See ... We were all pleased with the D2H feature set when it was
introduced. There is no reason to get disappointed just because
Canon introduced an 8MP 8 fps model. The disappointed reponse we
have been getting is more like a knee jerk reaction than a logical
response. Those of us who whished better res. for the D2H, hoped
for 6MP not 8 because of file size suitability realted to spots,
photojournalism uses. And back then we also expected that Canon
will somehow up the resolution of the 1D in the replacement. Now
let us slow down and try to remember what the D2H brought with it:
- A new AF system. While this could be better or worse than the one
in the 1D2 in terms of speed and accuracy, the difference is likely
small. At least the D2H has the AF sensors where you need them
- The industry's most advanced, versatile, and best performing
flash system. CLS/i-ttl is miles beyond what any other manufacturer
have.
- The most responsive and fastest performance of any DSLR( and may
be SLR). The D2H, turn-on to shoot, shutter lag and viewfinder
blackout times are the best there is , 1D2 included
- The industry's fastest flash card write times. It is still to be
seen if the 1D2 can match those
- Wireless transmitter. You do not get that with the 1D2 (at least
yet)
- The first Nikon sensor. While the sensor disappoints in noise
performance at moderate to high ISOs (as well as some IR problems).
It has a leading performance in some areas: 1) Extremely low long
exposure noise and the greatly decreased need to run dark frame
noise subtraction apparently due to the low dark current noise of
the sensor. At the time the D2H was tested it seemed to be the
industry leader in this area. Imaging resource found long exposure
noise of the D2H at ISO 200 to be 1/3 that of the old 1D and
significantly lower at higher ISO numbers. 2) Fast operation. The
D2H uses 2 read-out channels for 4 MP at 8 fps. The 1D2 uses eight
read-out channels for 8MP at 8fps. Unless Canon delibrately has
this arrangmenet for some noise-related perforamce issue, LBCAST
seems to have an inherent advantage at speed. 3) LBCAST or new
Nikon algorithms also seem to produce gorgeous high-acutance images.
- A camera that has, according to most reviewers, one of the most
easy to use, intuiative and enjoyable operation
- A new sophsticated white balance mechanism. We will still have to
see if the 1D2 performs better.
In addition to the color matrix meter, you are not gonna get most
of the above with Canon bodies. It seems that Nikon did a lot of
work and innovation in the development of the D2H. Canon's
brilliance and most definitive strength point at this time is in
their mature and high-performance sensor technology, which helps
them develop new products quickly. I believe it is Canon's low
noise sensors that is the main seduction of the 1D2 not the high
pixel count. Had the D2H shown competitive noise performance, the
$1000-$1500 price difference would be enough to offset the pixel
count difference. Canon and Nikon also seem to have different
strategies. Canon intends the 1D2 as a swiss army knife pro DSLR
and not just a sports or photojournalist one. So here is it all,
and it is a free market. You like Canon's 8MP or think the 1D2 will
be better than the D2H in noise performance, vote with your money.
If you like Nikon's functionality, save yourself the price
difference. As for me, I can not afford either one, but I really
wish Nikon can close the noise performance gap as I think this is
the main issue that will lose Nikon's potential sales on the D2H
and will make them look unable to keep up with Canon.
