Nikon D2H dimensions NEW Sensors

Image quality mode: Raw

Lens: AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

Exposure mode: Manual Shutter speed: 1/400 sec.

Aperture: f/3.5 White balance: Preset

Sensitivity: ISO-equivalent 400

NEW SENSORS

New sensors and programming are at the heart of

next-generation D2H performance

Total Image Quality requires each component to perform optimally.

The sensors and processing algorithms newly developed for the D2H demonstrate Nikon's determination to

deliver perfectly combined technologies that respond to the photographer's needs.

New Nikon DX Format JFET Image Sensor

LBCAST

In developing the image sensor for the next-generation D2H, Nikon aimed to mate the best aspects of performance to achieve the optimal combination of image quality,

LBCAST

speed and power efficiency. The result is the new JFET image sensor LBCAST, an exclusive Nikon design that combines performance innovations with the successful DX Format.

The LBCAST sensor significantly reduces power consumption over previous generations, minimizes dark noise, and realizes these features while increasing speed. It combines JFET (Junction Field-Effect Transistor) technology and LBCAST (Lateral Buried Charge Accumulator and Sensing Transistor array) architecture with a host of innovations to render color, detail and sharpness as never before. Compare an image from this new sensor and you soon realize that speed, precision, accuracy, color and detail are the hallmarks of the LBCAST sensor and the D2H.

The sensor’s Optical Low Pass Filter (OLPF) effectively suppresses moiré patterns while its thinner new design also assures that it does not reduce image sharpness.

The new image processing engine

The new highly advanced image-processing engine on the system LSI features improved algorithms for 3D Matrix Image Control and innovative technologies that deliver subtle color gradations and smooth diagonal lines while diminishing color fringing and false colors. A wide range of aspects related to image quality affect sharpness, and the new LBCAST sensor uses advanced imaging technology to address them all – including control over noise, color artifacts, jaggies and false colors. The result is a superior combination of high speed and faithful color reproduction with sharper details.

Three color modes

The color reproduction system newly developed for the D2H improves on Nikon's already unrivalled color while optimizing the three available color modes to best match the specific assignment and workflow environment.

Mode I : sets hue and chroma values that are effective in rendering

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natural-looking skin tones in portraits. (Color profile: sRGB)

Mode II : realizes a wider color reproduction range for high-quality

output with a wider color gamut. (Color profile: Adobe RGB)

Mode III : sets hue and chroma values for landscape and flora

colors. (Color profile: sRGB)

Precise Auto White Balance / Auto Tone Control

The new advanced Auto White Balance (AWB) and Auto Tone Control (ATC) system developed for the D2H combines the advantages of three separate sensors to effectively handle complicated lighting conditions. AWB searches for white to use as reference and distinguishing color can be difficult when the subject is, for example, set against a backdrop of a single color. With one sensor for reading reflected light, a second for reading the image area during exposure, and a third for incident reading,

the three-sensor system adds

The three sensors make it possible to shooting with	Ambient light sensor
greater white balance accuracy, even under conditions
that complicate white balance adjustment, such as
when the subject displays little variation in tone.

D2H Image Processing Algorithms

Ambient light

sensor

	Lens
1,005-pixel RGB exposure	LBCAST
& color metering sensor

	Pre-processing
NEF
(RAW)
data	Image processing
		Analysis
	engine
JPEG	Image data	Parameters
TIFF
	conversion	set

unprecedented depth and flexibility in measuring and comparing color temperature to achieve optimum white balance.

1)Nikon's acclaimed 1,005-pixel RGB Exposure / Color Matrix Metering Sensor performs direct TTL metering of the subject.

2)The LBCAST image sensor calculates the lighting characteristics of the image data in real time.

3)The new external Ambient Light Sensor meters ambient light without being affected by the color of the subject.

The system also features revised integrated signal processing and AWB and ATC algorithms that contribute to refined color and tone reproduction.

