Photokina 2008 is coming up in 43 days (Sept. 23-28)! And with this major event comes a bunch of rumors…

One of them, is the Nikon D3X (also see here, here & here) - a 24MP or 38MP full frame (FX) camera that should cost around $6,000 - $10,000.

“The X will be an FX 38.7 megapixel (36.3 effective megapixels) camera based on the D3 body. Not much else will change barring some subtleties. The new sensor will have changed to a technology termed TIMOS (Time Interpolated Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor). This will effectively allow for triple the number of pixels available in a given space, changing the sensor pixel pitch to 2.59um, allowing for interval space. Expeed will still do the managing and SHOULD still be able to maintain low noise at high iso. Chromatic aberration is still a concern at this point due to resolution, however ALCR will be further exaggerated by EXPEED to compensate. The sensor will be slightly larger than standard 35mm (36.28×26.30), but still considered 35mm. Multiple cropping options will be available including a new custom option, defineable by the user. The White balance sensor will remain CCD technology.

The dilema with pixels has always be appropriate space. Ironically golf balls are similar. There is an optimal number of dimples that fit on any given size golf ball. If you try to put more or less dimples on the ball other than the mathmatically correct number and size you develop all kinds of problems. At first glance you may think it’s a silly analogy but it’s actually a very similar problem that has plaqued digital technology. That’s why the pixels changed on the D3 to most appropriately fit an atypical sensor size, it’s also why the new sensor has changed.

Oh, by the way it will be out in September,2008 and since R&D costs were recovered on the D3, the price will be unchanged!

Sleep well. “

I don’t really buy this but we’ll see…

My bet is still that the D3X will be released around May 2009.