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| Nikon Unveils the New D200
Digital SLR Camera
10.2 Megapixel D200
Digital SLR Delivers Outstanding Image Quality
With Blazing Speed,
Rugged Construction and Intelligent Features
MELVILLE, N.Y., Nov. 1 /PRNewswire/
-- Nikon (http://www.nikondigital.com ) today introduced the
highly anticipated new D200 -- a
precision-engineered, high performance digital SLR camera designed to satisfy the requirements of passionate and demanding
photographers. Combining brand-new technologies
with advanced features inherited from Nikon's
venerable D2X professional digital SLR camera, the D200 incorporates
more must-have features than any other camera in
its class, enabling photographers to capture
images in a way once reserved only for professionals.
 The D200 promises an extremely satisfying shooting
experience, with a winning combination of
quality, performance, construction and advanced system features. Employing a newly developed 10.2 effective
megapixel Nikon DX Format CCD image sensor, the
D200 captures images with remarkable resolution
and clarity. Its sophisticated
1005-pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering II system
ensures ideal exposures while an advanced Nikon image processing engine renders images with superb clarity and smooth color
gradations. The D200 reacts with lightning
speed, powering-up in a mere 0.15 seconds, and firing in an imperceptible 50 millisecond shutter release lag time.
It can shoot five frames per second with a
drastically shortened viewfinder blackout time of
just 105 milliseconds between shots. Its large, bright viewfinder offers 0.94x magnification for comfortable and precise composition
while a new 2.5 inch LCD screen provides
ultra-wide 170 degrees viewing angle from all
directions. With an all new 11-area autofocus system, robust control of Nikon's i-TTL Creative Lighting System and advanced Wi-Fi
image-transmission options*, the D200 is a
perfect fit for discriminating photographers and a
natural choice for wedding, event and action photographers.
"Nikon has spent considerable time and effort to truly understand the qualities and features photographers desire in an advanced
digital SLR camera. The D200 embodies this
research and delivers a camera that's built to the
requirements of passionate photographers, and meets demands for
resolution, speed, precision, and ultimate image
quality. The D200 represents an unmatched
combination of quality, performance and value that's hard to resist," said Edward Fasano, general manager for Marketing,
SLR Systems Products, at Nikon Inc. "The D200 is
hands-down the most capable digital SLR camera
in its category."
SMARTER
...
The D200 embodies a host of intelligent technologies that deliver
remarkably precise control and accurate automatic features. Equipped
with Nikon's exclusive 1,005 pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering II, the
D200 seamlessly determines ideal exposures even in complex lighting
conditions. Capturing scene elements including brightness, contrast and
color content with a unique 1,005-pixel RGB-enabled sensor, this
advanced system employs further improved algorithms for even better
evaluation of large area highlight and shadow detail. The 3D Color
Matrix Metering II light metering system also uses an onboard database
of detailed exposure information from over 30,000 actual images against
which instantaneous real-time comparisons are made as part of
determining exposures. Rather than merely looking at light levels, a
complex, yet transparent evaluation of overall scene content takes
place, ensuring highly accurate exposures, even in challenging lighting
conditions.
The 10.2 effective megapixel image sensor on the D200 incorporates a
high-speed 4-channel data output and a new Optical Low Pass Filter that
significantly reduces any incidence of moire as well as color fringing
and shifting. Furthermore, 4-channel output allows the D200 to inherit
the advanced image- processing engine of the Nikon D2x professional
digital SLR that combines color-independent preconditioning prior to
A/D conversion with advanced digital image processing algorithms to
deliver fine color gradations with smooth, consistent transitions.
Photographers can take advantage of the D200's advanced image
optimizing functionality that allows them to fine tune image
characteristics such as sharpness, tone, color, saturation, and hue.
Photographers can also select from preset options like Normal, Softer,
Vivid, More Vivid, Portrait and Black-and-White.
One of the most notable new features of the D200 is its all new 11-area
AF system, convertible to a 7-wide area AF system, both based on
Nikon's advanced Multi-Cam 1000 AF Sensor Module. Not only does this AF
system support the photographer with fast and precise auto focus under
a variety of shooting conditions, but it also offers a pleasing array
of functions for greater flexibility -- allowing an individual area to
be selected from either the 11-area AF or 7-wide area AF sensors for
Single AF or making use of multiple sensors to enable Dynamic AF,
Closest Subject Priority Dynamic AF and Group
Dynamic AF.
Running out of power on the D200 is harder than ever, since in addition
to its remarkable capacity of up to 1800 shots per charge, the D200
also features an intelligent power management Fuel Gauge feature that
constantly monitors the battery's precise remaining power in 1%
increments. It also displays the total number of shots taken on each
charge as well as overall life of the battery, so photographers can
easily tell when to replace a battery.
The D200 is a wireless whiz, and features Nikon's advanced i-TTL
wireless Speedlight control built right into the camera, as well as
wireless image transfer over an 802.11b/g Wi-Fi network built into the
optional WT-3 Wireless Transmitter (available Spring 2006). The
camera's powerful built-in Speedlight, capable of coverage for lenses
as wide as 18mm, features a Commander Mode that can wirelessly control
up to two separate groups of an unlimited number of i-TTL speedlights
such as the SB-800, SB-600 or SB-R200. The Commander Mode in the D200
can adjust flash compensation settings for each of the two groups on
the fly, making light output control from speedlights placed in hard to
reach locations simple and effortless.
FASTER ...
The D200 is faster than any other camera in its class, making its
handling exceptionally responsive. The D200 can shoot continuously at
up to five frames per second, capturing up to an impressive 37 JPEG
images** or up to 22 NEF (RAW) images, making it ideal for action,
wedding and event photography. Featuring an industry leading power-up
time of 0.15 seconds, the D200 is ready to shoot when the photographer
is ready. Its reduced shutter release time lag of 50 milliseconds is
nearly undetectable and when shooting in its continuous burst mode of
five frames per second, its shortened viewfinder blackout time (between
each successive shot) of just 105 milliseconds proves especially useful
in keeping an eye on a moving subject.
STRONGER ...
The D200 is designed with long term durability, ruggedness and
precision in mind. Built on a magnesium alloy chassis and body cover,
the D200 combines light weight with high-level durability and protects
performance integrity. It also features an enhanced environmental
sealing system that helps protect
exterior seams from potentially damaging moisture and dust. The D200's
double-bladed shutter unit is tested to well over 100,000 cycles,
ensuring highly reliable performance year after year. 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.
The Ultimate
Shooting Experience
Nikon is renowned for the distinct usability and handling of its
digital SLRs, and the D200 continues this tradition. Photographers
handling the camera will immediately notice its large, bright
viewfinder with 0.94x
magnification that ensures the clearest view possible for precise
composition. Viewing excellence is taken further with an expansive
2.5-inch high-resolution LCD that provides an ultra-wide 170 degrees
viewing angle from all directions. It also offers the ability to
magnify images by up to 400% to enable
photographers to closely inspect images for fine details while offering
a selectable RGB histogram display, which allows photographers to make
better- informed exposure decisions through the viewing of a composite
RGB histogram, or a separate histogram for each individual color
channel. The D200 also
features the largest top LCD panel among cameras in its class to convey
maximum information at a glance with easy access to shooting data
including shooting mode, battery condition, card information, gridline
display, shutter speed, F-stop and number of remaining shots.
Refined menus on the D200 offer a streamlined and visually enhanced
view of camera setup and custom setting options. Photographers can
access an expanded on-board Help feature to view brief descriptions of
every one of the camera's menu items. The D200 also features a 'Recent
Settings' menu that reflects the last 14 settings adjusted, offering a
quick way to revisit these settings.
Nikon's Digital
Imaging System
Like all Nikon SLR cameras, the D200 also offers the advantages of
compatibility with Nikon's superior and comprehensive Digital Imaging
System. High image quality is assured through compatibility with over
50 outstanding AF Nikkor lenses, including Nikon's DX Nikkor lenses
engineered exclusively for use with Nikon digital SLRs and an extensive
array of AF Nikkors designed for use on digital and 35mm SLRs. The D200
also offers compatibility with the Nikon Creative Lighting System,
enabling high-precision flash photography with SB-800, SB-600 and the
Nikon Wireless Close-up Lighting Systems. Outlined below are
groundbreaking technologies and system features that enable
photographers to achieve results not possible with any other system:
New Wireless
Transmitter WT-3 (Available Spring 2006)
Nikon is leading the imaging world with wireless image transfer
technology via Wi-Fi. The D200 marks the announcement of the Wireless
Transmitter WT-3, offering photographers creative new ways to set up
their workflow. The new IEEE802.11b/g compatible Wireless Transmitter
WT-3 provides fast image transmission with improved security and
compatibility with the latest protocols. It also provides alternative
buttons for shutter release and AF-start as well as an extra command
dial to facilitate more comfortable shooting in vertical format.
i-TTL Speedlight
Technology
Nikon's i-TTL speedlight technology is arguably the most robust and
advanced speedlight system in the world, and holds limitless
possibilities for all kinds of photographers using creative lighting.
i-TTL technology built in to the D200 allows photographers to
wirelessly control in full TTL, up to 2 groups of speedlights, with any
number of individual speedlights in each group. Photographers can shed
all cords and cables or the need to ever calculate flash and distance
ratios, because the i-TTL system is capable of making all exposure
calculations in real time, wirelessly, during the exposure to deliver a
perfect flash exposure in any situation. Photographers can even
maintain full output control of each group of speedlights from the
D200's built-in speedlight. This technology can potentially distill an
entire portrait lighting system into a small set of multiple SB800,
SB600 or SB-R200 speedlights.
