Nikon D50 Digital SLR - Press Release

[Photo-John]

Nikon Introduces the Affordable New D50 - The Smallest, Lightest and Easiest-to-Use Nikon Digital SLR Camera to Date

* D50's Ease-of-Use and Attractive Pricing Set to Bring the Thrill of Nikon
Digital SLR Performance to More Consumers Than Ever Before

* 6.1-Megapixel D50 Arrives in Stores in June 2005 for an Estimated Street
Price of $899.95 (D50 outfit, with the new AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED lens)

* Two New DX Nikkor Lenses Offer More Options and Versatility

MELVILLE, N.Y., April 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Nikon(R)(http://www.nikonusa.com) has taken another bold step forward in redefining the digital SLR landscape today by introducing the highly anticipated D50(TM) digital SLR camera. The D50 is the smallest, lightest and easiest-to-use Nikon digital SLR camera to date, and is designed for the broadest range of consumers including family memory-keepers looking to take advantage of the image quality, speed and responsiveness Nikon digital SLR's offer, as well as photo enthusiasts and amateur photographers who want to capture brilliant digital pictures with vibrant color and immaculate sharpness. The new entry-level D50 makes exceptional digital SLR photography a reality for everyone.

"With the new D50, Nikon intends to bring a fulfilling digital SLR photography experience to more consumers than ever before and help them capture their most precious memories with great quality and ease. The D50 inherits the high image quality, responsiveness and speed consumers have come to expect of Nikon's digital SLR cameras, while also embodying a simple, intuitive and compact design, so anyone in the family can use it without hesitation," said Steve Heiner, general manager for Digital SLR Camera Systems at Nikon Inc. "The attractive price for the D50 will expand the market substantially and ensure many more people can enjoy shooting with a Nikon digital SLR this year."

The Ultimate Family Camera

The D50 stands out as ideal for families searching for that perfect camera to capture timeless memories during important occasions and life events such as weddings, first homeruns, birthdays, prom night, and golden anniversaries, among others. The D50 is the perfect combination of intelligent, easy-to-use features and impeccable image quality, and at an estimated street price of $899 (for the D50 outfit with the AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G EDlens), it represents an excellent value for its capabilities. The camera's seven Digital Vari-Program modes make capturing the moment easier than ever, and the new "Child" mode, for example, assures that moms and dads don't have to be photography experts to capture the most vivid color and contrast when taking pictures of their children. The D50's "Child" mode automatically adjusts several of the camera's settings, including ISO, shutter speeds, and white balance, to produce optimized images when taking pictures of children.The D50 promises to be an ideal tool for parents who refuse to let memories pass them by.

The D50 also includes a full range of manual controls and custom settings, so users can grow with the camera, and advanced photo enthusiasts can find themselves right at home with a D50 in their hands.

Hallmark Nikon Image Quality and Performance

The D50 incorporates several important new Nikon technologies to ensure a rich, yet simplified experience for consumers. With a new 6.1 effective megapixel Nikon DX Format CCD image sensor and a highly advanced image processing engine, the D50 produces dazzlingly faithful images capable of tremendous enlargement, yet manageable in overall file size. Nikon's new 3D Color Matrix Metering II ensures accurate exposure control in all types of lighting situations by automatically comparing input from its frame-wide 420-pixel metering sensor for each scene to a large onboard database of over 30,000 scenes from actual photography. Professionals and amateurs alike rely on Nikon's exclusive light metering technologies that produce ideal exposures instantly. Newly developed exposure evaluation methods detect highlights and shadows in the frame, and compensate for them to help prevent inaccurate exposure. Shutter speed choices in the D50 extend from 30 seconds to an action-stopping 1/4,000 second. A high-speed flash sync speed up to 1/500 second makes great fill flash photography possible and Nikon's i-TTL flash technology makes it automatic.

