Nikon's very first DSLR, the D1, was released in the summer of 1999. It boasted a whopping 2.6 MP sensor with a maximum ISO of 1600. Today—13 years and 30 cameras later—Nikon's two flagship models offer 14 times the resolution (36 MP in the D800) and 7 stops better sensitivity (ISO of up to 204800 in the D4).

I thought it would be worthwhile to review the history of Nikon's DSLRs to see how far they have gone in so little time, so here is a list of all of them, all on one page. Along the way, we also stop to reminisce about some of Nikon's more notable creations.

Current DSLRs

At the time of this writing, Nikon has a line-up of 11 DSLRs—four full-frames, six cropped-frames. With the exception of the D3X and the D3000, all current DSLRs can capture video; and with the exception of the D3000, all image sensors are now CMOS.

For Amateurs

The D5100, D3100, and D3000 belong to the current amateur line of DSLRs. All of them are DX. Two giveaways to the fact that these cameras are meant to be low-cost and mass-produced are (i) they do not have internal autofocus motors, so they will only autofocus with AF-S lenses; and (ii) they all have pentamirror viewfinders.

Both the pentamirror and pentaprism can be used to implement the crucial reflex characteristic of the SLR. The pentaprism is a five-sided piece of glass. Light enters the prism on one side, is reflected internally, and exits the prism through a perpendicular side; the end result is that the light makes a 90 degree turn. Together with the camera's reflex mirror, the pentaprism diverts light from the lens to the viewfinder. This is part of the original design of the SLR.

While pentaprisms tend to give brighter viewfinder images with more coverage, they are heavy, large, and costly. Lower-end SLRs therefore often use a pentamirror design—a collection of mirrors arranged to mimic a pentaprism. Pentamirrors are cheaper, but they tend to give viewfinder images that are darker.

For Enthusiasts

The D90, D7000, D300S, D700, and D800 are often considered for enthusiasts (though plenty of professionals shoot with the D700 and D800 too because of their size and weight). The D700 and D800 are FX, while the rest are DX. These SLRs have built-in autofocus motors, so they will autofocus with AF-S or AF lenses. A major upgrade from the amateur line is the inclusion of pentaprisms instead of cheaper pentamirrors; this greatly helps composition and manual focus.

For Pros

The D4 and D3X are undoubtedly cameras for pros. The major upgrade here, from the enthusiast line, is continuous shooting speed. The D4 can crank out 11 frames per second. The D3X only does 5 fps, but that's to be blamed on its 24 MP sensor; its predecessor—the 12 MP D3—does 9 fps. These cameras are designed for pros who need rapid firing (for sports, for example), and their prices reflect that. Their sensors also allow much higher ISO settings (like D4's 204,800, with boost) and have better low-light performance.

DSLR	Date	Price	FX/DX	MP	Sensor	fps	Viewfinder	Video
D700	7/1/08	3,000	FX	12.1	CMOS	5	Pentaprism
D90	8/27/08	1,000	DX	12.2	CMOS	4.5	Pentaprism	720p
D3x	12/1/08	8,000	FX	24.4	CMOS	5	Pentaprism
D3000	7/30/09	600	DX	10.0	CCD	3	Pentamirror
D300s	7/30/09	1,800	DX	12.2	CMOS	7	Pentaprism	720p
D3s	10/14/09	5,200	FX	12.1	CMOS	9	Pentaprism	720p
D3100	8/19/10	700	DX	14.2	CMOS	3	Pentamirror	1080p
D7000	9/15/10	1,500	DX	16.1	CMOS	6	Pentaprism	1080p
D5100	4/5/11	800	DX	16.1	CMOS	4	Pentamirror	1080p
D4	1/6/12	6,000	FX	16.2	CMOS	10/11	Pentaprism	1080p
D800	2/7/12	3,000	FX	36.2	CMOS	4	Pentaprism	1080p

Current Nikon DSLRs: The basics.

