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Nikon DX Format Cameras
© 2012 KenRockwell.com

Crop Factors. (Green: Canon 1.3x, Red: Nikon DX, Blue: Canon 1.6x)

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February 2013       Nikon Reviews   Nikon Lenses   All Reviews

INTRODUCTION

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In the beginning, Nikon digital SLRs had sensors that only came in one size, called DX.

Life was good. Every lens gave exactly the same angle of view on every Nikon DX digital SLR.

Nikon's DX sensors measure 15.8 x 23.6 mm, while 35mm film and FX digital sensors measure 24 x 36mm. DX sensors are 1.5x smaller than 35mm film. See also Crop Factors.

In 2007 Nikon introduced the D3 digital camera with Nikon's first 24 x 36mm sensor, dubbed FX by Nikon. The larger sensors are needed to get the best results at about 10MP and above, and to get wider wide angles since the only wide angle lens for the DX format is the 12-24mm DX, whose widest angle of view on a DX camera is really only about as wide as a 20mm lens on an FX camera.

Lens Compatibility

DX cameras take every lens.

DX lenses have reduced image circles that only cover the smaller DX sensor.

Film cameras can't use DX lenses because the smaller image circle will give black corners at some or all settings. FX cameras usually crop their sensors automatically for the DX lenses and use only the smaller DX inner portion of their sensors.

Often DX lenses can be used at some settings on film cameras, but it's better to use a more appropriate lens.

List of DX Cameras   Top

D7100 (2013 February 21)

D5200 (2012 November 06)

D3200 (2012 April 19)

D5100 (2011 April 05)

D7000 (2010 September 15)

D3100 (2010 August 19)

D300s (2009 July 30)

D3000 (2009 July 30)

D5000 (2009 April 14)

D90 (2008 August 27)

D60 (2008 January)

D300 (2007)

D200 (2005)

D80 (2006)

D70 (2004) and D70s (2005)

D50 (2005)

D40 (2006) and D40x (2007)

D2Xs (2006), D2X (2004), D2H (2003) and D2Hs (2005)

D100 (2002)

D1X and D1H (2001)

D1 (15 June 1999)

1.5x Crop Factor (What's a Crop Factor?)

Because these sensors are 1.5x smaller than film, they show an area equivalent to the area shown by a lens 1.5x as long on 35mm film.

A 100mm lens on one of these cameras shows the same area of view that a 150mm lens would show on a 35mm film or full-frame camera.

Multiply a lens' focal length by 1.5 to get the focal length of a lens which, when used on a full-frame or 35mm film camera, gives the same angle of view as that lens does on one of these cameras.

Examples:

(I rounded these to the nearest mm, and I used the more precise factor of 1.523435)

List of FX Cameras (1.00 Crop)   Top

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Ken

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