Nikon unveils full-frame D3 digital SLR

Nikon Corporation has finally unveiled professional DLSR camera featuring a full-frame sensor, known as the D3. The camera is equipped with 12.1 CMOS sensor. The sensor has an area of 36 x 23.9mm - about the same as a frame of 35mm film . It is still possible to use DX format lenses with the Nikon , but if you do so automatically set itself to the "DX crop" mode, reducing sensor resolution to account for the smaller image circle of a DX lens. This ensure backward compatibility for Nikon DSLR owners who have accumulates a lot of DX-formate lenses over the past 8 years.

When the camera reverts to its DX format mode, the resolution is reduced to 5.1 Mp which is also known as " High speed DX crop" mode. The Nikon D3 can shoot full-resolution images at an impressive nine frame per second for 20 RAW or 64 Jpeg Normal photos. At its 5.1 Mp " DX crop" mode, you can shoot this to ten frames per son (with auto exposure limitation ) or even to an incredible 11 frames per second (with further limitation to auto focus as well). The cropped area of the image is automatically, masked out in the viewfinder when using "DX crop" mode.

The Nikon D3 combines modern CMOS sensor technology, a new image processor dubbed " EXPEED" , a large light gathering sensor area for the resolution, and a large pixel micron size . This should give the D3 camera relatively low noise at higher sensitivities. which is Nikon 's only limitation from its line-up of existing DSLR's.Base on the maximum ISO sensitivity of 6400 (default) in the D3 , it looks like Nikon is ready to deliver on that promise. most DSLR's max out at ISO 3200 pr perhaps ISO 6400 - but with the Nikon D3 you can manage ISO sensitivities to a staggeringly ISO 25,600!. its remain to be seen whether these high ISO speed of the Nikon D3 are capable of low noise images for now.

The Nikon D3 also has a "live view" function - letting you preview the frame to be captured in LCD display rather than having to hold the viewfinder to your eye. Its LCD scree n , by the way , should be easy on the eye with a diagonal of three inches and 920,000 pixels resolution, coupled with 170-degree wide viewing angle. Nikon's live view functionality has two operating modes. In "handheld" mode, auto focus is allowed by dropping the mirror brieftly to allow light to reach them camera's TTL phase detection auto focus module-the downside being an interruption to the live view while focusing is happening. In "Tripod" mode the camera uses contrast detection auto focus from the image sensor , allowing for autofocus to occur without interruption to the live view- and usefully , also allowing for the AF point to be set anywhere in the image area.

The D3 has dual Compact Flash slots with the ability to copy files in - camera, write to both cards simultaneously or consecutively , or eve place RAW and JPEG files on separate cards. An HDMI connection allows for the Nikon D3 to connected directly to a high definition display.Other features are dust and water proofing measures, a magnesium alloy body , tempered glass over the LCD display and a shutter mechanism rated to last to 300,000 releases.