Nikon D2x Review

Since the release of the D2X, the expectations of a younger generation of Nikon fans eager to see their firm compete on the same level as Canon’s have increased.

Users of Nikon products have been let down by the fact that the firm has consistently lagged behind its main rival in the fight for the advancement of sensor technology. For example, since early 2003, customers of Canon cameras have had access to the 11-megapixel EOS 1DS, whereas Nikon users have only had access to 5.9-megapixels with the flagship D1X. (first introduced in 2001).

Although the D2X cannot match the pixel quality of the new 16.7-megapixel EOS 1DS Mark II, understanding the post-capture process has educated professionals and amateurs alike that the number of megapixels is not the only thing that matters. However, a high-quality 12MP camera may be pushed further than its pixels might imply; it can reach the same ceiling as the EOS 1DS II. Therefore, a solid 12MP sensor is suitable for most purposes.

The High-Speed Cropped mode on the D2X is the camera’s most revolutionary and ground-breaking feature. This provides users with the ability to switch from shooting at a resolution of 12.2 megapixels at a burst rate of five frames per second to a smaller crop of 6.9 megapixels with a burst rate that matches that of the D2H at eight frames per second, even though the buffer is slightly reduced from that camera.

The D2H can save 50 JPEGs of total quality and 40 RAW files. However, the D2X can only store 35 JPEGs and 29 RAW files. However, this isn’t too much of a handicap, especially considering that Canon’s 8.5fps EOS 1D II only achieve 40 JPEGs/20 RAW. Thus the D2H may become unnecessary for photographers with the financial means to purchase a new camera.

While the D2X is somewhat inferior to the 1D II in terms of resolution while shooting in High-Speed Cropped mode, it outperforms the 1D II regarding focal length multiplication. This results in a 2x magnification rather than a 1.5x one, which should eliminate the requirement for slower, more cumbersome lenses or even teleconverters (a 300mm lens becomes 600mm).

No user, professional or otherwise, can turn down the opportunity to get essentially two cameras in one – a high-resolution unit that can be used for portraits, landscapes, architecture, and still life, as well as a lightning-fast mid-resolution unit that can be used for sports, press, wildlife, and action shots.

Feature Enhancements

Several additional features have been upgraded on the D1X, and a few upgrades are particularly noteworthy on the D2H. (some of which are replicated on the new D2Hs).

These include a massive 2.5-inch LCD; a user-definable Func button; voice annotation; Kelvin settings for white balance; a brand new, incredibly sophisticated autofocus system; simultaneous NEF (RAW) and JPEG shooting; additional high ISO noise reduction; support for the WT-2 802.11g wireless transmitter (and remote control from a PC or Mac); GPS compatibility; i-TTL flash metering system (user reports suggest it is far superior to D-TT.

The latter is beneficial for extracting as much usable information as possible from shadow detail. It enables the user to clip highlights in a single channel (with due care) while remaining confident that the information will be recovered during the RAW conversion step.

The only significant step backward is a drop in the flash sync speed from 1/500 second to 1/250 second, irritating those attempting to minimize the influence of ambient illumination with studio flash (High-Speed Sync mode covers the fill-in base for on-camera flash in bright light conditions).

The bulky body is a creative reworking of the D1X and closely resembles the D2H in that it is well-labeled, easy to read from the get-go, and features recessed buttons to minimize accidental hits.

Even Canon users shouldn’t have trouble getting a handle on the layout since it is far simpler to understand than the 1DS II’s ridiculous button combinations for exposure mode, autofocus mode, bracketing mode, and driveway.

Once you’ve figured out everything in the layout, taking your attention away from the action is unnecessary because you can still see what shots are left in the viewfinder. Furthermore, all of the essential image parameters are also included. This means that you don’t have to worry about missing any shots. In addition, there is not the slightest uncertainty that adding the Function button would improve the workflow for most users.

Because of the enormous screen, vibrant style, and user-friendly organization, navigating the menu system is a delightful experience. This helps a great deal. The more you use the camera, the more you’ll rely on the Recent Settings page, which provides access to the eight settings you’ve modified most recently. You’ll find yourself depending on this more and more as you continue to use the camera.

The same can be said for the shooting banks, which are an outstanding idea revived from the D1X and have the added benefit of being able to be labeled individually. The custom functions each have their respective banks, and many of them are organized logically.

In addition, you can add speed to the expanding list of benefits associated with using D2X. The power-on delay is merely 37 milliseconds, and the viewfinder goes dark after just 80 milliseconds. However, unless you genuinely go all out with the ‘Burst’ command, hitting the buffer limit will be tricky.

