Nikon today announce the new D1X and D1H digital SLR's. These two progressions from the successful D1 are an attempt to satisfy two sides of the professional market, first, the D1X aimed squarely at the commercial market, sporting a new 5.4 megapixel CCD but limited to 3 fps, second, the D1H featuring the same 2.74 megapixel CCD found in the original D1 but now with boosted buffer space and faster ASIC the D1H can shoot up to 40 frames at 5 fps.

Summary points (D1X / D1H)

• Same body as D1 (some labels / buttons have changed)
• Same AF system as D1 (and F5)
• Same 1.5x focal length multiplier
• Selectable colour space mode (sRGB or Adobe 1998)
• 3D White Balance (with hue compensation for colour shift produced by artificial lighting)
• Textual custom functions (available in four languages)
• Increased number of custom functions, now 35
• RS232C port for connection to GPS units, GPS location is recorded in image header
• ISO sensitivity selectable in 1/3 or 1/2 stops (D1X from ISO 125, D1H from ISO 200)
• D1X also supports a 2.74 megapixel image size which should be of higher quality than a 2.74 megapixel image from the D1/D1H (though frame rates remain 3 fps even at this lower resolution)
• New faster ASIC processor (image processor)
• Photoshop plugin for RAW files
• RAW file optional lossless compression mode (2:1)
• New "total system anti-noise strategy"
• Less noise at high ISO's
• New Nikon Capture 2
• New Nikon View 4 (file copy from card with rename)
• Improved IEEE 1394 (Firewire) data transfer speed
• New 130,000 pixel LCD with "white LED backlight"
• One-button playback with magnification capability
• Official support for new 1 GB Microdrive (though not older 340 MB)

The D1X's new 5.4 mp CCD

A portion of a normal "square" CCD	A portion of the D1X's double horizontal resolution CCD

Both cameras share the same functional and operating improvements over the D1 the single main difference between the two is the new 5.4 megapixel CCD used in the D1X which breaks the sensor mould by doubling the number of horizontal pixels (4024 vs. the D1/D1H's 2012) but maintains the same number of vertical pixels, thus the D1X's pixel grid layout is rectangular rather than square, in camera processing turns the 4,024 x 1,324 raw pixels (5.4 megapixel) into a 3,008 x 1,960 pixel image (5.9 megapixel). While it's clear that some interpolation is being carried out in the vertical direction (to get from 1,324 rows to 1,960 rows) there is also compression in the horizontal direction (reducting from 4,024 to 3,008 columns), this compression is used to detail the vertical interpolation. Nikon argue that because the input and output resolution are almost identical no image degredation will be visible. (We'll only be able to test this claim when we get a D1X up against a resolution test card).

D1X "sees" an image with higher horizontal resolution, 4000 x 1312 (approx. 6:2)*	D1X produces an image which is horizontally narrower and vertically taller, 3008 x 1960 (approx. 3:2)

* 4000 x 1312 is assumed to be the effective output of the CCD taking into account masked "dark point" regions of the CCD (this data is NOT confirmed by Nikon).

The reasoning behind using a layout is that Nikon have managed to double resolution while maintaining a usable frame rate, by keeping the "readout queue" the same (1,324 rows) they have managed to maintain relatively high frame rates while doubling the overall resolution of the camera.

Nikon press release:

Nikon's new D1X and D1H digital SLRs — two solutions for professional digital photographers

Nikon D1X (Spring 2001)	Nikon D1H (Summer 2001)

Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce the introduction of two new professional digital SLR cameras – the D1X and D1H, Nikon’s latest achievements in digital photography. Both models are founded on the pioneering D1 which introduced a new price/quality threshold to the high-end lens-interchangeable digital SLR camera market.

Since its inception in September 1999, Nikon has been conducting in-depth research into the use of the D1 camera and has analyzed feedback from Nikon users in all disciplines of photography. These studies, which called for further increase in quality and ease of operation led to the con-clusion that the requirements of professional photographers needed to be addressed more directly.

The new cameras give professionals exactly what they demand – a choice. They can opt for the super-high resolution of the D1X, or the fast-action workflow-based D1H.

