Choose the Nikon DSLR Cameras | ||||||||||||||||
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Ricoh “Caplio R6″ camera was in #1 position for more than 4 weeks, now pushed down to number two. The camera features a 7.1x zoom and Ricoh’s CCD-shift vibration correction, adding a larger 2.7-inch LCD and face-detection technology. Number three is Nikon Coolpix P5000, jumped from previous number 8 position. The camera is the latest addition to Nikon’s “performance” series of P&S cameras features a 10 megapixel sensor, a 3.5X Nikon optical zoom lens that provides a 35mm film equivalent focal range of 36 to 126mm, and a 2.5 inch LCD monitor in addition to an optical viewfinder. Most significantly, the camera offers aperture priority, shutter priority and manual exposure modes as well as auto and 16 scene mode options. All this along with Nikon’s Vibration Reduction (VR) system and a flash hot shoe are packaged into a magnesium-alloy camera body about the size of a deck of cards.
Website : Japan Most Popular Camera Ranking - Aug 13 to Aug 19
EXPEED Image Processing System The EXPEED image processing system is at the heart of the D3’s ability to capture and process massive amounts of data at high definition. The EXPEED system includes both hardware and years of Nikon image processing experience. The D3 EXPEED system features 14-bit analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion with 16-bit image processing, both of which contribute to delivering results with Nikon’s signature ‘look and feel’ of rich accurate colours, smooth skin gradations and exceptional detail. Scene Recognition System The D3 features a radical new approach to calculating exposures and white balance with intelligent support for Autofocus tracking performance as well. At the heart of the Scene Recognition System is Nikon’s renowned 1005-pixel RGB metering sensor that has been modified to distinguish subjects’ shape and position for improved auto exposure and Autofocus accuracy.
The high-resolution 12.3 MP DX format CMOS sensor generates image files suitable for almost every type of output, combined with a fast standard frame advance rate of 6fps (up to 8 fps with optional Multi Power Battery Pack). The D300 offers fast power-up, quick response and outstanding flexibility to meet the needs of a wide variety of photographic assignments. The D300 powers-up in just 0.13 seconds, with an almost imperceptible 45 millisecond shutter lag. The D300 boasts a self-cleaning sensor unit, which vibrates at high frequencies to remove any loose dust on the surface of the sensor’s optical low pass filter. The camera has a broad ISO range from 200-3200 plus Lo 1 (the equivalent of an ISO 100) and Hi (ISO 6400 equivalent). Image accuracy is also enhanced by the new Nikon Scene Recognition System, which uses the acclaimed Nikon 1005-pixel RGB colour sensor modified to recognise subjects’ shape and position before the image is captured. This also aids the new 51-Point Autofocus system in tracking subjects by their colour, while enhancing the accuracy of exposure and white balance metering. The D300 also offers Live View, which presents photographers with a live image on the LCD screen, with two modes suited to either hand held or tripod shooting. Autofocus is possible in both Live View modes.  Recently, DSLR cameras have become the most popular models for astronomical photography. Intended for serious amateur photographers and all types of shooting, DSLRs have several key features that make them particularly desirable for nighttime photography. First and most important, their large sensors offer much lower noise and cleaner images than do compact point-and-shoot digital cameras, especially at ISO 400 and higher. DSLRs feature interchangeable lenses— or direct attachment to a telescope’s focuser —making them by far the most versatile cameras for all forms of astrophotography, from panoramas with wide-angle lenses to deep-sky close-ups through a telescope. Alan Dyer from SkyNews compared the three commonly available DSLRs in the market today for astronomical photography - the Canon Digital Rebel XTi (400D), Nikon D80, and Pentax K10D. Here’s the conclusion: “At the end of the testing, Canon emerged victorious. Its low noise and lack of other artifacts make it the most suitable for long exposures. Nevertheless, the Nikon and Pentax put up a good fight. Both produce fine results at ISO 400 and 800 settings if exposures are kept short. If you’re looking for a camera that’s compatible with existing hardware and planning to use it for only casual short-exposure astrophotography, the Pentax K10D and Nikon D80 will work very well.