A test done in Burst mode with 16 compressed RAW and JPEG Fine (big) files was completed in 46 seconds using a 1GB Lexar WA 40x card from the commencement of the writing process. This equates to a fantastic transfer rate of 4.6MB/s.

According to the handbook, timings are improved when using a SanDisk UltraII card; thus, it is entirely plausible that our card was the cause of the bottleneck (80x Lexar cards are now available). Even more astonishing is the result of the same test carried out using a card that does not support WA and does not have a high speed. The lesson to be learned from this situation is…

The one area in which Nikon fails to deliver is its decision to encrypt the white balance information on this camera. Unfortunately, this means that third-party RAW conversion software, such as Adobe Camera RAW for Photoshop CS2 (CS does not have D2X compatibility as of yet) and Capture One Pro by Phase One, are unable to read the “as shot” white balance setting on the camera (though the less renowned Bibble Pro has found a way).

Because of this, those who routinely handle vast quantities of files in batches will find this a significant pain in the neck because it implies that each instance will require manual intervention. Both ACR and Phase One have their automatic white balance systems, but the results aren’t necessarily accurate all the time.

Using Nikon’s weak PicturePerfect 1.1 is not a viable alternative. Spending an additional £110 on Nikon Capture 4.2 is wasted; the software is highly sluggish and has a problematic user interface.

Excellent picture quality

The excellent news is that the image quality produced by the D2X is of the highest standard. Moreover, due to the exceptional amount of information and sharpness displayed by the RAW and NEF files, less of the usual software sharpening required for DSLRs is carried out.

The dynamic range is quite strong, and we accomplished the remarkable feat of rescuing a tremendous amount of detail from shadows that two full stops had cut without adding the typical prohibitive amounts of noise; this is a success that has never been accomplished before.

Once the white balance was adjusted appropriately, Nikon Capture, ACR, and Phase One did not produce any problems with the color accuracy of their images (and JPEGs are perfect). However, there are typical yellow/green blotch issues with skin that occur when the green/magenta slider isn’t set correctly.

There are no issues up to ISO 400 with the D2X, but many people may place their bets on it at ISO 800 and above. The D2X does not quite surpass the competition in terms of ISO noise. Although photographers working in low light might want to exercise caution, an otherwise outstanding performance shouldn’t be dissuaded by a little bit of additional ISO grain.

Nikon D2x Specifications

Body material	Magnesium alloy
Sensor	• 23.7 x 15.7 mm CMOS sensor • DX format • RGB Color Filter Array • Built-in fixed low-pass filter • 12.84 million total pixels • 12.4 million effective pixels • 5.49 x 5.49 µm • 3:2 aspect ratio
Image sizes (Full image)	• 4288 x 2848 [L] • 3216 x 2136 [M] • 2144 x 1424 [S]
Image sizes (High speed cropped)	• 3216 x 2136 [L] • 2400 x 1600 [M] • 1600 x 1064 [S]
File formats	• NEF (12-bit RAW) • NEF + JPEG • JPEG (EXIF 2.2) • TIFF (RGB)
Color space	• sRGB (2 modes) • Adobe RGB (2 modes) • sync
Lens mount	• Nikon F mount • Full size image: 1.5x field of view crop • High speed cropped: 2.0x field of view crop
Usable lenses	• AF Nikkor (including AF-S, DX, VR, and D-/G-type): All functions possible • D-type Manual-Focus Nikkor: All functions except autofocus and some exposure modes available • AF Nikkor other than D-/G-type: All functions except 3D Color Matrix Metering and 3D Multi-Sensor Balanced Fill-Flash possible • AI-P Nikkor: All functions except 3D Color Matrix Metering, 3D Multi-Sensor Balanced Fill-Flash and AF possible • Non-CPU AI Nikkor : Usable in [A] or [M] mode with Matrix-Metering, Center-Weighted and Spot metering are available. Indication of aperture No. After the user inputs the aperture f/No. and focal length f=mm by multi-selector operation. * Electronic Rangefinder usable with a maximum aperture of f/5.6 or faster
Auto Focus	• 11 area TTL (9 areas when in High speed-cropped mode) • Multi-CAM2000 • AF working range: -1 to 19 EV (ISO 100, average temperature)
Lens Servo	• Single Servo AF [S] • Continuous Servo AF [C] • Manual focus [M] * Focus Tracking automatically activated by subject’s status in [S] or [C] AF
AF Area Mode	• Single Area AF • Dynamic AF with Focus Tracking and Lock-on • Closest Subject Priority Dynamic AF • Group Dynamic AF
AF assist	None (via. external flash)
AF Lock	• Locked using the AE-L/AF-L button • Half-press the shutter release button in AF mode [S]
Exposure modes	• Program Auto [P] – flexible program possible • Shutter-Priority Auto [S] • Aperture-Priority Auto [A] • Manual [M]
Metering	TTL full-aperture exposure metering system; • D-/G-type Nikkor lenses support 3D Color Matrix Metering II using the 1,005-pixel CCD, while other AF Nikkor lenses with built-in CPUs support Matrix Metering (Non-CPU lenses require manual input of lens data) • Center-Weighted Metering (75% of the meter’s sensitivity concentrated on the 8mm dia. circle) • Spot Metering (3mm dia. circle, approx. 2% of entire frame); the metering position can be linked to the focus area when using Nikkor lenses with built-in CPU
Metering modes	• 3D Color Matrix • Center-Weighted • Spot
Metering range	• 3D Color Matrix Metering: EV 0 to 20 • Center-Weighted Metering: EV 0 to 20 • Spot Metering: EV 2 to 20 [at standard temperature (20°C/68°F), ISO 100 equivalent, f/1.4 lens]
Meter Coupling	CPU and AI (Automatic maximum aperture indexing)
AE Lock	Locked using the AE-L/AF-L button
AE Bracketing	• 2 to 9 frames • 1/3, 2/3, or 1 EV step
Exposure compen.	• +/-5.0 EV • 1/3, 1/2, or 1.0 EV steps
Sensitivity	• ISO 100 – 800 • 1/3, 1/2, or 1.0 EV steps
Shutter	• Electromagnetically controlled vertical-travel Focal-plane shutter • 30 to 1/8000 sec • Flash X-Sync: 1/250 sec • Bulb
White balance	• Auto (hybrid: ambient sensor, 1005-pixel CCD, image sensor) • Presets (five) • Manual (six steps with fine tuning) • Color temperature in Kelvin (31 steps) • White balance bracketing (2 to 9 frames, 10,20,30 MIRED steps)
Image parameters	• Sharpening: Auto, Normal, Low, Medium Low, Medium High, High, None • Tone: Auto, Normal, Less Contrast, More Contrast, Custom • Color: -3,-2,-1,0,+1,+2,+3 • Hue: +/-3, +/-6, +/-9 degrees
Viewfinder	• Optical-type fixed eye-level pentaprism • Built-in diopter adjustment (-3 to +1m-1) • Eyepiece shutter provided • Eyepoint: 19.9 mm (at -1.0m-1) • Frame coverage 100% • Viewfinder magnification approx 0.86x with 50 mm f/1.4 lens
Focusing screen	• B-type BrightView Clear Matte Screen III and V-Type Screen for High speed cropped • Interchangeable with optional E-type finder screen with a grid
Viewfinder info	• Focus indications • Shutter speed • Aperture • Exposure mode • Metering system • Shutter speed lock • Aperture lock • AE lock • Bracketing indicator • Electronic analog display • Frame counter • Ready-light • ISO sensitivity • White balance • Image size/quality • Eleven sets of focus brackets (area) • High-speed cropped area
LCD monitor	• 2.5 ” TFT LCD • Tempered glass coating • 235,000 pixels • Backlight/brightness adjustment
Flash control	• New Creative Lighting System: i-TTL Balanced Fill-Flash controlled by five-segment TTL Multi Sensor with Nikon Speedlight SB-800/600: Advanced Wireless Lighting, FV (Flash Value) -lock, Flash Color Information Communication for Auto White Balance, Auto FP High-Speed Flash Sync, Modeling Flash • D-TTL Balanced Fill-Flash: When used with the Speedlight SB-80DX/50DX and by the mounted lens, five-segment TTL Multi Sensor control makes available 3D Multi-Sensor Balanced Fill-Flash, Multi-Sensor Balanced Fill-Flash, and Standard D-TTL Balanced Fill-Flash • AA (Auto Aperture)-type Flash available when used with SB-800/80DX and lens with built-in CPU • Non-TTL Auto Flash (A-type Flash) with a Speedlight such as SB-30/27/22s etc. • Range-priority manual available with SB-800
Flash Sync Mode	• Front-Curtain Sync (normal sync) • Red-Eye Reduction • Red-Eye Reduction with Slow Sync • Slow Sync • Rear-Curtain Sync
Flash Ready-Light	Lights up when flash is fully charged with Speedlight SB-800/80DX/Sync/30/28/ 27/22s; blinks for total output warning
Flash Accessory Shoe	ISO 518 standard-type hot shoe contact; Safety lock mechanism provided
Flash Sync Terminal	ISO 519 standard terminal, lock screw provided
DOF Preview	• Stop-down lens aperture by pressing the button • Activates modeling flash
Shooting modes	• Single • Continuous High [CH] Full image – 5 fps • Continuous High [CH] High speed cropped image – 8 fps • Continuous Low [CL] Full image – 1 to 4 fps (custom) • Continuous Low [CL] High speed cropped image – 1 to 7 fps (custom) • Buffer size: Full image 15 NEF, High speed cropped image 26 NEF • Self-Timer (programmable) • Interval timer (Timelapse)
Self-timer	• 2, 5, 10, or 20 sec programmable
Voice recording	• Voice memo (up to 60 sec) • Optional auto record
Orientation sensor	Tags images with camera orientation
Playback mode	• Full frame • Thumbnail (4 or 9 images) • One-touch zoom • Slideshow • Histogram • Highlight point
Connectivity	• USB 2.0 (Hi-Speed) Mini-B connector • Video out • Remote control 10-pin • PC Sync flash terminal
GPS	NMEA 0183 Interface standard supported with GPS Cable MC-35 (optional)
Communications	FTP file transfer with optional Wireless Transmitter WT-1 (IEEE 802.11b) or WT-2 (IEEE 802.11b/g)
Video out	• NTSC • PAL
Storage	• Compact Flash Type I or II • Microdrive supported • FAT 12/16 and FAT 32 support • 30 characters of text can be input and stored in the EXIF header • No CF card supplied
Power	• Lithium-Ion EN-EL4 (11.1 V DC) • Included battery charger MH-21 (100 min full charge) • Optional AC adapter EH-6
Battery monitoring	The LCD monitor on the camera back displays the following information about the EN-EL4 battery: • Remaining charge (%) • No. Of shots taken since the last charge • Calibration status (Recommended/Not required) • Battery life (5 stages)
Dimensions	158 x 150 x 86 mm (6.2 x 5.9 x 3.4 in)
Weight (no batt)	1070 g (2.4 lb)
Weight (inc. batt)	1252 g (2.8 lb)
Box contents	Li-ion Battery EN-EL4, Quick Charger MH-21, Body Cap, Camera Strap AN-D2X, AV Cable EG-D2, USB Cable UC-E4, LCD Monitor Cover BM-3, PictureProject Software CD-ROM
Optional accessories	Wireless Transmitter WT-1, Wireless Transmitter WT-2, Extension Antenna WA-E1, AC Adaptor EH-6, E-type Finder Screen, Anti-fog Finder Eyepiece DK-16A, Eyepiece Correction Lens DK-16C series, Speedlight SB-800/80DX/50DX, Nikon Capture 4 software, CompactFlash™ card

