The ultimate gift choice for the well-off giver with a photography buff on her list this holiday season may just be the remarkable new Nikon D3x digital SLR camera.

The D3x’s 24.5 megapixel resolution, near-silent operation and burst speeds of up to five frames per second put it at the top of the list for the professional photographers and photojournalists it was designed for, but advanced amateurs and rabid camera buffs will also covet it.

According to the official new product release, “The D3x also features Nikon’s exclusive Scene Recognition System, which continuously analyzes information from the 1,005-pixel RGB light sensor to further refine auto exposure, auto white balance and autofocus calculations. This results in flattering portraits and awe-inspiring landscapes rendering accurate colour and fine details. Nikon’s exclusive 3D Colour Matrix Metering II helps ensure accurate exposures, even in the most challenging lighting conditions.”

“The D3x delivers this remarkable capability while fitting seamlessly within the Nikon system, taking full advantage of Nikon’s world-renowned collection of optional NIKKOR lenses, Speedlights and accessories,” Nikon spokesman Gregory Flasch notes.

The Nikon D3x is available now at all authorized Nikon dealers. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price is — brace yourself — (C)$9,449.95.