NASA/JSC intends to purchase the items from Nikon, Inc. NASA requires all cameras and camera peripherals be manufactured from the same lot. The required delivery date for these items is August 31, 2007. Attempts to compete similar efforts have been unsuccessful due to the camera equipment having to be manufactured from the same lot and items requiring Braycote lubricant grease having to be lubricated during the manufacturing and assembly process. Website : NASA purchases 76 Nikon D2XS DSLR cameras Website : NASA Digital Camera Procurement list (in Excel)
Here’s the quick summary: “As you can see, the sharpening level in the Canon EOS 400D is a little bit higher, this might also be due to the strength level of the edges after the noise reduction. Nikon D80’s noise reduction system is more advanced than the one implemented in the EOS 400D. The Nikon D80 removes color noise almost absolutely and leaves very little edge problems. On the other hand, the Canon EOS 400D leaves more color noise bit delivers more details. We would choose less details and less color noise than the opposite under high ISO, but that is a matter of personal taste. Canon is definitely stretching the DIGIC II’s limits with the 10MP resolution. We hope to see cleaner and better results in Canon’s future cameras. In the mean while we are happier with Nikon D80’s results in high ISO. ” Website : High ISO comparison between Canon 400D vs. Nikon D80 |
According to the analysis of user trend in Japan for the most popular camera sales ranking from 8/13 to 8/19. The Fuji FinePix F31fd camera took the #1 spot for 2 weeks, it is the first pocketable digital camera to feature hardware-based Face Detection technology. Face Detection has great impact on people photography, ensuring the camera automatically focuses on and exposes for faces, rather than details that can confuse other cameras. Coping with up to ten faces in a frame, it ensures photos of friends and family are crisp, clear and perfectly exposed no matter what the occasion.
Nikon announce their first fullframe DSLR camera, the Nikon D3 priced at US$ 4,999 (body only), is the result of years of development and feedback from professional photographers, combines many innovative Nikon technologies. These include an exclusive 12.1 effective megapixel FX format (36.0×23.9mm) image sensor with 12-channel read out, a blazing-fast 9 fps frame rate, expandable ISO settings from 200-6400, a completely new 51-Point autofocus system, a 3-inch VGA LCD screen with Live View and a cutting-edge image processing system.The D3 FX format CMOS imaging sensor was designed from the ground up to offer exceptional light transmission properties, so photographers can acquire outstanding image quality even in low light conditions. With a high signal to noise ratio, a pixel pitch 15% larger than competitive cameras, gapless surface micro-lenses and advanced on-chip noise reduction means high-quality images under very low light levels are now possible. The sensor enables an ISO settings range from 200-6400, expandable up to the equivalent of 25,600 or down to 100.
Nikon today announces the D300 DSLR, price at US$ 1,799 (body only). With class-leading 12.3 megapixel resolution, speedy 6 fps frame advance, self-cleaning sensor unit and high definition 3” VGA LCD display, combined with Nikon’s legendary durability, the D300 is a breakthrough solution for photographers searching for an advanced compact SLR.The D300 is loaded with the latest professional technologies designed to produce images of the highest quality.
NASA/JSC ( NASA/Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston Teax) will purchase a big lot of DSLR digital cameras and camera peripherals from Nikon. NASA has a requirement for 48 Nikon D2XS SLR Digital Cameras. The cameras must be lubricated with Braycote lubricating grease which is approved for spaceflight during the manufacturing process. NASA has a requirement for 28 Nikon D2XS Digital SLR Camera Sets (the Strap Eyelets must be removed without compromising the integrity of the camera encasement, 225 Nikon EN-EL4A Rechargable Batteries, 20 Nikon EH-6 AC ADAPTER, 33 Nikon SB800 W/ BRAYCOTE LUBRICANT (EVA)and 31 Nikon SB-800 AF TTL SPEEDLIGHT. Here’re the lens that NASA needs from Nikon:
Although these two cameras are far a part one from another, both price wise and market share wise, it’s the first time in a long time that there is a possibility to compare between Nikon and Canon under the same resolution. KammaGamma, a new website for DSLR photograpaher, took both camera to the studio and compare their High ISO performance. Here are the settings:
