Nikon ad reveals new MX format DSLR?

An image of a print advertisement proof meant for the Japanese market has leaked on Tuesday, believed to offer an ambiguous first look at what many believe to be the upcoming Nikon format, thus far dubbed MX. The ad, while controversial and raising authenticity concerns, features a Japanese word that translates roughly to “big,” which is also in line with what is known about Nikon’s rumored MX mounts. The ad shows a larger-diameter lens mount with a different lock-ring and connections set up than current DSLRs from Nikon, or what some hypothesize to be a smaller body matched to the company's FX sensor.

Nikon currently has two sensor formats for its current range of digital SLR cameras, DX and FX. The FX format, as used on the D3 and D700, has the same 35mm frame as old film cameras, while DX is a smaller format that crops images by a factor of 1.5, effectively giving a 50mm lens a focal length of 75mm.

Eagle-eyed DSLR aficionados point out that the camera is missing some key features, such as a focus screw and contact pin that do not match up. Also, there are eight contact pins instead of the usual seven, though that could point to a different technology the MX format would bring with it. Another report has the MX format competing with medium format cameras at a resolution as high as 40.7 megapixels.

There is no official information on when of if the MX format would come to market, though Nikon is promising a "big" announcement in February of 2009 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. [via Nikon Rumors]

Leaked Japanese Nikon ad