Nikon lance le D3s, gonfle son ISO, mais oublie la vidéo 1080p

Nikon a annoncé hier son nouvel appareil photo reflex professionnel D3s, une évolution du puissant D3 qui offrira notamment la prise de vidéo et, surtout, la possibilité de prendre des photos avec un ISO allant jusqu’à 102 400!

Selon Nikon, l’ISO régulier de l’appareil se situe toutefois plutôt entre 200 et un très respectable 12 800, ce qui veut dire que les photos obtenues avec le 102 400 auront probablement une esthétique plus particulière. Quoi qu’il en soit, le D3s semble fort bien équipé pour la prise de photos avec un éclairage réduit.

Parmi les autres caractéristiques de l’appareil photo numérique D3s, notons la possibilité d’y ajouter un microphone stéréo (le D3s possède évidemment un microphone mono intégré), le contrôle total de l’ouverture lors la prise de vidéo, deux fentes pour cartes CompactFlash et un mode silencieux (Quiet Shutter Mode), qui permet comme avec la D300s de réduire le bruit de l’appareil lors de la prise de photos. Le D3s possède aussi un système anti-poussières et permet de prendre des photos avec une cadence de 9 images par seconde en format FX ou 11 images par seconde en format DX.

Un oubli de taille
Malheureusement, une caractéristique des plus importantes manque à l’appel chez le nouveau D3s, c’est-à-dire la possibilité de tourner des vidéos en Full HD (1080p). La caméra ne permet pour le moment que de filmer en 720p, ce qui serait suffisant pour les photojournalistes selon Nikon.

Peut-être suffisant maintenant, mais dans une perspective à long terme, il est évident que ces derniers voudront éventuellement passer à la résolution supérieure. Et un appareil professionnel comme la D3s (dont le prix sera quand même de plus de 5000$) devrait normalement durer plus longtemps que deux ou trois années. Dommage.

Disponibilité de l’appareil photo Nikon D3s au Canada
Le Nikon D3s (boîtier seulement) devrait être disponible chez les détaillants Nikon vers la fin novembre. Le prix officiel sera dévoilé plus tard.

Disponibilité de l’appareil photo Nikon D3s en France
Les cousins français pourront pour leur part mettre la main sur l’appareil dès le 27 novembre prochain pour un prix annoncé de 5299 euros.

Voici ce que Nikon a à dire sur le D3s

Nikon Continues Imaging Evolution with D3s, Instituting New Levels of
Power and Performance for Professional Photographers
Redefining digital SLR photography possibilities with extreme ISO
sensitivity for stills and video and overall enhanced performance

Mississauga, ON, October 14, 2009 – Nikon Canada today introduced the
FX-format D3s digital SLR, providing professional photographers with a
powerful tool that redefines the boundaries of digital SLR versatility,
while maintaining the strength of superior image quality and high speed
performance inherited from its groundbreaking D3. The D3s enables new
opportunities in low-light photography, providing photographers with an
added shutter speed and aperture choice with a base ISO sensitivity
range from ISO 200 to a remarkable 12,800; and features an incredible Hi
3 setting of 102,400, enabling photographers to create images previously
thought impossible.

The Nikon D3s builds upon the success of the Nikon D3 — the camera
that set new standards for professional digital SLR performance — and
utilizes a newly designed, Nikon original 12.1-megapixel FX-format CMOS
sensor that also integrates its amazing low-light ability to High
Definition (HD) video, creating a uniquely capable multi-media tool to
meet the needs of the ever-changing imaging industry.

“The Nikon D3 ushered in a new era of professional digital imaging,
followed by the D3x. Today, the D3s further reinforces Nikon’s
leadership role in the photographic industry as a pioneer in
performance-driven digital SLRs,” said Gregory Flasch, Nikon
Canada’s Manager of National Advertising and Communications.

Creative Vision Beyond the Human Eye
The Nikon D3s, with a base ISO sensitivity from ISO 200 to 12,800,
makes it possible to capture images previously not possible in low-light
levels. In even more demanding lighting conditions, photographers may
select expanded ISO settings of 25,600 (Hi 1), 51,200 (Hi 2) and an
incredible ISO sensitivity of 102,400 (Hi 3), revealing detail in
extreme low-light conditions that challenge even the human eye’s
ability to discern subject content. Additionally, a setting of ISO 100
(Lo 1) is available.

