The rich image data of the Nikon FX-format sensor becomes even more attractive to professionals when accompanied by high-speed processing capability. Two of the major technical hurdles encountered when designing multi-channel readout systems are the interfacing with each processing unit and the parallel processing area. In developing the D2H with its LBCAST image sensor, we quickly overcame those obstacles with better design and technical solutions. Since then, we’ve broadened our experience and know-how, and with the D3 have increased the number of channels to 12, enabling data readout at unprecedented levels of speed and with low noise. With 12-channel readouts, the parallel data readouts allow slower data clock speeds in each channel, thereby reducing wideband noise while raising image quality. The design of a 12-channel readout, however, involves much stricter requirements than systems having fewer channels. Nikon has succeeded through relentless testing, producing a system that allows parallel data readout approximately three times faster than with the D2x. This directly contributes to the D3’s High-speed continuous shooting of 9 fps (frames-per-second) in Nikon FX-format (12.1-megapixel resolution), Live View operation through high-resolution VGA (920,000 dots in 3 inches) monitor, and contrast AF operation.
