News

Contax Introduces N Digital Camera, World's First Digital SLR With Full-Frame 6.29 Mega Pixel Sensor

Digital SLR Also Uses Full Array of Auto Focus Carl Zeiss T* Lenses

PMA 2002, ORLANDO, FL -- February 24, 2002 -- Kyocera Optics, Inc. is pleased to announce the Contax N Digital, the world's first digital SLR camera to employ a full-frame 35mm, 24 x 36mm, 6+ Mega Pixel CCD. This achievement allows the camera full use of Carl Zeiss T* N series Auto Focus lenses while offering the user world-class digital picture quality.

 

The N Digital is based on the Contax N1 and provides the perfect ergonomic platform. The N1, which was introduced in the fall of 2000, has proven itself as a high quality product that can stand up to the everyday rigors of the working photographer. The N Digital and N1 cameras share all basic functions as well as the unique features incorporated in the N1. This includes the "Dual Focus Mechanism," the world's first "5-point Wide Array Diagonal Auto Focus System" and "Fine Focus ABC (Auto Bracketing System)." The N Digital can offer greater control and creativity to meet the photographer's demands by incorporating the Dual Focus Mechanism along with the highly advanced SLR digital image technology. The N Digital offers a high-resolution equivalent to film-based photography, meeting the needs of both professional and serious amateur photographers.

 

The new Contax N Digital will be able take advantage of the impressive lens line from the N system, which includes a total of seven lenses. In addition, the Contax N Digital can also use all eight lenses from the Contax 645 system with the NAM-1 adapter. The option of using lenses from the Contax 645 system is especially important to 645 owners since they can utilize their current lenses with the N Digital with the simple addition of the NAM-1 adapter.

 

Contax N Digital Main Specifications

 

1. 6 Mega Pixel, 35mm format, full frame (24mm x 36mm) CCD:
The N Digital is the world's first Digital SLR to use a full frame 35mm CCD with 6.29 Mega Pixels. This gives the photographer the ability to use a full range of Carl Zeiss T* Auto Focus lenses, as the focus angle (angular field) is exactly equal to that of a 35mm film camera. The photographer is now able to concentrate on shooting, as the capture area is the same size as in traditional film-based photography.

 

2. Thin, Lowpass Filter developed by Kyocera crystal technology:
An optical uncolored crystalline lowpass filter eliminates false color producing frequencies that often affect image quality.

 

3. Wide range of image recording modes:
The N Digital can write in three formats, including JPEG (3 compression ratios) RGB-TIFF, and RAW formats.

 

4. Menu of white balance selections:
The Photographer can select from a menu of white balance modes.
-- Auto: automatic adjustment by a built-in color-detecting sensor.
-- One-Push Preset: selects a white balance based on a specific subject area.
-- Custom: A preferred color temperature can be selected manually.

 

5. Recording media:
The N Digital uses the popular Compact Flash type I and II, which can offer large storage capacity. In addition, the N Digital also uses the IBM Type II Micro Drive to meet higher capacity requirements.

 

6. High-Speed DSP and IEEE1394:
The N Digital uses high-speed digital image processing (DSP), which makes for real time processing and photography at 3 frames per second. The N Digital is equipped with a computer interface for reliable high-speed Firewire (IEEE1394) image transfer. It is possible to transfer a RAW 12.5 Megabyte file to a computer in one second and also handle high-speed data transfers efficiently.

 

7. An LCD monitor for immediate playback:
A 2.0-inch, low-temperature, polysilicon, TFT color LCD monitor, with a Graphical User Interface (GUI) is located on the back of the body. The photographer can check exposure, focus and file information directly from the LCD monitor.

 

8. Shooting assist function:
A. The LCD offers a visual Shooting Assist Function histogram.
B. Confirmation of exposure range can be shown in bright tone distribution graphics.
C. Exposure information and other file information can be displayed simultaneously.

 

9. Basic functions of CONTAX N1:
The N Digital shares all basic functions of the Contax N1. The photographer can concentrate on shooting because the N Digital can be handled in the same manner as a traditional 35mm SLR. Basic functions shared between the Contax N Digital and the N1 include:
-- Dual Focus Function
-- 5 Point Wide Array Diagonal Auto Focus
-- Fine Focus Bracketing (A.B.C.)
-- High-speed shutter, maximum speed 1/8000 sec., flash synchronization speed of 1/200 sec.
-- TTL evaluative metering, center-weighted average metering, spot metering.
-- Flash auto-set function
-- Mount Adapter NAM-1 as an optional accessory for CONTAX 645 mount lenses

10. Custom Functions
-- Shares N1 & NX accessories
-- All the interchangeable lenses (Contax 645 lenses with NAM-1 adapter) and accessories from the Contax N1 and Contax NX can be used with Contax N Digital.

 

About Contax
Contax North America, a division of Kyocera Optics, Inc., markets a complete line of high-end photographic equipment including 35mm manual and auto-focus SLR's, medium format SLR's, rangefinders and sophisticated lens/shutter and zoom cameras. The company also maintains the exclusive license to distribute world renowned Carl Zeiss T* lenses for 35mm, 645 and Advanced Photo System cameras.