This industry-first, groundbreaking ISO sensitivity range will make the
D3s the camera of choice for photographers who typically face extreme
lighting challenges, such as indoor or nighttime sports, spot news,
wedding receptions and challenging nature photography. This broad ISO
sensitivity also affords the ability to shoot at faster, action-stopping
shutter speeds. D3s shooters will enjoy a major advantage in any
situation where light is limited and the use of supplemental lighting is
not an option. For photojournalists, the highest ISO setting delivers
image quality that meets the needs of offset printing.

Big Pixels Equal Greater ISO Capabilities
The amazing low-light ability of the D3s, as well as its astounding
image quality can be attributed in large part to the engineering behind
the newly designed, Nikon original 12.1-megapixel FX-format CMOS sensor,
which measures 36×23.9mm. While the pixel size and count that served the
D3 were maintained to deliver the pinnacle of image quality, dynamic
range, tonal gradation and outstanding colour, other aspects were
engineered to add versatility through broader ISO sensitivity.
Individual pixels measure a large 8.45 microns, which support enhanced
sensitivity to light and other qualities leading to superior image
fidelity. The D3s captures light and renders images with a higher
signal-to-noise ratio and an unmatched dynamic range for both stills and
HD video throughout its broadened ISO range.

D3s adds the extra benefit of an Image Sensor Cleaning function to
reduce instances of image degradation resulting from dust accumulation
on the optical low pass filter (OLPF) in front of the image sensor. The
OLPF oscillates at four specific frequencies to release particles that
would disrupt image quality. Sensor Cleaning can be set by the user to
cycle automatically when the camera is powered on, turned off or on
demand.

Share the Vision with D-Movie Creativity
The remarkable ISO range of the D3s can also be applied while recording
HD video clips to give unprecedented low-light ability for movie clips.
The newly refined D-Movie mode for FX-format offers smooth 1280 x 720
video at a cinematic 24fps, with a new algorithm that severely reduces
the phenomenon of “rolling shutter” typical to digital SLRs while
panning. The motion JPEG codec makes it easy to extract single frames
from a video clip and save it as a JPEG file, while the 720p HD format
eases storage, provides faster wireless transfers and offers video files
that are generally easier to use in the field. Photographers can also
trim movie clips on the fly by revising the start and end points, and
save the edited clip as a copy while maintaining the original.

Additionally, the D3s features a built-in monoaural microphone,
augmented by a stereo microphone input, which is perfect for hot-shoe
microphone-mounting and the use of wireless microphones for interviews
or spot news.

Photographers and filmmakers alike will appreciate the full aperture
control from a wide f-stop to the smallest, as the FX-format sensor
renders low-noise movie clips with outstanding clarity, aided by the
large selection of renowned NIKKOR lenses to produce a dramatic depth of
field. High Sensitivity Movie Mode allows the utilization of the entire
ISO range to capture otherwise hidden details in challenging lighting
conditions, more effectively than cameras with smaller sensors. Now,
users can benefit from available natural light for applications such as
telling a story in a journalistic style in the field or to create a
gritty film noir masterpiece without computer-generated imagery (CGI)
post production. While recording, users also have the ability to control
exposure, and will enjoy the added benefits of improved contrast-detect
type AF while in Tripod Live View mode.

Performance and Features Defining Versatility
The emergence of the D3 in 2007 provided photographers with a unique
fusion of ruggedness, speed, versatility and image quality —
characteristics which the D3s now takes even further. Photographers are
able to capture images at 9 frames per second (fps) in the FX-format or
at up to 11 fps in the DX crop mode, while data is transferred through a
16-bit pipeline for optimal processing speed. Additionally, the buffer
has been increased, enabling continuous bursts approximately twice that
of the D3 in the JPEG, TIFF or NEF (RAW) formats. Files can also be
captured in either 12- or 14-bit compressed or uncompressed formats to
maintain the images data integrity. Photographers can also select the
new 1.2x crop mode for a modest telephoto effect, while minimally
impacting resolution, as photos are captured at approximately 8.4
megapixels (9 fps).

The D3s also features two UDMA compatible CompactFlash™ card slots that
can be used for consecutive recording (overflow), simultaneous recording
(backup), separating recording of RAW and JPEG files or even copying
pictures between the two cards. One or both can also be designated for
data-heavy D-Movie recording. Images can be displayed directly from the
camera to a high-definition monitor using the camera’s High-Definition
Multi-Media Interface (HDMI) port and an optional cable.

