Update: Nikon D3s now in stock.
I started to get some good vibes from the rumor mill. The model numbers are really insignificant but I was always curious how Nikon will continue the D90 DSLR line. One very possible combination could be: Nikon D4000 (D3000 replacement) and D8000 (D90 replacement), both with full HD and 14-18MP sensors (the D4000 is probably going to be between 14-16MP and the D8000 will be between 16-18MP). The full frame body is still the big question mark – I continue to receive rumors that the D700 will be replaced in 2011.
The lenses situation also starts to resolve around the following lenses (nothing new here, but I want to emphasize that the same information is now pouring in from all over the world):
- One prime lens – either the 35mm f/1.4 or the 85 f/1.4 VR (both AF-S). The rumors are currently split 50/50 for each lens. We will see only one of those lenses between now and Photokina.
- New high-power zoom (FX): either 24-105 f/4 VRII or 24-120 f/4 VRII, possible Nano coating (especially if it is the 105mm focal length).
- New super telephoto zoom (FX) – 3 possibilities here: 28-300mm f/4.5-5.6, 100-500mm or 100-400mm. There is a very low chance of a new 80-400mm lens, even though there is a new patent for this lens (coming up online soon). All VRII of course.
It is still not clear what will be the kit lens for the D8000.
The two DSLRs and the three lenses should be released between now and Photokina. Very soon I will be able to give a 90+% rating on some of those rumors but we are not there yet – I just need some more information.
BTW, many European Nikon websites were down again today – some of them were offline for more than 24 hours.
202 Comments
I’d be really, really surprise of a new 14 or even 18MP sensor… wouldn’t make too much sense, at least for the FX format. There’s already a 12 and a 24 one, why would they release a 16 ou even 18 ? For the DX format, since there’s already a 12MP one, I’d aim also for AT LEAST 18, if not 20 or more. Yet again, wouldn’t make any sense to throw out a brand new sensor with only like 2 or 4 more MP compared to the previous one… And especially when Canon is having 18+ MP sensor.
Those MP are for the DX bodies (D4000 and D8000).
Please stop this VR2/VRII emphasis… The lens naming is already confusing, and VRII as a technology means absolutely nothing. The old 70-200 was VRII already, but it still had only a bit more than two stops of „vibration reduction”. The new one truly freezes the shaking. The VR seems to be a lottery, but thankfuly improving over the years. Still can’t wait for the new 200-400 to see if they updated this part too.
The old 70-200 wasn’t equipped with VRII, you can look it up on the Nikon website. As for the other stuff, I agree, the naming scheme from Nikon is a bit of a mess.
I see that too many people confuse about the “VR II” and “II”.
The difference should be clear for everyone:
In the lens denomination/name, “II” stands for the second generation of that lens, no matter if it has VR or not.
Examples:
1. AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II;
2. AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II.
3. AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E II
Exception: AF-S Teleconverter TC-17E II that seems to miss the first generation. The name contains “II” by marketing reasons.
In the lens description “VR II” means the second generation of VR.
Of course, the previous generation of 70-200 was not VR II. Please check at: http://imaging.nikon.com/products/imaging/lineup/lens/af/zoom/af-s_vr_zoom70-200mmf_28g_if/index.htm
Yes, this makes things really confusing.
For example the Nikon AF-S DX 18-200/3,5-5,6G IF ED VR and Nikon AF-S DX 18-200/3,5-5,6G IF ED VR II both have VR II. The “II” in the model name means it’s a second generation lens as you said, but in this case it could very easily be missunderstood.
that’s correct – in the post I was referring to the VR version, not lens version
I think, at this time, one can assume anything new other than the ultra-cheapo-consumer-kit lens will have VR II technology, so talking about it in lens titles is just confusing.
to avoid the confusion use the following notation:
V-II-R means second version of VR
VR-II means second version of the lens
V-II-R-II means second version of both
@catastrophile
“V-II-R means second version of VR
VR-II means second version of the lens
V-II-R-II means second version of both
”
can you post a link to where this “VIIR” and “VIIRII” you are referring to ?
VRII is the 2nd generation of the VR Technology by Nikon.
The Nikkor AF-S 105mm doesn’t have a VRI version, and yet the current one has VRII in it.
Why would Nikon put a VRI on the AF-S 105mm if there’s already an existing VRII tech in their arsenal ?
Who gives a shit. It makes sense to use a new sensor, I don’t give a rats ass about how many megapixels it would have though.
And much rather 16 or 18 than 22 crappy ones.
I hope had new FX line release on summer!!
Go nikon~
A 28-300 would be a personal disaster, I already have the 70-300 AF-S VR. If it were up to me, 1st choice would be 100-500 (as long as aperture doesn’t exceed 5.6), then 100-400, but if we see a 28-300 I’ll just buy a 300 f/4 and a TC-14.
It won’t happen but a 200-500 f4 would be really useful.
… and 10 grand!
$10K? The 500 f/4 prime is already $9K, try $15-20K and it will only happen in your dreams.
There’s no way a 100-500 f/4 is coming out, they JUST re-vamped the original 200-400 f/4. My money is on a more consumer-oriented, f/4-5.6 lens with AFS (finally) so that the 80-400 can be put out to pasture like it needed to be YEARS ago… (Ever shot with the Canon 100-400, with USM? It makes the Nikon 80-400 feel ancient. In fact the 80-400′s heyday was on the F5 and the D1 series cameras, back when they actually put real POWER in their AFD drive…
But I digress. My point is just that, considering all the lenses recently released AND the lenses that sorely need replacement, that is what is most likely. A lens in that range, with that performance and price point.