 

Contax N Digital Detailed Specifications

 

Type:
35mm focal plane shutter AF/AE SLR digital camera

 

Image Size:
24 x 36mm

 

Image Device:
35mm format full-frame square pixel RGB primary color CCD

 

Effective Pixels:
6.29 mega pixels

 

Recording Pixels:
6.13 mega pixels

 

Recording format:
-- JPEG (compression ratio 1/4-1/8-1/16)
-- RGB-TIFF
-- RAW 12bit
(RAW data should be developed through image data processing with the dedicated application software)

 

Recording Media:
CompactFlash(TM) card (type I, II), MicrodriveTM (510MB, 1GB)*1

 

White Balance:
Auto, fluorescent light, flash, one-push preset setting, color temperature setting (pre-defined value)

 

Auto White Balance:
Measured by an internal sensor

 

Image regulation:
Tone curve, edge emphasis

 

LCD monitor:
2.0 inches low temperature polysilicon TFT color LCD, approx. 200k pixels

 

Playback Display:
Single image, 9 image index, playback zoom function, histogram view, high light view

 

Lens Mount:
Contax N Mount

 

Shutter:
Vertical-travel focal plane shutter

 

Shutter Speed:
Av, P: 32 sec. to 1/8000 sec.; Tv, M: shutter dial setting 4 sec. to 1/8000 sec.; Command dial setting 32 sec. to 1/8000 sec.; B: Bulb; X: 1/125

 

Sync Settings:
X setting (1/200 sec. or slower), direct X setting sync-terminal provided

 

Self-timer:
Electronic type with 2 & 10 sec. Delays

 

Shutter Release:
Electronic release with dedicated cable switch socket

 

Exposure Control Modes:
(1) Aperture priority auto
(2) Shutter priority auto
(3) Program auto
(4) Manual exposure
(5) TTL auto flash

 

Metering System:
TTL evaluative matrix, center-weighted average or spot (selectable)

 

Metering Range (ISO100, F1.4):
EV 0 to 21 (evaluative matrix / center-weighted metering); EV 3 to 21 (spot metering; based on 3mm diameter area in center of viewfinder).

 

Speed Range:
ISO50 to 1600 equiv. (1/3 step)

 

AE Lock:
EV at image plane stored in memory

 

Exposure Compensation:
+2 EV to -2 EV, in 1/3 EV or 1/2 EV steps (selectable)

 

Exposure A.B.C. System:
Compensation: 1/3 EV or 1/2 EV or l EV steps (selected with Exposure A.B.C. Lever)

 

Coupled Flash System:
TTL direct flash control

 

Flash Coupling:
Automatic shutter speed adjustment when Contax flash unit reaches full charge

 

Flash Auto-set:
Available for Contax flash units with auto-set function

 

Second-curtain Sync.:
Available for Contax flash units with second-curtain sync.

 

Focusing System:
TTL phase-difference detection (5-point)

 

Focus Modes:
Single AF, continuous AF (predictive), manual, Fine Focus A.B.C., System Automatic (set with focus dial)

 

Viewfinder:
Fixed eye-level pentaprism (long eye-point) 95% field-of-view, 0.73x magnification (with 50mm standard lens at infinity -1 D diopter, fitted with eyepiece shutter.

 

Diopter adjustment:
Internal mechanism, adjustable from -3D to +1D; FM type eye piece lenses (2 types) optionally available

 

Focusing Screen:
Supplied with whole-view matte FX-2; interchangeable with other FX-type screens

 

Finder Display:
Focus frames, Exposure A.B.C. icon, Fine Focus A.B.C. icon, Exposure counter/Self-timer counter/Exposure A.B.C. sequence, Fine Focus A.B.C. sequence, Metering indicator, Flash ready, Focus indicator, Aperture, Shutter speed, Exposure meter/Exposure compensation/Metering divergence, Manual exposure icon, Exposure compensation icons

 

Display Panel (Top-LCD):
Exposure counter, Self-timer counter, Exposure A.B.C sequence, Fine Focus A.B.C. sequence, Bulb time, Focus frame selection, Exposure compensation (when exposure compensation dial is in green position), Drive indicators, Battery status (shooting mode), Aperture, Shutter speed/Film speed/Camera customized functions

 

Rear LCD:
Exposure counter, Recording format, White balance, Digital function customized setting, Memory card cover indicator, Battery status (playback mode)

 

Drive Modes:
Single-frame, continuous exposure, self-timer (2, 10 sec.)

 

Continuous Shooting Speed:
Max. 3 frames per second in continuous ("C") mode [with fresh battery at room temperature]

 

Max. Burst Shooting:
-- JPEG1 (1/4 compression) approx. 5 shots
-- JPEG2 (1/8 compression) approx. 8 shots
-- JPEG3 (1/16 compression) approx. 13 shots
-- RGB-TIFF approx. 3 shots
-- RAW approx. 3 shots (Shooting speed should decrease after 3rd shot, complying the recording mode)

 

Exposure Counter:
Subtractive type, visible on top-LCD panel, rear-LCD panel and inside viewfinder, top-LCD panel and rear-LCD panel displays "99" when more than 99 shots remain

 

Accessory Shoe:
Direct X contact (coupled W/TLA flash)

 

I/O Interface:
IEEE1394

 

Power Source:
AA-type Ni-MH rechargeable battery x 4, AC power adapter

 

Battery Check:
Automatic, status indicated on display panel

 

Number of shots:
Approx. 500 shots or more (room temperature, JPEG 3)

 

Other Features:
Exposure check button, Depth-of-field preview button, AF light, Camera customized functions, Digital function customized setting, Vertical shutter release button (with lock function), Focus target selector

 

Dimensions (W x H x D):
6 x 5-7/16 x 3-1/8 in. (152.0 x 138.0 x 79.5mm)

 

Mass (weight):
2.18 lbs. (990g) w/o battery

 

Standard Accessory:
AA-type Ni-MH rechargeable battery x 4/Quick battery charger, AC power adapter, Strap, CCD parameter CDR

 

* All specifications are subject to change without prior notice.

 

CONTACT:
Michael Zorek
HWH Public Relations
PHONE: (212) 355-5049 Ext. 121
EMAIL: michaelz@hwhpr.com