Nikon announced on Thursday an addition to its line of professional SLR cameras, the D2X, as well as three new Coolpix cameras: the 4800, 8400 and 8800 models. In addition, the company introduced a new lens, the AF-S VR Nikkor 300mm f/2.8G IF-ED super-telephoto, which is compatible with all of its digital and film SLR cameras. Expected to ship in January 2005, the new lens offers two vibration reduction modes, a focus mode switch for choosing between manual-priority auto-focus and manual focus, a silent wave motor and Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass. No pricing was announced.
The D2X is a 12.4MP SLR camera that features the ability to shoot as many as five images per second in full resolution, with the option to switch to a 6.8MP High Speed Cropped Image mode that increases the rate to eight pictures per second. The shutter lag time is 37 milliseconds. In addition, it includes an 802.11b/g-compatible Wi-Fi transmitter that enables use of a wireless remote control and file transfer over a wireless network, support for the sYCC color profile found in many printers, a new metering system called 3D-Color Matrix Metering that enhances the exposure of shadow and highlight areas and 11 auto-focus sensors.
The D2X uses a USB 2.0 interface for transferring images from a CompactFlash Type I or II or Microdrive card. Its Multiple Exposure function turns up to 10 consecutive pictures into one and its Image Overlay mode merges multiple RAW files into one image file. It comes with PictureProject software for organizing pictures and performing simple editing tasks on them as well as a rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery and a charger.
Nikon also noted that new CompactFlash cards in development by Lexar will enable file encryption. The cards’ content will only be accessible by someone using the correct encryption key or password on the specific camera that shot the pictures. Nikon expects the cards to be available when the D2X ships in January 2005. No pricing was announced for the camera. PictureProject requires Mac OS X v10.1.5, 64MB RAM (128MB when working with RAW images) and 60MB of hard drive space.
The Coolpix 8400 and 8800 cameras are 8MP prosumer models that offer a 24-85mm ultra-zoom lens in the former and a 35-350mm zoom lens in the latter; both offer Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass and vibration reduction technology. Both cameras also feature In-Camera Red-Eye Fix, which automatically detects and corrects red eye, 15 scene modes and a “last five-shot buffer” that enables holding the shutter release and letting go when the moment is right.
The 8400 and 8800 also include the ability to shoot video at different speeds and resolutions and store their files on CompactFlash Type I or II or Microdrive cards. Pricing will be US$899.95 for the 8400 when it ships later this month and $999.95 for the 8800 when it becomes available in the fall.
The Coolpix 4800 is a 4MP camera that features 8.3x optical zoom, a macro mode for shooting subjects less than half an inch away, a voice memo function for adding 20 seconds of sound to an image, the ability to shoot video at 15fps and 15 scene modes. In addition, Best Shot Selector (BSS) and Auto-Exposure BSS functions enable the taking of up to 10 or five pictures, respectively, and letting the camera select one with the sharpest focus or best relative exposure.
The 4800 comes with 13.5MB of internal memory and uses SD memory cards. Pricing will be $399.95 when it ships this fall.
All of Nikon’s Coolpix cameras ship with PictureProject, ArcSoft’s Panorama Maker for stitching together multiple images into panoramic ones, a USB 2.0 cable, a video cable, a rechargeable Lithium Ion battery, a charger and a neck strap. Panorama Maker requires Mac OS X v10.2, 128MB RAM and 30MB of free hard drive space.