DSLR	Crop	Pixels in X	Pixels in Y	Total Pixels	mm X	mm Y	Pitch X (um)	Pitch Y (um)
D700	1.00	4256	2832	12,052,992	36.0	23.9	8.5	8.4
D90	1.52	4288	2848	12,212,224	23.6	15.8	5.5	5.5
D3x	1.00	6048	4032	24,385,536	35.9	24.0	5.9	6.0
D3000	1.52	3872	2592	10,036,224	23.6	15.8	6.1	6.1
D300s	1.52	4288	2848	12,212,224	23.6	15.8	5.5	5.5
D3s	1.00	4256	2832	12,052,992	36.0	23.9	8.5	8.4
D3100	1.56	4608	3072	14,155,776	23.1	15.4	5.0	5.0
D7000	1.53	4928	3264	16,084,992	23.6	15.6	4.8	4.8
D5100	1.53	4928	3264	16,084,992	23.6	15.6	4.8	4.8
D4	1.00	4928	3280	16,163,840	36.0	23.9	7.3	7.3
D800	1.00	7360	4912	36,152,320	35.9	24.0	4.9	4.9

Current Nikon DSLRs: Sensor size. Total Pixels refers to effective number of pixels.

DSLR	Min ISO	Min Native	Max Native	Max ISO	Fast shutter	Slow shutter
D700	100	200	6,400	25,600	1/8000	30
D90	100	200	3,200	6,400	1/4000	30
D3x	50	100	1,600	6,400	1/8000	30
D3000	100	100	1,600	3,200	1/4000	30
D300s	100	200	3,200	6,400	1/8000	30
D3s	100	200	12,800	102,400	1/8000	30
D3100	100	100	3,200	12,800	1/4000	30
D7000	100	100	6,400	25,600	1/8000	30
D5100	100	100	6,400	25,600	1/4000	30
D4	50	100	12,800	204,800	1/8000	30
D800	50	100	6,400	25,600	1/8000	30

Current Nikon DSLRs: ISO and shutter. Shutter speeds given in s.

DSLR	Flash sync	Internal flash	LCD (in.)	View %	AF Pts	Weight (g)	Video	Video fps
D700	1/250	Yes	3.0	0.95	51	995
D90	1/200	Yes	3.0	0.96	11	620	720p	24
D3x	1/250	No	3.0	1.00	51	1220
D3000	1/200	Yes	3.0	0.95	11	485
D300s	1/250	Yes	3.0	1.00	51	840	720p	24
D3s	1/250	No	3.0	1.00	51	1240	720p	24
D3100	1/200	Yes	3.0	0.95	11	455	1080p	24
D7000	1/250	Yes	3.0	1.00	39	690	1080p	24
D5100	1/200	Yes	3.0	0.95	11	560	1080p	30
D4	1/250	No	3.2	1.00	51	1180	1080p	30
D800	1/250	Yes	3.2	1.00	51	900	1080p	30

Current Nikon DSLRs: Flash and other specs. View % specifies viewfinder percentage. Weight corresponds to camera body weight without batteries or attached accessories.

Creations, from the Past and the Present

As promised, here is a compilation of all Nikon DSLRs, all on one page. To facilitate a comparison of all cameras, the current SLRs are included, so some duplication is necessary; sorry about the redundancy.

Before the D1

Technically, the D1 is not exactly Nikon's first digital SLR. Previously, Nikon co-developed the E2 and E3 series of digital SLRs with Fuji. The E2 and E2s (1995) carry 1.3 MP CCD sensors, and shoot at 1 and 3 fps, respectively. In 1996, they were replaced by the E2N and E2Ns. They include a few minor improvements to the flash mode, ISO, white balance, and on-screen preview. In June 1998, Nikon announced the E3 and E3s which replaced the E2 series. They have 1.3 MP CCD sensors; the E3 and E3s also shoot at 1 and 3 fps, but the buffer in the E3s carries 12 images (versus 7 in the E2s).

Nikon E2s (1995): Nikon's first DSLR, co-developed with Fuji.

Nikon E2Ns (1996): An immediate successor to the E2/E2s series.

