Nikon to announce D3 and D300 DSLRs tomorrow?
By Ryan Block 
posted Aug 22nd 2007 2:03AM
posted Aug 22nd 2007 2:03AM
We don't know for sure what's going to be announced tomorrow, but our ears to the ground over Japan way have it that Nikon's loosing two new DSLRs tomorrow, its new highest-end D3 (presumably replacing the D2Xs) and lower-upper-end D300 (presumably replacing the D200; found specs below). Supposedly this is all going down tomorrow at 1PM JST in Tokyo, so you'll know for sure as soon as we do.D3
- Full frame (FX) 12 megapixel Nikon CMOS
- Live view LCD
- 9fps in FF mode, 11fps in HSC mode (at 1.5 crop factor / DX size)
- ISO 200 - 6400 with LO (ISO 100 equivalent), H1 and H2 (ISO 12800 / 25600, respectively)
- 51 point autofocus system (15 cross sensor)
D300
- DX format 12 megapixel CMOS (supposedly possibly the same as the D2X)
- Live view LCD
- 6fps, up to 8fps with power grip (no HSC mode)
- ISO 200 - 3200 with LO (ISO 100 equivalent), H1 (ISO 6400)
- 51 point autofocus system (15 cross sensor)
And five new rumored lenses: AF-S 14-24/2.8 G, AF-S 24-70/2.8 G, AF-S VR 400/2.8 G, AF-S VR 500/4 G, AF-S VR 600/4 G.
[Thanks, Chet]
Looks like Nikon is getting a bit afraid if Canon of those lenses become true!
Glad to see more FPS and Live View are becoming the new things.. I just hope Live view will be more usable with AF
The lens lineup looks good... I was hoping Nikon have incorporated a new sensor cleaning mechanism... they're the only ones without such a feature set!
This D3 specs has me interested. I own a D2x and certainly don't need any more pixels (only a few need 21MP of Canons beast), but a full frame 12MP CMOS sensor should provide pretty much the lowest noise professional DSLR on the market, and at 9fps FF...
24-70 AF-S 2.8G might take priority over my 17-35 2.8 as well.
Way to go Nikon if true. I might be able to afford one of these in a few years ;-)
The ISO ratings is amazing! I am a Canon guy, and I am glad if this is true, Canon needs a little fire to kick them in gear. I love the new Canon stuff, but I expected a bit more. 21 megapixels is cool, but more dynamic range (Not just Tonal hightlights is enough) and less noise in high (above 1600) ISO situations like in very low light.
M
The D3 sounds like it would be a great camera for sports. Too bad they didn't give the D200 the same fps or better. I think many sports shooters would love to have an APS-C sized sensor in a camera if it could also shoot at 10 fps. The extra reach given by APS-C sized sensors is an advantage in many respects.
Is there a point of having a full frame sensor that can shoot at 9 fps, but a lesser semi-pro/pro camera that has an APS-C sized sensor, but can only shoot at 6 fps?
it actually isn't! They tested and compared the 30D and compared to an equivalently cropped picture from the 5D. The 5D always bettered the 30D. Sorry, don't have the link anymore.
This will be a big win for Nikon if the specs are in fact accurate. Full frame is the next evolution in digital cameras. If the D3 is a full frame camera (which I'm sure it will be) it will take away the biggest advantage that Canon has at the moment. 12mp is plenty, I don't think there are many digital photographers that will take advantage of more (even protographers).
What I'm most interested in is if the release of these cameras will push the prices of the others down. I know it will affect the D2x and the D200 but will it drive down the price of the D80/D40/D40x??
And Nikon not planning on releasing any more DX-series lenses makes me think that even the next generation of budget DSLR's will be full frame. Looks like they are giving up on the smaller sensors, or should I say moving forward past them.
I'm interested in what others think. I'm no seasoned authority on this subject.
I very much doubt the end of DX sensors. It would vastly increase the price of their lenses, and would make their entry level DSLR cost at least £100 more. Additionally, the compactness of the D40 is very attractive for many people.
Sorry, this just sounds far far too much like wishful thinking. Especially releasing all that new pro glass at once, let alone at the same time as either one of the D3/D300 bodies.
what? still no ISO 50? I'm sure ISO 25600 would be great for taking abstract art photos that all look like mosaics due to the noise. ;)
That's what I was thinking too. ISO 50 is a beautiful thing. Anything above 3200 is just too much noise, especially in low light.
