Nikon D3100 listed in Best Buy inventory system

By [NR] admin | Published: August 10, 2010

D3100

Nikon D3100 is already listed in Best Buy’s inventory system. The SKU is 1222817, the description reads “Nikon D3100 DSLR w/ 18-55mm v”, availability: 9/18/2010. No other information is provided other than the box dimensions. BestBuy does not create SKUs based on speculation or rumors, however price and availability date is always subject to change.

There is still no listing for the Nikon D90 replacement and that makes sense since the official announcement will be a month after the D3100. The D3100 is expected to be announced next week and usually new products are available in stores a month after their release.

Posted in Nikon D3100| 62 Comments

Weekly Nikon related news/links

By [NR] admin | Published: August 9, 2010

I am late with the weekly Nikon links – there was not much going on last week:

  • Sony is rumored to release two new sensors in early 2011 – ExmorHD 24MP and 30+MP with “very good High-ISO performance up to 12.800 ISO”. Maybe Nikon will follow (I have no reliable information on this topic, this is just FYI).
Posted in Weekly Nikon News Flash| Tagged | 45 Comments

Nikon expectations for Photokina 2010

By [NR] admin | Published: August 6, 2010

Photokina is the biggest photography equipment show in the world and it takes place every two years in Cologne, Germany. The dates for 2010 are September 21-26.

Here is an updated list of what Nikon is expected to release for Photokina this year:

  • Nikon D90 replacement (probably called D95, low chance of being called D8000):
    • Aluminium or magnesium-alloy body
    • 16MP sensor
    • 1080 HD video
    • Somewhere between 6-8 fps
    • Improved ISO (don’t know what exactly the improvement is – higher ISO, or just better ISO at the same D90 level)
    • 39 AF points
    • Price: $1199 for body only
    • Announcement: on/around September 15th, 2010
  • Nikon D3100:
    • Continuous AF in video mode/live view
    • New AF points configuration which should cover a very large portion of the viewfinder. Total of 11 or 12 AF points.
    • 14 MP CMOS sensor
    • HD video: 1080p/24 and 720p 30/24!
    • AVCHD video codec
    • In camera video editing capabilities
    • 3 fps
    • Will be sold in a kit with a 18-55mm lens
    • No swivel display
    • Announcement: August 19th, 2010
  • Lenses:
    • Nikkor AF-S 85mm f/1.4G N (priced around $1650)
    • Nikkor 24-120 f/4 ED VR N (priced around $1300)
    • Nikkor 28-300 f/3.5-5.6 ED VR (could be f/4.5-5.6, priced around $1050)
    • Nikkor 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6 ED VR DX (priced around $350)
    • (priced mid to high $5k)
    • The first four lenses should be announced on August 19th, the last one should be released on or around September 15th, 2010

Coolpix & EVIL expectations after the break:

Read More »

Posted in Nikon D3100, Nikon D7000, Nikon Lenses, Nikon Point and Shoot| Tagged , , , , | 369 Comments

More info on the Nikon Coolpix P7000

By [NR] admin | Published: August 5, 2010

The current Nikon Coolpix P6000 model

Here are some more “basic” specs for the upcoming Nikon Coolpix P7000 (replacement of the P6000):

  • 10MP 1/1.7″ sensor (P6000 had a 13.5MP 1/1.72″ sensor) – similar to the last Canon G11, Nikon went a step back in the MP count
  • 28-200mm equivalent zoom lens with f/2.8-5.6 (P6000 had 28-112mm f/2.7-5.9 lens | G11 has 28-140mm f/2.8-4.5 lens)
Posted in Nikon Point and Shoot| Tagged | 98 Comments

Bob Krist. Again.

By [NR] admin | Published: August 5, 2010

If you have missed my previous Bob Krist post, check it out. Of course his copter shots were published with the release of the 24mm f/1.4 lens – one month after my post.

