Nikon D2X and the Future of DX-Format

by Makoto Honda                March 25, 2005

An anxiously-awaited Nikon Digital SLR flag-ship, Nikon D2X, is finally here.  The 12 Mega-pixel D2X has maintained an APS-C size digital sensor (so called DX-format, 23.7 x 15.7mm) as opposed to the full 35mm format of 36 x 24mm, in spite of the undeniable, theoretical disadvantage of the small er sensor size when the picture sharpness is concerned. I personally have been watching the Nikon's corporate decision making regarding the sensor size with great interest.

The interview with Mr. Tomino, Top Nikon Executive, appearing in "DigiCame-Watch" (http://dc.watch.impress.co.jp) regarding Nikon's future strategy for their digital SLRs is very informative.

For Nikon D2H (announced in 2003), Nikon used its proprietary CMOS sensor, LBCAST, which is touted as having superior characteristics over the traditional CMOS technology, including better response for shallow incident angle. Nikon D2X, however, adopted the CMOS sensor co-developed with Sony. Why forgoing the use of LBCAST? Mr. Tomino shrugs it off by saying it's just a matter of the development timing issue. At the time of the D2X development cycle - for high speed data transfer at 12 Mega-pixel - the use of Sony's CMOS was the most appropriate choice. The development of the next generation LBCAST is on-going in parallel, and LBCAST also offers multi-channel readout for high speed continuous shooting. The decision was simply based on what is currently the best choice based on development cycle dependency.

It is generally accepted that the small er the pixel, the more noise it tends to produce in terms of S/N ratio. Mr. Tomino assures the user the high resolution 12 Mega pixels in the small DX format does not introduce any adverse consequences. The new technology developed for D2X more than offsets the demerit associated with small pixel sizes.

Mr. Tomino asserts that the DX-format presents no problem supporting 12 Mega pixels ..... adding, however, that if the pixel count is to reach 20 MP today, it may presents some issues, given the current state of the technology.

When Nikon introduced DX-format-specific lenses a year ago, Nikon announced its intent to seek the optimal solution in the framework of the DX-format - at least for the next 3 years. With the introduction and the general-availability of D2X, Nikon's top-of-the-line DSLR camera, Nikon has followed its stated promise and strategy. "Nikon is continually exploring and learning the possibility of the full-frame 35mm format for its DSLR and the implication thereof", says Mr. Tomino.

The full-size sensor does not come cheap either. Mr. Tomino also voices some concern about the marketability of a $10,000-plus camera. I am sure Nikon is carefully watching how well Canon's $8,000 EOS 1Ds Mark II is doing in the marketplace.

If the quality is the same, the small er sensor size has the definite advantage of simply being physically small . You can reduce the lens size due to the small er image circle requirement. You can shift the optical design criteria in favor of yielding the maximum resolution in the lens center. You can certainly reduce the camera size, as seen in the latest Canon rebel design.  Nikon should be able to reduce the physical size of the "next" D2X camera, in order to truly appeal the DX-format advantage, instead of sharing the same body cast with the full-size Nikon F6.

Mr. Tomino comments that people seeking the full-size format DSLR are hoping that with the full-size sensor the digital photography will finally reach the realm of film photography. "In some aspects, the digital image sensor has already surpassed the expression of film. Should we then move completely to digital? Well, it's too simplistic." says Mr. Tomino.

"Since the introduction of Nikon D1 in September 1999, five years have elapsed. Our development focus during that period has been to replace the film with digital sensor. In the next 5 years, however, our focus will be - not just film-digital replacement - but the diversity of usage."

In the advent of the high resolution digital image age, where the image sharpness is evaluated at the pixel level on the display, the camera's auto-focus mechanism must improve to be in pace with the digital technology. On the camera side, D2X is poised to accept this challenge. On the lens front, some of the older auto-focus lenses may not be up to par. One of the main reasons for the introduction of DX-format lenses is to address this critical issue of increased auto-focus accuracy demanded in digital photography. The increase of the digital sensor resolution is meaningless unless the whole supporting mechanism of the entire system improves accordingly.

Nikon appears to be lagging behind Canon a bit in terms of product offerings. Mr. Tomino promises new product introduction, both above and below Nikon D100 and D70 in their lineup.

My guess is, for the year 2005, with street price in USA:

Nikon D2X (12MP) --- $5000 (body only)
New --------------------> Nikon D200 (10MP) --- $1900 (body only)
Nikon D100 (6MP) --- discontinue
Nikon D70   (6MP) --- New version -------->  Nikon D70 N  (8MP) $1100 (w/ 18-70mm lens)
New -------------------->  Nikon D50   (8MP) --- $800 (w/ 18-70mm lens)

There you have it. These are, of course, all DX-format cameras. In my opinion, Nikon's move toward the full 35mm format is inevitable, eventually. But for the next few years, Nikon will focus on the optimality of their DX-format. Nikon is thinking very carefully on the issue of the full-format sensor. The technology is already here. Nikon is no hurry to jump into the full-size sensor band wagon. Besides, just think of it. When they decide to go full-frame, all they have to produce is a camera. All the infrastructure, mainly in terms of their lens lineup, is already there. It has been for a long time. Probably Nikon will slowly replace their older lenses to meet the auto-focusing accuracy.

For the future beyond 2005 (just for fun only):

Nikon D3X (16MP) --- $6000 (body only) DX-format
Nikon S1X (24MP) ----- $8000 (body) Full 35mm format