As with the original D2X, the Nikon D2xs is a professional digital SLR that features a 12.4 megapixel CMOS sensor, and offers five frames per second shooting plus the ability to shoot even faster – up to eight frames per second – by switching to a lower resolution 6.8 megapixel mode. This high-speed burst mode operates by reading only from the center of the imager, which means that to get the higher speed, the focal length crop changes from the regular 1.5x of a DX sensor, to 2.0x. Probably the most significant changes in the D2Xs’ functionality relative to its predecessor are in this area. Where the D2X relied on red markings in the viewfinder to indicate the smaller cropped area, the D2Xs indicates the area by shading everything that is cropped out of the image, leaving the uncropped portion of the image somewhat brighter. This method seems like it should be much more intuitive, making it easier to frame cropped images quickly – although the shading can be disabled should the user desire. Another improvement related to the cropped mode is a change to the metering system – both matrix and center-weighted metering now adjust to work solely within the cropped area when in that mode.Once the Donald does start paying attention, he’ll notice that the D2Xs’ image sensor isn’t the same size as a frame of 35mm film (meaning it’s not a full-frame sensor). That means, like most less-expensive dSLRs and all other Nikon dSLRs, the D2Xs has a 1.5x focal length multiplier. While this can be useful if most of your shooting involves telephoto lenses–in which case a 200mm lens ends up with an equivalent field of view of a 300mm lens–it also limits the camera’s wide-angle capabilities, because a 16mm lens ends up with an equivalent field of view of a 24mm lens when used on the D2Xs. Canon’s EOS-1Ds Mark II and its EOS 5D both offer full-frame sensors. Nikon says that they decided to standardize a 1.5x crop factor across all their dSLRs in an effort to avoid confusion and maximize lens interoperability among their digital models, but some photographers insist on nothing less than a full frame. You’ll have to decide how important a full-frame sensor is to you if you’re looking for a dSLR of this caliber.Current shooting information, such as shutter speed, aperture, ISO, and white balance, are spread between two LCD screens, one on the camera’s top and a smaller one below the 2.5-inch LCD screen on the camera’s back. The smaller one is dedicated to ISO, white balance, and image-size and -quality settings, and it has corresponding buttons below it to access those controls. This system ends up being a bit quicker and less contorted than Canon’s equivalent system of holding down pairs of buttons to access functions, such as ISO, on the EOS-1Ds Mark II. To change shutter speed and aperture, you use the two scroll wheels built into the body on the front and back of the grip.The Nikon D2Xs shares many performance and design innovations with the D2X. It also offers Nikon’s acclaimed DX-format CMOS image sensor capturing 12.4 million effective pixels per image, producing 4,288 x 2,848-pixel images with the high resolution and sharp detail needed for demanding professional assignments. The D2Xs, however, also introduces a range of revised features that make operation significantly more responsive – including refined viewfinder performance that makes for easier composition when shooting in Nikon’s exclusive High-Speed Crop mode, a new 2.5 inch LCD with a 170-degree wide viewing angle calibrated at the factory to ensure consistent color fidelity, significantly increased battery life and a wide range of firmware enhancements.    *

Compatible Lenses – AF Nikkor (including AF-S, DX, VR and D-/G-type) – All functions possible; D-type Manual-Focus Nikkor – All functions except autofocus and some exposure modes available; AF Nikkor other than D-/G-type – All functions except 3D Color Matrix Metering II and 3D Multi-Sensor Balanced Fill-Flash possible; AI-P Nikkor – All functions except 3D Color Matrix Metering II, 3D Multi-Sensor Balanced Fill-Flash and AF possible; Non-CPU AI Nikkor – Usable in [A] or [M] mode with Matrix-Metering, Center-Weighted and Spot metering available Improved 3D Color Matrix Metering II with more refined exposure evaluation algorithms and larger database for difficult-to-meter scenes Multi-CAM 2000 Autofocus system provides 11-area autofocus system with group dynamic AF, close-subject priority dynamic AF, close subject in a group priority dynamic AF and Lock-On Flash – Nikon Creative Lighting System support for Nikon Speedlights SB-800, SB-600 for full i-TTL flash control with Nikon Advanced Wireless Lighting, color control, FP High-Speed Sync, Modeling flash and more Compatible with the The Coolwalker Digital Storage Photo Viewer – Store up to 10,000 digital photos on the 30GB hard drive and view them on the high-quality 2.5 inch TFT color monitor. Stores JPEG, TIFF and other major image file formats, including NEF files Power Requirements – Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL4a (11.1V DC), Quick Charger MH-21, AC Adapter EH-6 (optional) Unit Weight (without batteries) – 2.4 lbs

The 2.5 inch display from the Nikon D200 comes to the D80, but perhaps the best news is that the D200′s bigger optical viewfinder has also been brought along, with a 0.94x magnification, a welcome relief to the eyes. As a result, you’ll squint less when composing images and adjusting menu settings, and be able to show off your pictures more dramatically than before. The greater magnification to the optical viewfinder really does make a big difference, and the large LCD is beautiful.

