Nikon D3s, Canon EOS-1 Mark IV compared

By [NR] admin | Published: October 20, 2009

Update#3: more Canon EOS-1 Mark IV samples at different ISO available here.

Update#2: Canon’s ISO102,400 picture was removed but you can still see it here. Canon also pulled the plug on the “Nocturne” video by Vincent Laforet.

Update: Canon Mark 4 ISO 102,400 sample shot available here (are those for real ??? – scroll to the bottom of the page) – you can compare it to Nikon’s ISO 102,400 sample shot.

Nikon-vs-canon-compare

picture source: Adorama

Slow on rumors, here is something to keep you entertained: Adorama published a brief specs comparison between the Nikon D3s and the freshly released Canon EOS-1 Mark IV:

Feature Canon EOS-1 Mark IVNikon D3s
Resolution16MP12MP
ISO Range100-12,800200-12,800
Top “Hi” ISO102,400102,400
Video1080p HD, 24, 25 or 30fps720p, 24fps
SensorCMOS, APS-H (1.3x crop)CMOS, 35mm “FX” format
AF System45 Point, 39 cross-type51 Point, 15 cross-type
Pixel size5.7 microns8.45 microns
LCD resolution920k pixels, 3 inches921k pixels, 3 inches
Burst rate10fps9fps (full frame) 11 fps (DX crop)
Shutter speeds30-1/8000 sec, 0.3, 0.5, 1 stops30-1/8000 sec, 1/3 stops
Flash sync1/300 sec1/250 sec
Meter63 zone1005 pixel, auto scene recognition
Card slots1 CF, 1 SD slot2 CF slots
A/D conversion14-bit16-bit (?)
CoolAuto copyright info in EXIFQuiet Shutter Mode
Pseudo-HDRAuto Light OptimizerActive D-Lighting
Build QualityWeatherized; Magnesium alloyMagnesium alloy
BatteryLi-on LP-34 rechargeableEN-EL4/4a Li-ion rechargealbe
Size6.2×6.2×3.1 inches6.3×6.2×3.4 inches
Weight2.6 lb2.7 lb
Price$4,999.00$5,199.95

Cannot wait to see real shots comparison, especially at ISO 102,400.

Posted in Nikon D3s| 200 Comments

Read this before you upgrade to Windows 7

By [NR] admin | Published: October 19, 2009

Nikon support has issued a Windows 7 Compatibility Announcement. If you are impacted, click on the link below to continue reading.

Read More »

Posted in Nikon Software| 41 Comments

Nikon related links/news

By [NR] admin | Published: October 18, 2009

Update: more Nikon D3s samples available on flickr.

For our new readers:  every weekend I post Nikon related news combined in one post. I try to stick strictly to rumors during the week (there are exceptions sometimes).

nikon-d90-book

  • Nikon D300s + 10.5mm fisheye video:

Click on the link to continue reading:

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Posted in Weekly Nikon News Flash| 42 Comments

It’s a Nikon patents Friday (Nikon mirrorless, interchangeable lens camera)

By [NR] admin | Published: October 16, 2009

I’ve been covering Nikon patents for a while. We have seen numerous times that patents for upcoming products are filed before the official release – check this old post: We should pay a very close attention to this patent (Nikon Micro AF-S 85mm f/3.5 DX VR). Of course not every patent will see the light of day.

So what do we have today? A reader sent me this information (I admit that I have hard time interpreting some of those patents):

I’ve been checking patents again and noticed a trend. All the lenses listed below have an image diameter of 17 mm. As far as I can find Nikon doesn’t have any cameras with a sensor with a 17 mm diagonal. In fact I can’t find any maker with this format. It’s smaller than 4/3rd format (21.6 mm).  This format falls between Nikon’s current P & S lineup (~7.7 diagonal) and APS-C (see Wikipedia).

So what’s Nikon up to? All were filed in a 6 month period. There’s 2 primes and at least 3 zooms. They could be designing for a 3rd party or are they for the rumored X1 competitor. This format would have a 35 mm equivalent factor of 2.5x. Check out patent 20090147376 – it’s a pure telephoto zoom, not something for a P &S. I think that implies an interchangeable lens system:
  • Patent 20090257125 filed: April 9, 2009, pub. date: October 15, 2009, focus length: 14.26, f stop: 2.8, FOV (deg): 62, 35 mm equiv: 35
  • Patent 20090225444 filed: February 18, 2009, pub. date: September 10, 2009, focus length: 18.4 f stop: 1.4, FOV (deg): 50, 35 mm equiv: 45
  • Patent 20090147376 filed: November 25, 2008, pub. date: June 11, 2009, focus length: 30-107 f stop: 4-5.6, FOV (deg): 31.9-8.8, 35 mm equiv: 75 – 270
  • Patent 20090135498 filed: October 23, 2008, pub. date: May 28, 2009, focus length: 10.5 – 107 f stop: 3.3 – 6, FOV (deg): 81 – 9, 35 mm equiv: 26 – 270
  • Patent 20090116121 filed: October 22, 2008, pub. date: May 7, 2009, focus length: 10.5 – 108 f stop: 2.8 – 6, FOV (deg): 81 – 8.9, 35 mm equiv: 26 – 270
  • Patent 20090086334 filed: September 23, 2008, pub. date: April 2, 2009, focus length: 9 – 42.6 f stop: 2.8 – 5.6, FOV (deg): 89.8 – 22.3, 35 mm equiv: 22 – 105
  • Patent 20090086333 filed: September 23, 2008, pub. date: April 2, 2009, focus length: 10.5 – 107 f stop: 2.8 – 5.9, FOV (deg): 80.7 – 8.8, 35 mm equiv: 26 – 270

Thanks B!

And just another reminder from a previous discussion: patent 20090154915 (lens mount cover while the lens is removed) has this drawing of a mirrorless camera:

nikon-patent

Posted in Nikon 1, Nikon Lenses, Nikon Patents| 76 Comments

FX format Q660?

By [NR] admin | Published: October 15, 2009

Update: Just received that – Nikon product names start with the quarter in which they are/will be released (Q1-Q4) followed by a sequence number counting all Nikon DSLR starting from the D1. For the D3s I came up with Q242. Nikon have confirmed in an email to a reader that this was the code name for the D3s.

NPS members in the UK have received the following email:

“….We’ll email you more details about booking your place, and NPS member preferential allocation of the new FX format Q660 soon…”

Is Q660 the code name for the new Nikon D3s?

Posted in Nikon D3s| 133 Comments

Nikon D3s and 85mm f/3.5 DX lens available for pre-order

By [NR] admin | Published: October 14, 2009

D3S_ambience_3

Nikon D3s available for pre-order:

nikon-85mm-DX-lens

Nikon AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/3.5G ED VR available for pre-order

More pre-order options coming soon – check back again. All pre-orders are sent “first-come, first-served”. Nikon D3s availability: late November 2009. Lens availability: early December 2009.

Posted in Nikon D3s, Nikon Lenses| 116 Comments

Nikon D3s videos

By [NR] admin | Published: October 14, 2009

The first two videos are a “must see”:

More videos of the D3s (not from the D3s) after the break:

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Posted in Nikon D3s| 137 Comments