Conclusion

Some individuals were dissatisfied with the D2H, which had a great body and good performance but was let down by a slightly experimental sensor that did not perform at the same level as the rest of the camera. To say that some people were dissatisfied with the D2H would not be overly harsh.

There is no question that the amount of detail captured combined with Nikon’s image processing can produce stunning results. Nikon switched to a CMOS sensor with the D2X. Even though it is not yet as clean as Canon’s second-generation CMOS sensors at higher sensitivities, there is no question about the amount of detail captured.

As a result of our comparisons, we have demonstrated that the jump in resolution from 12 megapixels to 16 megapixels, which accounts for 16%, is not as significant as you might anticipate it to be (for example, it is not as substantial as the jump in resolution from 8 megapixels to 12 megapixels, which accounts for 22%).

Considering that an additional $3,000 can get you a decent lens, the D2X provides a far higher return on investment than Canon’s EOS-1Ds Mark II does. It would be best if you didn’t believe Nikon’s plan to continue using cropped sensors. Full-frame, 35 mm sensors, may have long been the goal of digital photographers, but they make considerably higher demands on the lens. The advantage of only using the “sweet spot” portion of the lens is obvious.

The D2X is a camera that won me over the more I used it because of its rapid responsiveness and robust build, which engender a degree of trust that is not accessible with cameras of a lower caliber. You know that the camera will respond immediately when you touch the shutter release button, allowing you to take a photograph without fail. As a tool for photography, it is as nearly flawless as I could ever conceive; in fact, there is very little else you could want from a camera.

The D2X incorporates two cameras onto one body, saving Nikon the trouble of developing two distinct versions. The innovative research and development team at Nikon came up with the idea to offer a mode with a lesser resolution that could take photos at a faster frame rate.

Nikon D2x Price

Nikon D2x FAQs