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Nikon's D100 digital camera. Courtesy of Nikon Inc., with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Nikon announces 6 megapixel SLR!
By Michael R. Tomkins, The Imaging Resource
(Thursday, February 21, 2002 - 03:35 EST)

D100 should be a strong rival to offerings from Canon, Fuji and Sigma...

Nikon Inc. has today announced a new SLR digital camera which will likely serve to heat up the battle ongoing between Canon, Fuji and Sigma for (comparitively) low-cost SLRs aimed at enthusiasts and pros who don't need the tank-like construction or super-fast speeds of an EOS 1D, D1X or similar. (The announcement was actually scheduled for 7AM Eastern time, however since Nikon Japan has gone ahead 5+ hours early and our colleagues at the Digital Photography Review have done the same, we now feel this to be public knowledge).

The Nikon D100 features a 6.1 megapixel (effective) CCD imager, 3008 x 2000 pixel image size, 1.5x focal length multiplier and compatibility with a wide range of Nikkor lenses and D-TTL flash units. Other features include five-area autofocusing, shutter speeds from 30 to 1/4000 second plus bulb, CompactFlash storage with Microdrive compatibility, and a built-in manual-popup Speedlight flash.

Pricing has not yet been announced, but the camera will apparently ship in the second quarter of 2002. Specifications for the camera are in our database, and a spec table from Nikon follows:

Nikon's D100 digital camera. Courtesy of Nikon Inc., with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture
The Nikon D100 - front view


Nikon D100 Specifications
Type of cameraLens-interchangeable digital SLR camera Nikon D100
Effective Pixels6.1 million
CCD23.7 x 15.6mm RGB CCD; 6.31 million total pixels
Image SizeL (3,008 x 2,000); M (2,240 x 1,488), S (1,504 x 1,000)
SensitivityISO equivalency 200 - 1600 (can be boosted to higher ISO equivalency)
StorageSystem: EXIF file (uncompressed TIFF or compressed JPEG); uncompressed RAW (12-bit), Media: CompactFlash™ (CF) Card (Type I/II) and 512MB/1GB IBM Microdrive™
Shooting Modes1) Single frame shooting (S) mode, 2) Continuous shooting (C) mode 3) Self-timer mode: time duration can be set
White Balance1) Auto (TTL control using image sensor), 2) Manual (6 settings with fine tuning), 3) Preset
Color Setting3 modes available
Color Adjustment+3 to -3 step for each color setting
LCD Monitor1.8-in., 118,000-dot, low-temp. polysilicon TFT LCD with LED backlighting
Playback Function1 frame; Thumbnail (4/9 segments); Magnifying playback; Slide show; Histogram indication; Highlight point display
Delete FunctionCard Format, All frames delete, Selected frames delete
Video OutputNTSC or PAL (switchable)
InterfaceUSB 1.1
ViewfinderOptical-type fixed-eye level pentaprism; built-in diopter adjustment (-2 to +1 m-1)
Eyepoint20mm (at -1.0 m-1)
Focusing ScreenB-type Bright View Clear Matte screen II
Viewfinder Frame Coverage
Approx. 95%
Viewfinder Magnification
Approx. 0.8x with 50mm lens set to infinity and -1.0 m-1
Viewfinder Information
Focus indications, Shutter speed, Aperture value, Exposure indicator, Exposure compensation, Flash output level compensation, Frame count, etc.
On-Screen Information
Focus frame, Grid lines, Center-weighted metering area
AutofocusTTL phase detection, Nikon Multi-CAM900 autofocus module; Detection range: EV -1 to EV 19 (ISO 100 equivalent, at normal temperature: 20°C/68°F)
Lens Servo1) Single Servo AF (S), 2) Continuous Servo AF (C), 3) Manual focus (M)
Focus AreaOne of five focus areas can be selected
AF Area Mode1) Single Area AF2) Dynamic AF (Dynamic AF Mode with Closest Subject Priority is available)
Focus LockFocus is locked by pressing AE-L/AF-L button or lightly pressing shutter release button in (S) AF
Compatible Lenses1) D-type/G-type AF Nikkor: All functions possible, 2) D-type Manual-Focus Nikkor: All functions except autofocus possible, 3) AF Nikkor other than D-type/G-type: All functions possible except 3D Matrix Metering 4) AI-P Nikkor: All functions except 3D Matrix Metering and autofocus possible, 5) Non-CPU: Usable in [M] mode (camera’s built-in exposure meter does not work)Electronic Rangefinder usable with lens with maximum aperture of f/5.6 or faster; IX-Nikkors cannot be used.
Picture AngleApprox. 1.5x focal length in 35mm [135] format equivalent
Exposure MeteringTTL full-aperture exposure metering system;1) 3D Matrix Metering with 10-segment SPD, 2) Center-Weighted , 3) Spot Metering
Exposure Metering Range
1) Matrix Metering: EV 0-212) Center-Weighted Metering: EV 0-21, 3) Spot Metering: EV 3-21 (at normal temperature, ISO 100 equivalent, f/1.4 lens)
Exposure Mode1) [P] Auto-Multi Program (Flexible Program possible), 2) [S] Shutter-Priority Auto, 3) [A] Aperture-Priority Auto, 4) [M] Manual; shutter speed/aperture adjustable in 1/2 or 1/3 EV steps; ISO Automatic Control Mode (Custom setting) is available in any exposure mode (P, S, A, M)
Exposure Compensation
Exposure compensated in ±5 EV range in 1/2 or 1/3 EV steps
Auto Exposure LockDetected exposure value locked by pressing AE-L/AF-L button
Auto Exposure Bracketing
Number of shots: two or three, Compensation steps: 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1 step
Shutter Speeds30 to 1/4,000 sec. and Bulb
Sync ContactX-contact only; flash synchronization up to 1/180 sec.
Flash Control1) D-TTL (Automatic Balanced Fill-Flash controlled by five-segment TTL Multi Sensor ) with built-in Speedlight and external Speedllight such asSB-80DX/28DX/50DX: three modes available2) Non-TTL Auto Flash with an external Speedlight
Flash Sync Mode1) Front-Curtain Sync (normal sync), 2) Red-Eye Reduction3) Red-Eye Reduction with Slow Sync, 4) Slow Sync, 5) Rear-Curtain Sync
Built-in SpeedlightManual pop-up type, GN: 11/36 (ISO 100, m/ft.)Sensitivity range: ISO 200 - 800 equivalentSync flash system with external Speedlight: Not available
Ready-lightRed LED indicator inside the viewfinder
Accessory ShoeStandard ISO-type hot-shoe contact; safety lock provided
Sync TerminalAvailable in optional hot shoe adapter AS-15
Self-timerElectronically controlled; timer duration: 2, 5, 10 (default), 20 sec.
Depth-of-field Preview Button
Stop-down lens aperture by pressing depth-of-field preview button (Electronically controlled type)
Voice MemoAvailable in optional Multi Function Battery Pack
Letter InputMulti selector enables inputting of alphanumeric characters (max. 36)
Remote Control10-pin remote terminal available in optional Multi Function Battery Pack
Power RequirementsLi-ion Battery Pack EN-EL3 (7.2V DC), AC Adapter EH-5 (100-240V AC)
Tripod Socket1/4 in. (ISO1222)
RequirementsCan be selected on LCD
Dimensions (W x H x D)
Approx. 144 x 116 x 80.5mm (5.7 x 4.6 x 3.2 in.)
Weight (without battery)
Approx. 700g (24.7oz.)
Optional Accessories
Multi Function Battery Pack MB-D100, Li-ion Battery Pack EN-EL3, Charger, MH-18/19, AC Adapter EH-5, CompactFlash™ Cards, Speedlight SB-80DX/SB-28DX/SB-50DX, “Nikon Capture3” Control Software, Semi-Soft Case CF-D100


Nikon's D100 digital camera. Courtesy of Nikon Inc., with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture
D100 with optional battery handgrip.

Nikon's D100 digital camera. Courtesy of Nikon Inc., with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture
Front and rear views.

Source: Nikon Inc.

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