Now that Nikon has deftly slipped the full frame (FX) D700 into the already tight slot separating its mid-range DX D300 and pro FX D3, we know what you're thinking. Huh? Fortunately, both Rob Galbraith and DP Review have given this a thorough analysis along with a titillating preview courtesy of DP Review. As Rob puts it, "If you own a D3 and a D300, then you have in two separate bodies most of the key bits and pieces that comprise the D700." While the choice between the $1,800 D300 and $3,000 D700 is more clear, prospective $5,000 D3 buyers won't be blamed if they profess a desire to hold-out for the 24.39 megapixel D3X expected within the next 12 months.

Read -- Rob Galbraith's take
Read -- DP Review preview

Some entirely too ingenious hackers have found a reference to the rumored D3X deep within the bowels of Nikon's D3 firmware. The reference includes a list of resolutions available to the upcoming shooter, and it's apparently set to max out at a potentially Higgs Boson-inducing 24.4 megapixels. Word has it that this sensor is likely a variant of the megapixel monster behind Sony's upcoming A900, but since this is all being extrapolated from a few numbers hidden in some firmware, we're going to try not to get too ahead of ourselves at this point.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

So it looks like the first lucky individuals have started receiving their Nikon D3s in the mail -- lucky not just because they're the proud new owner of a 12.1 megapixel full frame DSLR with 6400 ISO, 51-point autofocus, two CF slots, HDMI, and a 3-inch live view LCD, but lucky because, you know, they can afford to spend $5,000 on a camera. For those of us who can only aspire to possess such luxuries, there are always a bunch of nice unboxing shots to really help flesh out our weird gadget fantasies. You can check out another such pic after the break, before hitting the Read link for an entire D3 gallery including a few images of those new AF-S NIKKOR lenses...

[Thanks, Andrew]

Those of you lusting after the full-frame hotness of the Nikon D3 but still debating whether or not to drop $5K just got a little more info to help you make that decision -- Digital Photography Review went all out exhaustively cataloging everything you need to know about Nikon's latest DSLR. No huge surprises in store, but it never hurts to have every shred of info on your side when you're laying out the green.

Would we ever in a million years know what to do with this much photo-power at our finger tips? Not a chance, but it's nice to dream, and the D3 is going to make the dreams of very many photo nerds come true this year. Nikon fanboy or Canon faithful, either way this is a beautiful piece of kit.

Alright, Nikon's two new flagship DSLRs are officially announced. (Better images coming right up.) Here's what you need to know:

D3

• 12.1 megapixel, full-frame friggin sensor! (23.9 x 36mm) Finally. ISO up to 6400
• 3-inch VGA live view LCD
• Two (count 'em, two!) CompactFlash card slots for overflow, backup, or copying
• New EXPEED image processor
• 9fps in full frame, 11fps in DX crop; 51 point autofocus (with "3D focus tracking")
• HDMI out with optional cable
• $5000, November release

D300

• 12.3 megapixel DX (1.5 crop) sensor
• 3-inch VGA live view LCD
• New EXPEED image processor
• 51 point autofocus
• $1800, November release

Lenses

• AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED
• AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED
• AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8G ED VR
• AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/4G ED VR
• AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4G ED VR

Read - D3 press release
Read - D300 release
Read - Pro zoom Nikkor lens release
Read - Super telephoto lens release

Nikon's big announcements today aren't for a little while, but it looks like the surprise is now spoiled just that much more as the D300 and D3 are starting to show up online. Here are a few links to whet your appetite as the news trickles through.

Read - Herald Biz spills the beans (sorry, in Korean)
Read - D3 at Let's Go

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

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]

Is this a teaser ad for the Nikon D3, a pro-level DSLR the subject of a swirling whirlwind of rumors? If this isn't fake, this would be the third (fourth?) report we've seen pointing to the existence of such a camera. Just so you know, the text apparently points out the following specs: 3.0-inch LCD, 9 frames per second shooting, and 51 Autofocus Points. Not bad, but what's the price?

We'll admit, we certainly like where all this is going, but until we hear anything official, you'll still have to restrain yourself and take this tidbit with a spoon of NaCl. Just days after getting wind of D3 rumors galore, a "photo editor at a major newspaper" has tipped us on a phone call he received from Nikon in which his presence was requested at a meeting where a "new professional camera that is leaps and bounds better than anything Canon is offering" would be showcased. As expected, that's about all the details he could pry from the caller, but since the meeting is purportedly scheduled for June 26th, at least we've got some sort of timeframe to get our hopes up about.

It sure feels like we've been around this block before, eh? Nevertheless, it seems that the ever-popular D3 rumors are cropping up again en masse, and while there's still no true signs of an imminent release, a whole heap of fanboys and girls are doing all they can to will it into production. A smattering of message boards are harping on the "forthcoming" high-end DSLR from Nikon, stating hopes that it'll sport 18.7-megapixels, a nearly full frame sensor, and an uncanny ability to cope with low-light conditions. As expected, guesstimates surrounding a release date are literally all over the Gregorian calendar, but majority sects believe that a summertime launch is definitely plausible. So if you're game for getting swept up in all the commotion, be sure and hit the read link for all the unconfirmed mayhem you can stand.

[Image courtesy of David McGhee]

Remember that ridiculously-sized but utterly awesome Seitz 6x17 Digital that we showed you yesterday? Well, Seitz has another one to wave around at this year's Photokina. This time, though, it's a 360-degree cam that'll capture 470 million pixels worth of color and light, and furthermore, will complete that task in two seconds -- less than the amount of time it's taken you to read half of this paragraph. Like the 6x17, the Roundshot D3 has a ISO range from 500 to 10,000, accepts lenses from 24mm to 250mm and comes with a maxed out Mac mini to act as its oversized flash card. The D3 is more expensive than the 6x17, however, with the mobile version taking a sizeable 46,900 francs ($37,463) from that numbered Swiss bank account of yours, while the studio version comes in at 43,700 Swiss francs ($34,906). In either case, you'll probably want to head over to the Seitz site to get in line to pre-order this bad boy, which is due to hit the streets of Geneva by early 2007. Oh yeah, and make sure to catch a big pic of the D3 on the next page.

Read