Nikon E2Ns (1998): Successor to the E2N/E2Ns series.

In 1999, Nikon announced the D1. It is the first DSLR developed solely by Nikon. Therefore, it seems appropriate to begin this review of history with it.

The D1 Series (1999-2001)

The D1 was one of the very first DSLRs that were designed as a digital SLR. Most previous designs simply borrowed the body of a 35mm film SLR and added a digital sensor to it. The results were often both awkward and costly. At introduction, the price was a fairly reasonable $5500. Therefore, the D1 is sometimes known as the very first realistic and practical digital SLR.

Nikon D1 (1999): The first DSLR developed solely by Nikon.

In 2001, Nikon announced both the D1H and D1X. Consistent with Nikon's current naming scheme, the D1X upped the resolution from 2.6 to 5.9 MP. The D1H kept the same resolution but upped the frame rate, from 4.5 fps with 21 continuous shots, to 5 fps for 40 continuous shots.

Even though the D1 series is antediluvian compared to today's DSLRs, they still excel in one spec: top shutter speed. The shutters on the D1, D1H, and D1X are electronic and mechanical, and they top out at 1/16000. The shutters on the D4 and D800 can only go as fast as 1/8000. (See table below).

Nikon D1X (2001): Higher-resolution replacement of the D1. (nikonusa.com)

Nikon D1H (2001): Higher-frame-rate replacement of the D1. (nikonusa.com)

The D100 (2002)

The D100 was priced at just $2000 at introduction; that's less than half the price of the D1 series, making it Nikon's first DSLR for amateurs and enthusiasts.

Nikon D100 (2002): Nikon's first amateur/enthusiast DSLR. (nikonusa.com)

The D2H (2003)

In 2003, Nikon introduced the D2H. At $3500, it was one of the cheapest professional DSLRs ever. It is targeted toward sports and action photographers, and can do continuous shooting at 8 fps.

Nikon D2H (2003) (nikonusa.com)

The D70 (2004)

The D70 is Nikon's response to Canon's Digital Rebel line of low-end amateur DSLRs. Priced at $1000, it is Nikon's first consumer DSLR. It became a replacement for the D100, which costed twice as much.

Nikon D70 (2004): Nikon's first low-end amateur DSLR. (nikonusa.com)

DSLR	Date	Price	FX/DX	MP	Sensor	fps	Viewfinder	Video
D1	6/15/1999	$5,500	DX	2.6	CCD	4.5	Pentaprism
D1X	2/5/2001	$6,000	DX	5.9	CCD	3	Pentaprism
D1H	2/5/2001	$4,500	DX	2.6	CCD	5	Pentaprism
D100	2/21/2002	$2,000	DX	6.0	CCD	3	Pentaprism
D2H	7/22/2003	$3,500	DX	4.0	CCD	8	Pentaprism
D70	1/28/2004	$1,000	DX	6.0	CCD	3	Pentaprism
D2x	9/16/2004	$5,000	DX	12.2	CMOS	5	Pentaprism
D2Hs	2/16/2005	$3,500	DX	4.0	CCD	8	Pentaprism
D50	4/20/2005	$750	DX	6.0	CCD	2.5	Pentamirror
D70s	4/20/2005	$900	DX	6.0	CCD	3	Pentaprism
D200	11/1/2005	$1,849	DX	10.0	CCD	5	Pentaprism
D2Xs	6/1/2006	$4,700	DX	12.2	CMOS	5	Pentaprism
D80	8/9/2006	$1,000	DX	10.0	CCD	3	Pentaprism
D40	6/16/2006	$600	DX	6.0	CCD	2.5	Pentamirror
D40x	3/6/2007	$730	DX	10.0	CCD	3	Pentamirror
D300	8/23/2007	$1,800	DX	12.2	CMOS	6	Pentaprism
D3	8/23/2007	$5,000	FX	12.1	CMOS	9	Pentaprism
D60	1/28/2008	$630	DX	10.0	CCD	3	Pentamirror
D700	7/1/2008	$3,000	FX	12.1	CMOS	5	Pentaprism
D90	8/27/2008	$1,000	DX	12.2	CMOS	4.5	Pentaprism	720p
D3x	12/1/2008	$8,000	FX	24.4	CMOS	5	Pentaprism
D5000	4/14/2009	$730	DX	12.2	CMOS	4	Pentamirror	720p
D3000	7/30/2009	$600	DX	10.0	CCD	3	Pentamirror
D300s	7/30/2009	$1,800	DX	12.2	CMOS	7	Pentaprism	720p
D3s	10/14/2009	$5,200	FX	12.1	CMOS	9	Pentaprism	720p
D3100	8/19/2010	$700	DX	14.2	CMOS	3	Pentamirror	1080p
D7000	9/15/2010	$1,500	DX	16.1	CMOS	6	Pentaprism	1080p
D5100	4/5/2011	$800	DX	16.1	CMOS	4	Pentamirror	1080p
D4	1/6/2012	$6,000	FX	16.2	CMOS	10/11	Pentaprism	1080p
D800	2/7/2012	$3,000	FX	36.2	CMOS	4	Pentaprism	1080p

