Quick Review: Nikon's much praised but still controversial D2H has seen a significant refinement beyond the addition of the letter "s" to its name. While its predecessor was loved by pro photographers for its blistering speed, excellent image quality and wonderful ergonomics, its behind-the-times 4.1 megapixel sensor has raised a lot of eyebrows. Even more so since Nikon chose not to raise the pixel count with this revamped model and Canon continues to offer 8 megapixel and higher sensors even with its budget digital SLRs. Nikon however seems to be targetting somewhat of a niche market here - photojournalists, sports shooters, web publishers and others who don't need huge file sizes and massive pixel counts. While many folks scoff at these specs in a near $3,000 camera, there are some real advantages to this approach if you don't need to print your photos larger than around 13" x 19". Namely, the reduced file sizes which translate into a much faster workflow in any fast-paced environment. If you've ever opened a flash card full of 8, 10, or 12-megapixel photos, you know that you can spend hours, if not days processing those massive files, only to end up throwing much of the extra pixel data away anyway.
Further capitalizing on the fast workflow concept, Nikon has also designed the D2Hs to incorporate advanced wireless capabilities, operating over the IEEE802.11b/g protocol in conjunction with the optional WT-2/2A Wireless Transmitter. Here the smaller file sizes of the D2Hs are a big advantage and allow photographers to transfer images to remote computers anywhere in the world, even while they shoot. Nikon has also implemented the new PTP/IP protocol which allows for the wireless control and transmission of data through Nikon Capture software. Despite the 4.1 megapixel sensor, image quality appears better than that of Nikon's higher megapixel offerings, and with proper technique, offers amazing film-like quality and color. The D2Hs expands the D2H's ISO noise performance by at least an f-stop and adds numerous other refinements (RGB histogram, 12-bit ASIC processing, sYCC color space, improved imaging algorithms, to name a few) making this one of the fastest and most brilliantly engineered professional cameras available.
Pros: Machine gun speed, rugged professional build, weather resistant, great image quality, improved ISO noise performance compared to D2H, fast workflow, fast autofocus, wireless capabilities.
Cons: Price, low pixel count, requires strong skills to master, no built-in flash, not suitable for high-end magazine or stock photo work.
Nikon D2Hs User Reviews
- "Excellent camera, even now better then the D70 or D80. 50 x 70 cm, no problem.- Arjen
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