Possibly one of the most enduring internet memes is the “re-subtitling” of a section Constantin Film Produktion’s movie, Downfall.

Now someone has applied this meme to the D3x, with quite hilarious results.

WARNING - some may find this offensive.

• Thom Hogan’s Commentary
• Trusted Reviews
• Imaging Resource
• PhotographyBlog (samples)
• Nikonians
• ePhotoZine
• Ken Rockwell’s comments

Any more?  Please leave links in the comments…

I’ve put together a table comparing the specs of these two competing top-end cameras.  The D3x is, quite simply, superior to the Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III - if you can stomach the price.

Well, the title of this post says it all. Follow the links below to see samples, which to my mind have surprisingly good image quality - certainly better than I’d feared after seeing the Sony A900 (which is also 24.5mp).

• Photography Blog
• Foto Actualidad
• Studio Impressions

More to come as they appear.

The D3x is beginning to appear on retailer’s web sites now.  Should you wish, you can place an order at the following stores:

• Amazon - $7,999.95
• Adorama - $7999.95
• Ritz Camera - $7999.99
• Wolf Camera - $7999.99
• Camera World - $7999.99

I’ll update this post as more places add the D3x to their websites.

This just received from Nikon UK:

First there was the D3. Then we did it again with the D700. Today, we complete the FX-format family with our new top-of-the range premium D-SLR - the D3X. Built on the reliability, handling and durability of the award-winning D3, the D3X offers an image sensor with astonishingly high resolution, breaking new ground in imaging quality. The all-new 24.5MP CMOS sensor makes this new model suitable for the broadest range of shooting situations, both in the studio and on location, and will be especially appreciated for nature photography, studio work and fashion. This is without doubt Nikon’s highest quality camera to date. You’ve met the family. Now meet the boss.

The D3X has a new Nikon FX-format CMOS sensor with 24.5 effective megapixels, which covers an area of 35.9 x 24.0 mm. The pixel characteristics have been optimised to provide a higher S/N ratio and wider dynamic range by securing a greater amount of light received by each pixel. This reduces lost highlights and shadows, and ensures smoother tone reproduction with minimised noise.

At normal setting, the D3X offers a wide range of sensitivity — from ISO 100 (suitable for a wide variety of studio situations) to ISO 1600 (for low light hand held shooting). The sensitivity range can be increased by two stops (up to ISO 6400 equivalent) and decreased by one stop (down to ISO 50 equivalent), offering an even greater diversity of shooting possibilities. Auto sensitivity control is also available.

The Multi-CAM 3500FX autofocus sensor module (originally within the D3) offers proven outstanding performance. All 51 focus points, including the 15 cross-type sensors located at the center, are effective in all AF NIKKOR lenses with a maximum aperture of f/5.6 or larger. Three AF-area modes - Single point, Dynamic-area AF and Auto-area AF - are available to maximise the use of the 51 focus points by selecting the most suitable one to match subject conditions. Nikon’s Scene Recognition System allows subject identification and applies tracking information to improve subject acquisition performance in Dynamic-area AF mode, and focus accuracy for human subjects in Auto-area AF mode.

Just like the D3, the D3X achieves a start-up time of 0.12 seconds*4 and a shutter release time lag of 0.04 seconds*3*4. It delivers a continuous shooting speed of approximately 5 frames per second in FX format (36 x 24) or 5:4 (30 x 24), and 7 frames per second in DX format (24 x 16)*4*5. Also, the D3X is fully compatible with UDMA, the new-generation high-speed card that enables 35-MB recording.

Magnesium alloy is used for the exterior cover, chassis and mirror box to create a lightweight body and to ensure reliability in rugged conditions. O-ring sealing at critical connected parts effectively restricts dust and moisture. The shutter unit uses a new material (carbon fiber/Kevlar® hybrid) for the shutter blades, guaranteeing excellent durability through 300,000-cycle release tests.

Nikon Imaging have published a decent selection of images taken with the new D3x.  Only ISO 100 and 200 so far, which is a little worrying for those of us spoilt by the D3 and D700 image quality at higher ISOs, but they certainly seem to contain less shadow noise and artifacts than the Sony A900 samples I’ve seen.

Note that some of these are taken with the new AF-S 50mm f/1.4G.

Click the jump to see the photos.

Continue reading…

The official D3x brochure is now available in PDF format for download from the Nikon USA site:

http://www.nikonusa.com/Assets/Digital-SLR/25442-Nikon-D3X/PDF/25442_D3X_brochure.pdf

We also now have official prices.

USA: $7,995.95
UK: £5499
Euro: €7728

Compare this to the EOS 1Ds-III official retail price of $7,999, and it seems reasonable.  However, with the now ageing Canon available for a street price of $6,500 (and the 5D Mark II at $2,699), I’d expect to see some fairly quick price reductions on the D3x, just as there have been on the still-quite-new D700.

The camera is expected to be available to purchase towards the end of December 2008.

Nikon have finally announced the D3x.

Quick specifications:

• Extreme resolution 24.5-megapixel FX-format (35.9 x 24.0mm) CMOS sensor
  Large 5.49µm pixels capture astonishing detail and subtleties with outstanding dynamic range for demanding commercial applications.
• Nikon EXPEED image processing technologies
  EXPEED extends and assures breathtakingly rich image fidelity and reduces noise, even at high ISOs.
• 138 MB¹ Processed NEF (RAW) 12 or 14 bit image files
  Selectable bit depths of 12-bit (4,096 tones) or 14-bit (16,384 tones), both yielding incredible image quality through a 16-bit processing pipeline, for smoother tonal gradations.

  ¹ Approximate

• Low noise ISO sensitivity from 100 to 1600
  Added ISO settings of Lo-1 ISO 50, Hi-1 ISO 3200 and Hi-2 ISO 6400 extend versatility.
• Two Live View shooting modes
  Two Live View modes add flexibility, and up to 27x magnification in the Tripod Mode, acute focusing accuracy is easily confirmed.
• Continuous shooting at up to 5 fps at full FX-format resolution
  Commercial image quality teams with speed and handling to create new shooting possibilities—in the studio or on location.
• Fast, accurate 51-point AF system
  AF system features 4 Dynamic AF modes, including 3D Focus Tracking, for autofocus precision and razor sharpness.
• 1,005-Pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering II with Scene Recognition System
  Two Nikon-exclusive technologies provide intelligent auto exposure capabilities, along with refined auto white balance detection and faster, more accurate AF performance.
• 3-inch super-density 920,000-dot VGA LCD monitor
  Individual factory calibration assures the color accuracy of each D3X monitor for critical image review.
• 100% viewfinder coverage
• Nikon Picture Control
  Four preset options: Standard, Neutral, Vivid and Monochrome, and 9 customizable settings provide advanced, personalized color control.
• Rugged, durable and precise magnesium-alloy construction
  Effectively protected from invasive dust, moisture and electromagnetic interference with a self-diagnostic shutter mechanism tested to 300,000 cycles.
• Dual CF card slots with overflow, backup and copy options
• Virtual Horizon Graphic Indicator
• Up to 4,400 images per battery charge