All Nikon DSLRs: The basics.

DSLR	Crop	Pixels in X	Pixels in Y	Total Pixels	mm X	mm Y	Pitch X (um)	Pitch Y (um)
D1	1.53	2000	1312	2,624,000	23.7	15.6	11.9	11.9
D1X	1.53	3008	1960	5,895,680	23.7	15.6	7.9	8.0
D1H	1.53	2000	1312	2,624,000	23.7	15.6	11.9	11.9
D100	1.53	3008	2000	6,016,000	23.7	15.5	7.9	7.8
D2H	1.55	2464	1632	4,021,248	23.3	15.5	9.5	9.5
D70	1.53	3008	2000	6,016,000	23.7	15.5	7.9	7.8
D2x	1.52	4288	2848	12,212,224	23.7	15.7	5.5	5.5
D2Hs	1.53	2464	1632	4,021,248	23.7	15.5	9.6	9.5
D50	1.53	3008	2000	6,016,000	23.7	15.5	7.9	7.8
D70s	1.53	3008	2000	6,016,000	23.7	15.5	7.9	7.8
D200	1.52	3872	2592	10,036,224	23.6	15.8	6.1	6.1
D2Xs	1.52	4288	2848	12,212,224	23.7	15.7	5.5	5.5
D80	1.52	3872	2592	10,036,224	23.6	15.8	6.1	6.1
D40	1.53	3008	2000	6,016,000	23.7	15.6	7.9	7.8
D40x	1.53	3872	2592	10,036,224	23.7	15.6	6.1	6.0
D300	1.52	4288	2848	12,212,224	23.6	15.8	5.5	5.5
D3	1.00	4256	2832	12,052,992	36.0	23.9	8.5	8.4
D60	1.52	3872	2592	10,036,224	23.6	15.8	6.1	6.1
D700	1.00	4256	2832	12,052,992	36.0	23.9	8.5	8.4
D90	1.52	4288	2848	12,212,224	23.6	15.8	5.5	5.5
D3x	1.00	6048	4032	24,385,536	35.9	24.0	5.9	6.0
D5000	1.52	4288	2848	12,212,224	23.6	15.8	5.5	5.5
D3000	1.52	3872	2592	10,036,224	23.6	15.8	6.1	6.1
D300s	1.52	4288	2848	12,212,224	23.6	15.8	5.5	5.5
D3s	1.00	4256	2832	12,052,992	36.0	23.9	8.5	8.4
D3100	1.56	4608	3072	14,155,776	23.1	15.4	5.0	5.0
D7000	1.53	4928	3264	16,084,992	23.6	15.6	4.8	4.8
D5100	1.53	4928	3264	16,084,992	23.6	15.6	4.8	4.8
D4	1.00	4928	3280	16,163,840	36.0	23.9	7.3	7.3
D800	1.00	7360	4912	36,152,320	35.9	24.0	4.9	4.9

All Nikon DSLRs: Sensor size. Total Pixels refers to effective number of pixels.

