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Nikon D2Xs Comparison Review

The Nikon D2Xs is a DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) camera that was officially introduced in June 2006 and is equipped with an APS-C sensor. It offers a resolution of 12.2 megapixel.

camera

Is the Nikon D2Xs a good camera? The D2Xs has a Camera Elo of 1270. This rating puts the D2Xs below average of all digital single lens reflex cameras. In terms of its sensor size category (APS cameras), the D2Xs also ranks below average. Based on its within category standings, the camera earns a 2.5-star performance rating. – Well, the Nikon D2Xs is more than 17 years old, and there have been many other good digital cameras released since 2006.

Headline Specifications
Nikon D2Xs
Digital single lens reflex
Nikon F mount lenses
12.2 MP, APS-C Sensor
no Video
ISO 100 - 800 (800 - 3 200)
Optical viewfinder
2.5 LCD, 230k 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 D2Xs vis-à-vis a credit card is provided in the side-by-side display below. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are presented. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Nikon D2Xs vs credit card front
D2Xs versus credit card top view
D2Xs and credit card rear side

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the Nikon D2Xs 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 D2Xs 158 mm 150 mm 86 mm 1252 g 3800 Y Jun 2006 4,699ebay.com
2.
 
Canon 1D Mark III 156 mm 157 mm 80 mm 1155 g 2200 Y Feb 2007 4,499ebay.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 D40X 124 mm 94 mm 64 mm 522 g 520 n Mar 2007 729ebay.com
6.
 
Nikon D300 147 mm 114 mm 74 mm 925 g 1000 Y Aug 2007 1,799ebay.com
7.
 
Nikon D80 132 mm 103 mm 77 mm 668 g 600 n Aug 2006 999ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon D200 147 mm 113 mm 74 mm 920 g 400 Y Nov 2005 1,699ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon D2X 158 mm 150 mm 86 mm 1252 g 3800 Y Sep 2004 4,999ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D1H 157 mm 153 mm 85 mm 1100 g 1200 Y Feb 2001 4,499ebay.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 D2Xs was launched in the US market at a price of $4,699. 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 D2Xs 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. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels 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 tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

The Nikon D2Xs 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 D2Xs among the medium-sized sensor cameras that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability.

Nikon D2Xs sensor measures

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for most cameras. 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 adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of alternative 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 D2Xs APS-C 12.2 4288 2848none22.210.948959
2.
 
Canon 1D Mark III APS-H 10.1 3888 2592none22.711.7107871
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 D40X APS-C 10.0 3872 2592none22.411.451663
6.
 
Nikon D300 APS-C 12.2 4288 2848none22.112.067967
7.
 
Nikon D80 APS-C 10.0 3872 2592none22.111.252461
8.
 
Nikon D200 APS-C 10.0 3872 2592none22.311.558364
9.
 
Nikon D2X APS-C 12.2 4288 2848none22.110.947659
10.
 
Nikon D1H APS-C 2.6 2000 1312none........
11.
 
Nikon D1 APS-C 2.6 2000 1312none........
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It should be noted that unlike many modern cameras, the D2Xs does not provide the possibility to capture videos.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the D2Xs 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 D2Xs 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 D2Xsoptical Y2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s n n
2.
 
Canon 1D Mark IIIoptical Y3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 10.0/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 D40Xoptical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
6.
 
Nikon D300optical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/8000s 6.0/s Y n
7.
 
Nikon D80optical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
8.
 
Nikon D200optical Y2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s Y n
9.
 
Nikon D2Xoptical Y2.5 / 235 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s n n
10.
 
Nikon D1Hoptical Y2.0 / 120 fixed n 1/16000s 5.0/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 D2Xs 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 D2Xs 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 D2XsY- / ----2.0---
2.
 
Canon 1D Mark IIIY- / ----2.0---
3.
 
Nikon D300SYstereo / monoY-mini2.0---
4.
 
Nikon D3Y- / ---mini2.0---
5.
 
Nikon D40XY- / ----2.0---
6.
 
Nikon D300Y- / ---mini2.0---
7.
 
Nikon D80Y- / ----2.0---
8.
 
Nikon D200Y- / ----2.0---
9.
 
Nikon D2XY- / ----2.0---
10.
 
Nikon D1HY- / ----FW---
11.
 
Nikon D1Y- / ----FW---
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Further information on the features and operation of the D2Xs can be found in the free online Nikon D2Xs Manual or on the Nikon support site.

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Expert reviews

While the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the D2Xs handle or perform in practice. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased. This is why expert reviews are important. The following table reports the overall rankings of the cameras as published by some of the major 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 D2Xs............ Jun 2006 4,699ebay.com
2.
 
Canon 1D Mark III............ Feb 2007 4,499ebay.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 D40X..79/100..+ +4/54/5 Mar 2007 729ebay.com
6.
 
Nikon D300..+ +..+ +5/54.5/5 Aug 2007 1,799ebay.com
7.
 
Nikon D80..+..+ +o4.5/5 Aug 2006 999ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon D200..+ +..+ +o.. Nov 2005 1,699ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon D2X......+ +.... Sep 2004 4,999ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D1H......+ +.... Feb 2001 4,499ebay.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 assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

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Nikon D2Xs FAQ

Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the D2Xs.

What type of imaging sensor is used in the Nikon D2Xs?

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

What is the ISO sensitivity range of the Nikon D2Xs?

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

What is the life expectancy of the shutter in the Nikon D2Xs?

Nikon mentions a shutter rating of 150 000 actuations for the D2Xs. 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 D2Xs 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 D2Xs?

Nikon embeds the number of shutter actuations in image metadata. You can check the number of shots that your D2Xs 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 D2Xs for flash photography?

The D2Xs's flash sync speed is 1/250 sec.

Which battery does the Nikon D2Xs 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 would like to check on the differences and similarities with other camera models, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes 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 D2Xs
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Nikon F mount lenses
    Launch Date June 2006
    Launch Price USD 4 699
    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 800 - 3 200 ISO
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 59
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 22.2
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 10.9
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 489
    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 230k 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)

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