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Nikon D2X Comparison Review

The Nikon D2X is a DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) camera that was revealed to the public in September 2004 and is equipped with an APS-C sensor. It offers a resolution of 12.2 megapixel.

camera

Is the Nikon D2X a good camera? The D2X has a Camera Elo of 1275. This rating puts the D2X below average of all digital single lens reflex cameras. In terms of its sensor size category (APS cameras), the D2X also ranks below average. Based on its within category standings, the camera earns a 2.5-star performance rating. – Well, the Nikon D2X is more than 19 years old, and there have been many other good digital cameras released since 2004.

Headline Specifications
Nikon D2X
Digital single lens reflex
Nikon F mount lenses
12.2 MP, APS-C Sensor
no Video
ISO 100 - 800 (100 - 3 200)
Optical viewfinder
2.5 LCD, 235k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
5 shutter flaps per second
Weathersealed body
3800 shots per battery charge
158 x 150 x 86 mm, 1 252 g

Read on to find out more about the camera's size, sensor, features, reception by expert reviewers, and how it compares to other digital cameras.

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Body comparison with a credit card

An illustration of the physical dimensions of the Nikon D2X vis-à-vis a credit card is provided in the side-by-side display below. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Nikon D2X vs credit card front
D2X versus credit card top view
D2X and credit card rear side

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the Nikon D2X alongside a set of similar cameras. If you want to review a particular camera pair side-by-side, just move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible comparisons there.

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Body Specifications
#   Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Nikon D2X 158 mm 150 mm 86 mm 1252 g 3800 Y Sep 2004 4,999ebay.com
2.
 
Nikon D3S 160 mm 157 mm 88 mm 1240 g 4200 Y Oct 2009 5,199ebay.com
3.
 
Nikon D300S 147 mm 115 mm 81 mm 938 g 950 Y Jul 2009 1,799ebay.com
4.
 
Nikon D3 160 mm 157 mm 88 mm 1300 g 4300 Y Aug 2007 4,999ebay.com
5.
 
Nikon D300 147 mm 114 mm 74 mm 925 g 1000 Y Aug 2007 1,799ebay.com
6.
 
Nikon D2Xs 158 mm 150 mm 86 mm 1252 g 3800 Y Jun 2006 4,699ebay.com
7.
 
Nikon D200 147 mm 113 mm 74 mm 920 g 400 Y Nov 2005 1,699ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon D2H 158 mm 150 mm 86 mm 1070 g 2900 Y Jul 2003 3,499ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon D1H 157 mm 153 mm 85 mm 1100 g 1200 Y Feb 2001 4,499ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D1X 157 mm 153 mm 85 mm 1100 g 1200 Y Feb 2001 5,999ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon D1 157 mm 153 mm 85 mm 1100 g .. Y Jun 1999 5,499ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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The listed prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The Nikon D2X was launched in the US market at a price of $4,999. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

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Check D2X offers at
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Sensor comparison with a 35mm slide

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tent to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

The Nikon D2X features an APS-C sensor and has a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 1.5. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the Nikon D2X among the medium-sized sensor cameras that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability.

Nikon D2X sensor measures

For most cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
#   Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Nikon D2X APS-C 12.2 4288 2848none22.110.947659
2.
 
Nikon D3S Full Frame 12.1 4256 2832720/24p23.512.0325382
3.
 
Nikon D300S APS-C 12.2 4288 2848720/24p22.512.278770
4.
 
Nikon D3 Full Frame 12.1 4256 2832none23.512.2229081
5.
 
Nikon D300 APS-C 12.2 4288 2848none22.112.067967
6.
 
Nikon D2Xs APS-C 12.2 4288 2848none22.210.948959
7.
 
Nikon D200 APS-C 10.0 3872 2592none22.311.558364
8.
 
Nikon D2H APS-C 4.0 2464 1632none18.910.035240
9.
 
Nikon D1H APS-C 2.6 2000 1312none........
10.
 
Nikon D1X APS-C 5.9 3008 1960none........
11.
 
Nikon D1 APS-C 2.6 2000 1312none........
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It should be noted that unlike many modern cameras, the D2X does not provide the possibility to capture videos.

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the D2X has an optical viewfinder that provides a field of view of 100% and a magnification of 0.57x. The following tables report on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Nikon D2X and comparable cameras.

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Core Features
#   Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Nikon D2Xoptical Y2.5 / 235 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s n n
2.
 
Nikon D3Soptical Y3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/8000s 11.0/s n n
3.
 
Nikon D300Soptical Y3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/8000s 7.0/s Y n
4.
 
Nikon D3optical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/8000s 11.0/s n n
5.
 
Nikon D300optical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/8000s 6.0/s Y n
6.
 
Nikon D2Xsoptical Y2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s n n
7.
 
Nikon D200optical Y2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s Y n
8.
 
Nikon D2Hoptical Y2.5 / 211 fixed n 1/8000s 8.0/s n n
9.
 
Nikon D1Hoptical Y2.0 / 120 fixed n 1/16000s 5.0/s n n
10.
 
