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Nikon
D50 Digital SLR Camera
First Look Review
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Extraordinary Nikon digital SLR picture quality in a camera
that is
smaller, lighter, easier to use, and more affordable than ever.
Seeing is believing with the Nikon D50
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April 20th, 2005
Nikon has today officially introduced the 6.1 megapixel Nikon
D50 digital SLR camera, and a new
companion AF-S
DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED zoom
lens. The entry level Nikon D50 is mainly geared at first time
users moving from a 35mm SLR, or upgrading from a consumer type
digital camera into the world of DSLR photography.
Although
Nikon Asia inadvertently leaked PDF versions of the instruction
books for both the Nikon D50 and the Nikon D70s D-SLR's late
last month,
our pre-disclosure agreement would not allow us to discuss the
details of these two new Nikon digital SLR models until today.
Designed for
a broad range of customers, from novices to advanced amateur
enthusiasts, the Nikon D50 digital SLR will allow photographers
to easily adopt D-SLR technology and begin building a system
that will bring ongoing enjoyment in the future.
The Nikon
D50 employs the Nikon DX Format sensor and Nikon F lens mount
design. This maintains seamless compatibility with all AF Nikkor
lenses and allows photographers to take full advantage of DX
Nikkor lenses designed for Nikon's D-series digital SLR cameras
and which are optimized to achieve maximum center-to-edge-to-corner
image quality.
Developed
as an ideal match for daily use with the Nikon D50, while fully
compatible with all Nikon D-Series SLR models, the new AF-S
DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED zoom lens looks attractive,
and provides a practical focal range for most general photography
applications.
The manufacturer's
recommended retail price for the Nikon D50 DSLR kit with the
new DX 18-55mm zoom lens will be $899 US. Nikon Canada Inc.
has not yet announced a price. The camera is expected to be
available by June 05. In some countries, the Nikon D50 will
also be available in a silver version. (Black only in Canada)
AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED
Nikon
D50 DSLR Major Features
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New
6.1 effective megapixel Nikon DX Format CCD imaging sensor
that produces 3,008 x 2,000-pixel images with accurate color,
high resolution and sharp details for great pictures capable
of significant enlargement, or cropping for creative effect.
File sizes remain manageable, making it easier to take and
store more great pictures.
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The
Nikon D50 incorporates an advanced digital image processor
that marks a further evolution of analog and digital processing
and pre-conditioning technologies, producing images that
are ready to print straight from the camera. Image quality
is optimized, including auto white balance, auto tone and
color control, and real-time processes diminish digital
noise to produce beautiful long exposure shots.
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3D
Color Matrix Metering II with new 420 segment RGB sensor
ensures accurate exposure control and white balance.
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New
large 2.0-inch LCD monitor located directly below the viewfinder
displays the large fonts of the easy-to-view, easy-to-understand
menu design, and the intuitive help system dialogs that
make understanding camera settings easy
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Versatile
LCD playback options include Single image playback, Thumbnail
image playback (4 or 9 pictures at a time), Zoom playback,
Slide show, easy Histogram indication for determining highlights
and shadow values, and Highlight point displays for even
quicker highlight information, with automatic image rotation
for vertical shots
- The Nikon D50
features a near-instant 0.2-second power-up, and quick shutter
response (100 milliseconds).
- Continuous
shooting at 2.5 frames per second for continuous bursts of up
to 137 pictures without having to wait for the camera to record
the images to the SD memory card.
- Fast 5-area
AF system with predictive focus tracking and Lock-on™ delivers
greater precision with fast, more consistent subject acquisition
and improved focus tracking to capture the action as it happens.
Automatic AF-assist illuminator helps ensure top AF performance
in dark situations.
- Fast shutter
speed with a range from 30 to 1/4,000 sec.
- Fast flash
sync shutter speeds up to 1/500 sec. for great fill-effects under
brighter light and back-lighted conditions
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- Fast data transfer
and recording to SD memory cards keeps the D50 ready to shoot
whenever a special moment presents itself.
- Seven Digital
Vari-Program selections for automatic adjustment of settings necessary
to produce incredible digital photographs, including ISO-equivalent
sensitivity, white balance, sharpening, tone (contrast), color,
saturation and hue for crisp and vivid results that match the
intended shot. Selections include Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Child,
Sports, Close up, and Night Portrait.
- Image enhancement
options provide versatile sharpening, tone (contrast), color,
saturation or hue while using Auto Multi Program [P], Shutter-Priority
Auto [S], Aperture-Priority Auto [A], or Manual [M] exposure modes
to help match picture taking situations. The easy-to-set choices
include Normal, Vivid, Sharp, Soft, Direct print, Landscape or
Custom optimization.
