June 3, 2006 Nikon this week upgraded its 12.4 megapixel D2X digital SLR to become the D2xs and though the raw numbers remain the same apart from the larger 2.5” LCD screen, the release of two software packages to create and enhance camera usage were the real story. New Camera Control Pro software enables the remote control of Nikon digital SLRs from a personal computer which is cool but not nearly as groundbreaking as Nikon’s Image Authentication Software which can legally verify image authenticity for the media, insurance companies ad infinitum. Although the software only works with the D2xs, it’s a significant move forward for the digital photography business in general and we suspect that unless other manufacturers follow suit quickly, the D2xs will become a raging top seller due to this unique ability to determine whether an image has been processed or edited after being shot.

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The D2xs will be available in July at US$4700 / UKP3500 / EU5226 (body only). While the D2xs shares many features with its predecessor, the new model boasts an array of refinements that enhance performance and improve the user experience. Such features include, refined viewfinder performance; a new LCD with a 170-degree wide viewing angle; significantly increased battery life; and a wide range of firmware enhancements.

The integration of a 12.4 megapixel CMOS image sensor delivers high quality images that can be captured in JPEG or RAW images at a rate of up to five frames per second in continuous shooting mode. Powerful image-processing technologies and the 3D-Colour Matrix Metering II ensure images rich in detail, colour which contain a smooth tonal range. The D2xs also offers 3D-Colour Matrix Metering II in High-speed Crop mode and new custom settings have been introduced to the viewfinder to allow clearer viewing for the user.

Professional photographers will appreciate the ability to select Adobe RGB in any of three colour modes, making it possible to work with a wider range of colours that complement various working environments. Furthermore, in-camera creative possibilities are extended with the addition of a new Black & White (sRGB) colour mode.

The D2xs maximizes the potential of Nikon’s Creative Lighting System, delivering high-precision flash performance including i-TTL flash control which support for Nikon’s Advanced Wireless Lighting system. The latest high energy EN-EL4a rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides enough power to support shooting of up to 3,800 images on a single charge. It can be recharged at any time and features a handy ‘fuel gauge’ which displays remaining charge by percentage, the number of shots since last charge and overall battery status. Full details on the new D2xs can be found here.

Nikon Image Authentication Software

Also available in July for UKP400 / EU589, the new Image Authentication Software application, which is designed exclusively for use with the Nikon D2Xs digital SLR, enables users to determine whether an image has been altered since capture. Image data can be used for verifying image authenticity by law enforcement and other government agencies, the media, insurance companies and has a variety of other business applications.

The software has a product key and a USB key to ensure security whereby the USB key must be plugged into the USB port of the Pentium computer running it to commence application.

The software enables verification of JPEG, TIFF and NEF (RAW) data to be taken using a Nikon digital SLR compatible with the authentication function.

Camera Control Pro

The new Camera Control Pro remote control software allows users to control many digital SLR functions remotely from a PC and succeeds Nikon’s Capture 4 Camera Control, which was released in 2003.

Camera Control Pro is compatible with Nikon’s latest software, including Capture NX (to be released shortly), allowing for smoother image processing from shooting to transfer and storage. Camera Control Pro allows photographers to capture images remotely using a USB or Firewire cable or optional WiFi adapter. Once the image has been taken, it can be viewed immediately on a PC screen.

Wildlife and nature photographers will be able to set up a camera near a bird’s nest or in a hide and take that once-in-a-lifetime shot. Industrial photographers can safely place the camera at special locations to record critical elements of a manufacturing process. Using the software’s built-in intervalometer function law enforcement and government agencies can now use cameras for continuous surveillance purposes.

Available in July the software will sell for UKP30/EU44.