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Nikon DX format
Nikon DX format
Nikon DX format
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CMOS image sensor of the Nikon D90
The Nikon D40 is a DX-format camera. Here, the DX-sized image sensor is exposed.
Comparison of image sensor sizes, including Nikon DX.

The Nikon DX format is an alternative name used by Nikon corporation for APS-C image sensor format being approximately 24x16 mm. Its dimensions are about 2⁄3 (29 mm vs 43 mm diagonal, approx.) those of the 35mm format. The format was created by Nikon for its digital SLR cameras, many of which are equipped with DX-sized sensors. DX format is very similar in size to sensors from Pentax, Sony and other camera manufacturers. All are referred to as APS-C, including the Canon cameras with a slightly smaller sensor.

Nikon has produced 23 F-mount lenses for the DX format, from macro to telephoto lenses. 35mm format lenses can also be used with DX format cameras, with additional advantages: less vignetting, less distortion and often better border sharpness. Disadvantages of 35mm lenses include generally higher weight and incompatible features such as autofocus with some lower-end DX cameras. Nikon has also produced digital SLRs that feature the larger Nikon FX format sensor that is the size of the 135 film format.

In 2013, Nikon introduced a high-end compact camera with a DX-sized sensor, the Nikon Coolpix A, featuring an 18.5 mm lens.[1]

In late 2019 Nikon announced their first Z-mount camera with an APS-C sensor, the Nikon Z50.[2]

Implications

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The 1⁄3 smaller diagonal size of the DX format amounts to a 1⁄3 narrower angle of view than would be achieved with the 135 film format (35 mm film or FX format), using a lens of the same focal length. Strictly in angle-of-view terms, the effect is equivalent to increasing focal length by 50% on a 135 film camera, and so is often described as a 1.5x focal length multiplier.

This effect can be advantageous for telephoto and macro photography as it produces a tighter crop without the need to increase actual focal length. However it becomes disadvantageous for wide-angle photography as a wide-angle lens for 135 film effectively becomes a normal lens for the DX format (e.g. 28 mm x 1.5 = 42 mm 135 film equiv.). This has led to the increased development of the DX format-specific lenses for the Nikon F-mount. Since these lenses do not need to cover the 135 film area, they are smaller and lighter than their 135 format counterparts of equal angle-of-view. The production of DX-specific lenses has also enabled the production of affordable wide-angle lenses for the format (e.g., 12 mm), whereas costly ultra-wide-angle lenses from the 135 format were formerly required.

When DX format lenses are used on 135 format cameras, vignetting often occurs, as the image circle does not cover the entire area of the 135 format.

Vignetting produced by using a DX-format lens on a full-sized 35mm frame.

Active sensor size

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Nikon uses DX format sensors with slightly different active areas, which is the area where the image is captured, although all of them are classified as APS-C. Image sensors always have additional pixels around the active pixels, called dummy pixels (unmasked, working pixels) and optical black pixels (pixels which are covered by a mask used as a black-level reference). The size differences are minuscule and not noticeable in practice:

F-mount Camera Active width

(mm)

Active height

(mm)

