Nikon D2X

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Reviewed by: Aimee Baldridge

Reviewed on 9/21/04 Nikon replaces its D1X and gives the Canon EOS-1D Mark II some competition with this 12.4-megapixel professional SLR. Compatible with a broad range of Nikon lenses and accessories, the Nikon D2X's rugged body is nearly identical to the Nikon D2H's.

Upside: Nikon lets you favor resolution or speed with the D2X: At 12.4-megapixel resolution, this model lets you shoot 5fps (frames per second); by dropping the resolution to 6.8 megapixels, you can push the speed up to 8fps. A highly customizable camera, it offers improved color-space support and a strong professional feature set. The D2X supports Nikon's iTTL flash technology, which allows you to independently control multiple wireless remote flash units, as well as the new WT-2A wireless transmitter for sending photos from the camera to a remote location via the fast 802.11g wireless standard. Nikon has also improved the ability of its flagship pro camera to work with older lenses; a built-in database identifies the lens attached and accommodates the camera's metering system to it. A new version of Nikon Capture software is included with the D2X as well.

Downside: Canon's EOS-1D Mark II still has the edge for sports and action photography, with its combination of 8-megapixel resolution and an 8fps drive mode. The D2X has a relatively high lens-conversion factor of 1.5X, and that increases to 2X when you're shooting high-speed 6.8-megapixel images, since the camera uses a smaller portion of the sensor at the lower-resolution setting. On the other hand, action photographers probably won't see having their 150mm lens transformed into a 300mm lens as a downside.

Outlook: We expect professional photographers with an investment in Nikon lenses to jump at the chance to spend the roughly $5,000 it will cost when the Nikon D2X becomes available in January 2005. Canon lens owners will naturally opt for the EOS-1D Mark II, but pros who haven't already mortgaged their homes to buy a particular brand of glass may have a tough choice between the two competitors.

Basic Specs

Product Specifications:
Product Description: Nikon D2X - Digital camera
Product Type: Digital camera - SLR
Dimensions (WxDxH): 6.1 in x 3.4 in x 5.9 in
Supported Flash Memory: Microdrive , CompactFlash
Analog Video Format: PAL , NTSC
Sensor Resolution: 12.4 megapixels
Focus Adjustment: Automatic
Microphone: Microphone - Built-in - Electret condenser - Mono
Viewfinder: Optical - Color - Fixed eye-level pentaprism
Display: LCD display - TFT active matrix - 2.5 in - Color
Supported Battery: 1 x Li-ion rechargeable battery ( Included )
Product Basic Spec:
Video input type: Digital camera
Sensor resolution: 12.4 megapixels
Optical sensor type: CMOS
Light sensitivity: ISO 100-800
Gross sensor resolution: 12,840,000 pixels
Still image format: RAW , JPEG , TIFF
Lens Aperture: F/5.6
Interchangeable lens: Yes
Camera Flash: None
External flash terminal: Hot shoe , PC terminal
Exposure metering: Spot , Spot AF area , Center-weighted , 3D color matrix II
Exposure compensation: ±5 EV range, in 1/2 or 1/3 EV steps
Display type: 2.5 in LCD display
Battery type: 1 x Camera battery - Rechargeable - Lithium ion
Battery type(s) supported: Lithium ion
Weight: 2.4 lbs

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