One complaint I’ve had about other Nikons that I must repeat, however, is about the large “screen protector” that comes standard with all Nikon digital SLRs. I shot with it in place, since I think most users will; but I found that the extra glare introduced from the two additional optical surfaces made me misjudge the resulting images, and I was inclined to make adjustments that I didn’t need. I’ve never scratched an LCD display on an SLR, so I will always remove these covers. But those who wear their SLRs around their necks should leave the screen cover in place to avoid scratching the LCD surface with their shirt buttons. The good news is that screen covers are optional on Nikon digital SLRs, but there’s no place to mount them on the competition.

Something else you’ll need to pick up is a memory card. Unlike the D70′s before it, the new D80 uses Secure Digital (as well as high capacity SDHC cards), and I’d suggest a 1GB card as a good starter size. Buying a “high speed” card is absolutely a good idea. The D80 uses the same powerful EN-EL3e battery as the D200. This battery packs 11.1 Wh of energy, which is about as good as it gets. Since Nikon doesn’t supply battery life numbers that use the CIPA standard, I can’t tell you how it compares to other D-SLRs. I can tell you that Nikon gives battery life numbers of 600 and 2700 shots (obviously with very different conditions), and I’m guessing that the CIPA number lies closer to the bottom of that range.

The D80 also benefits from Nikon’s exclusive 3D Color Matrix Metering II, to ensure accurate exposures, even in the most challenging lighting conditions. Evaluating, rather than merely measuring or averaging the true content of each scene, input from the system’s frame-wide 420-pixel sensor is automatically referenced against an onboard database of over 30,000 scenes from actual photography to calculate final exposure value. Variable Center-Weighted metering and Spot metering centered on the active focus area are also available, as are exposure compensation and auto exposure bracketing. The optional MB-D80 battery pack helps extend the shooting capabilities of the D80 with an ergonomic design that adds shooting stability. Able to run on either one or two EN-EL3e rechargeable batteries or six AA-size batteries, the pack also features an additional command dial and alternative buttons for shutter release and AE-Lock/AF-Lock that make vertical shooting more comfortable.

The D40 is a refresh (and slight miniaturization) of the D50 body design with a major twist in the UI. Specifically, the body size, shape, and build are like a D50 that has successfully undergone a Weight Watchers program. Overall, the camera lost about 3 ounces and at least a quarter of a inch in every dimension (for you non-Americans, that’s 70g and at least 7mm in every dimension). The primary notable differences from the D50 are the lack of a top LCD, a slightly brighter and larger viewfinder, a bigger color LCD on the back, and the OK button in the middle of the Autofocus direction pad. All of those things come into play when choosing between a D40 and a D50, by the way, so don’t dismiss any small detail as unimportant.

The large rear display actually plays a central role in controlling the camera. As there is no status panel on the top plate, all camera settings are checked and performed on this screen. Shooting data are shown as a graphic visual display of aperture and shutter speeds or you could opt for a conventional lay-out with all settings neatly displayed alongside each other. By pressing the “zoom-in” button to the lower right of the LCD in combination with the command wheel you can quickly change vital shooting options such as image quality and size; white balance and ISO; AF point and AF area and select one of three metering settings. This works fast and comfortable and even a novice will quickly find its way around thanks to the dedicated help function. This can be called up by pressing the “zoom-out” button next to the LCD and will give a clear description of the relevant function. On top of this there are the newly introduced “assist images” showing when to use a selected option. The menu system uses an attractive colour scheme and large typeface for easy navigation and it is intuitive to use thanks to its clear lay-out. When reviewing shots, the image can be enlarged up to 19 times making it easy to check sharpness and exposure. For further evaluation the Nikon D40 can show detailed image info, a histogram or blinking highlight areas.

Remarkably, the Nikon D40 has not joined in the Megapixel race. Instead of 10, this camera ‘only’ has 6 million pixels. The number of Megapixels has a large psychological effect on the average consumer. This can be explained in part by the early years wherein the number of pixels contributed to the quality, but it was mainly the manufacturers who spurred each other on to the 10 Megapixel limit in such a short period of time. It looks as if this record will shortly be broken with the introduction of a 12 Megapixel sensor by Sharp that will be used for a compact camera. Do we really need ever increasing amounts of pixels? The answer, to be blunt, is no; we need better pixel quality and you can get high quality prints sized an A4 or even A3 with 6 million pixels. With the introduction of the D40, Nikon as a manufacturer is making it clear that they share this opinion; 6 Megapixels gives the photographer top quality.

The improvements aren’t just cosmetic. In the D40′s menu, there’s an entire Retouch tab that includes D-lighting and red-eye correction. Interestingly, the D40 has no control panel, which is usually found just behind the shutter-release button on the top of Nikon’s D-SLR cameras. Many die-hard Nikon fans will wonder where to find this additional picture info, but Nikon didn’t build the D40 for these die-hard Nikonians. It designed the D40 for the point-and-shoot camera owner who now wants to step up to a real D-SLR. Even so, all the picture information that usually is displayed on the control panel appears on the back of the camera’s 2.5-inch LCD.