:34PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/
Don't forget that Canon and Sony both employ very heavy handed luminance noise reduction, which heavily degrades sharpness and overall image quality, while Nikon leans more to the side of chroma noise reduction, therefore leaving a more natural "film-like" grain in the images. I have seen the Canon 1dsMKII AND the 5D BOTH display horrific noise - and worse - banding in dark gray regions even at ISO100, in studio, perfectly exposed.

Canon does a great job at processing the images, but they are not God-like as so many Canon users have come to believe. That hype went away almost overnight when a true low noise player came on the field - the D3. Only by running extensive tests yourself and really analyzing the details with an open mind will you see the pros and cons to each system. They do exists, on both sides.

I am a Nikon shooter, and have been shooting the D2x for about three years now. While I have some limitations in higher ISO's, there is no reason that this camera can't and won't perform miracles for me every time I shoot. It's a phenomenal piece of equipment, and surely is not merely a paperweight due to it's few limitations. I found a system that works for me and my personal shooting style.

I cannot stand how the Canon FF's cause heavy blurring on wide angle lenses toward the edges, but some of my colleagues gladly tradeoff a little sharpness for a bit less noise. That's fine, to each their own. True pros choose the tools that best fit their own personal needs and don't make decisions on the hype.

http://www.iamron.com

]]>Dec 2nd 2008 2:57AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/
If you compare the specs, the 5D Mark II absolutely SUCKS. It's destroyed. The D3x uses the same high performance lithium-ion battery (EN-EL4a) as the D3. The 5D2 uses a pathetic new battery format that costs hundreds.

Canon is going DOWWWWWWWWWNN.]]>Dec 1st 2008 12:37AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/Dec 1st 2008 12:40AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/Dec 1st 2008 12:44AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/Dec 1st 2008 12:48AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/Dec 1st 2008 12:48AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/Dec 1st 2008 12:58AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/
Neither of these companies are going "DOWWWWWWWWN."

When will the world be rid of idjit fanboys?]]>Dec 1st 2008 1:07AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/
The 5D, not even being the flagship camera, does 95 percent of what this camera does for several thousand less, AND has a higher expandable ISO range. oh wait... it only shoots 4fps instead of 5 and is 21MP instead of 24MP.

Canons third tier product does nearly everything the brand new NIkon flagship does, and you scream that Canon is going down?

Wow.

Neither company will go anywhere because they already have established base users.

This will be a great camera for Nikon shooters and the Canon cameras will remain just that for the Canon shooters...


]]>Dec 1st 2008 3:24AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/Dec 1st 2008 11:23AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/
The only thing I wish this camera had was a high FPS mode even if it would only work at low resolutions.

Of course if they made their sensors have a range higher than 14 bit that would be nice too (human eye is about 20 bit) .. that too i wouldn't mind losing resolution in favor of.
]]>Dec 1st 2008 12:50AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/
]]>Dec 1st 2008 11:36AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/Dec 1st 2008 12:51AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/Dec 1st 2008 12:59AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/Dec 1st 2008 1:54AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/
Also, this isn't a high-ISO camera, its designed for studio shooting and best performance in strobe light conditions. It isn't designed to overlap capabilities with the D3. If you want low-light capability you have the D3 for half the price. This is designed for magazine and fashion photography.

For instance, the $40,000+ Hasselblad H3D-39M can only go to 400ISO natively, 800ISO extended. The reason is that its designed to be the best in Studio conditions. It would be silly to design a studio camera to perform at high-ISO, the D3 is 200ISO base, the D3x is 100, with 50ISO Lo1 extended. There is a huge difference that you are missing the point of.]]>Dec 1st 2008 2:16AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/thank]]>Dec 1st 2008 2:03AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/
There are plenty of reasons why the 1Ds Mark III costs almost as much as the D3x will cost. The way they are built. The 100 percent viewfinder.

And no, it's not a Sony sensors. The D3 and D700 are built in-house with no Sony input. Got that information directly from Nikon. There's no reason to assume this is the same sensor as the A900 - let alone noting the fact that the D3x is 24.5 while the A900 is 24.6 megapixels.

Pros use pro tools. The Sony is not a professional camera in the same league as the Nikon or Canon pro cameras. There's a whale of a lot more to a pro camera as the megapixels. There's the integrated system, including flash, cables, wireless, lenses (most important) and the other accessories that make a camera a true professional tool.

Not to mention the ruggedness, water sealing, and the ergonomics and ease of use when shooting in tough situations. The full frame sensor which requires a bigger viewfinder makes it easier on the eyes.

I could go on, but take it from a pro who's shot for over 20 years with Nikons, Canons and Leicas. There are pro tools and there are prosumer cameras that pros can use. There's a difference.]]>Dec 1st 2008 2:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/Dec 1st 2008 3:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/
"Pros use pro tools. The Sony is not a professional camera in the same league as the Nikon or Canon pro cameras."

Sony have been in the dslr industry for just a couple of years, if they had the same leauge of professional service and offers Nikon or Canon have had to done something terrible wrong. It takes a lot more time to build up something compared to that. But giving Sonys position in other professional markets I'm quite sure in due time they will.

It is in the end the images that count, and no camera or sensor can give you what talent and experience gives you. So you'll be able to shoot just as great photos with a top end camera no matter if it is sony, canon or nikon. They are just the tools. ]]>Dec 1st 2008 6:16AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/
The D3x sensor IS a Sony sensor, just like how the D2x used a Sony sensor. Its the same sensor that in the SonyA900. Just like the rest of Nikon's line-up from the D40, D60,D90, D300, etc is using Sony sensor. Sensor pixel differences are due to how "effective" megapixel are calculated. The differences in calculation is also apparent on the D300/A700.

Nikon however uses their own proprietary noise-reduction algorithms, and processing so there are differences in actual output, however, we cannot marginalize Sony's input in Nikon's cameras.]]>Dec 1st 2008 12:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/]]>Dec 1st 2008 3:57AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/Dec 1st 2008 5:54AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/Dec 1st 2008 12:05PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/sorry i dont read your comment at first,
dont believe that such of propaganda(24.6vs 24.5).
this is sony sensor,who else made cmos's? dalsa?24.5 mp cmos! no, kodak? no,texas idus?no, now we have just canon:)) that's some kind of joke.
we know that nikon dont made sensors by it self.
so thats just sony, look at continues fps rates: same 5
maybe processors is same too.
]]>Dec 1st 2008 6:07AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/
Sure, the sensor might be Sony this round, since development costs are astronomical. Who knows, I suspect the same. BUT dismissing their ability to make chips is well, idiotic.

Nikon, along with ASML, is one of the world's leading suppliers of foundry/fab equipment, which is what companies like Intel/TSMC/Chartered and such use to make their chips.]]>Dec 1st 2008 6:35AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/
You are guessing at what could be the case. Nikon does design chips of their own they just lack a foundry for them. So you are mixing up two different things the ability to design and the ability to manufacture.

Now the D3x people think has Sony underpinnings, read Thom Hogan for more but other aspects of it have a Nikon design to it like what sits on top of the pixels.]]>Dec 2nd 2008 8:08AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/i believe in nikon ability in making chip but just their ability.(surely whit a big money injection)]]>Dec 1st 2008 6:55AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/Dec 1st 2008 9:19AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/Dec 1st 2008 12:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/Dec 1st 2008 12:57PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/nikons-d3x-dslr-hits-the-scene-in-official-fashion/Dec 1st 2008 1:24PM