Personally, I’m not interested in any of that. I’m DYING for a 70-200 f/4 VR. Anybody who has handled and reviewed images from the Canon versions will know what a gem and hot seller this lens could be…
=Matt=
A 28-300 would be a really weird move in my opinion. Obviously, the intent would be an FX superzoom, but superzooms are about convenience, which is not why FX exists.
@ Matthew Saville – I’m sure what SBGrad was intending to convey was a 100-500mm F/4.5-5.6 rather than a constant F/4. This has been rumored as the actual 80-400 replacement.
I don’t know that they need to squeeze all the way out to 500mm in what will probably be a $2000 lens, but I doubt anyone realistically imagines a zoom that outspecs (much less outperforms) the 200-400. Whatever comes out should give Nikon users an equivalent to the Canon 100-400 and an alternative to the Sigma 50-500.
I thought the odd/even number depended on whether the D1/2/3 was odd or not.
Any idea of dates better than now and photokina? I’m eyeing the Rebel T2i but this would stop me.
One possibility was August, another one was at or right before Photokina (September). It looks like there will be at least 2 annoucements this summer.
During the first 5 months Nikon has released only 2 new lenses and one refresh (200-400) – the second half of the year should be more active.
If Nikon has “released” new products in the first 1/2 of the year how come you can’t find anything on anyone’s website or shelf to purchase? Maybe you would serve the visitors of this site better if you could offer a “user or dealer based” list of who and where Nikon items can be purchased from. None of the big online etailers have Jack sh*t in stock to order and you ask anyone and no one has a clue when anything is due to hit the shelves. It’s like the blind leading the blind “what a great business model”. Try finding a D3s, a 24mm F/1.4, TCIII teleconverter, or many other Nikon lenses (they are just not available for some reason). I sure don’t believe it is frikin Pirate related and Nikon needs to release more items, but will they be available to actually buy, I seriously doubt it, at least for a year.
Ritz has D3s in stock.
http://www.ritzcamera.com/product/541533006.htm
It’s easy to find a D3s in the UK – even Amazon has them:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-Digital-Camera-3-Inch-Capability/dp/B002SG7I8Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1275459529&sr=8-1
Though I agree the other items are like ghosts in the night…
I’ve just found the 24mm f/1,4 in stock at Jacobs in the UK too. I use a fantastic site for the UK market for gear availability and price check:
http://camerapricebuster.co.uk/index.html
I know there are a lot of shooters from the U.S. and the rest of the world on this board, but you must have something equivalent for your countries somewhere?
I do that already – when a rare Nikon lens/body is available, I do post it online.
I saw a guy offering to sell his D3s for 3k$ …. Said it was only a month old. My thought’s were … TOO HOT for me. ;- > I sent him an email asking if there was a problem with is for that price, he did not reply.
Most Coolpix have 14MP.
Go buy it than.
I am already happy with 12.
A 12MP dslr would be a major failure for Nikon at this time.
A 12mp D700s bracketed with an 18~22mp D700x wouldn’t be a major failure, IMO. Just a matter of having cameras for the two camps that seem to exist right now. I’m not sure Nikon can release one cam that would make everyone happy. What’s that saying about not being able to please everyone all the time?
Atleast this guy seem to have prefered 10-12 mpx over 18 in the 7D.
I think I to would had.
http://www.canonrumors.com/reviews/canon-eos-7d-mini-review/
I went to the Ritz website looking for a new D3s before I made my previous post. Their website has all the looks and appearances of them having that model in stock. I said that is too good to be true, so I called them on the phone. They wanted my name and phone number so they could put me on a waiting list. They had ZERO, NADA, ZILCH in stock, just like everyone else.
I even called Nikon in NY who transferred me to a guy named Joel who is Nikon’s Customer Support rep who is in the Dominican Republic (800-645-6689 ). He went to calling everyone while I was on hold, only to come back on the line to tell me that B&H, Adorama, J&R, Wolf and all the others had no D3s inventory (Heck I already knew that). Anyway, he took my number and said he would try to locate me a new D3s. I have waited all day long, and still NOTHING. I guess there is not a D3s in the U.S. That is pretty pathetic IMHO.
Oh, he said that NASA had bought 15 of the D3s bodies, whoopee do, 15 bodies to NASA sure couldn’t have wiped out their US supply chain, or at least you wouldn’t think it would. Could Nikon be purposely under producing these because something with more Megapixels and 1080 video is due to be launched and they don’t want to get caught holding too much inventory. 5200.00 is a ton of money to spend on a 12MP DSLR without 1080 video when Canon can sell a full frame 1080 21MP DSLR for less than 1/2 of what a D3s will run you.
Mp doesn’t say nothing …. the deep of color, the Ev, the dynamic range …
The D3s is a camera for pro photograph… video doesn’t make sense… compare low light canon vs low light nikon … Right less Mp and ?
I’m not making excuses for Nikon, but what if they
1) Misjudged the US demand *and*
2) Moved most of their production to the upcoming Dxxx that it set to be announced soon (and which should be available within a month of announcement).
I’m just trying to think of reasons why there’s a shortage (no D3s at Yodobashi Camera in Utsunomiya, either). Perhaps the beancounters at the Sendai Nikon plant are in a tizzy as to what to do now that they’re caught between the proverbial rock and a hard place.
Tons of Nikon gear is out of stock, so you can’t even buy equipment that’s already been released. Even if they release some cool lenses and cameras, you won’t be able to get anything for many months after it’s released. I don’t understand why they do that.
Perhaps Nikon management anticipated a world-wide depression right after the collapse of Lehman.
