Nikon Camera Captures 12 Megapixels

Nikon has announced an addition to its line of professional single-lens reflex cameras, the 12.4-megapixel D2X, as well as three new Coolpix cameras. The company has also introduced a new lens that is compatible with all of its digital and film SLR cameras.

High-End Lens, SLR

The new lens is the AF-S VR Nikkor 300mm f/2.8G IF-ED super-telephoto. It offers two vibration reduction modes, a focus mode switch to choose between manual-priority auto-focus and manual focus, a silent wave motor, and Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass. Nikon expects to reveal pricing by the time the lens becomes available in January.

The new high-end camera, the D2X, is a 12.4-megapixel SLR digital camera that features the capability to shoot as many as five images per second in full resolution, with the option to switch to a 6.8-megapixel High Speed Cropped Image mode that increases the rate to eight pictures per second. The shutter lag time is 37 milliseconds.

In addition, the D2X 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 to transfer images from a CompactFlash Type I or II or Microdrive card. Its Multiple Exposure function turns up to ten consecutive pictures into one, and its Image Overlay mode merges multiple RAW files into one image file. It comes with PictureProject software to organize pictures and perform simple editing tasks, 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. The company did not reveal pricing the camera.

Coolpix Updated

The newest members of the Coolpix line are the high-end consumer models 8400 and 8800, and the 4-megapixel Coolpix 4800, all with lots of extras.

The Coolpix 8400 and 8800 cameras are 8-megapixel "prosumer" models. The Coolpix 8400 offers a 24-to-85mm ultra-zoom lens; the 8800, a 35-to-350mm zoom lens; 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 capability to shoot video at different speeds and resolutions and store their files on CompactFlash Type I or II or Microdrive cards. Pricing will be $899.95 for the 8400 when it ships later in September and $999.95 for the 8800 when it becomes available later in the fall.

The Coolpix 4800 is a 4-megapixel camera that features 8.3x optical zoom, a macro mode for shooting subjects less than half an inch away, and a voice memo function for adding 20 seconds of sound to an image. It can shoot video at 15 frames per second and offers 15 scene modes. In addition, Best Shot Selector (BSS) supports taking up to ten pictures and letting the camera select one with the sharpest focus; the Auto-Exposure BSS functions will choose among five photos for the one with the 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.