What do we have today? On his blog post from June 19, Bob Krist wrote about his recent trip:

“Unfortunately, I won’t be able to share the results of this shoot in the Four Corners until the publication drops in late September”

Nikon D90 replacement maybe? Sure! But wait, there is more: Four Corners? Interesting. Wait, that’s next to… Arizona… right?

“If you want to beat the crowds and the forest of tripods at the famous Antelope Canyon, the popular slot canyon, try visiting another, slightly smaller but no less spectacular slot canyon located on private property and solely accessed by the folks at Overland Canyon Tours.”

Canyons in Arizona again? Maybe the same place where Nikon shot some commercials for a new camera? Too many coincidences…

Read More »

Posted in Nikon D7000| 52 Comments

Nikon D90 replacement and a new 200mm f/2 N VRII in September

By [NR] admin | Published: August 5, 2010

Current Nikkor 200mm f/2G IF-ED AF-S VR version

Nikon should announce the Nikon D90 replacement and a new Nikkor 200mm f/2.0 with Nano coating and VRII in mid-September (probably on/around September 15th, 2010). The current Nikkor 200mm f/2G IF-ED AF-S VR version was announced back in 2004 and it now sells for around $5,000. Expect the price of the new version to be close to the $6,000 mark.

This will probably be the second and last Nikon announcement before Photokina 2010. We may have another official announcement by the end of the year (after Photokina – based on previous years, Nikon seems to like the end of November time frame).

If my previous report is correct, this should be the last (8th) lens that will be announced in 2010.

Read More »

Posted in Nikon D7000, Nikon Lenses| Tagged , | 158 Comments

Updated Nikon rebates in the US

By [NR] admin | Published: August 5, 2010

An updated Nikon rebates list from Calumet (US):

Adorama and B&H should have have the same rebates. Amazon does not have any Nikon rebates. For comparison, see previous rebates list from July.

Posted in Deals| Tagged | 8 Comments

Nikon reports profit in first quarter

By [NR] admin | Published: August 5, 2010

Reuters reports on Nikon’s first quarter financial results (April-June, 2010):

” Nikon Corp. reported a more than 15-fold rise in quarterly profit on Thursday on healthy camera sales and improved demand for steppers and scanners used to make chips and liquid crystal displays.”

“The company raised its annual single-lens reflex camera sales forecast to 4.25 million units from 4.2 million units and its sales forecast for compact digital cameras to 13.5 million units from 12.5 million.”

Read also the related commentary from Bloomberg.

All financial updates from August 5th, 2010 can be found on Nikon’s website. Here is the Imaging Division detailed info:

Read More »

Posted in Other Nikon stuff| Tagged | 38 Comments

Done deal: multiple press events scheduled in Europe for August 19th, 2010

By [NR] admin | Published: August 4, 2010

What I reported back in July, now has a probability of 99%: Nikon has scheduled multiple press events across Europe for August 19th, 2010.

I am still a bit puzzled about the Coolpix cameras announcement that is suppose to be on August 17th, 2010. In the past, Nikon aways announced the p&s line one week before or after the DSLR products. Maybe this time they are trying to combine both announcements in one press event.

The big question, to which I don’t have an answer yet, is whether the Nikon D90 replacement will be announced on that date as well.

Posted in Nikon D3100, Nikon Point and Shoot| Tagged , , | 168 Comments

Nikon shooting commercials for a new camera near Page, AZ

By [NR] admin | Published: August 3, 2010

CorkScrewAntelope Canyon, Page, Arizona, photo by Ozyman/flickr

Update: I got some more info – the commercial shots were for the D3100. Expect to see the Antelope (and other) canyons in the D3100 brochure or website after it gets announced on August 19th.

The rumor is that Nikon was/is shooting a commercial/sample photos for a new Nikon camera somewhere in the canyons around Page, AZ. If someone has seen or heard anything (a picture would be perfect) please contact [NR]. The initial report was that the camera was an entry level model (maybe D3100). Check also your favorite Nikon photographer’s website/blog and see if anyone has uploaded any new pictures of canyons taken near Page, Arizona in the past few days.

Posted in Nikon D3100| 86 Comments