Nikon Introduces Two New Flagship SLR Cameras

Sept. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Nikon, the world leader in photography, today announced two new flagship SLR cameras that reflect Nikon's commitment to offer professional photographers tools of the highest caliber. The new Nikon D2X 12.4 megapixel professional digital SLR camera and the Nikon F6 35mm film SLR camera embody Nikon's hallmark quality, design, uncompromising construction and radical new features that promise to inspire photographers to push the limits of their creativity.

"Nikon's rock-solid commitment to provide professional photographers with the best solutions in photography and imaging is evident with announcement of the D2X professional digital SLR and the F6 35mm film SLR cameras," said Jerry Grossman, vice president for Marketing, Nikon Inc. "As the landscape of photography changes, so do the needs of the professional, and we are committed to providing photographers with the tools they need to stay on top of their game. With the introduction of these two new flagship cameras, Nikon is building on its heritage and success as the designers of the world's finest professional camera and imaging system."

D2X Solves the Digital Dilemma
The D2X professional digital SLR camera blends for the first time the high levels of resolution commercial clients demand with superb image quality, color consistency and class-leading speed. Using brand new innovations in sensor design and image processing, the D2X delivers sharp images with very fine gradations of tone and 12.4 megapixel resolution. Photographers are now rid of the dilemma of choosing between high resolution and high speed, because even at a tremendous size of 12.4 megapixels, the D2X can comfortably shoot full resolution images at 5 frames per second (up to 21 consecutive JPEGs and 15 NEFs). In fact, when the situation demands yet faster frame rates, the D2X offers photographers the option to employ a unique 6.8 megapixel 'High Speed Cropped' mode that boosts the shooting rate to 8 frames per second (up to 35 consecutive JPEGs and 26 NEFs), by cropping the number of pixels used to record the image on the sensor. With this dual versatility, photographers accomplish most of their assignments successfully by using just one camera body.

To keep up with the ever changing landscape of professional photography, the D2X also offers remarkable new innovations that will inspire creativity among photographers. The revolutionary Nikon Creative Lighting System, arguably the most robust and accurate wireless lighting system in the world, allows photographers the portability of setting up creative lighting schemes anywhere they can carry a set of compact speedlights. With the freedom of complete wireless functionality and the accuracy of full TTL control, Nikon's i-TTL technology promises to open up excellent new possibilities for photographers. Additionally, the newly introduced WT-2A Wi-Fi transmitter achieves full wireless remote camera control and data transmission with the D2X, making it the only camera in the world to fully harness the capabilities of IEEE 802.11g Wi-Fi technology.

F6 offers New Features for Film Fanatics
The Nikon F6 35mm film SLR camera earns its right to become the next flagship Nikon F-Series professional camera by incorporating remarkable new technologies and design enhancements that give photographers who prefer film the highest level of performance in an SLR camera. The F6 inherits Nikon's latest advancements in photographic technologies such as the new Multi-CAM2000 11-area AF system for exceptionally high-speed autofocus operation with outstanding accuracy, and the powerful Nikon Creative Lighting System for unprecedented i-TTL controlled flash photography.

The F6 also incorporates several refinements in design and construction. It features an improved Nikon Advanced 3D Color Matrix Metering system for greater accuracy in scene recognition and exposure, as well as a new shutter unit crafted from DuPont KEVLAR and a special aluminum alloy for unparalleled reliability, lightning-quick movement and precision. Nikon engineers have successfully subdued the camera's operational sounds by using a professional echoic chamber to measure sound and vibration meticulously and then craft the camera with parts that have been highly refined for absolute minimum vibration, and frequency of movement attenuated to a level below that detectable by the human ear. The F6 undoubtedly goes beyond Nikon's uncompromising standards of quality, durability and rigidity that photographers around the world expect and trust.

The D2X digital SLR camera is scheduled to be available in January 2005 at authorized Nikon dealers, while the F6 is scheduled to be available in October 2004.

For more information, dial (800) NIKON-US or visit www.nikonusa.com, which links all levels of photographers to the web's most comprehensive photo learning and sharing communities.

Source: Nikon Inc.