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November 1, 2005

Nikon Unveils the D200

Nikon has finally revealed the long-awaited successor to it's popular D100 camera. The existence of the D200 had been long suspected, and this month's series of leaks gave everyone glimpses of what was to come. Along with the much awaited 10.2 MP camera, Nikon has also announced a new 18-200mm VR zoom lens and new macro and wireless commander flash systems. The new camera will retail for USD1699 and will be available in late December. As always, Nikonians was one of the first sites to host a dedicated D200 forum earlier this year. Now that the specifications are revealed, be sure to come and join the discussions!

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NIKON(C) D200(TM)DIGITAL SLR CAMERA: MAJOR FEATURES

Exceptional Imaging Performance
* Newly developed 10.2 effective megapixel Nikon DX Format CCD image sensor with the power to capture exceptional edge-to-edge sharpness and faithful color at 3,872 x 2,592 pixels size. Incorporates high-speed 4-channel data output that contributes to 5fps continuous shooting performance and employs a newly developed Optical Low Pass Filter that helps prevent moire, color fringing and shifting while improving resolving power.
* Incorporates the industry-leading advanced imaging processing engine of the D2x, which allows color-independent pre-conditioning prior to A/D conversion to work in symphony with advanced digital image processing algorithms to achieve fine color gradations with exceptionally smooth, consistent transitions.
* Newly developed 11-area AF system packs the same number of focus areas available for the professional D2 series into a space-efficient system, with the photographer able to select individual focus areas from 11-area wide and 7 wide-area AF for Single Area AF, Dynamic AF that delivers precise Continuous servo AF mode operation for moving subjects, Closest Subject Priority Dynamic AF and also Group Dynamic AF. All such AF options are supported by refined lens-controlling algorithms that realize improved focus precision, better subject acquisition capability, keener subject tracking ability and overall improved system response.
* Nikon's exclusive 3D Color Matrix Metering II (AE, as used in the D2x, delivers optimized exposure through the use of new technology developed for the Nikon 1,005-pixel RGB exposure/Color Matrix Metering Sensor. Evaluating brightness, color, contrast, selected focus area and camera-to-subject distance, this system references all such data against an expanded onboard database that has been created using data from more than 30,000 actual photographic scenes to instantly and accurately calculate the final value with high-level dependability during both automatic and manual operation. Also offers variable size center-weighted metering which concentrates 75% of sensitivity within the center-weighted circle, as well as spot metering supporting each individual sensor of both the 7 wide-area AF and 11-area AF groups.
* New image optimization modes enable photographers to produce results more closely matching the intended results, with a range of choice comprising optimization of sharpening, tone (contrast), color, saturation, and hue, with choices from Normal, Softer, Vivid, More vivid, Portrait, Custom and Black-and-white optimization.
Impressively High Speed
* Fast continuous shooting performance at 5 frames per second enables the shooting of up to 37 JPEG (Fine-Large) images or up to 22 NEF (RAW) images, with shutter speeds ranging from 1/8,000 of a second to 30 seconds.
* Near instant power-up of 0.15 seconds lets photographers respond to sudden opportunities.
* A mere 50-millisecond shutter time lag promotes fast handling, while 105-millisecond viewfinder blackout realizes assured control that's especially useful during continuous shooting.
Further Versatility
* Multiple exposure enables up to 10 separate images to be used to create a single composite to produce imaginative and even surreal results.
* Image overlay function creates a composite image in-camera from two selected NEF (RAW) images. The original files remain unaltered, opacity can be precisely controlled and the resultant image can be saved in either RAW, JPEG or TIFF format.
* Connection to a GPS (Global Positioning System) unit via an optionally available GPS Adapter Cord MC-35 enables the recording of data including latitude, longitude, elevation and UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) along with conventional shooting data for each image.
* A large 2.5-inch LCD monitor with a 170 degree viewing angle from every direction assists accurate assessment of sharpness by enabling image preview with up to 400% magnification. It also offers RGB information as a single display or separate histograms for each color channel to enable better exposure-related decision-making.
* The large top LCD panel makes it easy to read a wealth of data at a glance, such as shooting mode, battery condition, card information, gridline display, shutter speed, F stop and number of remaining shots.
* A new color-coded menu display features a color scheme that promotes easy viewing as well as the use of intuitive keywords that assist speedy navigation. There's also a Recent Settings list that displays the last 14 settings selected from shooting and Custom menus and playback options include single frame, 4- or 9-image thumbnail display, zoom with scroll, histogram indication and highlight point display.
* A chassis and body crafted from magnesium alloy gives the D200 lightweight resilience, while an enhanced sealing system helps protect each and every exterior seam from potentially damaging dust and moisture.
* A double-bladed shutter unit tested to well over 100,000 cycles ensures highly reliable, highly durable performance. The shutter unit also employs a refined mirror balance mechanism that allows the mirror to complete its motion cycle and reach a complete stop with virtually no image degrading mirror bounce, providing the extended viewfinder visibility essential for fast, accurate focus tracking and continuous shooting.
* The newly developed high-energy EN-EL3e rechargeable lithium-ion battery combines with the D200's highly efficient power management system to deliver enough power to support the shooting of up to 1,800 images on a single charge and can be recharged at any time. Important to photographers is the real-time Fuel Gauge system display that shows remaining charge by percentage, number of shots since last charge and overall battery status.
* The optionally available MB-D200 battery pack adds extended shooting capability with an ergonomic design. Able to run on either one or two EN-EL3e batteries or, six AA-size batteries* it also features an additional command dial and alternative buttons for shutter release and AF start that make for more comfortable vertical shooting.
* Compatible AA-size batteries comprise alkaline, NiMH, lithium and nickel-manganese batteries.
* The Wireless Transmitter WT-3* adds all the convenience of IEEE802.11b/g capability, enabling cable-free image transfer to a compatible printer while also supporting wide-ranging network and security protocols for added assurance.
* Available only in countries that approve the use of thirteen frequency channels.
Compatible with Nikon's Total Imaging System
* Compatible with Nikon's digital-exclusive DX Nikkor lenses as well as Nikon's 35mm/digital compatible AF Nikkor System.
* Compatibility with the Nikon Creative Lighting System allows the D200 to work seamlessly with SB-800, SB-600 and SB-R200 Speedlights to deliver the benefits of i-TTL flash control's advanced monitor pre-flash, accurate measurement for bounce and versatile wireless operation. SB-600 and SB-800 Speedlights also offer a Wide-Area AF-assist Illuminator specially tailored to the D200's 11-area Multi-CAM 1000 AF Sensor Module.
* Nikon Capture 4 (Ver. 4.4) unlocks the extensive potential of NEF (Nikon Electronic Format). Not only does it make smoother fidelity for tonal and other color corrections possible, but it also empowers photographers to reprocess images at any time and save the results to the original NEF file as a new Instruction Set, or as a TIFF or JPEG file, while retaining the integrity of the original data at all times.
* PictureProject Ver. 1.6 (complimentary with camera) empowers the photographer with tools that help expand the enjoyment of photography. These include tools for Organizing the images to promote effective viewing, Automatic and manual options for image editing, Design selections that help make multi-image album and presentation pages, and tools to help photographers share images with others through CD/DVD burning, slide shows, muvee presentations, fast and effective e-mailing and access to Nikon's PictureProject In-touch. In addition to helping anyone enjoy their pictures, PictureProject also provides the means to make sure that the computer's hard drive won't turn into an "electronic shoe box" full of pictures, instead they can be kept as neatly ordered as the user like!

Posted by covey22 at November 1, 2005 1:37 PM