How quickly and beautifully should the D3 be able to process the rich tonal gradations and minimal noise data captured in Nikon FX format? This is a question Nikon addressed when considering how to improve overall camera performance. How would the camera best provide the various features that enable photographers to create great pictures, rather than simply process quickly and beautifully? To tackle this challenge, Nikon had to develop a single super-engine that enables high-speed, multifunction processing.
Why a single super-engine, rather than multiple engines? First of all, a single engine consumes less power. Next, it saves space, benefiting the camera’s design. And further, the use of multiple engines would complicate memory distribution circuitry and control. Since numerous pins would be required to connect multiple engines, some functions may have had to be eliminated. For Nikon, the choice was clear.
The super-engine employed in the D3 performs all image processing at the high speed of 16 bits. The engine boasts more than twice the processing capabilities of the D2x, thanks to an expanded processing bus bandwidth, a vastly improved bus clock, dual modules and a built-in high-speed DSP (digital signal processor). Starting with rich tonal gradation and accurate color reproduction, the engine’s advantages include lateral chromatic aberration reduction, Picture Control, auto white balance, Active D-Lighting, contrast-detect AF in Live View’s Tripod mode and much more. Its reduced power consumption increases the number of frames that can be shot on-site — a critical factor for photographers. Only a single super-engine could offer so many advantages.