- Automatic control
over ISO-equivalent sensitivity from ISO 200 to 1600; can also
be set manually.
- To maximize
performance throughout the infinite range of potential picture
scenes, D50 provides a choice of three TTL (Through The Lens)
exposure modes: 3D Color Matrix Metering II for quick changing
conditions, Center-Weighted for strong backlighting and more personal
control, and Spot Meters that give you total control of exposure
when you have lots of time to set up the shot.
- Auto exposure
bracketing helps achieve the exact results desired.
- Flash exposure
compensation can be selected on the Nikon D50.
- A choice of
three color modes ensures the best match for the shot when operating
the camera manually.
Mode Ia: Renders natural-looking skin tones out of the camera.
(sRGB)
Mode II: Realizes a wider color range suited for processing or
retouching. (Adobe RGB)
Mode IIIa: Renders vivid landscape and flora colors out of the
camera. (sRGB)
- Simultaneous
recording of Compressed RAW (NEF) and JPEG image files for the
same shot helps by providing a smaller JPEG image file that can
be quickly sent via email, along with a Compressed RAW (NEF) file
for more creative flexibility to enhance pictures using Nikon
PictureProject or Nikon Capture software.
- Intuitive and
familiar operation with ergonomically designed and sensibly located
buttons and controls, including the handy multi selector and mode
dial
Nikon D50 Digital SLR Top
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Light
and compact: Dimensions (W x H x D): 133 x 102 x 76mm (5.3
x 4.1 x 3.0 in.) Weight: Approx. 540g (1 lb. 3 oz.) without
battery.
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- LCD control
panel on camera top makes it easy to confirm settings and camera
status. Quality
optical viewfinder features diopter correction and information
display.
- Long-life rechargeable
lithium-ion battery with power to shoot up to 2,000 images on
a single charge.
- 20 Custom Settings
for personalizing camera operation to match the individual's shooting
style, or different picture taking conditions.
- Wireless remote
control of the Nikon D50 is available with the optional ML-L3
remote control.
- New Small Picture
function for saving photos within the camera at the reduced sizes
of 640x480, 320x240, or 160x120 for Internet use - either for
mail attachments or placement on web pages.
- In-camera page
setup support makes it easy to print directly from the Nikon D50
to any PictBridge compatible printer via the supplied USB cable.
- Up to 36 alphanumeric
characters can be entered in each image's EXIF header (file information)
for personalized identification when images are viewed on a computer.
- Video connector
and supplied video cable makes it easy to connect the Nikon D50
directly to a television for playing slideshows or viewing individual
images.
- Built-in auto
pop-up flash features exclusive i-TTL flash control, fast 1/500
sec. flash sync shutter speed, and coverage for lenses as wide
as 18mm.
- The Nikon D50
supports Nikon's Creative Lighting System when using a SB-800
and SB-600 Speedlight mounted on the ISO flash shoe for additional
on camera flash output in large rooms, or for longer distance
shooting situations. Also allows off-camera multiple flash lighting
with iTTL Technology with SB-800 and SB-600.
- Nikon
Capture 4 (Ver. 4.3) with Capture Control is an optional
software that provides a comprehensive image processing
and remote camera control package that supports all Nikon
NEF (RAW), TIFF and JPEG data. Among other features, the
package offers Image Dust Off sensor dust and particle shade
removal control, D-Lighting for scene-specific automatic
dodge and burn control, the LCH editor, plus a wide selection
of high-precision tools that extend every opportunity to
perform effective image processing in-computer while creating
the idealized archive file.
- PictureProject
is Nikon's versatile software that extends the enjoyment
of photography into your computer. Simplified image
transfer helps move images easily from camera to computer,
where PictureProject's intuitive interface lets photographers
effectively organize and edit, apply selected effects,
design album page layouts, or share their images.
Adding to the fun, a complimentary copy is included
with the purchase of any Nikon digital camera. The
combination of direct printing with Pictbridge technology
and in-computer PictureProject technology empowers
users with great picture performance.
Optional Plug-in software can be added to PictureProject
for added creativity. Plug-in software that will prove
useful to any photographer includes nik Color Efex
Pro filters and Muvee -software that enables you to
prepare very creative slide show presentations with
special effects, music added and more.
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To
buy the Nikon
D50 or D70s
we recommend checking out B&H
Photo and Video.
Trusted photographic merchants since 1973.
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