The D3 was conceived as the ultimate all-around camera for professional photographers, who these days are less likely to confine themselves to a single specialty, such as sports, portraits or products. To cover a broad spectrum of subjects, a professional’s ideal camera must offer genuine versatility in terms of image quality, speed, responsiveness, workflow, and countless other factors. After grappling with these considerations, we decided that a 12.1-million pixel count would be ideal for the D3.
We deemed the large 8.45 x 8.45µm pixel size essential for the high-sensitivity performance photographers need to freely set exposures in low light. We also considered a 12-megapixel resolution to be the optimum for fast-paced continuous shooting of moving subjects. Any more pixels and we would sacrifice speed. Nikon also considered the most appropriate speed for the ensuing workflow after pictures have been taken. With all vital issues considered, the 12.1 effective megapixel resolution provided the best overall balance, and we developed the large Nikon FX format accordingly for the D3.
Judging by resolution alone, some might assume that the D3 would be limited to producing a 360-dpi photograph on A3-sized paper (42.0 x 29.7cm). But Nikon has gone far beyond that, creating a thinner low-pass filter closely matched to sensor resolution and applying a special flare reduction coating. Such measures improve the overall image capture performance to deliver superior resolution that goes far beyond mere pixel count.
Consistently superior images are possible only as a result of constant, careful attention to the effective use of light. Nikon’s new low-pass filter plays a vital role in achieving this goal. Originally, low-pass filters served to reduce false colors and moiré by sacrificing resolution. But at the same time, manufacturers were struggling to improve resolution. With the multi-layer construction of the Nikon D3 and D300, subject images are separated vertically and horizontally to minimize false colors and moiré, while the exceptional thinness of all components improves resolution performance. Moreover, the precise application of anti-reflection and UV/IR coatings increases light transmission and reduces flare and ghosting. And the close interplay between low-pass filter design and image processing design reinforces this exceptional high performance. In developing the D3 and D300, Nikon engineers attained both goals by sharing expertise across company divisions to harmonize the characteristics of the low-pass filter, sensor and imaging processing system.