I can understand not wanting to release lots of new products due to the poor economic climate, but not keeping the gear they offer in stock does not make sense. I know many people who want to buy tens of thousands of dollars of equipment, me included, but can’t find anything in stock. Some are buying Canon gear simply because they can actually find it in stock to buy. Maybe Nikon is in more financial trouble than they’re letting on.
so you are buying canon gear because you have to buy stuff? wow. i just continue making kick ass images with the gear i have. no need to waste money on crap
Me too, even use a D100 now and then. Why not? The aufocus is spot on, not so with the 5d mkII I had.
Wow yourself. That’s not what I’m saying at all. I’m saying Nikon should make sure the gear they have released is in stock so a photographer doesn’t have to wait many months to get it in hand.
they misjudged the american market for some reason (underestimated demand), and are now scrambling to restock.
Please please release the 35 f1.4 before the 85 f1.4 because I’ll buy the 35mm f1.4 in heart beat!
No way! We here need a new portrait lens, for those of us shooting DX!
Can Nikon afford too continue to be silent in this market today by not offering a “FX” alternative to the 5D2 that has 1080 video?
Sure the D700 is a great camera, but I feel they need to come up with some type of competition to the 5dMark2 at a similiar price point or their will surely be a bunch to jump ship.
We have to spend 5199.00 to get a 12MP sensor with 720 video, and even then it lacks so many features that other manufacturers have offered for years now (various FPS etc). Bad thing about this, is, the D3s has been basically non existent for 1/2 year already, and you still can’t purchase one today along with certain lenses an there is no end in sight. Very Sad IMHO.
There is always the possibility that Nikon simply haven’t been able to integrate 1080 video into a camera like the D700 yet. Perhaps they simply don’t have the ability to make video as good as Canon (who have enjoyed a massive advantage due to an already existing video camera department) at this stage of the game.
I hope they prove me wrong, but it is a real possibility.
As much as i am looking forward to a D700 replacement with video, i would much rather wait a few more months for it to be finalised, than buy a d700 with really crap video tomorrow.
In saying all that, the D700 has been out for two years yesterday! They have had enough time to make significant improvements on an already great camera!
More likely they are not allow to develop 1080p because of a clause impose by Sony when they made the sensor for Nikon.
Except for the fact that Nikon owns EVERY right to their 12 MP FX sensor, which is exactly the reason that Sony hasn’t come out with a competing 12 MP FF body, and even their A850 has the lame-duck 24 MP sensor that can’t shoot past ISO 400 for the life of it.
I think the biggest reason Canon is in the lead in video is simply because they have been developing (and selling) video technology for years now. Their video equipment production was huge LONG before video ever became possible in a still camera. For Canon, it was simply a matter of waiting for their DSLR CPU speed (and CF card speed) to come up to par so they could write the data fast enough. While for Nikon they are basically starting from scratch.
At least that’s my un-educated guess at the situation.
Either way, I don’t care because I’ll never need HD recording in the same camera body that I use to shoot stills. Even if I am FORCED to embrace “fusion” as a freelance photographer, I won’t be shooting video and stills at once, my brain just can’t handle it. I would be teaming up with other videographers, and whatever equipment they use is up to them. In fact if Nikon makes a 1080p DSLR and everyone started using it, that’d just annoy me because then the videographers would be constantly asking to borrow this or that lens in the middle of the ceremony / reception. Yes, I realize how cool it is that you can shoot video with the same system that I’m shooting stills with, BUT THAT DOESNT’ MEAN I’M GOING TO LET YOU USE ALL MY LENSES!!!
See my slightly exaggerated and dramatized point?
Either way, I do agree that for the sake of industry survival, Nikon DOES need to make a 1080p camera, and SOON. I just personally loathe that day…
=Matt=
This 1080 video thing seems to have screwed everything. Video in dslr is aimed for newbies (blurry 10 min. snapshots at best); professionals would buy a proper video camera anyway.
Why can’t they introduce a basic high-quality 24mp D900 purely for photographers?
DSLR video is going big much faster than people expected. TV production companies are replacing their pro video cameras with 5D’s by the case load. They are so cheap compared to an Arri or other top-line video that they can expose them to peril or even destroy them while filming – and get novel shots in the process. A camera car might have 5-10 DSLRs attached to it to get different angles, rather one pro video. Final proof is that the series final of one of the world’s most watched series – “House” – was recently filmed entirely with 5D’s. The shallow depth of field available with fast lenses is a particular look that is hard to get any other way in video.
So while photographers might wonder why video is important, professional videographers are taking the new technology to heart very quickly.
+1. EXCELLENT POINT!
And while it might seem like hogwash to all us still photographers, tapping the videographer market seems to be what Canon and Nikon are trying to do. That’s where the new money is, even if it’s at the expense of releasing camera features for photographers. *sigh*
Oddly enough, I’m surprised that Sony isn’t really too deep in the movie dSLR movement yet. They have a long history of video like Canon, but I think they were trying to prove too hard that they were serious about making cameras for photographers.
Several feature films have been shot on DSLRs; the video is far more cinematic to small sensor video cameras. For those productions who can’t afford a RED kit or similar, video capable DSLRs are a godsend. Please Nikon, serve this market as Canon have been
>”Why can’t they introduce a basic high-quality 24mp D900 purely >for photographers?”
I agree.
you sound ridiculous saying that – honestly. you have to realize that these cameras are being used for major motion pictures as well as by news agencies that requested this feature for years.
I’m fairly certaint that having 1080 video has not detracted from any photographers ability to produce stills
If you were to be believed Nikon/Canon users jump ship at least twice a year… In which case we wait 6mth for them to jump back…
Sounds promising. Really hoping for a FX camera that competes with the 5dm2 and a similar price. I love Nikon’s photo quality more than Canons…but as a filmmaker I want something with great video.
