Nikon D1 User Manual

• 2.74-megapixel, 23.7 x 15.6mm-size CCD (2,012 x 1,324 effective pixels) incorporating Low-Pass Filter for ultrahigh-definition images
• 3D Digital Matrix Image Control (3D Color Matrix Metering, TTL White Balance and Tone Compensation) with 1,005-pixel CCD for

superior overall picture quality

• Superhigh-speed, high-quality image processing by newly developed system LSI containing original Nikon algorithm
• Three exposure metering modes; 1) 3D Color Matrix Metering with 1,005-pixel CCD, 2) Center-Weighted, 3) Spot
• 3D Multi-Sensor Balanced Fill-Flash for D1 controlled by five-segment TTL Multi Sensor available with new Speedlight SB-28DX

• The world’s shortest

*

shutter release time lag at approx. 0.058 sec. and a quick startup

• Shooting speed of 4.5 frames per second, the fastest

*

in the world, for up to 21 consecutive shots

**

• Amazing top shutter speed of 1/16,000 sec. and flash sync speed up to 1/500 sec.
• High-speed AF system including Dynamic AF operation (same performance as F5 and F100)
• ISO-equivalent 200, 400, 800 and 1,600

• Lightweight, tough magnesium body
• 31 Custom Settings, two separate assortments of selected settings can be memorized and recalled
• Four exposure modes [¡], [™], [£], [¢] available
• Optional Interchangeable Ni-MH Battery Pack EN-4 and optional dedicated Quick Charger MH-16

(also compatible with MH-15 for F100 and EH-3 for E3) 

• Compatible with more than 80 F-mount Nikkor lenses 

(picture angle with D1 is equivalent to approx. 1.5x focal length in 35mm [135] format)

• CompactFlash

Card (Type I/II) and IEEE1394 (400Mbps) interface

Setting new standards for quality, speed and 

convenience in digital imaging.

* Among lens-interchangeable SLR digital cameras, as of August 1999       ** Up to 10 shots in Raw mode

Photo at top of page  ◆ Lens : AF Nikkor 28mm f/1.4D  ◆ Width : 2,000  pixels  ◆ Height : 1,312 pixels  ◆ Sensitivity : ISO 200 equivalency  ◆ Aperture : f/4.5  ◆ Shutter speed : 1/13 sec.  

◆ Exposure mode : Programmed Auto  ◆ Shooting mode : Single frame  ◆ Focus mode : Single Servo AF  ◆ Exposure metering mode : 3D Color Matrix Metering  ◆ White balance : Auto

the optimum exposure value by compar-
ing brightness and color data, along with
subject-to-camera distance, to a database
of more than 35,000 actual shots. This
value is then finely adjusted by TTL
White Balance, which automatically
achieves proper white balance by 
extracting white light from the light 
coming through the lens to deliver highly
accurate coloration. Then, Tone
Compensation selects the optimal tone
curve to enable the reproduction of 
natural tones according to the scene
brightness and contrast. These three
innovative features offered by the D1
give you increased control over total 
picture quality for incomparable results
in digital imaging. Automatically.

High-quality, high-speed 
system LSI
A newly developed system LSI incorpo-
rates hardware which handles various
tasks including a newly developed
image-processing algorithm and JPEG
compression/decompression. This 

algorithm com-
plements high-
quality image
processing with 
accurate color
interpolation 
to reduce 
color artifacts,
and pixel 
interpolation for
smoother and
sharper lines.
The system LSI
can instantly 
handle the data

from the 2.74-megapixel CCD, maximiz-
ing processing speed. Together with the
color matrix that provides natural colors,
the D1 delivers high-definition images
with excellent color balance.

Low-Pass Filter
The D1 employs a Low-Pass Filter that is
made of a new material and features
ultra-thin construction which allows it to
be established internally, just in front of
the CCD, to prevent color aliasing. 
An infrared ray (IR) reduction filter is
also included, ensuring excellent color
reproduction by eliminating the effects 
of IR.

Versatile image quality modes
You can select from among three 
compressed modes (approx. 1/4, 1/8,
1/16 compressed JPEG), three 
uncompressed modes (12-bit Raw

*

, 8-bit

RGB-TIFF, 8-bit YCbCr-TIFF

*

) and

monochrome mode.

* Optional software is needed to reproduce images; 

“Nikon Capture” for Raw/YCbCr-TIFF mode, “Nikon View
DX” for YCbCr-TIFF  mode.

Improved overall 

picture quality

grainy images than are attainable when
using high-speed film. The adoption of
an RGB filter provides high resolution
and well-balanced color reproduction.

3D Digital Matrix Image Control 
Using a 1,005-pixel RGB exposure/color
metering sensor, the D1 automatically
produces outstanding digital images. This
system is called 3D Digital Matrix Image
Control, which results from the coopera-
tive efforts of three high-performance
features — 3D Color Matrix Metering,
TTL White Balance and Tone
Compensation. 
3D Color Matrix Metering calculates

◆ Lens : AF Nikkor 20mm f/2.8D  ◆ Width : 2,000 pixels  ◆ Height : 1,312 pixels  ◆ Sensitivity : ISO 200 equivalency  ◆ Aperture : f/6.3
◆ Shutter speed : 1/80 sec.  ◆ Exposure mode : Programmed Auto  ◆ Shooting mode : Single frame  ◆ Focus mode : Single Servo AF  
◆ Exposure metering mode : 3D Color Matrix Metering  ◆ White balance : Auto

2.74-megapixel CCD
The D1 processes digital signals using a
2.74-megapixel, 23.7 (H) x 15.6 (V) mm
RGB CCD image sensor. The size of
each pixel (

i

11.8µm) is large enough to

capture a great deal of light, providing
superior image sensing capability. 
By reducing the effects of shot noise, the
D1’s wide dynamic range and high S/N
ratio provide sharper, significantly less

A : Total 1,005 data
B : Color data
C : Basic data 

(small group reading)

D : Parameters 

e : Color
f : Brightness
g : Contrast
h : Focus area position

I : Distance Information
J : Database
K : Automatic Tone

Compensation

L : Automatic TTL White

Balance

M : System LSI

Quality

High speed

Convenience