Nikon PMA announcement

[Pink Floyd Veteran]

Pre-PMA 2007: Just under four months since the D40 and Nikon has announced an upgraded ten megapixel version of the camera. The new Nikon D40X is essentially identical to the D40 apart from its ten megapixel CCD, a lower base sensitivity of ISO 100 and faster continuous shooting (now up to 3.0 fps). Obviously the competitive target for this camera is the Canon EOS 400D (Digital Rebel XTi), and it is clearly priced to achieve that at $799 including the 18-55 mm kit lens. We have a detailed hands-on preview of the Nikon D40X.

Nikon's smallest digital SLR combines a 10.2-megapixel CCD with a simple, intuitive operation designed to take great, high-resolution pictures for everyone.

TOKYO ? Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce the D40X, a new digital SLR incorporating a 10.2-megapixel CCD. The D40X is scheduled to launch worldwide at March 22, 2007 (TBD) and is a sister model to the D40, which has a 6.1-megapixel CCD.

While maintaining the compact size and portability of the D40 camera body, the D40X produces even more outstanding, detailed pictures thanks to its 10.2-megapixel CCD and cutting-edge digital technologies. Its resolution power makes it easy for users to print up to A3-size pictures or crop aggressively without losing any fine details. The D40X is loaded with everything you need for truly amazing images: a 10.2-megapixel CCD, Nikon's exclusive 3D Color Matrix Metering II, an improved Image Processing Engine and superb Auto White Balance. Together with a world-famous Nikkor lens, these features combine to ensure perfect exposure, refined details and natural, vivid colors.

The D40X shares the D40's ergonomic design and streamlined interface, which means the same intuitive operation that's simple and fun ? even for entry-level users. The bright and clear viewfinder ensures precise composition, while the 2.5-inch large LCD monitor utilizes an easy-to-use menu system and a wide viewing angle so that everyone can navigate their settings and view their images with ease. There is also a handy built-in Help menu: simply press a button and useful information on key features is displayed on the LCD monitor.

The D40X is fast. Its near-instant power-up (0.18 second) and fast, reliable responses help photographers act on the moment, while the continuous shooting mode lets photographers easily capture up to 100 JPEG images of action as fast as 3 frames per second. The camera's razor-sharp autofocus ensures crisp images for a wide variety of photographic scenes.

Flash photography is simple with the D40X because the camera employs Nikon's market-leading i-TTL flash control, which evaluates ideal flash exposure automatically and accurately, even in difficult lighting situations.

Eight Digital Vari-Program modes offer creative shooting options that are optimized for common shooting situations. Fun, fast and simple, they are as easy to use as rotating the mode dial. For further control over aperture and shutter speed, P/S/A/M modes are available.

Exclusive in-camera image editing features are available in the Retouch menu. One of the main features is Nikon's exceptional D-lighting, which brings out details usually lost in underexposed areas of an image while retaining the proper exposure in brighter areas. Photographers can correct red-eye easily, or use Monochrome effects to change an image to Black-and-white or Sepia tone. Nikon's bundled software, PictureProject, also allows users to edit images on a computer. PictureProject makes transferring, organizing and sharing images incredibly simple, while the optional Capture NX software offers even more creative control.

Some of the D40X's major improvements include an even longer-lasting battery that allows up to 520* images per charge (470* images for the D40), faster continuous shooting at 3 frames per second (2.5 fps for the D40) and a wider ISO sensitivity of 100 to 1600, plus HI-1 (200 to 1600 plus HI-1 for the D40).*CIPA standards, with Built-in Flash used for 50% of the shots

While it inherits many advanced digital and optical technologies from professional models, the D40X and its sister model, the D40, are Nikon's smallest, most compact digital SLR cameras. By offering everyone mobility, ease-of-use and incredible pictures with great resolution, the D40X welcomes everyone to the world of Nikon digital SLR photography.

Sales release schedule

To launch worldwide at March 22, 2007 (TBD).

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Pre-PMA 2007: Nikon has today announced an updated version of its AF-S DX 55-200 mm lens. The new AF-S DX VR 55-200 mm F4.0-F5.6G IF-ED has a Silent Wave Motor for fast and quiet focusing, ED glass lens element and most significantly optical Vibration Reduction. This lens provides 3.6x zoom and delivers an equivelant field of view of 82.5 - 300 mm when used on a DX digital SLR (1.5x FOV crop).

Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Nikon today announces the AF-S DX VR 55-200MM F/4-5.6G IF-ED lens, a high-quality compact 3.6x DX zoom designed specifically to work with Nikon's market-leading D80 and D40/ D40x cameras. The AF-S DX VR 55-200MM F/4-5.6G IF-ED is an affordable entry-level lens which features Nikon's cutting edge Vibration Reduction stabilization system and exclusive Silent Wave Motor for fast, quiet and precise autofocussing.

Considered to be the pioneer of innovative camera technology, Nikon is constantly seeking ways to make it possible for photographers with any level of experience to get striking results.

With optics designed for the Nikon DX Format digital SLR cameras, this high-performance compact lens delivers a picture angle equivalent to that of a 35mm format, 82.5-300mm zoom lens, which enables users to get close to unapproachable subjects.

Nikon's Vibration Reduction function compensates for camera shake to produce sharper, clearer pictures in unsteady or poorly-lit conditions.

Other fantastic features include the Nikon ED glass and aspherical lens elements to minimize chromatic aberration, astigmatism, and other forms of distortion, while ensuring high resolution and contrast.

sources: D40x Nikkor 55-200mm VR

[Budious]

So what ever happened to the D60, was that one renamed as the D40 series... why don't they call this one the D60?

[goodcase]

im tempted to buy the girl the D40x...once it comes out.

[Pink Floyd Veteran]

So what ever happened to the D60, was that one renamed as the D40 series... why don't they call this one the D60?

the D60 always been a single rumour. Personally, I don't think Nikon needs something like D60. The 55-200mm VR however will be an awesome buy I am pretty sure

[dieterich]

55-200mm VR

/ME DROOL