While inheriting many of Nikon’s fundamental concepts in digital camera manufacture that were embodied in the D1 – total image quality, enhanced speed and improved operability – both cameras boast a wide variety of enhancements that make them stand out from competitive mod-els and place them a generation further on from their own predecessor.

The D1X allows photographers to capture images at 5.47-megapixel resolution (output at 3,008 x 1,960 pixels and at 2,000 x 1,312 pixels), while also enjoying improved color management capability for super-high color fidelity in a wide variety of applications and locations. It will become the standard for the professional photographer who requires no-compromise quality from a digital camera. An improved version of the Nikon Capture software allows the full 16-bit image quality and control either in the studio or when post-processing RAW files.

The D1H offers uprated consecutive shooting (up to 40 shots at 5 fps) as well as faster image processing and data transfer both to CF media and direct to computer (transfer speed by IEEE1394 is now enhanced). It will become the standard for press photographers and professionals for whom speed is absolutely essential.

In response to user feedback and a desire to push the boundary of digital photography to the highest possible level, both models incorporate additional improvements in various areas which elevate their performance to the standards required by today’s and tomorrow’s photographers. All of these features and improvements are complemented by broader system compatibility and are packed into a lightweight, rugged magnesium body.

With the launch of the D1X and D1H Nikon has met the needs of photographers who wish to complement their professionalism with the ultimate combination of total image quality, performance, durability, system compatibility and cost-effectiveness.

Click here for Nikon D1X / D1H information leaflet

Nikon D1X / D1H Major Features

Total image quality

• D1X: 23.7 x 15.6mm 5.47-megapixel CCD for 4,024 x 1,324-pixel images
  (output at 3,008 x 1,960 pixels and at 2,000 x 1,312 pixels)
• D1H: 23.7 x 15.6mm 2.74-megapixel CCD for 2,012 x 1,324-pixel images
  (output at 2,000 x 1,312 pixels)
• Newly designed 3D Digital Matrix Image Control (3D Color Matrix Metering, TTL White Balance and Tone Compensation) featuring new algorithm ensures:
  • Precise exposure control
  • Adaptive auto white balance control
  • Optimal color accuracy
• Picture noise is minimized even in high-sensitivity range
  • D1X: ISO-equivalent 125-800 sensitivity range
  • D1H: ISO-equivalent 200-1,600 sensitivity range
• 3D Multi-Sensor Balanced Fill-Flash controlled by newly developed algorithm
• Two color modes selectable for different workflow environments (opti-mized for sRGB color space and Adobe RGB color space)

Enhanced speed

• Superhigh-speed image processing by newly developed system LSI
• Continuous shooting mode:
  • D1X: approx. 3 frames per second for up to 9 consecutive shots
  • D1H: approx. 5 frames per second* for up to 40** consecutive shots
• Shutter release time lag as short as the D1 and a quick startup
• Top shutter speed of 1/16,000 sec. and flash sync speed up to 1/500 sec
• IEEE1394 interface with enhanced transfer speed

* World’s fastest among lens-interchangeable digital SLR cameras, as of January 2001
** World’s largest in continuous shooting for full-frame images among lens-interchangeable digital SLR cameras, as of January 2001

Improved operability

• Newly developed 130,000-dot TFT LCD color monitor with white LED backlighting
• Custom Setting menu (offering 35 different settings) is displayed on LCD color monitor (in four languages: English, French, German, Japanese)
• One-touch playback for rapid review and instant return to Shooting Mode
• Enlarged playback and thumbnail playback (in either 9 or 4 segments)
• 100% area-accurate playback coverage on LCD color monitor
• Supports CompactFlash™ Card (Type I/II) and Microdrive™***
• Lossless-compression mode for RAW files to increase CF card capacity and image transfer speed without sacrificing image quality
• RS-232C interface for connection to GPS position information unit
• Enhanced system compatibility with Nikon professional SLRs F5, F100 and D1
• Lightweight, durable magnesium (Mg) body

*** As for the 340MB type, there are some restrictions.

Nikon D1X / D1H specifications

* Standard accessories may differ in each country or area