I just got my copy of "Popular Photography" in the mail and discovered the D3X's triumph. I was pleasantly surprised and perplexed at the same time. As mentioned above, it's not exactly affordable . . . "Popular Photography" gave it a great review, but admitted it was lacking several features of the D3S — I mean, they say the D3X doesn't even have a self-cleaning imaging sensor, something of which I was completely unaware.

If the D3S had been eligible to win, do you think it would have?

good points Niko . . . hope it does show up in a "consumer" model (aka D800 with bells and whistles). . .

Not sure what Canon would do if they had to compete against that. . .oh wait, still lose customers because they suck at AF. . .

Well the D3X won because of it's outstanding image quality and because it "redefines the concept of the flagship model." Although they did mention the high price it wasn't a factor. They actually said it was a "medium-format camera in a 35mm DSLR body." So I guess they think it's actually a huge bargain when you look at the price of a Hassey or Mamiya or even the Leica S2.

Oh and another interesting bit of info they mention. They seem to hint that the 24mp sensor of the D3X will likely "show up in a consumer model soon." Or maybe they just read this forum :^)

adamz said:
to be honest, I'm really surprised that nikon d3x won this year competition; sure it's a great camera, but highly unavailable for a mass customer

agreed. . .i mean kudos Nikon, but still. . .$7.6k isn't exactly a "popular" price point, interesting choice based off of their magazine demo. . .

NikoDoby said:
Oh wait I had a dream Nikon introduced a "entry level" full frame in 2010 so I'll be voting for that instead :^)

Sign me up.

The D3X was announced in 2008 but it didn't go on sale until early 2009 so that's why it was eligible for the 2009 award. The D3S was announced and went on sale after Oct 1, 2009 so it couldn't be nominated for the award. Who wants to bet it will be a finalist next year? Oh wait I had a dream Nikon introduced a "entry level" full frame in 2010 so I'll be voting for that instead :^)

to be honest, I'm really surprised that nikon d3x won this year competition; sure it's a great camera, but highly unavailable for a mass customer

to be honest, I'm really surprised that nikon d3x won this year competition; sure it's a great camera, but highly unavailable for a mass customer

Hahahah Niko, I had read that earlier, and think it's ridiculous. Someone should take that over to the leica users forums and tell them that canon has them beat for durability. It'd be like watching a train wreck in slow motion.

As to Nikon, I'm pleased the D3X won, it's a great camera, and, save for the cost, probably the most flexible small format body out there at the moment since it's far more hardy than a 5dmII, as well as retaining Ai lens compatibility. I would take it over the D3S probably, for the simple fact I don't need ASAs much higher than 400 on any regular basis (I shoot mainly with film between the ranges of 50 and 400, and just push my 400 to 1600 occasionally.)

Now if only they'd make a digital SP.

i would of voted the D3x aswell, it shows its quality when printed on a 24" printer or bigger, really awesome.
Haven't got a D3S yet, doubt i will for now.

lool
I'd have voted for the D3S instead of D3X personally... (I'm the one who wanted ISO102k in a D40 so I favour speed) :D

A washing machine?! Come on Chris really? I suppose next you'll tell me you threw a plastic bodied canon rebel out of an airplane at 3000ft/900m and it survived the fall without a scratch! :^D

http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=1140

I thought so, too, initially at least, but I was reading the account of a photographer who visited the Sölms plant and got to try an S2 for a couple of days, and the head of design said that the camera is fully weather-sealed and that to test the durability of the lenses, in terms of mechanical operation at least, they put them in a washing machine and gave em a cycle, and they still worked apparently. Everything in the system is rated to work in rain intense enough to be coming at you horizontally, so I wouldn't write the germans off just yet!

Phenomenal sensor in that thing too, and the 75mm is supposedly to die for.

Though I'd certainly not say no to a D3x by any means since I've got the lenses to go with it. I'd love to put my 85/1.4 on that thing rock out for a bit.

Sorry Chris but I'll take the D3X anytime. The S2 is just a fashion accessory for Seal and Heidi Klum.

anyone want to chip in on my leica s2 fund?

warprints said:
I don't know if I trust Pop Photo on this one. I'll be taking up a colection so that I can buy a D3X of my own to test. I promise to report back to whoever contributes to this endeavor. ;-)

OK and I would do the same with the D3s, sports etc, $4 form each NRF member

Pete

Amazing that Nikon can improve this Sony sensor by so much that it produces vastly different image quality then the a850/900!

I don't know if I trust Pop Photo on this one. I'll be taking up a colection so that I can buy a D3X of my own to test. I promise to report back to whoever contributes to this endeavor. ;-)

Camera of the year for me is most likely my F4. or F3.
I love my medium format gear, but in all reality, it's not sealed or as durable as my F series cameras.

Most of the time you wonder about reviews done in the Popular Photography magazine, but they got this one right, way to go Nikon

Pete

Nice.

The Nikon D3X!!! According to Popular Photography magazine. Wow congratulations Nikon! The D3X won due to it's unmatched DSLR image quality. Medium format quality in a DSLR package. Sorry I doubted you D3X :^)

The finalist losers were the 7D and E-P1. They said the 7D has the best APS-C image quality but lost because it brings nothing new to the table. The E-P1 is a new kind of camera but lost because the auto focus was too sluggish and it doesn't have a wide selection of lenses.