With a lot of questions being asked about whether the Nikon D3X was worth its price tag in comparison with other recent new releases, we were very eager to get our hands on it to see how it really performs. So with the D3X and its 24.5 megapixels full frame sensor in hand, we went to the Peak where we tried to see how it stands up to our expectations.

Look & Feel
Picking up the camera, it would come as no surprise when we say that it feels almost identical to the Nikon D3. With the same layout of buttons and connections, the size and weight is also identical. Ok… the Nikon D3X is actually 20g lighter at 1,220g, if you want to be precise. Regardless, you are not likely to be able to tell much difference between the two cameras just by looking at them. The Nikon D3X basically handles just as well as the Nikon D3. The Shutter response as well as auto-focusing is the same. The balance of the camera is good and you will find that it’s a pleasure to use.

Performance
With the high resolutions available from the Nikon D3X, we were keen to see how it performs with night landscapes so we took it to the Peak and captured a few test images for comparison. The response of the camera was very smooth just like the Nikon D3 and using a Nikkor AF-S 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF,  we were pleased with the images that came out of the camera.

f/13.0, 6s, ISO 100, @17 mm	f/11.0, 30s, ISO 100, @35 mm

ISO Test
With the ISO test we took in the office, we used the new Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.4 G lens with aperture priority set at f/9. White Balance at 5000K, In-camera Noise Reduction was turned off and focused using Spot Focusing at the centre of the frame. The results show excellent details and noise handling within the base ISO sensitivity range. Only at H1 (ISO 3200) & H2 (ISO 6400) do we see any real noise creeping in and the problem is only serious in the image taken at H2.

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We also used took a couple of reference shots with the Nikon while at the peak before it got dark. Using the Nikkor AF-S 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF at f/9 and noise reduction switched off, we can compare the shots at ISO 100 to that at ISO 1600 and ISO 6400 (H2).

Is the Nikon D3X just an expensive Sony Alpha A900?
No. The issue mainly revolves around the D3X’s sensor. Every since the rumours of the D3X took on a semblance of reality, there has been much talk about its sensor. At 24.5 megapixels, many has claimed that Nikon’s new FX format (full frame) CMOS sensor is manufactured by Sony and is in fact similar to that of the Sony Alpha A900. While there may be some truth in this, Nikon is eager to point out that the sensor is “designed by Nikon” and we can reasonably expect differences to show from the microlens used in Nikon’s sensors as well as the processing circuitry used in the Nikon body. Throw in the 51-point focusing system, the professional body and all that it entails, it would be far too harsh to compare the A900 with the D3X. Image quality wise, the A900 does itself proud but the Nikon’s images are still better.

Newly released Nikon lens Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.4 G lens

Nikon D3X – the Canon DSLR killer?
Looking the specifications (and price tag) of the Nikon D3X, it is obvious that Nikon are positioning it in line with the Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III. For a long time until recently, professionals who needed a high megapixels full frame camera were only given the choice of the 1Ds Mark III unless they went medium format. Nikon is obviously eager to cut into this market now that they are selling full frame cameras. With the Canon 1Ds Mark III released just over a year ago, we would obviously expect Nikon to come up with something that could show up the Mark III.

Without actual like for like comparisons for the two cameras, it would be difficult to say which is better. However, expect the image quality of the Nikon D3X to be at least as good as the Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III if not better. Canon users won’t feel too threatened though as there is already a lot of expectation for an EOS 1Ds Mark IV to be launched around the time of the PMA 2009. Given that the 5D Mark II has already lifted the bar on performance, this comes as no surprise and many may feel that even the 5D Mark II can give the D3X a run for its money. It may well do so image quality wise at high ISO settings. However, the response via auto-focusing and the shutter is not quite at the professional level on the 5D Mark II so the Nikon D3X may well be the best pro DSLR body in the market right now.

f/13.0, 20s, ISO 100, @17 mm	f/1.4, 1/8s, ISO 400, @50 mm (hand held)	f/1.4, 1/8s, ISO 800, @50 mm (hand held)

The Final Verdict
The neutrals will not be jumping up and down with excitement and neither will the Canon users have any compulsion to consider trading their Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III in a hurry when they look at this but that is not really the point of the Nikon D3X. For Nikon users, they have finally got a pro DSLR body that could offer them high resolution beyond the measly 12.1 megapixels ceiling that they had to live with before, without having to consider going medium format. If you are a Nikon user shooting mainly studio or landscapes, the Nikon D3X could well be the answer to your needs.