Nikon D1Xoptical Y2.0 / 120 fixed n 1/16000s 3.0/s n n
11.
 
Nikon D1optical Y2.0 / 120 fixed n 1/16000s 4.5/s n n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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One useful feature of the D2X is a presence of a top-level LCD. While being, of course, smaller than the rear screen, the control panel conveys some of the essential shooting information and can be convenient for quick and easy settings verification.

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Connection comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Nikon D2X and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
#   Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Nikon D2XY- / ----2.0---
2.
 
Nikon D3SYstereo / ---mini2.0---
3.
 
Nikon D300SYstereo / monoY-mini2.0---
4.
 
Nikon D3Y- / ---mini2.0---
5.
 
Nikon D300Y- / ---mini2.0---
6.
 
Nikon D2XsY- / ----2.0---
7.
 
Nikon D200Y- / ----2.0---
8.
 
Nikon D2HY- / ----2.0---
9.
 
Nikon D1HY- / ----FW---
10.
 
Nikon D1XY- / ----FW---
11.
 
Nikon D1Y- / ----FW---
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Further information on the features and operation of the D2X can be found in the free online Nikon D2X Manual or on the Nikon support site.

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Expert reviews

While the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the D2X handle or perform in practice. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable. This is why expert reviews are important. The table below summarizes the assessments of some of the best known camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]).

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Review Scores
#    Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Nikon D2X......+ +.... Sep 2004 4,999ebay.com
2.
 
Nikon D3S5/5....89/1004.5/55/5 Oct 2009 5,199ebay.com
3.
 
Nikon D300S5/5+ +..82/1004/54.5/5 Jul 2009 1,799ebay.com
4.
 
Nikon D3......+ +5/54.5/5 Aug 2007 4,999ebay.com
5.
 
Nikon D300..+ +..+ +5/54.5/5 Aug 2007 1,799ebay.com
6.
 
Nikon D2Xs............ Jun 2006 4,699ebay.com
7.
 
Nikon D200..+ +..+ +o.. Nov 2005 1,699ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon D2H......+ +.... Jul 2003 3,499ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon D1H......+ +.... Feb 2001 4,499ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D1X......+ +.... Feb 2001 5,999ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon D1......+ +.... Jun 1999 5,499ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

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Nikon D2X FAQ

Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the D2X.

What is the technology behind the imaging sensor in the Nikon D2X?

The camera is build around a CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor.

What is the ISO sensitivity range of the Nikon D2X?

The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 800.

What is the life expectancy of the shutter in the Nikon D2X?

Nikon mentions a shutter rating of 150 000 actuations for the D2X. This number represents a Mean Time before Failure, that is an average value. The shutter might fail earlier, or it might last longer. Anyway, in order to exhaust the expected shutter life of the D2X over, say, three years, one would have to take about 150 pictures each and every day.

How do I find the shutter count on my Nikon D2X?

Nikon embeds the number of shutter actuations in image metadata. You can check the number of shots that your D2X has taken up to now by uploading a recent image to the free online shutter count finder app.

What is the fastest shutter speed that can be used with the Nikon D2X for flash photography?

The D2X's flash sync speed is 1/250 sec.

Which battery does the Nikon D2X use?

The camera gets its power from the EN-EL4a (here at amazon), which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.

Camera to camera comparisons

In case you are interested in seeing how this camera compares to another one, just use the search menu below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

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    Specifications Summary
    Camera Model Nikon D2X
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Nikon F mount lenses
    Launch Date September 2004
    Launch Price USD 4 999
    Sensor Specs
    Sensor Technology CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 23.7 x 15.7 mm
    Sensor Area 372 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 28.4 mm
    Crop Factor 1.5x
    Sensor Resolution 12.2 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4 288 x 2 848 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 5.52 μm
    Pixel Density 3.28 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability no Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 800 ISO
    ISO Boost 100 - 3 200 ISO
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 59
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 22.1
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 10.9
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 476
    Screen Specs
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.57x
    Top-Level Screen Control Panel
    LCD Size 2.5 inch
    LCD Resolution 235k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen
    Touch Input No touchscreen
    Shooting Specs
    Focus System Phase-detect AF
    Manual Focusing Aidno Peaking Feature
    Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000s
    Continuous Shooting 5 shutter flaps/s
    Shutter Life Expectancy150 000 actuations
    Silent Shootingno E-Shutter
    Time Lapse Photographyno Intervalometer
    Fill Flash no On-Board Flash
    Storage Medium CF cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot
    Connectivity Specs
    External Flash Hotshoe
    Studio Flash PC Sync socket
    USB Connector USB 2.0
    HDMI Port no HDMI
    Wifi Support no Wifi
    Body Specs
    Environmental SealingWeathersealed body
    Battery Type EN-EL4a power pack
    Battery Life (CIPA)3800 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 158 x 150 x 86 mm
    (6.2 x 5.9 x 3.4 in)
    Camera Weight 1 252 g (44.2 oz)

    Did you notice an error on this page? If so, please get in touch, so that we can correct the information.

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