Simple Sophistication

The next evolution of Nikon's popular scene-optimized Digital Vari-Program modes simplifies picture taking, and helps users take incredible pictures with very little effort. The Digital Vari-Program modes also free up the user to think about capturing special and fleeting moments instead of getting overwhelmed with buttons and dials. Selecting one of the seven simple icons from the handy exposure mode dial optimizes otherwise complex settings and ISO-equivalent sensitivity to produce consistently remarkable results. The newly added "Child" mode mentioned earlier makes it easier to take memorable pictures of the little ones complete with vivid color and contrast that are ready to print without the fuss of adjustments within the computer.

Instant Gratification

Unlike lesser systems, the Nikon D50 is always ready to shoot when that special moment or expression presents itself. From the moment the power is turned on, the D50 is ready to shoot in an imperceptible 0.2 seconds. The shutter responds almost instantly when a picture is taken, thereby minimizing 'shutter-lag' and virtually eliminating a common frustration of digital photography. Continuous shooting at 2.5 pictures per second* (can be maintained for a burst of up to 137 pictures, making action photography a reality. Pictures taken are instantly processed and recorded to a compact SD (Secure Digital) memory card, and a new USB 2.0 Hi-Speed interface supports faster transfer of images when connected to a computer.

Compact, Lightweight and Designed to Go Everywhere

The D50's compact, lightweight design makes it easy to carry the camera anywhere there's a good moment to capture. Its smart design and easily accessible controls provide handling efficiency and ease of operation, helping bring the fun back to picture taking. Newly designed plain-language menus are displayed clearly on the large 2.0-inch LCD screen, and intuitive help menus are available for on-the-spot reference. A high capacity rechargeable lithium-ion battery helps extend mobility and convenience by delivering the power to shoot up to 2,000** images on a single charge.

Interchangeable Lenses: The Nikkor Advantage

One of the unique benefits of shooting with a Nikon digital SLR is the ability to take advantage of the expansive creative possibilities offered by interchangeable Nikkor lenses. With the introduction of the D50, Nikon also introduced two new DX Nikkor lenses that are ideally paired with the D50 to offer consumers a broad zoom range, while maintaining a lightweight and ultra-compact size. Designed exclusively for Nikon's D-series digital SLR cameras, DX Nikkor lenses are optimized to achieve outstanding center-to-edge-to-corner image quality, when used with any of Nikon's digital SLR cameras. Nikon's DX Nikkor range now includes six high performance lenses that offer unmatched wide-angle coverage and versatility:

• New AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED
  
• New AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED
  
• AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5 ED-IF
  
• AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF
  
• AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 12-24mm f/4G ED-IF
  
• AF DX Fisheye-Nikkor 10.5mm f/2.8G ED

The D50 also offers seamless compatibility with Nikon's extensive family of over 50 high-performance AF Nikkor lenses, providing the same superb color reproduction, razor-sharp image clarity and fast and accurate autofocus performance relied upon by the countless number of professional photographers who use Nikon's pro digital SLR cameras everyday.

Managing and Sharing with Nikon PictureProject(TM) Software

Sharing pictures is fun, and Nikon's new PictureProject software is designed to eliminate the complexities typically associated with sharing, managing and editing pictures on a computer. After conducting exhaustive worldwide research into consumer habits, expectations and requirements, Nikon developed its PictureProject software to be a simple, easy-to-use, and powerful application that addresses most frustrations associated with managing pictures on a computer. PictureProject boasts powerful features wrapped into an intuitive interface that navigates quickly and is easy to master. The software allows users to easily transfer images to PC's or MAC's and browse, organize, and share them. Pictures taken in vertical orientation are automatically rotated. Controls for retouch tasks including brightness and red-eye correction, are intuitive and fast. PictureProject's In Touch(TM) plug-in allows users to share photos with friends and relatives without attaching them in an email or uploading them to a website. Instead Pictureproject in-Touch facilitates a direct transfer of the pictures from the sender's computer to a recipient's computer. PictureProject In-Touch is included in the newest version 1.5 of PictureProject software and can also be downloaded free of charge via http://www.nikonnet.com.

With support for JPEG, TIFF and NEF and compressed NEF (RAW) files, PictureProject also works in close unison with Nikon Capture 4 as the ideal companion to its powerful feature set. Capture 4 is Nikon's advanced image management and editing software designed to offer the most robust and comprehensive performance with Nikon's NEF (RAW) files. While PictureProject is already a dynamic component to Nikon photography, the software also supports plug-ins, allowing users to add new features, as technology and the digital camera market evolve.

