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Nikon D2X By: Dave Etchells and Shawn Barnett Nikon introduces a 12.2 megapixel hybrid pro SLR that can be either high resolution or high speed as the job requires. Select a topic Reference: Datasheet D2X Test Images! In-depth Image Analysis D2X Photo Gallery! --------------------------------- 1. Intro and Highlights 2. User Report 3. Design 4. Viewfinder 5. Optics 6. Exposure & Flash 7. Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests 8. Operation & User Interface 9. Camera Modes & Menus 10. Image Storage & Interface 11. WiFi Connection 12. Video, Power, Software 13. Test Results & Conclusion --------------------------------- Print-Friendly Review Version Additional Resources and Other Links Reader Comments on D2X Review --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index <<Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests :(Previous) | (Next): Camera Modes & Menus>> Page 8:Operation & User Interface Review First Posted: 04/14/2005, Updated: 06/10/2005

Function Button: Beneath the Depth of Field Preview button, this button can be programmed through the Custom Settings menu to work with the Main command dial to control one of many exposure options, including Flash Value Lock, Flash Value Lock / Lens Data, One Stop Speed / Aperture, AE Lock / AF Lock, Flash Off, Bracketing Burst, Matrix Metering, Center-Weighted Metering, Spot Metering, and High-speed crop.


Lens Release Button: Also on the front of the camera, on the right side next to the lens, this button releases the lens from its mount when pressed.

Focus Mode Selector Switch: Beneath the Lens Release button, this switch sets the focus mode to Manual, Single Servo AF, or Continuous Servo AF.


Sub-Command Dial: Positioned at the top front of the hand grip, just beneath the Power switch, this dial is used for selecting secondary values in many operating modes and menus. The dial also adjusts the aperture in Aperture Priority and Manual exposure modes, and selects from a range of equivalent exposure settings in Flexible Program mode.


Power Switch: Encircling the Shutter button on the top right of the camera, this switch turns the camera on and off. By turning it slightly past the "On" position to the "Light Bulb" icon, it also turns on the backlights for both status display panels (on top and on the back panel) when shooting in dark situations. The switch is spring-loaded to return itself to the "On" position after turning on the backlights, which will remain on while the exposure meter is active (that is, for a few seconds after a half-press of the shutter button), or until the shutter is released.

Shutter Button (see image above): In the center of the Power switch, on the top of the camera, this button sets exposure and focus when halfway pressed and fires the shutter when fully pressed.


Exposure Compensation Button: Directly behind the Shutter button on the top of the camera, this button sets the Exposure Compensation from –5 to +5 exposure equivalents (EV) in one-third, one-half, or one-step increments when pressed while turning the Main command dial.


Exposure Mode / Format Button: Just to the left of the Exposure Compensation button, pressing this button while turning the Main command dial sets the exposure mode (Program AE, Manual, Aperture Priority, or Shutter Speed Priority). In any mode, pressing this button simultaneously with the Erase button (also labeled Format) for two seconds, then releasing both buttons momentarily and re-pressing them formats the memory card.


Metering Selector: To the left of the Exposure Mode / Format button on top of the camera (actually on the side of the bulky flash hot-shoe mount), this selector ring surrounds a small black button. Pressing the button and turning the ring allows you to select between Spot, Center-Weighted, and Color Matrix / 3D Color Matrix metering options.


Diopter Adjustment Knob: Directly behind the metering selector, this knob adjusts the optical viewfinder to accommodate eyeglass wearers. (Range is -3 to +1 DP.)


Mode Dial Lock Release: On the top left side of the camera (when looking at the back), next to the Mode dial, this button releases the Mode dial to select the camera mode.


Mode Dial: Underneath a set of control buttons on the left side of the top panel, this notched dial selects between Single Frame, Continuous Low-Speed Shooting, Continuous High-Speed Shooting, Self-Timer, and Mirror-Up modes.

Auto Bracketing Button: (See photo of Mode dial above. The Auto Bracket button is the one labeled "BKT".) Positioned on the top of the Mode dial and next to the Flash and Command Lock buttons, this button turns on the Auto Bracketing function and sets the number of frames when pressed while turning the Main command dial. Pressing this button and turning the Sub-Command dial sets the exposure or white balance step size (in EV for exposure, or Mireds for white balance).

Flash Sync Mode Button: (See photo of Mode dial above. Flash sync button is the one with a lightning bolt icon on it.) Behind the Auto Bracketing button, this button cycles between the five flash sync modes (Front-Curtain Sync, Slow-Sync, Rear-Curtain Sync / Slow Rear Curtain Sync, Red-Eye Reduction, and Red-Eye Reduction with Slow-Sync) when held down while turning the Main command dial.

Command Lock Button: (See photo of Mode dial above. Command Lock is the button with the L inside a white square.) This button locks either the aperture or shutter speed setting in Aperture Priority and Shutter Priority exposure modes, when pressed while turning the Sub-Command dial. You can also lock one value or the other in Manual exposure mode.


Playback Button: Situated at the top left side of the back panel, this button activates the LCD monitor and displays the most recently-captured image.


Erase / Format Button: To the right of the Playback button, this button deletes individual images. When pressed in conjunction with the Mode button for two seconds, then released and both buttons pressed once more, this button formats the CompactFlash card.


Eyepiece Shutter Lever: Nestled above the left side of the optical viewfinder, this lever opens and closes the shutter that covers the viewfinder eyepiece for accurate exposures when using a tripod. (e.g., when your eye isn't blocking light from entering the rear element of the viewfinder.)


AE/AF Lock Button: Located on the top right side of the back panel, this button locks the exposure and/or focus when pressed (can be set through the Custom Settings menu to lock one or the other, or both).

AF-On Button: (see image above) To the right of the AE/AF Lock button, this button sets the autofocus when pressed (performs the same function as halfway pressing the Shutter button).


Main command Dial: The final control on the top right of the back panel, this dial is used to select various camera settings when turned in conjunction with a number of control buttons. In Aperture Priority and Shutter Speed Priority modes, this dial sets either the aperture or shutter speed settings. In Manual exposure mode, the dial sets the shutter speed.


MultiSelector: Beneath the Command dial, on the right side of the back panel, this rocker button with its associated locking switch controls the autofocus area in Record mode. The switch unlocks the autofocus area and the four arrow buttons let you decide where to set the main autofocus area (by choosing one of the 11 brackets displayed in the viewfinder). In Playback mode, the rocker toggle button's up and down arrows scroll through captured images while the right and left arrow buttons cycle through various information displays for each image. The arrow buttons also navigate through the LCD menu system, and pressing down on the center of the MultiSelector confirms some selections, and re-centers the AF point.

AF Area Mode Selector: Below the Five-Way Arrow Rocker pad, this selector sets the AF area mode to Single Area, Dynamic Area, Group Dynamic, or Dynamic Area AF with Closest Subject Priority.

Voice Memo Button: Below the lower left corner of the LCD monitor, this button lets you record as many as 60 seconds of sound to accompany a captured image. The camera records as long as the button is held down.


Menu Button: The first button in a series lining the left side of the LCD monitor, this button calls up the LCD menu system.

Thumbnail Button: Below the Menu button, this button pulls up an index display of either four or nine images when pressed while turning the Command dial. When an index display is active, you can move through your images a page at a time by holding the Thumbnail button and turning the Sub-Command dial. When zoomed, holding this button and using the Main command dial zooms in and out.

Protect Button: Below the Index button, this button write-protects individual images from accidental deletion (except through card formatting). Pressing this button also removes protection.

Enter / Playback Zoom Button: The final button in the series on the left side of the LCD monitor, this button confirms menu settings in any menu. When a captured image is displayed on the LCD monitor, this button enlarges the image when pressed while turning the Sub-Command dial. Pressing this button while turning the Main command dial shows the full frame with an outline box indicating the area that was enlarged. (You can use the Five-Way Arrow pad to move the selection area and then zoom back in.)

ISO Button: The first button in a series lining the lower side of a smaller status display panel (directly beneath the LCD monitor), this button changes the camera’s sensitivity setting (ISO equivalent) when pressed while turning the Command dial.

Quality Button: To the right of the ISO button, this button sets the image resolution and quality. Pressing this button and turning the Command dial adjusts the quality setting, while turning the Sub-Command dial adjusts the resolution.


White Balance Button: Directly to the right of the Quality button, this button selects the White Balance setting when pressed while turning the Main command dial. Options are Auto, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Direct Sunlight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade, Color Temperature, and Preset (which allows you to manually adjust the white value by using a white card or object as a reference point). All white balance settings (except Color Temperature and Preset) can be adjusted from -3 to +3 by turning the Sub-Command dial (on the front of the hand grip) while holding down the White Balance button

Card Slot Release Button: Hidden beneath a plastic flap on the back panel, just below the Five-Way Arrow Rocker pad, this button releases the CompactFlash card slot cover so that the card can be removed.


Vertical AF-ON Button: Hidden on the bottom right of the back panel, this button serves the same purpose as the main AF-ON button, but is used when shooting vertically.

Vertical Command Dial: (see image above) Directly beside the vertical AF-ON button on the lower right corner of the back panel, this dial serves the same purpose as the Main command dial but is used when shooting vertically.

Vertical Sub-Command Dial: Just beneath the Vertical shutter release button, this dial stands in for the primary Sub-command dial when shooting vertically.


Vertical Shutter Release Button and Lock: Located on the bottom of the right side of the camera (when looking at the back panel), this locking Shutter button can be used when shooting vertically. The rotating lock ring keeps it from accidentally firing when shooting normally.