Nikon DX Sensor Size
Nikon LBCAST DX sensor
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The area exposed on a 35mm camera is 36x24mm (3:2). But what
is the area exposed on a Nikon DSLR using a DX sized sensor? Here is a table
of Nikon provided information on their DSLR's:
| Camera | DX Sensor Size | Maximum Resolution |
| D300 | 23.6 x 15.8 mm | 4288 x 2848 (1.5056:1) |
| D2Xs | 23.7 x 15.7 mm | 4288 x 2848 (1.5056:1) |
| D40X | 23.7 x 15.6 mm | 3872 x 2592 (1.4928:1) |
| D70 | 23.7 x 15.6 mm | 3008 x 2000 (1.5040:1) |
The problem is that the published sensor sizes do not contain enough precision,
and it appears that different sized sensors result in the same maximum resolution,
so something unknown is going on. So we will just ignore published 'sensor size'
numbers from Nikon and attempt to figure out the DX sensor size another way.
Use published lens data: An alternative is to visit the
Nikon lens web site
where many of
their lenses have (diagonal) picture angle specifications for traditional 35mm
cameras and DSLR DX-size sensors. Using the
field of view formulas and the published DX picture
angle, we can back out the DX sensor size.
Please note that Nikon specifies picture angle as the diagonal angle
(not landscape or portrait angle).
After sampling a number of lenses, the end result is that the 'typical' DX
sensor size is 23.49±0.03 x 15.66±0.02, with a focal length
multiplier of 1.5326±0.002.
Please note that this is based upon Nikon provided lens information. The
actual DX sensor size may be different.
Another way: The D300 uses a Sony sensor with a published sensor pixel pitch
of 5.49 microns. Multiply by the maximum resolution of 4288x2848 and you get a DX
sensor size of 23.541±0.043 x 15.636±0.028, with a focal length multiplier
of 1.529±0.003.
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