Horizontal

pixels

Vertical

pixels

Megapixels
Nikon D1 23.7 15.5 2,012 1,324 2.7
Nikon D1H 23.7 15.5 2,012 1,324 2.7
Nikon D1X 23.7 15.5 3,008 1,960 5.9
Nikon D2H 23.7 15.5 2,464 1,632 4.2
Nikon D2Hs 23.7 15.5 2,464 1,632 4.2
Nikon D2X 23.7 15.7 4,288 2,848 12.3
Nikon D2Xs 23.7 15.7 4,288 2,848 12.3
Nikon D40 23.7 15.5 3,008 2,000 6.0
Nikon D40x 23.7 15.6 3,872 2,592 10.1
Nikon D50 23.7 15.5 3,008 2,000 6.0
Nikon D60 23.6 15.8 3,872 2,592 10.1
Nikon D70 23.7 15.5 3,008 2,000 6.0
Nikon D70s 23.7 15.5 3,008 2,000 6.0
Nikon D80 23.6 15.8 3,872 2,592 10.1
Nikon D90 23.6 15.8 4,288 2,848 12.3
Nikon D100 23.7 15.5 3,008 2,000 6.1
Nikon D200 23.6 15.8 3,872 2,592 10.1
Nikon D300 23.6 15.8 4,288 2,848 12.3
Nikon D300S 23.6 15.8 4,288 2,848 12.3
Nikon D500 23.5 15.7 5,568 3,712 20.9
Nikon D3000 23.6 15.8 3,872 2,592 10.1
Nikon D3100 23.1 15.4 4,608 3,072 14.2
Nikon D3200 23.2 15.4 6,016 4,000 24
Nikon D3300 23.5 15.6 6,000 4,000 24
Nikon D3400 23.5 15.6 6,000 4,000 24
Nikon D3500 23.5 15.6 6,000 4,000 24
Nikon D5000 23.6 15.8 4,288 2,848 12.3
Nikon D5100 23.6 15.6 4,928 3,264 16.2
Nikon D5200 23.5 15.6 6,000 4,000 24
Nikon D5300 23.5 15.6 6,000 4,000 24
Nikon D5500 23.5 15.6 6,000 4,000 24
Nikon D5600 23.5 15.6 6,000 4,000 24
Nikon D7000 23.6 15.6 4,928 3,264 16.2
Nikon D7100 23.5 15.6 6,000 4,000 24.1
Nikon D7200 23.5 15.6 6,000 4,000 24.2
Nikon D7500 23.5 15.7 5,568 3,712 20.9
Nikon Coolpix A * 23.6 15.7 4,928 3,264 16.2

* Coolpix A is a fixed-lens, compact camera.

Lenses

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Nikkor DX lenses are marked with the DX logo.
Main article: Nikon F-mount
Main article: Nikon Z-mount
Main article: List of Nikon F-mount lenses with integrated autofocus motors

F-mount Lenses for Nikon DX format

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Current F-mount Vibration Reduction (VR) lenses in DX format

[edit]

See also

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Nikon DX format

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Nikon DX format is a specification developed by Nikon for use in its digital single-lens (DSLR) and mirrorless cameras, featuring an active imaging area of approximately 23.5 mm × 15.6 mm, which provides a 1.5× relative to the full-frame 35 mm film format (known as FX in Nikon's nomenclature). Introduced with the , Nikon's first in-house DSLR, in June 1999, the DX format has since become the basis for a wide range of consumer, enthusiast, and professional cameras, including models like the D500, Z50, and D3500, all utilizing the or Z-mount lens systems. This smaller enables more compact and lightweight camera bodies and lenses compared to FX-format equivalents, while delivering a equivalent to approximately 1.5 times the of the attached lens, which is particularly advantageous for telephoto applications such as and . Nikon produces dedicated DX-NIKKOR lenses optimized to project their onto the DX without , though full-frame FX lenses are fully compatible on DX cameras (with the applied), allowing versatility across Nikon's ecosystem. Despite its advantages in portability and cost-effectiveness, the DX format generally offers lower low-light performance and shallower depth-of-field control than FX due to the reduced area, though advancements in sensor technology have narrowed this gap in modern implementations.

History and Development

Origins in Digital SLR Transition

The transition from film-based single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras to digital SLRs (DSLRs) in the late 1990s posed significant challenges for manufacturers like Nikon, primarily due to the high costs and technical complexities of producing full-frame digital s equivalent to 35mm film. Nikon addressed this by adopting smaller image s, initially with the launch of the D1 in June 1999, which featured a 2.7-megapixel CCD measuring 23.7 mm × 15.6 mm—dimensions that aligned with the emerging standard but were not yet formally branded. This approach allowed Nikon to deliver a professional-grade DSLR at a more accessible price point while maintaining compatibility with existing F-mount lenses, marking the company's first fully in-house body. Building on the D1 series' success, which included variants like the D1H and D1X in 2001, Nikon formalized the smaller sensor format as "DX" with the introduction of the D100 on February 21, 2002. The D100, equipped with a 6.1-megapixel DX-format CCD sensor of the same dimensions, targeted advanced amateur photographers and represented Nikon's first consumer-oriented DSLR. This model solidified the DX format as a strategic response to the digital shift, enabling broader market adoption by leveraging the smaller sensor to streamline production processes. The rationale for the DX format's smaller sensor size centered on cost reduction and design efficiency compared to full-frame equivalents. By using a with an area approximately 2.25 times smaller than that of (due to the 1.5× linear ), Nikon could lower manufacturing expenses for the itself while allowing for more compact camera bodies, including smaller reflex mirrors and viewfinders that better matched the reduced . This not only made DSLRs more affordable and portable—key factors in accelerating the transition from film SLRs—but also facilitated compatibility with a growing of optimized without requiring entirely new lens designs. The D1 series' initial use of this sensor size laid the groundwork, proving its viability for high-quality before the DX branding enhanced its market positioning.

