D3x.....$8k!

[jrsmith12]

Worth it?

Begin discussion....

[dazza74]

Well I suppose if you compare it to it's obvious rival currently the Canon 1ds MK III which costs about the same money here I guess we can't be all that surprised. I'm guessing beyond the D3x your looking at a Hasselblad digital back so in some respects it's good value for money if you make a living from photography.

[springtide]

So do people think that the D3x might be based on the same CMOS sensor used in the A900? (both cameras are claiming to have an 'exclusive' sensor)

This I found interesting...

Sony A900 Spec:
Sony Alpha 900 Review: 2. Specifications: Digital Photography Review
Image sizes: 6048 x 4032

Nikon D3x Spec:
Nikon UK - Products - Catalogue - Digital Cameras - SLR - Professional - D3X - Specifications
Image Size: - FX format 6,048 x 4,032

So the pixel count in both cameras are identical. Or so people think that it's a Nikon design (or non Sony design) with exactly the same pixel count as the Sony sensor?

Not that is really matters (what matters is what the images look like 'printed'), but I would guess that based on the above the sensor is indeed a Sony - but 'Sony CMOS' are now customising their sensors for specific customers ('e.g. 'Nikon', 'Sony DSLR', etc). Also looks like the Nikon is using 'off chip A-to-D', just like they did with the APS-C A700 sensor used on the D300 (14 bit ADC rather than the 'on chip' 12bit)

Edit.... I've read that Nikon confirmed at a press conference that the sensor is indeed based on the same design as the A900, but with 'significant' changes ('read out method' being one)

Back to the cost....

Looks like preorders are being taken in the UK for a cool £5500. Mind you, you are getting a lot of camera for that.

If money was limitless (or photography paid well), you'd just own a D3x, D3, D700x (when?) and D700 - and have all the based covered

[allymac123]

£5499 on pre-order at warehouse express.

It will have to come down a lot in price to compete I think. Especially when the 1Ds MkIV is announced which I think will be a better camera.

[konastab01]

Only thing I will be be buying will be a d3.
Saying that it is a fantastic camera still.

[dazza74]

Makes the Sony A900 look like a bargain to me, I think if I had 3K to spend at the moment I'd probably get the A900 & the sony 24-70 2.8 ZA

[jomike]

More on the D3x here, including the Sony sensor question.

[RobDickinson]

Originally Posted by jomike

More on the D3x here, including the Sony sensor question.

"So it seems clear to me that the D3x sensor isn't the A900 sensor."

Doesnt seem that clear to me.

Physicaly the same pixel layout and probably photosites. Possibly different microlenses, definatly a diferent filter (thank god!).

Whats more important though is how the images come out, who designed which part (or fab'd) of the sensor is utterly immaterial.

If a $8k nikon cant out perform the A900 visualy then it'll be left on the shelves

[TarMoo]

Thom usually has a lot of accurate inside Nikon info, so his comments carry quite a lot of weight.

He seems to think that the 24MP sensor would be better suited to a D700X camera, which would be more of a direct competitor to the A900.

[T0MAT01]

Originally Posted by The Thom article

I suspect that, at least on specifications, that the D3x is going to disappoint most everyone. This means that the pressure on it to perform as a high resolution camera in terms of image quality is going to be very high. The D3x needs to outshoot the Canon 1DsIII, 5DII, and Alpha A900, and by enough to make a difference. So I'm going to be looking very carefully at whether it does that or not.

Now there's some strong words I wasn't expecting to see...

[dazza74]

Great read the Thom link. The more I think about this the more I'm starting to think this camera is frankly extortionate. Nikon can't really claim development costs for this as it's essentially a tweaked D3 and if as Thom mentioned the sensor is a relatively cheap component which makes sense given the price of the Sony A900.

It will sell to an elite, but can't say even if I made a good living from photography I'd want to drop £5.5K on a camera only to see 6 month's down the line a D700x arrive with the same resolution.

[PPPPPP]

Originally Posted by dazza74

It will sell to an elite, but can't say even if I made a good living from photography I'd want to drop £5.5K on a camera only to see 6 month's down the line a D700x arrive with the same resolution.

So maybe a D3 & a D700x are the perfect pair.