New Manual White Balance &

White Balance Bracketing

New to the selection of eight manual white

balance modes is the Color Temperature mode that responds to the needs of the photographer by adding the ability to select Kelvin color temperature settings directly from 31 values covering a range between 2,500 K and 10,000 K.

Preset mode allows quick selection from five white balance settings stored in memory to match a frequented venue or other conditions you shoot under regularly. The settings can be derived from a standard gray card reading, extracted from the CompactFlash memory card using the setting from an image taken by the camera, or from values created in Nikon Capture 4.

White balance bracketing makes it easy to test different settings and find the one that best suits the assignment. Bracketing for 2 to 9 consecutive frames is available in adjustable increments of 10, 20 or 30 MIREDs.

Real-time Noise Reduction

The results of this new automated process rival the quality of using the noise reduction setting available on the previous generation. However, the new signal-processing engine delivers this performance instantly and with no need to run a second pass to make the necessary correction. The D2H also continues to offer yet a higher level of noise reduction via the selectable noise reduction function.

New JPEG and RAW (NEF)

Combination Filing System

Another Nikon first for the D2H is the option to simultaneously record RAW (NEF: Nikon Electronic image File) and JPEG data for the same shot to the camera's storage media. Now you can optimize and speed up workflow operations by selecting the file type or types that best suit your shooting conditions.

Choose to shoot using only NEF or only JPEG format, or have the D2H produce both files from the same shot. Use JPEG for faster image transfer and keep the NEF as your ultimate electronic image file. NEF format is always a convenient option as you can later make non-destructive edit changes to your NEF file and subsequently produce JPEGs and TIFFs from the NEF file.

Image quality	Raw	Image	File size*1	No. of images*1	Recording time*2
	compression	size

	Comp. NEF (Raw)	L*3	*4	*6	70	(24 frames)
		M*3	*4	*6	62	(24 frames)
NEF+JPEG Fine
		L*3	7.9MB	58*6	99	(25 frames)
	NEF (Raw)
		M*3	7.1MB	66*6	89	(25 frames)
	Comp. NEF (Raw)	L*3	*4	*6	58	(24 frames)
		M*3	*4	*6	53	(24 frames)
NEF+JPEG Normal
		L*3	6.6MB	67*6	83	(25 frames)
	NEF (Raw)
		M*3	6.1MB	71*6	76	(25 frames)
	Comp. NEF (Raw)	L*3	*4	*6	57	(24 frames)
NEF+JPEG Basic		M*3	*4	*6	55	(24 frames)
		L*3	6.5MB	72*6	81	(25 frames)
	NEF (Raw)
		M*3	6.3MB	75*6	79	(25 frames)
NEF (Raw)	Comp. NEF (Raw)	_	*5	*6	50	(25 frames)
	NEF (Raw)		6.0MB	79	78	(25 frames)
TIFF (RGB)	_	L	11.5MB	41	350	(35 frames)
		M	6.5MB	74	350	(35 frames)
	_
JPEG Fine		L	1.9MB	222	38	(40 frames)
	_	M	1.1MB	390	22	(40 frames)
JPEG Normal		L	0.98MB	433	20	(40 frames)
	_	M	0.56MB	709	11	(40 frames)
JPEG Basic		L	0.49MB	780	10	(40 frames)
		M	0.28MB	1300	6	(40 frames)

*1 All figures are approximate and based on the use of a 512MB memory card. Size of JPEG files varies with scene recorded.

*2 Approximate time needed to record all images once memory buffer has filled. Actual time required varies with make of card.

*3 Image size applies to JPEG images only. When opened in Nikon View or Nikon Capture 4, NEF images are 2,464 × 1,632 pixels in size.

*4 Total file size of NEF (RAW) and JPEG images.

File size of compressed NEF (RAW) images is approximately fifty to sixty percent of uncompressed NEF images.

*5 Number of exposures remaining shown in control and viewfinder is the same as in the case of uncompressed NEF (RAW) images.

The actual number of images that can be stored on the memory card is higher than shown.

*6 File size of compressed NEF (RAW) images is approximately fifty to sixty percent of uncompressed NEF images.

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