Evolution of DX Sensor Technology

The evolution of Nikon DX sensor technology has been marked by steady advancements in resolution, sensor architecture, and image processing, enabling improved detail capture and low-light performance while maintaining the format's compact size. Early DX sensors, such as the 6-megapixel CCD in the 2002 D100, laid the foundation for digital SLR adoption but were limited in and high-ISO capabilities compared to later designs. By 2015, resolution had progressed to 24.2 megapixels in the D7200, allowing for sharper images and greater cropping flexibility without significant noise penalties, reflecting Nikon's focus on balancing with in enthusiast cameras. More recent models, like the 2024 Z50 II with its 20.9-megapixel sensor, continue this trend by prioritizing hybrid photo-video performance over raw megapixel counts, achieving resolutions that support 4K video and detailed stills in a mirrorless body. A pivotal shift occurred in 2007 when Nikon transitioned DX sensors from CCD to CMOS technology, influenced by the full-frame D3's innovations, which trickled down to DX lines for better speed and efficiency. The D300, released that year, introduced a 12.3-megapixel CMOS sensor paired with the inaugural EXPEED processor, enabling faster readout speeds, reduced power consumption, and enhanced noise reduction algorithms that improved high-ISO performance up to ISO 3200 with minimal artifacts. Subsequent EXPEED iterations, such as EXPEED 2 in the 2010 D7000 and EXPEED 4 in the 2013 D5300, further refined image processing by incorporating advanced color science and dynamic range optimization, allowing DX sensors to deliver professional-grade results in smaller packages. This CMOS adoption not only boosted overall image quality but also facilitated features like continuous shooting at 6 frames per second in early models, evolving to 7 fps in the D7200 era. Key innovations in the and emphasized light sensitivity and readout efficiency to address noise in low light and motion artifacts in video. In 2017, the D7500 pioneered back-illuminated (BSI) technology in DX sensors, repositioning wiring layers to the backside for up to 25% better light gathering, which extended usable ISO ranges to 51,200 while preserving detail and color accuracy— a significant leap from prior front-illuminated designs. Although stacked sensors, which enable ultra-fast readout for minimal , have not yet appeared in production DX models like the 2022 Z30 (which uses a standard 20.9-megapixel ), Nikon's mirrorless advancements have indirectly benefited DX through shared processing pipelines. The 2018 launch of the full-frame Z6 and Z7 mirrorless cameras marked Nikon's pivot to the Z-mount, culminating in the October 10, 2019, introduction of the Z50 as the first DX-format Z-mount body, integrating a 20.9-megapixel with 6 for seamless hybrid shooting and improved noise handling at ISOs up to 51,200. These developments have collectively elevated DX sensors from entry-level tools to versatile platforms rivaling larger formats in practical performance.

Technical Specifications

Sensor Dimensions and Crop Factor

The Nikon DX format employs an active area typically measuring approximately 23.5–23.7 mm × 15.6–15.8 mm across models, which captures the image data in DX-designated cameras. Including the non-active borders around the imaging pixels, the total dimensions approximate 24 mm × 16 mm, aligning with the nominal standard. These dimensions have remained largely consistent across Nikon DX models since the format's introduction in 1999 with the D1 camera, though minor variations of up to ±0.2 mm exist between specific implementations to account for manufacturing differences. The of the DX format, relative to the 35 mm full-frame standard, is approximately 1.5×, meaning it effectively narrows the angle of view compared to larger s. This factor arises from the ratio of the diagonals: the full-frame has a diagonal of 43.3 mm (calculated as 362+242\sqrt{36^2 + 24^2}
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