Also, I too really hope for the 35mm 1.4 before the new 85mm 1.4…that would just be awesome!
Surprise you can find the different outside of pixel peeping. You should check how you handle your workflow.
I want a 35 1.4 with FAST focus. I’d get one right away.
In your previous “rumor” you state that there will be one DX and one FX camera. Here you describe a D4000 as a D3000 replacement and a D8000 as a D90 replacement. Those are both DX. So are we getting 2 DX bodies and no FX? Or is it one of the two DX you are describing here plus an unknown FX?
Wellcome to NR
This is rumors…
He probably writes the stuff he know so I don’t think u asking makes him know more… And there’s different sources of the rumors, plus it was said earlier it might be three cameras to be released….
Nr is a good site keep it up
let’s hope summer has some exiting new stuff for the nikon ethusiasts
in the previous post I just reported what somebody that I follow said on an Asian forum, this post is based on tips I received today
There is no need to bracket “Rumor” on this site. : )
I’d love to get that 35mm 1.4 !
Any word for new flash (SB-700) yet?
its really bad if D700S/X not come ture…….
I m waiting over 1 year…….nah..
I’m going to guess 16MP Sony CMOS sensor for DX. IMO, it sounds like the right target for the new D90 replacement and inline with Nikon’s recent remarks that they don’t want to increase MP without sacrificing IQ. Canon can have 18MP but Nikon’s 16MP will almost certainly be better IQ (DR, bit depth, etc.)
Canon has 18MP in the 7D and Nikon’s current/2yr old 12MPs have better IQ according to Dxomark.com
No, that is not the case if you compare them at the same print size!
And, btw, isn’t resolution one aspect of image quality, too? I tend to think so.
True, resolution is one aspect. But I think too many people focus on this metric and don’t consider color depth and DR.
That said, I will give credit to the 7D, considering its 18MP sensor gives the D300s’ 2-yr old 12MP sensor a run for its money.
My point is, I’m guessing that Nikon doesn’t want to aim for 18MP (whether or not we like it) but would rather balance out other IQ factors. I’m perfectly fine with that.
Competition is good.
With the advanced amateur DX lineup, Nikon has gone from 6 to 10 to 12, so I’m guessing their next move will be to 14 or 16 MP. (D100, D70, D200, D80, D300, D90…)
Canon went from 6 to 8 to 10 to 15 to 18, by the way. (10D thru 7D)
So Nikon found a new naming convention. It is obviously avoiding moving on to like 3100, 5100 etc… so it won’t be long and there will be a Nikon D9,000,000? I would have thought it would be smarter to have updated models in the series not require all zeros after the first digit,
And it still wont be full frame or a replacement for the D700
With film, Nikon used digits like F5, N60, N65, F100, and N8008, etc. etc.
I’m betting that since previously the numbering was backwards, they’re simply hoping to phase out the 2-digit lineup, so that it makes sense once again. (four digits is beginner, three digits is prosumer, one digit is flagship.)
There’s plenty of naming options within this system, and Nikon is pretty consistent with the way they name things… And any inconsistency is usually only because their long-term plans have yet to be revlealed…
=Matt=
What is two digit then?
It should be somewhere between prosumer and flagship based on that convention but the D60-90 clearly are not.
That’s the part he was referring to as “backwards”. And the D90 hopefully will be the last of it.
X
XXX
XX
XXXX
has been the pattern since the end of the film-only days.
Hopefully soon we’ll have the
X
XXX
XXXX
pattern only.
what does it matter what they call the DSLR’s ? a name is just something to call it. the only reason to care is so one can easily know they have better gear than another.
My 35mm 1.4 will be ordered as soon as it’s announced. I can live without the 85mm 1.4. The 1.8 is a pretty great lens already.
if you don’t shoot sports.
Cam’on…not again DX bodies
Great job Peter, thanks !
Please please please come out with a brand new FX with HD recording! I cant wait for replace my d90 with that new model as im so tempted with the 5D MKII features.
Let say if Nikon was allowed to develop full HD video and a codec for its D700 replacement in 2011 to match the 5DMk2, by that time Canon would be releasing the 5DMk3 with RAW video and other advances. This means Nikon will continue to miss out in the video market.
A very valid point – people are forgetting that the 5D MKII is also due for replacement – I also keep abreast of some of the Canon rumours and they are currently saying early 2011 for a refresh. This therefore gives Nikon a current problem – if they mis-judge but still release the FX product (D700 replacement) early now, they might be truly spanked by Canon in that space for at least the next two years. I say Nikon are obviously intelligent enough to know all of this and are making sure that the replacement will be a market leader, even if it means delaying until 2011. Only time will tell if they get it right…
I read that Canon were waiting to see what Nikon do before releasing another camera. With Nikon’s ability to not release a new FX camera this sounds like a suicide pact
I’ll bring the coolaid.
lol, thanks!
I WAS RIGHT WITH THE NAME D8000!
http://forums.steves-digicams.com/general-discussion/163915-whats-after-nikon-d90.html
ugh. i hate huge numbers
Aren’t we still in odd number times, until the D4 arrives? So the D90 successor should surely be a D7000.
If the D3000 successor is called D4000, they are running out of numbers again very soon, since this model is upgraded every year. So there must be a different solution.
And if there is really no D700 upgrade this year, I see a good chance for a 18-24MP FX camera in a D90 type body (with full HD) to compete with Canon’s 5DII. It just makes sense for Nikon.
Admin I want to thank you for the heads up. You give me something to hope for and your info (correct or not) is always welcome.
If so many items are out of stock, surely this must have a very, very bad impact on cashflow towards nikon, up to the point that more money is leaving the company (wages, r&d, etc) then coming in (sales). How are they going to buy/pay stuff for manufacturing if the cashflow is negative? Surely a lot of banks will be very cautious to give credit…..
Let’s hope they hit a home run with the next round of camera update this and next year
yesterday i received the information that d90 replacement will be D9000 dx sensor by 14,6mp and full hd. d700 comes 2011!
14.7 MP sensor … bah i’ll keep my D90. less than a 3MP increase wont be noticeable … they need to get closer to 18.
When Joe nobody goes in and the clerk lays an 18MP cmera next to a 12 or 14MP camera I can guarantee that most casual buyers would choose 18.
The incentive to upgrade is most likely going to be some form of the D300 autofocus system plus true HD video.
But really who upgrades with every single model? This is for people who are still on the D80 or want to move up from a D40 or a D3000.
24-105 f/4 VRII or 24-120 f/4 VRII, and a possible 35mm 1.4….. would be nice, very nice. Especially since Nikon has no real answer to the brilliant Canon 24-105 f/4. The Nikon version is average at best, compared to the Canon version.
How do you know that Nikon’s 24-105mm will be at average quality before it’s out? Maybe it will be much better than Canon’s. Just my 2 cents…
I think Willem is commenting on the existing Nikon 24-120 mm lens, which is indeed average at best.
I think the upcoming announcement will be enthusiast gear, so it will be more of a D300s replacement than D90. But because it will be placed “between” the two models build-wise, it could be said to “replace” either. The FX normal-zoom is long overdue, and it makes sense if they release the 35/1.4 first. They aren’t covered with AF at all at 35/1.4, and the existing 85/1.4 AF-D isn’t that bad. If they have limited production capacity (as it seems), it makes sense to do the 35/1.4 first.
It also makes sense to release the more expensive model first. But they may keep the D300s in the lineup as the “DX pro model” until next year. It may turn out to be something like the D2X/D200 situation.
It does seem odd to suggest that it would be the D90 getting replaced rather than the D300; given the history the new sensors seem to appear in the higher end camera first; e.g. the D200 sensor later being used in the D80, and then the D300 one in the D90. If it happened the other way round surely there’s a risk that the cheaper, more basic camera at the D80/D90 level would outperform the more ‘pro’ camera.
That is unless the Dx00 series will no longer be DX.
That’s certainly possible, but I think it’s a little unlikely, and I certainly hope it doesn’t happen. Firstly, there’s still quite a price jump between a DX and an FX sensor, and it’s not clear where that would be found without making any FX D300 replacement a lot more expensive. Secondly, D300 users are quite likely to have some DX lenses (e.g. the 17-55, various ultrawides etc.) and if the upgrade proposition requires getting a new body and a bunch of new lenses it makes that upgrade very expensive, and a comparable amount of hassle as jumping to another system entirely.
Also, given the general ongoing improvements in sensor performance, it shouldn’t be too hard to make a new DX sensor with similar quality to the current D700 FX sensor, which makes it somewhat pointless. Not completely pointless of course, but anyone that wanted a D300 but with better quality at a higher price would have just bought the D700 in the first place.
Overall, it doesn’t sound like a good move to me.
The price jump in the camera could disappear as production improves.
There will still be a large demand for DX format pro bodies because 90% plus of shots can be taken just as well with lenses are a lot cheaper and a lot lighter.
Its quite astonishing the number of people who bleat on about how Nikon should be producing a 100-500 zoom to replace the 80-400 because 400 is not long enough and then bleat on about how they are FX only. If you need the reach, get a DX body and the 80-400 gives you the equivalent of 120-600.
I think there will be at least another DX pro body, and probably another after that.
Don’t forget that video of any sort first showed up in the D90. It then trickled up. I think novel/new technlogy at the D90 pricepoint attracts a much bigger market vs the D3 market. And coming out with a new sensor at the D90 level allows for further tweeks to appear up market. It gives them more R&D time to get 14 bit frame rate up to snuff from the 12 bit /3 fps found in D90 level cameras.
since not that many d300s’s are being sold it doesn’t matter – they need to refresh the D90 which was a Canon killer – fitting neatly into a slot that Canon’s line did not truly cover…
Canon and Nikon sell far more entry to mid cameras than upper cam’s and that is why you may see the introduction of the new sensor in the D90X camera…
I just hope the D8k will have the motor inside the camera.
me too!
Admin, i dont get it….why they will update the D90 with more MP (what i hope so, contrary to some others) before the D300? Wouldnt the D300 be their priority?
who knows – why did they introduce video in the D90 first?
because video was not seen as a professional tool in a dslr at the time. it was just for fun. that’s why it started in the middle and then worked it’s way up after they realized there was demand for it. the difference is the top of the line pro cameras have always had the highest megapixels.
Exactly. And if the D90 replacement does come first with a sensor that has higher resolution and is higher quality than the D300s (and maybe capable of 1080p video too), then the D300s is dead in the water – who’s going to buy one then if the D90 replacement is cheaper and better?
Because the D90 replacement will not have the build quality and some of the pro level features of the D300
not to mention the D90 replacement will have slower fps than the D300s. or yet 100% viewfinder.
You’re both quite right of course but I do think that:
- You’d have to be pretty wedded to the fps and build quality to accept a higher prices and lower image quality for it,
- You’d have to be pretty desperate to get something soon to buy a D300s when you’d really have to expect that even if the D90 successor does come out first, it can’t be much longer until that sensor makes it into a D300 level camera.
I think at the very least it would create enough doubt to be a bad move on Nikon’s part; if they get the new sensor out in the D300 successor first it keeps the range neatly in order with no uncertainty over which camera is ‘better’.
Tenterhooks………
So, can someone explain the logic behind Nikon’s DSLR model numbers? From the sequence numbering, it is easy to make the logical (but totally wrong) conclusion that the Dnnnn line is an order of magnitude more capable than the Dnnn line, which is an order of magnitude more capable than the Dnn line, which in turn is an order of magnitude more capable than the Dn line.
“So, can someone explain the logic behind Nikon’s DSLR model numbers?”
Simple answer: No.
The numbering makes no sence – but I do think they should stick to the better cameras having lesser digits (i.e. D3 >> D3000).
——————
Why not start a totally new way to number cameras:
Dx1 (pro DX model)
Dx10
Dx100
Dx1000 (entry DX model)
Fx1 (pro FX model)
Fx10
Fx100
Fx1000 (entry FX model)
Mx…
?
that is the way Canon does it – it makes sense
why does it matter ? they could start calling them A1 A2 A3 until they get to A99 then goto B1 B2 etc for all I care.
A new FX body this year? I believe it when I see it. I would be happily surprised it this turns out to be true.
I have a feeling that Nikon will now make the Dx000 line all DX and the Dx00 line and above all FX. This would explain a new sensor in the consumer bodies without first being in the prosumer line. With the advances in sensor technology in the past few years, I don’t think any company can afford to not release better technology in new consumer model xyz for fear that it will hemorage sales from old pro model xyz. Otherwise camera technology would become stagnant. it’s how things work in the world of technology. A 20+ FX sensor as a D700 replacement is not far fetched for that reason. I think we’re definitely going to start seeing a big acceleration in camera cycles because of this. If a camera company wants to stay on top, they’re going to have to stay on the bleeding edge.
Nikon D8000, what an ugly sounding name. Nikon D90 at least has some pro zing to its name. I predict a flop
But, they ran out of numbers! There are already the D40, D50, D60, D70, D80, D90, D100. They have to enter a new order of magnitude, so to speak.
But what aabout the D10, D20, and D30?
Or D9x?
Anjin san whispered in my ear that’s 6 generations into the future from the now existing D3, it will have 60 Mp, ISO 12800 and 15 fps and will be released July 2025.
Canon had those (D10-D30) before switching to xxD. Imagine the smile on Canon’s executives if Nikon started naming their cameras after Canon’s long deceased models. Oh the hummanity!
Canon also had a D60.
I don’t buy this analysis. There has to be a bigger difference between the supposed D4000 and the supposed D8000 than a max difference of a 14MP sensor in one and an 18MP sensor in the other.
And once again, even with the switch to 4-digit camera model numbers, Nikon is putting themselves in the position of running out of numbers for everything except the high-end line. They really have to re-think this.
Since there is no longer any confusion between film and digital models, they should probably go to a prefix of FX and DX followed by a model number with some logic behind it, perhaps 2 numeric digits for semi-pro, 3 digits for high end consumer and 4-digits for low-end consumer (instead of the illogical 3 digits for semi-pro and 2 or 4 digits for consumer.)
D8000 will likely have the D300 AF system plus an AF motor and flash commander capability.
An easy solution to the numbering system would be to start using the lower digit of the non flagship models. So D400 is replaced by D401, D402…
Thom Hogan seems to have confirmation of new upcoming products as well. Short term. Read his post from today.
he also had confirmations that fuji was working on a micro 4/3 camera which didnt materialize last PMA season (as the rumor he confirmed was claiming).
he got the info from here, again – same number of lenses and DSLRs
Is it just me, or have the photographs on his front page been getting poorer and poorer? I’m not a photograph critic. They just really don’t seem pleasing to my eyes. I’m legitimately curious if it’s just me.
What did Thom Hogan mean with the comments on his website? Is Nikon announcing new products tomorrow?
he means that he doesn’t have a clue what is coming
Just what we need, more new product announcements when Nikon can’t even provide the products that they announced months ago. One thing is for sure, we are finally getting closer to knowing what every Camera manufacturer is going to do this summer and fall.
I find Nikon Rumours faintly ridiculous but totally addictive. I do hope Nikon catch up with video because I’m not in a position to jump ship. Barrel.
..which leads me to think that whatever they come up with has to be good else they’ve blown it..
Yippie… Diffraction galore…
Anyway, while Panasonic, Sony and Canon (reportedly) are going to release innovative DSLR alternative products for consumers in Photokina, Nikon, in contrast, is going to appear rather backdated.
So clearly the only alternative….
is to give up on the video thing altogether and make one funk of a good stills camera for a really good price. You know, one that takes pictures.
when has nikon ever made a great stills camera at a really good price?
D90
The FG – Only GBP 30 more than the competition and mine came with a free motordrive.
ok for us not in the know, when exactly is photokina?
im on the verge of buying a 7D but i can wait a little if a D90 successor is on it’s way since i really do like the nikon ergonomics better(the 7d is about the only canon i’ve tried that i really liked).
photokina is a large bi-annual trade and consumer show in cologne, germany. It covers anything related to photography.
Mmmm
D90s?
D8000 sounds like “low end” camera to me.
And the DX0 was always a “man in the middle” line… D60-D80-D200… D3000-D90-D300….
“when”?
photokina takes place from (thu) sept 21st to (sun) sept 26th
(which is by the way one week earlier than in previous years due to a survey among exhibitors)
“BTW, many European Nikon websites were down again today – some of them were offline for more than 24 hours.”
I think the global European server (http://europe-nikon.com/) has problems because I gave lot of error messages instead of the websites.
ERROR
The requested URL could not be retrieved
While trying to retrieve the URL: http://europe-nikon.com:1776/hu_HU/products/category_pages/lenses/category_lenses.page?
The following error was encountered:
* Read Error
The system returned:
(10054) WSAECONNRESET, Connection reset by peer.
An error condition occurred while reading data from the network. Please retry your request.
Your cache administrator is webmaster.
Generated Thu, 27 May 2010 20:23:17 GMT by NIKPE012 (squid/2.7.STABLE8)
and
Service Temporarily Unavailable
The server is temporarily unable to service your request due to maintenance downtime or capacity problems. Please try again later.
Service Temporarily Unavailable
The server is temporarily unable to service your request due to maintenance downtime or capacity problems. Please try again later.
is what i get.
fair point. Nikon have always been top dollar products, but have always made quality cameras that you can rely on. I am not sure how that applies in this modern day arms race.
Don’t know if it was mentionned : “Cashback in France until July the 31st.”
http://www2.nikon.fr/Nikon_Spirit/cashback2010.nsf/Home?readform
I guess, no announcement before August.
The D3s is definitely not available at Wolf (Admin Posted this at the top of this post) Their website will give you the impression that they have it in stock, I called at 8am this morning, they have no stock of any D3s
I then called Nikon US in NY, they transferred me to a guy named Joel in the Dominican Republic who stated he could locate me a D3s and a 24mm lens. I waited all day but he called me back and said that Cameta Camera had one in stock and too call them, they were waiting. I immediately called and they wanted 500.00 above MSRP (5699.00) for the body. It is a very sad day when Nikon dealers go to price gouging their consumers.
I am at a total loss of words over this. Oh, the Nikon customer service Rep said there were no 24mm in stock that he could determine anywhere.
I sure hate to order a Canon 5d2 or 7D, but that just may happen in the morning, I am definitely aggravated especially when a Nikon dealer attempt to stick you with the big green weenie.
If anyone knows where a D3s is for sale at the regular stated MSRP, please chime in or hit reply. Thanks
the price of D90 body are now going up for the past few days…
FF D900
D900
gogogo
So why does NR post information about websites being down like that in some way constitutes news? One doesn’t need to take down one’s website to make changes, even substantial changes, particularly if one is as big as Nikon. Somehow I doubt very much that Nikon would ever take a website offline to add information about a forthcoming lens.
In the 2+ years since I am running NR before every single announcement, some (or all) Nikon websites are down. This is a fact, not a rumor.
What is the usual timeframe between the website going down and an announcement Admin? Thanks for this wonderful site.
Thanks Admin. Is there an average time from the first website outage to the announcement?
It varies, cannot really say.
“It varies.” Is it possible you’re imaging a cause and effect relationship here? Sorry–sites go down, but not usually because they’re being revised.
ROFL .. some of you expect this to be CNN. Wake the hell up and read what this site is … RUMORS … if you are too dense to get your head around this, then maybe you should skip stopping in. /sheesh
So Admin,
how much time do you think we must wait?
it is like 2 days or like 6 weeks?
thanks,
a
Reliable information is usually out 2-4 weeks before the official announcement (scheduled press event, etc.).
IS THIS RELIABLE INFORMATION?
nothing is reliable, this is a rumor site
Wow…that’s the most intelligent post on this site…ever thought about running the place ?
Do the math! compute weeks, days, or even hours…Photokina starts on 21 September
Heh heh, did you guys notice the Canon ads in the right side bar? I guess it tells everything where Nikon is right now unfortunately.
I somewhat find the “Nikon D4000 (D3000 replacement)” abit ridiculous. I’m not referring to the rumors posted! but in actual fact i just dont understand what’s Nikon’s plan to refresh such a new entry level DSLR? They’re selling good and its still brand new. As for the D90 replacement i guess this pretty make sense.
They should in fact focus on the FX model, C’mon Nikon ! Its time for a change and show Canon who’s the best !
In Australia, Nikon D700 rebates end June 30th, whilst D90 etc rebates end 31st August.
I think D700 replacement early July, with a DX replacement for photokina in September.
Still hoping for 1080 manual video in D700, don’t mind 12mp. 9fps with battery grip would be very nice also.
Maybe, maybe not. The rebates in other countries, e.g. US, have been going for some months but still no release of a D700 replacement. The Aussie rebates are well overdue due to the price gouging Nikon has been doing here despite the strong Aussie dollar in recent months. I’m inclined to agree with others that the D700 replacement won’t happen till 2011. So much so that I went and bought a D700 recently and I’m loving it – I’m sick of the speculation.
That’s totally the right thing to do Annatar, use your camera and enjoy it.
Maybe the D700 replacement will be slightly better in some ways but it won’t make those who buy one a better photographer because of it…don’t get sucked in by the constant wanting of the next new dslr, make good use of the D700 and in 3 or 4 years you might want to upgrade.
It may not make the photog better, however it could take better pictures ;- >
I wish the 24mp D900 (or whatever to be called) will be launced this summer bundled with 24-105mm f/4 VR. IMO, it doesn’t need to have any video which makes thing more complicated, fragile and more expensive. But for marketing point maybe they must better have two models, a general-purpose 12mp D700s with full HD video, and 24mp D700x aimed only for serious photographers.
Another altogether solution is a 18mp D800 with full HD, but does Nikon really have access to that (Kodak) sensor, and will it support video?
Even such a camera exists tomorrow, there would still be unhappy folks, one camp because possibly it doesn’t have the same sensitivity & noise levels of D3s, others because it still doesn’t have 24mp as D3x has.
What do you think? Will the D90 replacement still feature the small LCD screen on top?
Well, I had no trouble buying a D300s this week. But I guess that was a mistake now that I see an immanent D90 replacement with 30% more MP, HD, etc.
