PCPhoto
Short Report: Nikon D2xThe top-of-the-line D-SLR from Nikon features 12 megapixels, blistering speed and a bigger, brighter LCD |
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For
discriminating photographers, the Holy Grail in digital cameras in
recent years has been the so-called full-frame image sensor. Such a
sensor is the same physical size as a frame of 35mm film, and as a
result, has no lens magnification factor. Nikon’s newest high-end
digital SLR, the D2x, isn’t full frame, but with an extremely high-res
sensor and professional-caliber features, it calls into question
whether there’s a real need for a full-frame sensor, especially in
light of new wide-angle lenses designed just for digital. Among the D2x’s features is a new High-Speed Crop mode. When selected, it gives you the ability to shoot at 8 fps for 35 JPEGs or 26 NEF images. The High-Speed Crop mode essentially takes the data from a smaller portion of the sensor, resulting in a lower-resolution file (the mode uses 6.8 megapixels of the sensor instead of the full 12.4) and a higher magnification factor (2.0x instead of 1.5x). When I first read about the High-Speed Crop, I was skeptical, but during a test session at the Road Atlanta race track, I immediately saw the benefit. With my telephoto lens range extended further by the higher magnification factor, I was able to capture fast action from a great distance and still had plenty of resolution to make 11x14-inch prints.
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