Bijna 1,5 jaar na de introductie (jan 2005) krijgt de D2X naast de D70 met D70s en D2H met D2Hs ook een upgrade: verrassend genoeg heet het nieuwe model D2Xs
Er worden nu ook geen D2X-modellen meer gemaakt: de D2Xs zal net als de D70s en de D2Hs het eerdere model vervangen.
Een samenvatting van de aangepaste / vernieuwde hoofdpunten tov de D2X:
• Electronische viewfinder afscherming bij het gebruik van High Speed Crop mode (HSC)
• Colour Matrix Metering II aangepast voor gebruik met HSC
• Nieuwe wide angle TFT display
• Nieuwe accu met verlengde gebruiksduur
• Nieuwe zwart/wit mode
• Adobe RGB Colour space beschikbaar in alle drie de Colour Modes
• Extra custom curves opties
• Extra 1/3 stap ISO boost instellingen (ISO 100 - 3200)
• Verbeteringen aan de autofocus-prestaties
• Nieuwe in-camera trim-functie (cropping incam)
• Aangepaste Auto ISO control
• Extra mogelijkheden voor de custom function knop
• Langere continuous shooting
• Nieuwe menu interface kleurenpalet
• Foto commentaar, meer karakters mogelijk
• Wisselen van instellingen tussen meerdere D2Xs-body's mogelijk: extra instellingen in EXIF
• Gesimplificeerd instellingen-beheer
• Image Authentication system compatible
• Battery warning gedurende mirror lock up (MLU)
• Extra GPS informatie
• Aangepaste USB-poort met nieuwe USB-kabelclip bijgesloten
De aanpassingen mbt HSC-mode zijn erg interessant: volgens de korte impressie van Bjørn Rørslett (eindje hieronder) wordt het beeld in HSC mode wat gedimd dat buiten de HSC-lijnen valt: erg handig om te zien wat dan exact wel nog op de foto komt, maar ook wat er buiten je frame gebeurt!


Viewfinder met HSC:


Persbericht:
Een korte impressie van Bjørn Rørslett:
Links:
DPReview aankondiging
Imaging Resource aankondiging
DCResource aankondiging
Steve's digicams aankondiging
Rob Galbraith's aankondiging
Een samenvatting van de aangepaste / vernieuwde hoofdpunten tov de D2X:
• Electronische viewfinder afscherming bij het gebruik van High Speed Crop mode (HSC)
• Colour Matrix Metering II aangepast voor gebruik met HSC
• Nieuwe wide angle TFT display
• Nieuwe accu met verlengde gebruiksduur
• Nieuwe zwart/wit mode
• Adobe RGB Colour space beschikbaar in alle drie de Colour Modes
• Extra custom curves opties
• Extra 1/3 stap ISO boost instellingen (ISO 100 - 3200)
• Verbeteringen aan de autofocus-prestaties
• Nieuwe in-camera trim-functie (cropping incam)
• Aangepaste Auto ISO control
• Extra mogelijkheden voor de custom function knop
• Langere continuous shooting
• Nieuwe menu interface kleurenpalet
• Foto commentaar, meer karakters mogelijk
• Wisselen van instellingen tussen meerdere D2Xs-body's mogelijk: extra instellingen in EXIF
• Gesimplificeerd instellingen-beheer
• Image Authentication system compatible
• Battery warning gedurende mirror lock up (MLU)
• Extra GPS informatie
• Aangepaste USB-poort met nieuwe USB-kabelclip bijgesloten
De aanpassingen mbt HSC-mode zijn erg interessant: volgens de korte impressie van Bjørn Rørslett (eindje hieronder) wordt het beeld in HSC mode wat gedimd dat buiten de HSC-lijnen valt: erg handig om te zien wat dan exact wel nog op de foto komt, maar ook wat er buiten je frame gebeurt!


Viewfinder met HSC:


Persbericht:
Nikon UK is pleased to announce the introduction of the D2xs professional digital SLR camera, following the success of the award-winning Nikon D2x.
While the D2xs shares many features with its predecessor, the new model boasts an array of refinements that enhance performance and improve the user experience. Such features include, refined viewfinder performance; a new LCD with a 170-degree wide viewing angle; significantly increased battery life; and a wide range of firmware enhancements.
The integration of a 12.4 megapixel CMOS image sensor delivers high quality images that can be captured in JPEG or RAW images at a rate of up to five frames per second in continuous shooting mode. Powerful image-processing technologies and the 3D-Colour Matrix Metering II ensure images rich in detail, colour which contain a smooth tonal range. The D2xs also offers 3D-Colour Matrix Metering II in High-speed Crop mode and new custom settings have been introduced to the viewfinder to allow clearer viewing for the user.
Professional photographers will appreciate the ability to select Adobe RGB in any of three colour modes, making it possible to work with a wider range of colours that complement various working environments. Furthermore, in-camera creative possibilities are extended with the addition of a new Black & White (sRGB) colour mode.
The D2xs maximizes the potential of Nikon’s Creative Lighting System, delivering high-precision flash performance including i-TTL flash control which support for Nikon’s Advanced Wireless Lighting system. The latest high energy EN-EL4a rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides enough power to support shooting of up to 3,800 images on a single charge. It can be recharged at any time and features a handy ‘fuel gauge’ which displays remaining charge by percentage, the number of shots since last charge and overall battery status.
The new model continues to feature the excellent high-speed shooting performance, rapid start-up, a release time lag of just 37ms, and an 11-area autofocus system as found in the D2x. The Nikon DX Format sensor and Nikon F mount design have also been continued to guarantee seamless compatibility with all AF Nikkor lenses and the growing range of high-quality DX Nikkor lenses.
Compatibility with Nikon’s Wireless Transmitter WT-2/2A provides fast image transmission, improved security and compatibility with the latest protocols. Wireless LAN remote D2xs control can be achieved using a computer that has (optional) Camera Control Pro software installed.
With an exterior based on a design by famed industrial designer, Giorgetto Giugiaro, the D2xs is instantly recognisable as a new-generation Nikon camera.
Een korte impressie van Bjørn Rørslett:
OK, my NDA has just terminated, so I can give a quick report on the new camera from Nikon.
As many have guessed, it is the D2Xs, an updated D2X. Nikon has now ceased production of the D2X so it's now officially history after a production period of slightly more than one year. The cameras die young these days, that's for sure. Production is routed toward the new D2Xs as of today.
So, what is this new model like? It has the same imager so no more MPix. But there are numerous improvements to the older model.
Most obvious are the enhancements of HSC mode. The viewfinder now will be *dimmed* outside the HSC rectangle, so it's much easier to see what you get, and still be able to observe action within the frame. The matrix metering has been improved to take full account of the HSC mode and thus any AF or metering points outside the cropped centre will no longer influence the exposure.
Buffering is dramatically improved allowing the camera to run 60 consecutive exposures (max 35 before) at full speed and even when the buffer is filled, the camera can continue shooting albeit at a slower pace. I guess this is a rearrangement of the internal pipeline combined with faster writing to the CF card.
The camera will use a new battery, EN-EL4a, with increased energy capacity up to 2500 MAh from today's 1900 mAh. The good news here are that the battery is fully compatible with the current stock of EN-EL4 and also the chargers, so you can mix old and new batteries and there is no need to purchase yet another charger (a most welcome change-over in Nikon policy for sure).
AF performance is much improved and operates both under lower light levels and with lower subject contrast than the circuitry on D2X. This should translate into swifter AF and more positive locking of focus, no more hunting. The AF modes, already numerous, have been augmented by a "Long" mode which should allow better tracking of bireds and suchlike.
The USB cable connector is redesigned and now lock into the terminal of the camera. This cable is new and won't fit the older D2X.The Nikon reps I've talked to were uncertain whether the same redesign would be made to the WT-2/2a wireless device, which can be quite unstable due to its non-locking USB connector.
The LCD panel now has a wide 170 degrees viewing angle and the menu system and its layout have been overhauled, to be easier to use and with much better visibility in daylight. Although you cannot assign a colour profile to the LCD, I'm told that the cameras are calibrated on the production line to be similar to each other, so colours should appear the same no matter which D2Xs you pick up and use.
There is a new B/W mode in-camera (sRGB mode only) which can apply to NEFs and jpgs. With jpgs, they stay b/w forever whilst the NEFs can have colours reinstated by Nikon Capture. The tone curve for b/w is specially made with low contrast to allow better dynamic range and easier post-processing of the files. All pixel sites of the imager are used so b/w images should be as sharp as the camera and lens allow.
Adobe RGB now can be selected for all colour modes (I,II,III) supported by the D2Xs. There are now up to three customer profiles which can be uploaded to the camera.
EXIF will now record such nifty things as the VR status of the lens. No doubt some will find that useful.
I had expected 1600 ISO (with D2X, only given as uncalibrated HI-1) to be supported by D2Xs, but instead Nikon provided three intermediate settings Hi + 0.3, Hi + 0.5 and Hi + 0.7, which should correspond to 1000, 1130, and 1250 "ISO", respectively. The auto ISO feature for those in need of such a pesky thing is improved as well. Since I haven't had opportunity to test the high-ISO performance of the new model, I cannot tell whether improvements are made, but I interpret the new settings as a token of this. We'll see in due time. Nikon has never been known to promise more than they can vouch for.
Files now can be authenticated as being untampered digital originals and thus used in law enforcement as legal evidence. This feature uses a special software and will not be available if the camera is set to Image Overlay or Multiple Exposures.
The best new feature of all (seen from my point of view, but aren't we always in that corner?) are the enhancements of the GPS data. The GPS heading will now be recorded in the EXIF, and at last, the GPS coordinates are recorded with full precision and not truncated as with the D2X. So from now on I can go back in the field and navigate directly to that redlisted species I've spotted on my image.
Nikon Norway announced that the price level of the new model should be a little higher than that of D2X, a decision I find more than questionable, since the arrival of the D2Xs will drive down the price of any D2X still in stock. Whether the Nikon dealers elsewhere come to better decisions remains to be seen, I sincerly hope so.
Some of the features and enhancements of D2Xs may be available to the current stock of D2X by a firmware upgrade. I do hope the GPS enhancements are amongst them.
Links:
DPReview aankondiging
Imaging Resource aankondiging
DCResource aankondiging
Steve's digicams aankondiging
Rob Galbraith's aankondiging
[ Voor 4% gewijzigd door Remy op 01-06-2006 10:04 ]