Review based on an production Nikon D1x, firmware v1.01
I was first introduced to the D1x at the Nikon launch here in London, to a room full of journalists Nikon unveiled its new six megapixel D1X and the 40 image buffer, 5 fps high speed D1H (2.74 megapixel). The D1x is largely based on the first Nikon produced professional digital SLR, the D1, which took the professional photography market by storm and had a huge influence on the price of professional digital SLR's. The D1x builds on the D1, it adds another 3.3 megapixels of resolution (while maintaining a respectable 3 fps, 9 image buffer), makes several tweaks to the user interface (new menu system, shifted controls) and finally brings selectable colour profiles (sRGB / Adobe RGB), an area which was probably D1 users biggest bug bear.
* Initial problems with later 1 GB Microdrives now solved with firmware v1.01
The slightly controversial thing about the D1x's new CCD is that it has twice the resolution in the horizontal direction than in the vertical. Indeed, vertically it has exactly the same resolution as the D1 (1324 rows).
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| A portion of a normal "square pixel" CCD | A portion of the D1x's double horizontal resolution CCD (rectangular pixels) |
The D1X's pixel grid layout is rectangular rather than square (though still uses the Bayer GRGB colour filter array), in camera processing turns the 4028 x 1324 raw pixels (5.33 megapixel) into a 3008 x 1960 pixel image (5.9 megapixel). While it's clear that some interpolation is being carried out in the vertical direction (to get from 1324 rows to 1960 rows) there is also compression in the horizontal direction (reducing from 4028 to 3008 columns), this compression is used to add detail to the vertical data. Nikon argue that because the input and output resolution are almost identical no image degradation will be visible. Something we'll be able to test later in this review...
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| D1X "sees" an image with higher horizontal resolution, 4028 x 1324 (approx. 6:2) | D1X produces an image which is horizontally narrower and vertically taller, 3008 x 1960 (approx. 3:2) |
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 (1324 rows) they have managed to maintain relatively high frame rates (3 fps) while doubling the overall resolution of the camera.
Obviously when you buy a digital SLR you've also got to consider lenses, a good percentage of D1x buyers will probably be existing Nikon SLR owners, so they will more than likely have several suitable lenses. Nikon were good enough to provided the following lenses for evaluation of the D1x in this review:
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| AF
Zoom-Nikkor 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5D (42 - 157.5 mm equiv.) |
AF-S
Zoom-Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED (25.5 - 52.5 mm equiv.) |
AF-S
Nikkor 300mm f/4D IF-ED (450 mm equiv.) |
If you're new to digital photography you may wish to read the Digital
Photography Glossary before diving into this review (it may help you
understand some of the terms used).
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Images which can be viewed at a larger size have a small magnifying glass icon in the bottom right corner of the image, clicking on the image will display a larger (normally 960 x 720 or smaller if cropped) image in a new window. To navigate the review simply use the next / previous page buttons, to jump to a particular section either pick the section from the drop down or select it from the navigation bar at the top. DPReview calibrate their monitors using Color Vision OptiCal at the (fairly well accepted) PC normal gamma 2.2, this means that on our monitors we can make out the difference between all of the (computer generated) grayscale blocks below. We recommend to make the most of this review you should be able to see the difference (at least) between X,Y and Z and ideally A,B and C. Colourspace used for evaluation is sRGB (unless otherwise stated). |
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This review is Copyright 2001 Phil Askey and the review in part or in whole may NOT be reproduced in any electronic or printed medium without prior permission from the author. For information on reproducing any part of this review (or any images) please contact: Phil Askey.
NIKON D1X 5.47 Megapixel SLR Digital Camera | $99.00 |
NIKON D1X 5.47 Megapixel SLR Digital Camera | $99.00 |
Nikon COOLPIX P7700 12.2 MP Digital Camera with 7.1x Optical Zoom NIKKOR ED Glass Lens and 3-inch Vari-Angle LCD | Too low to display |
Nikon D7100 Digital SLR Camera Body with 18-200mm Lens + 64GB Card + Battery & Charger + Case + Flash + Filter + Tripod + Accessory Kit | $1,799.95 |
Nikon D4 16.2 MP CMOS FX Digital SLR with Full 1080p HD Video (Body Only) | $5,996.95 |
Nikon D3X 24.5MP FX CMOS Digital SLR with 3.0-Inch LCD (Body Only) | $6,500.00 |
Nikon D5200 Digital SLR Camera Body (Black) with 18-200mm VR II Zoom Lens + 32GB Card + Case + Battery + Filter + Tripod + Accessory Kit | $1,329.95 |
Nikon D2X DSLR 12.4 MP Camera | $318.00 |
Nikon D5200 Digital SLR Camera Body (Black) with 18-200mm VR II Zoom Lens + 32GB Card + Battery + Backpack Case + Filter + Accessory Kit | $1,324.95 |
Nikon COOLPIX P7800 12.2 MP Digital Camera with 7.1x Optical Zoom NIKKOR ED Glass Lens and 3-inch Vari-Angle LCD | $546.95 |
Nikon D100 6MP Digital SLR Camera | $149.00 |
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