Nikkor(R) Lenses
As a company that built its reputation with the superb quality of its
lenses, Nikon's renowned Nikkor(R) brand of optics offer D200 users a
tremendous choice of over 50 high quality lenses ranging from highly
specialized exotic ones such as the AF DX Fisheye-Nikkor 10.5mm f/2.8G
ED to broad zoom range lenses for everyday photography, such as the
newly announced AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED lens.
The D200 is compatible with DX Nikkor lenses that are optimized for
Nikon's digital SLR camera sensors as well as legendary AF Nikkor
lenses, delivering outstanding system digital SLR flexibility. This
ensures that D200 users will always find a high quality Nikkor lens
that's just perfect for their photography.
Nikon
PictureProject and Capture 4.4 Software
The D200 will include a complimentary copy of Nikon's PictureProject
software, a $49.95 value, and an easy-to-use yet powerful software
application that provides image transfer, organization, editing, and
design functions for JPEG and NEF (RAW) images produced with the
camera. PictureProject can also
convert NEF (RAW) files to JPEG or TIFF format finished files, as well
as save in the original NEF file format. PictureProject is an essential
accessory and is compatible with the new D200 and all prior Nikon
digital SLR models and
Coolpix Models. The D200 is also compatible with Nikon Capture 4.4
software (sold separately), a new version of Capture that has the
specifications to open NEF files from the D200 and all other Nikon
digital SLR models. This newest version features greatly enhanced NEF
(RAW) processing capabilities as
well as Nikon Capture Camera Control that allows remote camera
operation when connected to a computer via the included USB cable or
wirelessly using the new Wireless Transmitter WT-3 (sold separately).
This versatility is especially useful when photographers may need to
continue shooting with their D200 while simultaneously having someone
else edit incoming images.
The NEF (RAW) files from the D200 comprise not only the RAW image data
captured by the 10.2 effective megapixel image sensor but also a
thumbnail image and a Nikon "Instruction Set" of the cameras settings
at the time of shooting. NEF allows the Instruction Set data -- such as
white balance, color balance and tone curves and more -- to be adjusted
for each recorded image at any time after shooting through the use of
Nikon Capture software. Use of Nikon Capture also allows an NEF file to
be saved as an NEF, ensuring a record of the original Instruction Set
is always preserved, even if several newer Instruction Sets are saved
to the file. This ensures that photographers never loose the original
settings and image data of an NEF (RAW) file, and reverting back to the
original image requires just a few clicks in Capture software. Version
4.4 of Nikon Capture software offers a flexible, stable and creative
workflow approach for any photographer in both professional and
personal use through Nikon's unique approach referred to as the "Camera
to NEF to Capture Dynamic Link" performance. Newly added features for
Capture include automatic highlight recovery when using Exposure
Compensation at values lower than 0 EV and Black and White conversion
support in Tone Compensation.
The D200 will be available in late December 2005 for an estimated
selling price of $1699.95***. For more information, please visit http://www.nikondigital.com
.
About Nikon
Nikon, At the Heart of the Image(TM). Nikon Inc. is the world leader in
digital imaging, precision optics and photo imaging technology and is
globally recognized for setting new standards in product design and
performance for its award-winning consumer and professional
photographic equipment. Nikon Inc. distributes the Nikon Total Imaging
System of consumer and professional digital SLR cameras, Nikkor optics,
Speedlights and System Accessories; Nikon Coolpix(R) compact digital
cameras; Coolscan(R) digital film scanners; 35mm film SLR cameras;
Nikon software products and Nikon sports and recreational
optics. At the heart of every Nikon camera is Nikon's Exclusive Feature
System, making it easy for anyone to take amazing digital pictures.
Through the Nikon Spirit Initiative(TM), the company, plays an active
role in supporting aspiring and advanced photographers through a
variety of philanthropic organizations, educational programs, events
and workshops. For more information, dial (800) NIKON-US or visit http://www.nikonusa.com
, which links all levels of photographers to the web's most
comprehensive photo learning and sharing communities.
* Available Spring 2006
** When using select high performance CompactFlash cards capable of and
certified for this performance specification. CompactFlash cards
enabling this specification are subject to change. Contact Nikon
Technical Support (800-NIKON-UX) for latest information.
*** Estimated selling prices listed are only an estimate. Actual prices
are set by dealers and are subject to change at any time.
SOURCE Nikon
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