Nikon D2H

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Nikon D2H[1]
Type	Digital single-lens reflex camera
Sensor	23.3 x 15.5mm JFET-LBCAST; 4.26 million total pixels, 1.5× Crop factor DX format
Maximum resolution	4.1 million pixels, L (2,464 x 1,632) / M (1,840 x 1,224)
Lens type	Nikon F mount
Shutter	Electromagnetically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter
Shutter speed range	30 to 1/8,000 s and bulb, 1/250s X-sync
Exposure Metering	3D Color Matrix; EV 0-20 at ISO 100 equivalent with f/1.4 lens (EV 2-20 with Spot Metering)
Exposure Modes	Programmed Auto (Flexible program possible) [P], Shutter-Priority Auto [S], Aperture-Priority Auto [A] and Manual [M]
Metering modes	Center-Weighted and Spot
Focus areas	11-area AF system with 9 cross-type AF sensors
Focus modes	Single Servo AF [S], Continuous Servo AF [C], Manual focus [M]
Continuous Shooting	8 fps, up to 40 JPEG, 35 TIFF or 26 RAW
Viewfinder	Optical-type fixed eye-level pentaprism, 100% frame coverage, 0.86x magnification
ASA/ISO range	ISO equivalency 200 to 1,600
Flash	i-TTL flash control
Custom WB	hybrid with 1,005-pixel CCD, LBCAST image sensor and external Ambience Light Sensor; Auto, Manual (6 steps with fine tuning), Preset (5 settings), Color temperature setting in Kelvin (select from 31steps)
WB bracketing	2 to 9 frames adjustable in 10, 20, 30 MIRED steps
Rear LCD monitor	2.5-in., 211,200-dot, low-temp. polysilicon TFT LCD with white LED backlighting
Storage	CompactFlash Card (Type I/II) and Microdrive
Battery	Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL4
Weight	Approx. 1,070g (2.4 lbs) without battery and storage media, 157.5 x 149.5 x 85.5mm (6.2 x 5.9 x 3.4 in.)

The Nikon D2H is a professional-grade digital single-lens reflex camera introduced by Nikon Corporation the 2003-07-22.^[2] It uses Nikon's own JFET-LBCAST sensor with a 4.1 megapixel resolution. In 2005, the D2Hs refined and replaced the D2H, adding new features developed with the flagship D2X Digital SLR.

Like all Nikon Digital SLR cameras, it uses a 'DX Format' sensor, which applies a crop factor compared with 35mm film. The sensor size is smaller, thus the field of view with equivalent lenses of the same focal length is different from 35 mm film to Digital. The angle of view crop is approximately 1.5x, meaning a 200 mm lens on a DX format camera has the same angle of view as a 300 mm lens would on a 35 mm film frame.

This is useful when using telephoto lenses, since photographers can now have the same angle of view as a 600 mm lens with a 400 mm lens, and the same aperture that the 400 mm lens has. For instance, at the time of this writing, Nikon's 600 mm f/4.0D AF-S II lens on a film camera has the same angle of view as the Nikon 400 mm f/2.8D AF-S II lens does on a D2Hs or other DX format camera, but with the f/2.8 aperture.

It does however make previous wide angle lenses have narrower fields of view, so Nikon and third parties have developed wider lenses, many of which are designed with an image circle only large enough for the DX cameras.

[edit] D2Hs improvements^[3]

The D2Hs was announced February 16, 2005 to replace the D2H Digital SLR camera, and added several improvements to the design.^[4] Although the same sensor from the original D2H is used in the D2Hs, Nikon added an improved light metering system, Faster subject acquisition and tracking algorithms to the Multi-CAM-2000 Autofocus module, and expanded both the JPEG and RAW continuous shooting buffer.

Nikon also reports improved noise reduction at high sensor sensitivities. The ASIC image processing was changed to 12-bit from the original D2H 8-bit. Auto White Balance was altered with improved low color temperature lighting, mixed ambient, and speedlight lighting. SYCC color space was added, and EXIF compliance was adjusted from EXIF 2.2 to EXIF 2.21, DCF 2.0, and DPOF.

GPS support and improved wireless support (with WT-2 transmitter for 802.11b/g), were improvements over the old D2H. A new LCD screen of the same size but increased resolution and flicker free was added to the body. The screen's playback mode now supports 15x zoom instead of the 8x of the D2H, with RGB Histogram.

The menus have been expanded to include an additional 5 languages for a total of 10. Like the new flagship D2X, it features a recent settings list, world time function, and modified vertical shooting buttons and CompactFlash card door opening.

The D2Hs features a continuous burst rate of up to 8 frames per second, with a buffer capacity of 50 JPEG files or 40 NEF (Nikon Electric Format- Nikon's proprietary Camera RAW image format) files. The 4.1 megapixel sensor has an ISO sensitivity equivalency of ISO 200-1600, in 1/3, 1/2, and 1 stop increments, as well as Hi-1 and Hi-2 ISO boosts (3200 and 6400 equivalency).

It offers full compatibility with AF-S, VR, DX, D and G type AF-Nikkor lenses, all functions except autofocus and some exposure modes with D-type Manual Focus Nikkors, with AI-P Nikkors all functions except 3D Color Matrix Metering II, 3D Multi-Sensor Balanced Fill-Flash and AF possible.

The D2Hs, like the D2X, offers compatibility with Non-CPU AI Nikkor lenses, which are usable in aperture-priority or manual exposure mode with Matrix-Metering, Center-Weighted and Spot metering available.

[edit] Reaction to Improvements over the D2H

Although the D2Hs has been considered by some to be obsolete from its very introduction due to its 'low' resolution, the D2Hs has a reputation for extremely high image quality and excellent detail rendition.

It is commonly used for many resolution-intensive applications, while the small native file size versus some of the cameras with greater resolution makes the output easier to manage and process. Often it sees use in the hands of newspaper photographers, who have little need for a 12 or 16 megapixel image. Practical use shows that the camera is far from obsolete.

However the critics of the camera may choose to describe it, it nonetheless offers a noticeable improvement over the D2H in overall image quality. Many users have reported that color rendition is improved, while the camera manages to offer a great improvement in noise at high sensitivities versus the D2H.

Several respected professional photographers and reviewers have indicated that the D2Hs is one of the 'cleanest' cameras made by Nikon at any point for photography at high ISO sensitivities. ↓↓

[edit] References

1. ^ Nikon D2H. Nikon Corporation.
2. ^ Nikon corporation (2003-07-22). Nikon D2H introduction. Press release.
3. ^ Nikon D2Hs. Nikon Corporation.
4. ^ Nikon corporation (2005-02-16). Nikon D2Hs News Release. Press release.

Nikon Digital single-lens reflex cameras Timeline

	1999		2000				2001				2002				2003				2004				2005				2006
range	Q3	Q4	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4
professional	D1, 1999-06-15						D1X, 2001-02-05														D2X, 2004-09-16							D2Xs
high-speed							D1H, 2001-02-05										D2H, 2003-07-22						D2Hs, 2005-02-16
prosumer											D100, 2002-02-21															D200, 2005-11-01
consumer																			D70, 2004-01-28					D70s, 2005-04-20					D80
entry-level																								D50, 2005-04-20						D40, 2006-11-16