Additionally, the D3s features Nikon’s exclusive Multi-CAM 3500FX
focus module, with 51 AF points, 15 cross type sensors and 36 horizontal
sensors that easily track and lock onto moving subjects, delivering the
same fast and accurate AF performance that helped make the D3
immediately successful. Users can select any of the AF points, making it
easy to consistently attain accurate focus frame after frame.
Additionally, three AF-area modes – Single point, Dynamic-area AF and
Auto-area AF – are available to maximize the use of the 51 focus
points by selecting the most suitable one to match subject conditions.
AF is also available in one of two Live View modes optimized for the
studio, including a phase detection handheld mode and a tripod mode.
While in Live View, the graphic indication of a virtual horizon is also
available, making it easier than ever to confirm camera orientation.

To alleviate another kind of noise, the D3s also features a Quiet
Shutter Mode which substantially reduces the sound of the camera’s
mirror-down cycle, which is perfect for shooting in sensitive
environments such as movie sets, meetings, ceremonies, or while
photographing wildlife.

Technologies Engineered for Professionals
The D3s’ speed and performance is the culmination of many Nikon core
technologies, including the latest generation of the EXPEED™ advanced
digital image processing system technologies. The latest iteration of
this system is specially designed to keep pace with the D3s’ blazing
performance to provide superior image quality, faster processing speeds
and lower power consumption. This advanced system is able to achieve
extremely precise colour reproduction for a broad spectrum of hues, in
addition to vivid saturation and smooth gradation. Nikon’s advanced
noise processing function is engineered to minimize noise at all
sensitivities and operate seamlessly without interfering with other
image colour parameters.

The D3s’ accelerated Scene Recognition System analyzes information
from the 1,005-pixel RGB light sensor for use in auto exposure, auto
white balance detection and autofocus calculations. The Scene
Recognition System also assists autofocus by tracking subject position
and automatically shifts the AF points used to match the subject’s
movement within the frame.

Nikon’s exclusive 3D Colour Matrix Metering II assists in ensuring
accurate exposures, even in the most challenging lighting conditions.
Instantly evaluating each scene before capture, input data from the
system’s sensor is automatically referenced against an internal database
of more than 30,000 images derived from actual photographs to calculate
correct exposure values. Active D-Lighting (ADL), used in combination
with 3D Matrix Metering II, helps to determine proper exposure, and
creates realistic contrast while compensating for lost shadows and
highlights. Photographers can also use ADL bracketing for up to five
frames of ADL compensation.

To further enhance each photographer’s ability to express their
personal style, Nikon’s Picture Control System allows selection of
Picture Control settings including Standard, Neutral, Vivid and
Monochrome. Additionally, adjustment can be made to Picture Controls to
image sharpening, contrast, brightness, saturation, hue and more.
Photographers then have the flexibility to save up to nine personalized
Picture Controls on camera and 99 additional Picture Controls
externally.

Ready for Work
Engineered for real-world functionality, the D3s is ruggedly
constructed with moisture, dust and shock resistance that has become a
hallmark of flagship Nikon digital SLRs, while preserving the usability
and ergonomics that allow the camera to remain an extension of the
photographer’s vision. Attention to detail goes so far as to include a
self-diagnostic shutter system that is tested to 300,000 cycles for
maximum accuracy and longevity. Rigid and precise magnesium alloy
construction and the familiar form factor of the D3 extend consistent
Nikon system synergy.

A bright and accurate viewfinder provides 100 per cent coverage with
0.7x magnification. The body also houses Nikon’s acclaimed 920,000
dot, 3.0-inch super density LCD monitor which is viewable up to 170
degrees, and is safeguarded by a tempered glass cover. Thanks to
incredibly efficient internal circuitry, the D3s can capture up to 4200*
shots per single charge of the camera’s Lithium-ion battery.

System Strength Withstands the Test of Time
The D3s is fully compatible with Nikon’s Creative Lighting System
(CLS) affording photographers a mobile lighting solution that is easy to
manage. The D3s is also compatible with Nikon’s GP-1 GPS receiver to
gather information such as latitude, longitude, altitude and (satellite)
date of shooting. Photographers can shoot tethered via USB, or use the
WT-4A wireless transmitter to send images wirelessly when speed and
mobility are essential. D3s users will also enjoy the system strength of
a comprehensive selection of NIKKOR interchangeable lenses — long
heralded for their optical superiority.