Ah, the thrill of seeing my first news submission to Engadget posted online! Hmmm...wonder if this helps me in any Engadget contests?.... (Just kidding guys!)
:)
Chet
I guess this means Canon is king of the high-end for another one or two years.
It seems as though Nikon is content in their position as #2 (to Canon). The DX00 series is comparable enough in price to Canon's full-frame 5D.. so why buy this D300?.. for the live view?.. c'mon! At least the D3 is a step in the right direction...
Depends on what you mean by high end. The "D3" specs here suggest that it is more than a match for the new 1D3. Meanwhile, the "D300" offers things the 5D does not, namely superior build, 6-8 fps vs. 3, Nikon's superior flash system, and far superior AF. What Nikon is not offering, if these rumors are to be believed, is a competitor to the just-announced 1Ds3. Rumors have that camera pushed out to middle of next year.
Contrary to what you believe, Nathaniel, Nikon is neither content nor #2 to Canon. Their D200 has been better than Canon's competition and their overall DSLR sales have surpassed Canon's. The D300 answers Canon's new 40D and is, in many ways, better than the 5D while the new D3 is finally a match for Canon 1D series. All that's left is the 1Ds and you can be assured that Nikon knows that. Lenses are an area where Nikon has never trailed Canon and they are every bit as important as camera bodies.
I own
D100
D70
D2H
D2X
kodak SLR/n
I shoot concerts and I find myself shooting with my girlfriend's 5D's way way way way way more than my nikons when I borrow them. hell, I shot dream theater last night and shot 95% with the canons.
poor you...?? whats ur point?? the rumoured D3 and D300 will suck?? go troll somewhere else u canon troll
If what you shoot demands high ISO then it's not surprising that the best high ISO camera would do the best job. Photography is about a lot more than concerts however.
Since that type of shooting is so valuable to you, you should be excited by the D3 since it should be a far better camera than the 5D for high ISO, it will have far better frame rates and vastly superior AF. Good thing you're a Nikon owner had have no problem ponying up the cash for a pro body, eh?
um.. your comment is a load of bs MNA. I'm not trolling at as since I've been shooting 100K+ photos per-year from nikon. I just want something that keeps up with my gf's 5D. so you shut your whore mouth.
to craig: yeah, tell me about it.
though $ for $, my "winners" thus far are the "free" 5Ds. but as for the camera I paid for, it's probably the D100 since I got/get so much usage out of it.
every single time I use my D2X along side the 5D's, I just hope that nikon steps up soon and brings something to the table. It's so hard to get good HIGH ISO shots with the D2X. the 5D is painless. especially in the shadows.
oh and nikon has to release something like the 5D or I'll have to "jump ship" as much as I hate to do that, but I need a killer low-light jpeg shooter and I'm not going to spend $3000 on a discontinued D2Hs. Though I am in the market for a $400 D1X
No, no, you've got it all wrong! What they're announcing is the D30, the upgrade to the D40x, plus a pile of new, cheap consumer zooms. Because Nikon doesn't care about professionals anymore.
Lenses look nice. I already have the 12-24/4.0 DX, but that 14-24/2.8 is tempting. Also have an AF 24-85/2.8, so I can pass on the 24-70/2.8. What I'd really like, though, is Nikon's 18-200 VR. I've been hanging in there with a D100, with my eyes set on a D200. Just about ready to buy one, but now I've got a new prospect. Hope they keep it under $1,800 or so. The D3 looks very tasty, though I haven't had a pro body since my D1X was stolen. If the D300 specs are genuine, it'll suit my needs just fine.
So... if new glass is coming out, does that mean existing lenses will get price cuts? Please?
And does this mean they'll finally up production on the much ballyhooed consumer-level 18-200VR lens?
it's about time this came out!
i hope the sensor though is not a rehashed version of the d2x bec the mage of the present d200 is much better than the d2x...
hi i work for ritzcamera.com and i am taking a list for preorder, if you would like to get on the list and i can call you when nikon lets us take orders for it email me at gino@ritzcamera.com