Nikon D3 and D700 can switch between DX (24×16mm) and FX (36×24mm) modes to accommodate different lens formats. If “Auto DX Crop” is enabled, the camera will automatically adjust the picture angle (field of view) to DX format when a DX lens is attached, and to FX format if a 35mm format lens is attached.
Obviously, the DX format can use only the pixels in the center of the FX frame on the FX DSLRs. For Nikon D3 and D700, it is 5MP. This is indeed a lot fewer pixels compared to a DX format DSLR such as Nikon D300, but you enjoy the superior picture quality throughout a wider ISO sensitivity range attributed to larger pixel size that yields a higher signal-to-noise ratio and wider dynamic range. Therefore users can actually take advantage of the DX mode when you only need or have the center area of the frame even with a FX format lens. Example of such situation is when your subject is too far away to fill the FX frame. Not only you have smaller file size to handle, but also you don’t need to crop every photo to remove unnecessary pixels. Read More…
Nikon’s flagship Digital SLR camera is reviewed by Bjørn Rørslett. Read it here. This is a great review that is totally different compared to the typical DPReview reviews. It has a comparison of DX vs. FX sensor format using Nikon D300 and D3 I found very interesting.
Posted in
Digital SLR Cameras on January 1st, 2008.
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This new lens (Model A18N II) is described as “a lightweight, compact and ultra high power (13.9X !) zoom lens designed exclusively for digital SLR cameras with APS-C sized image sensors with a built-in motor for Nikon”. It will be available in Japan starting December 13, 2007.
This is an especially good news for Nikon D40 and D40X users who have been limited by lens choices because Nikon has removed the AF motor from these cameras. As a result, only AF-S lens can be used on D40/40X. With the release of this lens, Tamron apparently is trying to grab a piece of the market even though Nikon has extensive offerings in the low-end AF-S zooms. Read More…
Posted in
Lens on December 4th, 2007.
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According to the report on news.com, more FX (Nikon’s marketing term for full frame) products are definitely coming but no details on the specifications or when. In the report, Steve Heiner, senior technical manager of Nikon SLR marketing, said Nikon is committed to bringing out more FX cameras, and more technologies at the highest end (Nikon D3) will trickle down to the lower end, which appears to mean Nikon will offer a lower-end full-frame model. Some rumors put that in second half of 2008. It is highly likely that it will compete against Canon’s successor to the 5D.
It will also be interesting to know who will make the sensor for Nikon. As Sony gets deeper into the red hot DSLR market, it may no longer be willing to supply sensors to Nikon.
Posted in
News on October 11th, 2007.
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