DSLR	Min ISO	Min Native	Max Native	Max ISO	Fast shutter	Slow shutter
D1	200	200	1600	1600	1/16000	30
D1X	125	125	800	3200	1/16000	30
D1H	200	200	1600	6400	1/16000	30
D100	200	200	1600	6400	1/4000	30
D2H	200	200	1600	6400	1/8000	30
D70	200	200	1600	1600	1/8000	30
D2x	100	100	800	3200	1/8000	30
D2Hs	200	200	1600	6400	1/8000	30
D50	200	200	1600	1600	1/4000	30
D70s	200	200	1600	1600	1/8000	30
D200	100	100	1600	3200	1/8000	30
D2Xs	100	100	800	3200	1/8000	30
D80	100	100	1600	3200	1/4000	30
D40	200	200	1600	3200	1/4000	30
D40x	100	100	1600	3200	1/4000	30
D300	100	200	3200	6400	1/8000	30
D3	100	200	6400	25600	1/8000	30
D60	100	100	1600	3200	1/4000	30
D700	100	200	6400	25600	1/8000	30
D90	100	200	3200	6400	1/4000	30
D3x	50	100	1600	6400	1/8000	30
D5000	100	200	3200	6400	1/4000	30
D3000	100	100	1600	3200	1/4000	30
D300s	100	200	3200	6400	1/8000	30
D3s	100	200	12800	102400	1/8000	30
D3100	100	100	3200	12800	1/4000	30
D7000	100	100	6400	25600	1/8000	30
D5100	100	100	6400	25600	1/4000	30
D4	50	100	12800	204800	1/8000	30
D800	50	100	6400	25600	1/8000	30

All Nikon DSLRs: ISO and shutter. Shutter speeds given in s.

DSLR	Flash sync	Internal flash	LCD (in.)	View %	AF Pts	Weight (g)	Video	Video fps
D1	1/500	No	2.0	0.96	5	1100
D1X	1/500	No	2.0	0.96	5	1100
D1H	1/500	No	2.0	0.96	5	1100
D100	1/180	Yes	1.8	0.95	5	700
D2H	1/250	No	2.5	1.00	11	1070
D70	1/500	Yes	1.8	0.95	5	595
D2x	1/250	No	2.5	1.00	11	1070
D2Hs	1/250	No	2.5	1.00	11	1070
D50	1/500	Yes	2.0	0.95	5	540
D70s	1/500	Yes	2.0	0.95	5	595
D200	1/250	Yes	2.5	0.95	11	830
D2Xs	1/250	No	2.5	1.00	11	1070
D80	1/200	Yes	2.5	0.95	11	585
D40	1/500	Yes	2.5	0.95	3	475
D40x	1/200	Yes	2.5	0.95	3	471
D300	1/250	Yes	3.0	0.94	51	825
D3	1/250	No	3.0	1.00	51	1240
D60	1/200	Yes	2.5	0.95	3	495
D700	1/250	Yes	3.0	0.95	51	995
D90	1/200	Yes	3.0	0.96	11	620	720p	24
D3x	1/250	No	3.0	1.00	51	1220
D5000	1/200	Yes	2.7	0.95	11	560	720p	24
D3000	1/200	Yes	3.0	0.95	11	485
D300s	1/250	Yes	3.0	1.00	51	840	720p	24
D3s	1/250	No	3.0	1.00	51	1240	720p	24
D3100	1/200	Yes	3.0	0.95	11	455	1080p	24
D7000	1/250	Yes	3.0	1.00	39	690	1080p	24
D5100	1/200	Yes	3.0	0.95	11	560	1080p	30
D4	1/250	No	3.2	1.00	51	1180	1080p	30
D800	1/250	Yes	3.2	1.00	51	900	1080p	30

All Nikon DSLRs: Flash and other specs. View % specifies viewfinder percentage. Weight corresponds to camera body weight without batteries or attached accessories.