As part of Nikon's Total Imaging System, the D50 inherits the advantages of the various components of this system, including high-quality AF and DX Nikkor lenses, the SB-800 and SB-600 Speedlights, which enable use of Nikon's Creative Lighting System, as well as versatile software options, to deliver a new level of operating ease, expanded creative possibilities, and pure enjoyment. The Nikon D50 presents the perfect opportunity for anyone to start enjoying the advantages of Nikon digital SLR photography today.

The Nikon D50 outfit, including the new AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED lens, will be available in June for an estimated selling price of $899.95***.

MAJOR FEATURES OF THE NIKON D50 DIGITAL SLR

Vivid color and sharp details straight from the camera

• New 6.1 effective megapixel Nikon DX Format CCD imaging sensor that produces 3,008 x 2,000-pixel images with accurate color, high resolution and sharp details for great pictures capable of significant enlargement, or cropping for creative effect. File sizes remain manageable, making it easier to take and store more great pictures.
  
• Advanced digital image processor that marks a further evolution of analog and digital processing and pre-conditioning technologies, \ producing images that require no preparation in a computer and are ready to print straight from the camera. Image quality is optimized, including auto white balance, auto tone and color control, and real- time processes diminish digital noise to produce beautiful long exposure shots.
  
• 3D Color Matrix Metering II ensures accurate exposure control and white balance.

Instant, precise response

• Near-instant 0.2-second power-up, and short shutter release lag (response) time.
  
• Continuous shooting at 2.5 frames per second for a continuous burst of up to 137 pictures without having to wait for the camera to record the images to the SD memory card. (Using JPEG NORMAL - Large settings, and a SanDisk Ultra II 256MB SD Card) The number of continuous shots possible in a single burst may be fewer depending on the type of SD card used.
  
• Fast 5-area AF system with predictive focus tracking and Lock-on(TM) delivers greater precision with fast, more consistent subject acquisition and improved focus tracking to capture all the action as it happens. Automatic AF-assist illuminator helps ensure top AF performance in dark situations.
  
• Fast shutter speed with a range from 30 to 1/4,000 sec.
  
• Fast flash sync shutter speeds up to 1/500 sec. for great fill-effects under brighter light
• Fast data transfer and recording to SD memory cards keeps the D50 always ready to shoot in any situation.

Accurate automated and manual control for predictable results

• Seven Digital Vari-Program selections for automatic adjustment of all the settings necessary to produce incredible digital photographs including ISO-equivalent sensitivity, white balance, sharpening, tone (contrast), color, saturation and hue for crisp and vivid results that match the intended shot. Selections include Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Child, Sports, Close up, and Night Portrait.
  
• Image enhancement options optimize sharpening, tone (contrast), color, saturation or hue while using Auto Multi Program [P], Shutter-Priority Auto [S], Aperture-Priority Auto [A], or Manual [M] exposure modes to best match the picture taking situation. The easy to set choices include Normal, Vivid, Sharp, Soft, Direct print, Landscape or Custom optimization.
  
• Automatic control over ISO-equivalent sensitivity from ISO 200 to 1600; can also be set manually.
  
• Optimized exposure with a choice of three TTL (Through The Lens) exposure modes: 3D Color Matrix Metering II with 420-pixel RGB Sensor, variable Center-Weighted Meter, or choice of Spot Meters.
  
• Auto exposure bracketing helps achieve the exact results desired.
  
• Flash exposure compensation.
  
• A choice of three color modes ensures the best match for the shot when operating the camera manually.
  Mode Ia: Renders natural-looking skin tones out of the camera. (sRGB)
  Mode II: Realizes a wider color range suited for processing or retouching. (Adobe RGB)
  Mode IIIa: Renders vivid landscape and flora colors out of the camera. (sRGB)
  
• Simultaneous recording of compressed NEF (RAW) and JPEG image files for the same shot helps by providing a smaller JPEG image file that can be quickly sent via email and a compressed NEF (RAW) file for more creative flexibility using Nikon PictureProject or Capture software for further enhancement.

