Nikon D50By: Dave Etchells and Shawn BarnettNikon develops an "entry-level" SLR loaded with features for less than $750. (Body only) <<Camera Menus :(Previous) | (Next): Video & Power>> Page 14:Image Storage & InterfaceReview First Posted: 05/20/2005, Updated: 08/10/2005 |
Image Storage and Interface
The Nikon D50 uses SD memory cards for image storage, and does not come with a memory card, so you'll need to purchase one separately. The D50 utilizes a folder arrangement that lets you organize images in the camera and a sequential frame counter option to avoid problems with overwriting files when copying them to a computer.
Captured images can be individually write-protected via the Protect button on the back panel. Note that write-protected files are only immune to accidental deletion, not card reformatting. Unlike CompactFlash cards though, SD cards do have a write-protect switch on the cards themselves. When locked, a SD card cannot be written to by the camera, nor can any images on it be deleted or the card reformatted.
Three image sizes are available: Large (3,008 x 2,000 pixels), Medium (2,256 x 1,496 pixels), and Small (1,504 x 1,000 pixels). File formats include several levels of JPEG compression, as well NEF (RAW) data mode. The latter file format stores the data exactly as it comes from the CCD array, in a losslessly compressed format. Since the NEF format is completely proprietary though, you need Nikon's "Picture Project" or "Nikon Capture" software to read it, or any of several third-party RAW-format converters. As noted, the compressed RAW format is a "lossless" compression, making it difficult to determine the actual amount of compression that will be used for any given file.
Below are the approximate number of images and their compression ratios for a 256 MB SD card. I highly recommend that you consider a 256 MB card as the bare minimum for this camera: If you own one of these, you're going to want to take a lot of pictures without having to stop and download them to your computer.
| Resolution/Quality 256 MB Memory Card |
Fine | Normal | |
|
|
| 3008 x 2000 |
Images (Avg size) |
70 3.6 MB |
138 1.8 MB |
262 975 KB |
34 7.5 MB |
| Approx. Compression |
5:1 | 10:1 | 19:1 | 2:1 | |
| 2256 x 1496 |
Images (Avg size) |
124 2.1 MB |
236 1.1 MB |
428 596 KB |
- |
| Approx. Compression |
5:1 | 9:1 | 17:1 | - | |
| 1504 x 1000 | Images (Avg size) |
262 975 KB |
470 544 KB |
750 341 KB |
- |
| Approx. Compression |
5:1 | 8:1 | 13:1 |
- | |
The Nikon D50 connects to the host computer via a USB port, as either a Mass Storage or PTP device. The PTP protocol allows Mac OS X and Windows XP to recognize the D50 as a camera, so they can launch camera-specific operating system software. The Mass Storage option lets the camera appear as a standard removable disk device. I personally find the Mass Storage option to be more convenient, as it doesn't force me through the clunky OS software, and is faster to boot.
Connected to my 2.4 GHz Pentium IV-equipped Sony VAIO desktop computer running Windows XP, I measured the D50's download speed at a blistering 3,486 KB/second in Mass Storage mode, an incredibly rapid pace. (I didn't measure the transfer rate in PTP mode, speeds there though, are generally quite a bit slower.)
Lost Images? - Download this image-recovery program so you'll have it when you need it...
Since we're talking about memory and image storage, this would be a good time to mention the following: I get a ton of email from readers who've lost photos due to a corrupted memory card. It's tragic when it happens, there are few things more precious than photo memories. Corrupted memory cards can happen with any card type and any camera manufacturer, nobody's immune. "Stuff happens," as they say. A surprising number of "lost" images can be recovered with an inexpensive, easy to use piece of software though. Given the amount of email I've gotten on the topic, I now include this paragraph in all my digicam reviews. The program you need is called PhotoRescue, by DataRescue SA. Read our review of it if you'd like, but download the program now, so you'll have it. It doesn't cost a penny until you need it, and even then it's only $29, with a money back guarantee. So download PhotoRescue for Windows or PhotoRescue for Mac while you're thinking of it. (While you're at it, download the PDF manual and quickstart guide as well.) Stash the file in a safe place and it'll be there when you need it. Trust me, needing this is not a matter of if, but when... PhotoRescue is about the best and easiest tool for recovering digital photos I've seen. (Disclosure: IR gets a small commission from sales of the product, but I'd highly recommend the program even if we didn't.) OK, now back to our regularly scheduled review...
Follow Imaging Resource: