Nikon D2Xs 12.4 Megapixel Digital SLR Camera

The Nikon D2Xs is truly the professional (or very serious amateur) photographer's dream machine. My previous and current equipment includes Canon EOS 850 film (retired), Konica film (retired), Olympus C3030 (donated) and various other equipment over the years. I still own and use my Nikon D70s and find it to be a wonderful tool, but the D2Xs is the ulitmate machine.

I read many articles and reviews about professional level digital SLR cameras, and I was a little aprehensive about the D2Xs because I wasn't sure I was ready for it, experience wise. That's proven not to be the case, and I find this camera is actually easier to use than other equipment I've owned. There are no pre-programmed (i.e., landscape, portrait, night landscape, etc.) settings like on the D70s or the Canon. That kind of forces you to use the P (most automatic settings) or aperture/shutter preferred options. I find it pretty straight forward, since the pre-programmed settings can be a little confusing in their own right.

This camera is big but feels very steady to use. Ergonomics are supreme, and the menus (not used that often since every key setting is selectable with a button) are easy to read in bright sunlight.

This is a very well done product that takes pictures capable of being blown up to poster size without a problem or loss of quality. This is a beautiful piece of gear if you can afford it. I chose it between the Canon Mark's and other options in the 12+MP range because I liked it best of all.

I'm not going to go over the technical aspects of this camera. There are lots of other places that do that. Anyhow, I shoot professionally on the side, and this camera does a good job under most conditions, except for sports photography. The autofocus and noise level is not nearly as good as the Canon 1D Mark IIn. The high speed crop (8fps) reduces the quality of the image, and I'm not talking about megapixels. Hence, I'm going to try out the new Canon 1D Mark III when it releases this summer. I've been a loyal Nikon shooter forever, but Nikon seems to have neglected the professionals in favor of the mass consumers.

An amazing construction - the D2Xs is a paradox in itself. Strong as an ox and
yet as delicate as a butterfly - this camera is control and power in one rock
hard package. Simply the finest pro camera you can buy without needing a 2nd
mortgage. In the words of a Mr F. Bueller "It is so choice. If you have the
means, I highly recommend picking one up."

Every feature you can think of in a camera is present - and many you can't think
of. Many a night I'd reading the manual - commenting to myself 'I wonder....oh
- they already did'

I would write a longer review - but the beast is calling me again...quetly
...from its bag... I must go out and capture the world in digital form.

I'll finish off with another Ferris quote. "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't
stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it".

Well - he obviously DIDN'T know about the D2Xs speed-framing mode...

This camera is just Amazing. I have sold my Canon 5d and decided to stick with the Nikon Side. I love Nikons Image Quality!!!! Blows the others out of the water. The D2X's is just an amazing camera. It has so many features, and all the buttons are perfectly placed for the quick shot. The camera is near instantly on when you need it. It shoots amazingly fast and it can even crop pictures in the camera. The only thing that must be said about this camera is that you need to be pretty confident in knowing Camera settings. I cannot quit taking pictures with this camera.... I love it

I will never buy anything else but Nikon!!! They are the Top!!
I currently have a Nikon D200, D2X's, D2X,D2H

I have been a professional photographer for more than 42 years and a photography teacher for 38 years. This is simply, the best camera I have ever owned. This is the first audio focus camera that focuses faster than me, its a bit heavy, but I'm a bit older. Couple this camera with a fast lens, (f1.4D, f1.8D, f2.0D, f2.8D), and if the pictures are not good, then its you. With the new Nikon D3 coming out in November 2007, this camera will be available used as well as new, get one you will not be disappointed. :-)

I jumped in the ocean with the Nikon D2X---got the camera in late February 2005, on the first day they were available in Scotland. I also bought the underwater housing for it almost emmediately. The Austrian housing manufacturer, Subal, had used the nearly identical body and controls of Nikon's D2H to develop a housing for the D2X before it had even shipped.
The results of those initial dives made me very happy. I was impressed first with the D2X's image quality, a massive jump, over the previous digital SLR, a Nikon D100. The D2X is better pixel-to-pixel than the D100 by a clear margin, and it's got twice as many of those pixels.
Another thing that I think is a massive advantage to the D2X is the large viewing screen. Even inside the housing, it's easy to see in good detail, which allows me to make faster and more definitive judgments about my images. On dives, where time is the rarest commodity, any feature that improves efficiency takes on much greater importance than it might on land.