Nikon is using Photo Plus Expo in New York to show off its new $5,500 D1X and D1H digital SLR cameras. The D1X model is optimized for high image sharpness, while the D1H sports features optimized for action photography, with the ability to shoot up to 5 frames per second. Both models are based on Nikon’s D1 Professional Digital SLR Camera. The D1X sports a 5.47 megapixel CCD, and can produce 8-bit 17.7 megabyte TIFF files. The D1H sports a 2.74 megapixel CCD, but it sports a buffer that will hold up to 40 pictures at a time. The camera features a FireWire interface, as well.
Consumers who are serious about digital photography are also on Nikon’s radar with the new 5.24 megapixel Coolpix 5000 digital camera. It’s the first time that Nikon has shown the camera publicly, which is expected to hit the street later this month for $1,099.95. The camera features a 3x optical zoom lens with 28-85mm focal length. It sports a magnesium alloy body that weighs about 12.6 ounces and features a rounded grip like higher-end pro cameras.
Although the Coolpix 5000 sports a built-in flash, Nikon manager Mike Corrado explained to MacCentral that the camera is the first in Nikon’s consumer line to sport a hot shoe, so users can add a speedlight for improved flash coverage. The Coolpix 5000 also sports a Movie mode function that can capture up to 40 seconds of video in QuickTime format.
The Coolpix 5000 writes data out to CompactFlash Type I and Type II cards (a 32MB card comes with the camera) and transfers data to the Mac using USB. It works with Coolpix lens accessories, including a new 19mm wideangle converter lens.
Nikon is also giving folks a look at its new e-commerce solution for pro photographers, called NikonPro. Using the service, photographers can set up their own online storefront. NikonPro matches photographers to buyers and manages the financial transactions. Photographers create the storefront according to some pre-formatted templates, and upload thumbnails of the photos they wish to sell. Currently there are only a handful of designs and styles, but dozens more are in production currently. Alas, the client software for NikonPro is Windows only. A NikonPro rep told MacCentral that there are no plans for a Mac version of the software at the moment, but that it runs fine using VirtualPC.