Don’t worry, I think the D300s will still be superior than the D90 replacement in other more important ways
Thanks for the vote of confidence. The rumor-specs below (assuming they are even ball-park accurate) sure make this D7000 look pretty damn good for what is gonna be significantly less than the $1500 the D300s cost me.
On the other hand, the reality is that i need a camera now, not whenever this D90 replacement comes out. And the way my D40x just quit working, the ruggedness of the 300s was a real consideration.
I don’t know wether it is true or not (for me it seems to be), but on the german http://www.dslr-forum.de someone (http://www.dslr-forum.de/showpost.php?p=6737333&postcount=700) who says he is a german Nikon-dealer posted details of the D90-successor:
Name: D7000
14MP
ISO 200-12800 (lowerable until ISO 100)
Fast AF in liveview
720P video, better quality and AF, additional stereomicro and stereo jack (in and out) for micro and KH
3,5″ display, 1.4 mio. pixel
22 AF fields
Magnesium body
The D7000 will have a built-in AF-motor. Release date is still secret.
Kind regards
Thomas
sounds a bit close to the d300s,
The german Nikon Dealer got an Email from Nikon, where this information is from. He says, Nikon wants the D7000 to be more “profi-like” than the D90 and that the D7000 will be the direct successor of the D90.
Thomas
Not enough better than my D90 to even bother. I hope he is wrong.
i hope you’re joking
I seriously doubt Nikon will email a dealer with the specs of an upcoming camera – this has never happen before. In addition, the magnesium body for the D90 replacement sounds fishy. Note also that he did not start a thread with this info – he just replied to an already started thread. Coincidence? Thanks anyway for the rumor.
sooo….i just bought a d90 kit from Costco (d90, 18-55 & 70-300 lens, and a 4gb card for $1400) i have had it for a little less then a month. Costco gives a 90 day return on cameras I’m wondering if i should return it and wait for the one that will replace the d90??
dude why? D90 is an amazing camera and you got a good deal. start shooting and dont think about tomorrow.
you are right i love it so far its a great camera. but if something is coming out soon that is going to replace what i just bought, i am just wondering if i should have waited.
b3rt619 the D90 is a fantastic camera, I owned a D80 for 4 years before I upgraded to full frame (I already had AF lenses from my film cameras) and it was great.
My advice is to not to worry about the next model until you’ve used it for at least 2 years, by that stage the upgrade won’t cost as much and if you keep all your D90,boxes etc in good order you can make a lot back on ebay ?
I understand everyone wants the newest thing but you don’t need it and spend the cash you save on other things.
the D90 does have everything i need and i think i did get a good deal so i am going to keep it for a while until i really want to upgrade from a D90. Broxibear thanks for the tip i did save all the boxes ill keep them safe for when i want to resell it. but i am still very interested in seeing what new specs these new cameras will have.
yes the magnesium body jumped out to me as the fishy bit, and the 12800. They don’t want to outdo the D300s in all respects ? So technical spec might get bunched whilst they try to compete with better market spec but isn’t it exactly these pro items (body, card slots etc) that mark a real difference ?
The NR admin comment about Nikon never emailing a dealer is almost obvious. I believe most NR readers know Nikon plays very close to the vest. We also find it hard to accept that Nikon has indeed fallen way behind on video capability. I think the Nikon D90 video is important and despite owning video gear I find it easier to be in the field and be able to use great stills and video. For what is it is worth I think my D90 images are at least as good as the D300 images I get. The magnesium body is not as attractive to pro use in the field as some might think. A 100% viewfinder is important but not vital. Nikon just does not have the video expertise that Canon or Sony has. Yet Nikon can hardly afford to wait much longer to get improved video in a D90 replacement. As to sales from D3s and D3x and even D300s, the D90 market is more critical to Nikon sales and stockholders. I do think the three released camera rumors for this year are credible and think the entry level and D90 replacement is key. I also am waiting for personal purchase a D700 update with HD video.
I think (hope) the reason Nikon has been taking such a long time implementing better video capabilities, is that they want to release a product that will not only be better than Canons current video, but also be on par with canons next update of video!
Much like the D90 is better for stills than the 550D, even tough the D90 is 2 years older than the 550D!
Nikon don’t rush it, they take their time, and make it GREAT!
Will these new cameras not have the inbody autofocus motor like the 3000 and 5000, cuz that would be a real turn off for me.
i think d90 has been discontinued for few month, i have been checking for d90 stock at 5 camera store they are all out of stock
To Anonymous. The D90 is still in stock at B&H Photo where I got mine. Their service in great. I am also sure Amazon has the D90. Despite having some serious pro gear I use the D90 most. I would like a better video on it. I also think the D700 is one of the best cameras ever made. But a D90 replacement and a D700 replacement with HD 1080p video on both would be awesome. I keep looking at Canons like the Mark II D5 but with both DX and FX great Nikon glass I am staying with Nikon. Even if Nikon comes out soon (and I HOPE they do!) with D90 and D700 replacements with high def video, the two existing cameras will still be out there taking great shots.
I’m getting ready to buy a either a d5000 or d90 very soon, I like the feel the the d90 in my hand bettter (big hands) but its a little out of my price range. Do you think if the d90 is replaced that the price will come down a little? Thanks.
My judgement is that the D90 is worth every penny of the price. It should run about $1,100 with the 18-105VR kit lens (which in that range is excellent). I own some considerably more expensive glass in that 18-105 VR range and am amazed at the results with that modest lens. I use a 18-200VR on it now most of the time. But with a 60 Micro and a 70-300VR it is awesome. I believe there is a sweet spot there somewhere and I’d rather have a good body (newer usually IS BETTER) matched with great lens if you have them but the kit lens are very good. I have used the D5000 and feel it is NOT what I want, BUT less money.