Expeed
Storage and display interfaces and other modules are added and a digital signal processor (DSP) increases the number of simultaneous computations.
This is different from for example Canons DIGIC: its professional DSLRs double the processors of its consumer DSLR series.
[2] An on-chip 32-bit Fujitsu FR RISC micro-controller core is used to initiate and control all processors, modules and interfaces.
[5] This is done by a mixed analog/digital interface which controls the sensor digitally, but receives analog signals with parallel 14-bit analog-to-digital (A/D) converters.
The result is a dynamic range only at the level of competitors like the (higher priced) Canon EOS 600D;[14] lower than other Nikon DSLRs with the same Expeed 2 variant.
Expeed A/D converters used for EI-149 or all EI-142 need considerably reduced clock rates (1.8 fps on Nikon D3X) for higher accuracy, limiting for example the D3s dynamic range at low ISOs.
[15][16][17] The Expeed 3 (ARM), first used in the Nikon 1 series, connects a data stream with 24 digital channels (bus), using A/D converters integrated on the image sensor chip.
The advantages are easy JPEG image extraction, no motion compensation artifacts and low processing power enabling higher resolution, and the disadvantage is a larger file size, nearly reaching the 2 GB limit (for full compatibility) in 5 minutes.
It also offers an increased image sensor analog signal readout clock rate, reducing rolling shutter.
[23] Also introduced was "All-I", which uses the simpler I‑frames (coded pictures) without processing any differences between them, but using a low compression (high data rate) and behaves also in other uses like image extraction quite similar to Motion JPEG formerly used by Nikon.
Although the Milbeaut (Expeed) is used in different Nikon designs and by other manufacturers, the software/firmware specifies many of its functions and details and the number of processors or included modules may vary in this ASIC.
It is based on a Socionext Milbeaut imaging-processor with 720p Motion JPEG video encoder, DSP and FR-80 (EI-14x versions) core.
It includes a FR-71 core with only 12-bit, two-channel image sensor readout, no DSP, slower memory and has a reduced feature set.
[32] Although image sensor readout clock frequency has increased by a factor of 1.75, A/D converter accuracy is improved, especially when using 14-bit.
It offers the same image sensor interface with identical speed and A/D converter accuracy, limiting the D3s dynamic range at 200 and especially 100 ISOs lower as the D7000/D5100.
In the Nikon 1 cameras introduced September 2011 it uses 1 GB fast DDR2 RAM packaged in 2x 4 Gbit chips.
Expeed 7 has 10 times the image processing speed of its predecessor and is powerful enough for the camera to omit a dedicated autofocus engine.
[53] It can handle complex AF and AE calculations at 120 cycles per second, separately processes dual-streamed data from stacked image sensors, and enables features like 120 fps still shooting, internal 8k RAW video recording and a blackout-free viewing experience.
[55] The ARM-based Expeed in the Nikon 1 series with its dual ARM core needs no additional I/O processors.
As with CHDK or Magic Lantern modified Canon digital cameras based on DIGIC processors, a group of programmers called "Nikon Hacker" develops custom firmware,[5] making recent progress including an FR emulator for some DSLRs.
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