Intuitive handling and operating ease

• Light and compact: Dimensions (W x H x D): 133 x 102 x 76mm (5.3 x 4.1 x 3.0 in.) Weight: Approx. 540g (1 lb. 3 oz.) without battery.
  
• Intuitive and familiar operation with ergonomically designed and sensibly located buttons and controls, including the handy multi selector and mode dial.
  
• Quality optical viewfinder features diopter correction and information display.
  
• New large 2.0-inch LCD monitor located directly below the viewfinder displays the large fonts of the easy-to-view easy-to-understand menu design, and the intuitive help system dialogs that make understanding camera settings easy.
  
• Versatile LCD playback options include Single image playback, Thumbnail image playback (4 or 9 pictures at a time), Zoom playback, Slide show, easy Histogram indication for determining highlights and shadow values, and Highlight point displays for even quicker highlight information, with automatic image rotation for vertical shots.
  
• LCD control panel on camera top makes it easy to confirm settings and camera status.
  
• Long-life rechargeable lithium-ion battery with power to shoot up to 2 2,000 images** on a single charge.
  
• Custom Settings for personalizing camera operation to match the individual's shooting style, or different picture taking conditions.
  
• Wireless remote control of the D50 can be achieved with the optional ML-L3 remote control.

Easy image handling

• New Small Picture function for saving photos within the camera at the reduced sizes of 640x480, 320x240, or 160x120 for Internet use - either for mail attachments or placement on web pages.
  
• In-camera page setup support makes it easy to print directly from the D50 to any PictBridge compatible printer via the supplied USB cable.
  
• Up to 36 alphanumeric characters can be entered in each image's EXIF header (file information) for personal identification when images are viewed in PictureProject software.
  
• Video connector and supplied video cable makes it easy to connect the D50 directly to a television for playing slideshows or viewing individual images

Creative and versatile system components

• High-quality Nikkor lenses: The unrivalled performance of AF, AF-S and DX Nikkor lenses greatly expands creative possibilities.
  
• Built-in auto pop-up flash features exclusive i-TTL flash control, fast 1/500 sec. flash sync shutter speed, and coverage for lenses as wide as 18mm.
  
• Supports Nikon's Creative Lighting System when using a SB-800 and SB-600 Speedlight mounted on the ISO flash shoe for additional on camera flash output in large rooms, or for longer distance picture situations. Also allows off-camera multiple flash lighting with iTTL Technology with SB-800 and SB-600.
  
• Integrated Nikon Software Solutions: Nikon Capture 4 (Ver. 4.3) (optional) is a comprehensive image editing and remote camera control package that fully supports NEF**** (RAW), TIFF and JPEG data. Among other features, the package offers Image Dust Off sensor dust and particle shade removal control, D-Lighting for scene-specific automatic dodge and burn control.
  
  PictureProject is Nikon's versatile bundled software that simplifies and improves data transfer, as well as browsing and editing of image files. PictureProject features an intuitive user interface, and supports optional plug-ins that add functionality and creative options.

* (Using JPEG NORMAL - Large settings, and a SanDisk Ultra II SD Card (256MB). The number of continuous shots possible in a single burst may be fewer depending on the type of SD card used.

** 2,000 images per charge achieved under following test conditions: Fully charged EN-EL3 battery; temperature of 20 degrees C (68 degress F); Zoom-Nikkor AF-S DX 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G SG IF ED lens; continuous shooting mode; continuous-servo autofocus; image quality set to JPEG BASIC; image size set to Medium; shutter speed 1/250 sec.; shutter release pressed halfway for three seconds and focus cycled from infinity to minimum range three times with each shot; monitor turned on for five seconds after six shots and then turned off; cycle repeated once exposure meters have turned off.

*** Estimated selling prices listed are only an estimate. Actual prices are set by dealers and are subject to change at any time.


**** NEF images taken with the D50 require Nikon Capture 4 (Ver. 4.3) or later.