Nikon D3x

As for all of photography brands, the upcoming Photokina fair in Köln (Germany) will be a major meeting point with the after-crisis market. Not only because of the launches that will be done there, but also because the photographers expectations have been piling up tidily (maybe be too high?). Let’s see what is really to be expected here and what Nikon will show in terms of news and announcements.

First and foremost, let’s notice that after a deluge of news in 2008 and 2009, the yellow brand seemed a little slow (and farming money from its advance, I should say). It is probably a coincidence and the simultaneous occurrence of several jumps in the various product families, but it should also be considered as a warning of things to come in the digital SLR product lines.

Nikon D90

The cameras that are most probably going to be replaced or renewed are (according to the data I could get):

• The Nikon D90 has grown past its normal life since the very noisy launch of 2008 and its 720p video capture needs to be upgraded to keep annoying the competition. So, probably, here comes the Nikon D7000 for early September: 16MP DX-format sensor (APS-C size), 1080p video capture @ 24fps, 26-point AF system, climbing sensitivity (but not as high as the FX sensor of the D3s, let’s not dream: Native ISO 100-6400).
• Nikon may renew, or may only give the last orientations for the evolution of its pro line after the Nikon D3s and D3x. But there may not be much more than a wooden prototype.

On the other side, no replacement for the D700 in 2010 (with an FX sensor). Both pro and amateur sales representatives where told that this impressively beautiful Full Frame photo camera will see its successor only after the professional shows of early 2011. Probably, for a real announcement before Summer 2011 and availability after Summer. We will have to be very patient and Nikon certainly did not have as many sales as needed to fully convince the marketing department that a (relatively) low resolution FX (Full Frame) sensor is the way to go. They see the competition (Canon and Sony, first) rushing for a pixel-race that may not be ideal for image quality but stays convincing for most applications.

The $1000 open question is still in front of the low-end of the market. On one side, I hear that the Nikon D4000 is ready to launch; On the other side, I hear that it does not even exist. But no source seems more reliable than another. It may simply come from the fact that rumours abound and are always less precise for entry-level photo cameras, or it may be that the new entry-level camera from Nikon will hold a completely different name and people get lost by this change. We will have to wait a little more, I guess.

Currently, Nikon’s development efforts are centered on the preparation of a a new hybrid compact camera (how should I name these photo cameras which look like a point-and-shoot, host interchangeable lenses and an APS-C sensor that would be acceptable in a mid-range SLR camera?). For Nikon, it will be the means to put a whole new range in orbit, bringing two new major features:

• Much improved video capture modes with options to simplify significantly the operation and certainly some technical details to reduce the issues linked to autofocus while shooting video.
• A deep integration with Internet and the communication networks. It is clear that these cameras (there will be a full range of them) will be very near to Flickr, YouTube and Facebook. WiFi integration will be part of the scope.

the first announcements have been done by Makoto Kimura in an interview with Bloomberg, and confirmed by others more recently. If the cameras are scheduled for the end of the year (1st quarter or 2011, at most), Nikon seems ready to lift the curtain on many of the features and details of new range in September 2010 at the Photokina.

I am quite impressed, I keep receiving more and more reviews for the Full Frame SLR cameras of this winter. It seems that the interest is very high. Currently:

• Nikon D3x: 15 reviews
• Canon EOS 5D Mk II: 21 reviews
• Sony Alpha 900: 21 reviews
• Nikon D700: 16 reviews

A lot of reading for those who are either ready to shell several grands on a Full Frame SLR camera or are still waiting to get a new camera in a few years from now.

According to DXO-labs and their DXOmark ranking of the quality of digital sensors, the Nikon D3x is now officially the best digital camera available in the world.

With the arrival of all these new digital photo cameras with a large sensor (Full Frame) in 2008, like the Sony Alpha 900 or the Canon EOS 5D MkII, it became difficult to find your own path. The more because their main advantage of these is photo cameras is to offer images of ultra-high quality at very high sensitivity. But how do you want to know this? The best is probably to compare. Many web sites published such comparisons, let’s try to find the best ones:

Master Chong presents a direct comparison of these two recent cameras, with 100% cropped images.

dPhotoExpert makes something similar, but much simpler, with a single comparison at 1600 ISO.

Unfortunately, there is no information about which software/firmware version is used (I expect that the results may change with future upgrades).

As you already know, I list the tests and reviews of recent photo cameras in the database that I use to describe them (in the menu on the left). These last days, this is a deluge of new reviews that we received and listed for:

• Nikon D3x
• Canon EOS 5D MkII
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1

OK, it’s a bit silly, but it’s all the rage on the Internet today. What a surprise for a pro dSLR camera.

Did you notice that there is a real deluge of information around one of the most expensive digital SLR camera, the Nikon D3x? I was ready to close the subject, but I could not avoid giving you a few pointers to some of the most interesting articles.

Nikon D3x

• DigitalRev speaks about the D3x sensor resolution: Did you notice that this camera pushes Nikon’s maximum resolution from 11 MP to more than 24 MP?
• Nikon has set a new record in terms of price. Why will it still sell?
• This is such a surprise that Scott Kelby decided to write a FAQ about the Nikon D3x price.
• Despite being different from the Sony Alpha 900 sensor, the Nikon digital sensor shares more than a few things with its Sony rival: same resolution, same pixel size, but it’s a Nikon design manufactured by Sony.

Finally, Some of the D3x active D-lighting capacity will be turned on the Nikon D3, through a firmware update, in the coming days.

OK, there was nearly nothing left to discover about it except the price. The Nikon D3x (full description updated) is now officially launched in the USA. The available information is now confirmed.

But, the price will clearly reserve it for pros. Or you should have hit the Jackpot in Vegas: $7,999.95, you’ll have to think twice.

Nikon D3x

• Nikon D3x mini site
• Nikon D3x brochure
• Downloads

(more…)

A PBase user decided to have fun creating a 3D CAD model of a pro SLR camera that should have the future Nikon D3x.

Nikon D3x -

All the pictures of the Nikon D3x created by nrg_alpha.

As is said in one of the comments, I’d laugh seeing some people believing that this could actually be a leak from a Nikon insider…

The UK Nikon Pro magazine [1] just disclosed the feature set of the Nikon D3x:

• 35mm Full Frame FX sensor
• 24.5 MP sensor
• 16-bit processing (Expeed)
• Sensitivity: 100-1600 ISO (ext. 50-6400 ISO)
• Continuous shooting at 5 fps
• Autofocus: 51-point MultiCAM3500FX
• Scene recognition system, 1005-RGB pixel sensor
• New Extra High Active D-Lighting setting for overly constrasted scenes
• Alternative crop modes: 5:4 and DX (with continuous shooting of 10MP images at 7 fps)
• LiveView mode
• 3″ LCD screen (920,000 pixels)
• Weather-resistant / Magnesium body
• USB 2.0, and WiFi with WT-4 extension
• HDMI, AV/Out output connections
• Memory slots: double Compact Flash, simultaneous writing
• Battery: EN-EL4a (as on the Nikon D3)
• Weight unknown

(as described in our data sheet).

Interestingly, there are some notable things missing:

• No dust cleaning on the sensor
• No video mode (useless for pros?)
• Nothing is said of the exact origin of the sensor (Sony or not)

Nikon Rumours seems to have spotted the right information: Some Nikon dude working on the web site pages for a new camera named Nikon D3x. It has been showing images during half an hour. Not much, but a serious confirmation of the name of the new pro camera at Nikon: Nikon D3x.

Here are the photos:

Nikon D3x (face)

But nobody has precise features to describe (apart from the obvious 35mm Full Frame sensor).

Nikon D3x (back)

Most probable publication date for the announcement: 1st or 2nd of December 2008.

At least, that is what can be understood from his post on DPreview forums:

Actually, the current speculation is that Nikon will announce both a D3x and a D400 (APS, 16mp).

Nikon D3

Let’s make a summary of the current status of the information that is available (for real or as rumours) about the next SLR camera from Nikon.

Plenty of people actually expect it to be the replacement of the Nikon D3 camera. I have to admit that there is a lot of rumours and convergent thinking that leads to the launch of such a pro SLR camera in the beginning of 2009 (probably just before the PMA fair).

Actually, nobody (out of Nikon; and even there…) really knows the future name of this camera. Most experts (including Thom Hogan) think that it should be Nikon D3x, some people say that it will definitely be named differently, and I even see a convergence of Nikon D900. But this last one seems totally weird since it would lead Nikon to breaking the marketing message dropping the pro-SLR camera family into the prosumer D200/D300/D700 family.

Nikon rumours repeatedly pushed rumours telling us that this would be happening in the beginning of next year, in the end of 2008, in 2009, or on.. November 20th, then December 6-7th, or December 1st. Let’s say that they don’t know anything at all.

But there is definitely something coming before the end of 2008. I would suggest that some people should start looking at the low end of the market.

Nikon is preparing a replacement for the Nikon D60 (currently covered by some cash-back offers). And there are only two possibilities:

• Either it will be launched before Christmas 2008
• Or it will be ready only in Spring 2009

But I don’t think that the Nikon D3x (or Nikon D900 ) will not be arriving in December.

This is all over the Internet rumours now. People think that Nikon is going to unveil a new 35mm Full Frame SLR camera at around 24MP. Let’s summarized what has been popping everywhere:

• The Nikon D3 is getting more difficult to find (this would be a signal that its replacement is coming)
• Announcement is scheduled for November 20th (but nobody seems to have any details and is just repeating the same tired old news).
• People speak about a Nikon D3x or a Nikon D400 (the latest fad), but nobody really knows its name, though. Even, the guy who sent poor photos to Nikon Rumours earlier this month.
• A German Nikon web site has been seen using a D3_2 name for a folder to store firmwares (could mean anything).
• But most interestingly, the Sony sensor guys revealed that they no longer intend to sell their 24MP sensor to outsiders. This is a major change compared to the previous deals between Nikon and Sony that led successfull cameras like the Nikon D200. That probably removes most of the fuel from the previous rumours of 24MP sensor size. Nikon would be ready to use any size as far as it is larger than the one from the Nikon D700.

Did I say BIG?

I would not be much surprised if I saw a really large pixel count… Stay tuned.

I think that this camera prepared by Nikon to replace the magnificent (but intolerably expensive) Nikon D3 will stay reserved to a technical and financial elite (if there is still one after the current crisis). But rumours are running wild during those days:

• DPreview told us that it will come in December with the following characteristics:
  • 24.4 mega-pixels
  • 9 fps
  • $6499.99 USD
• Nikon Rumours rather says “availability in February 2009″ (with a new 70-200mm zoom).

And there are some even wilder things…

Thom Hogan seems to be the only one who is seriously refering to this possible camera. But, as he really is a reference in the Nikon world, we must take this into account. For him, there will be no Nikon D4 ‘or nikon D3x), but Nikon is going for some kind of intermediate named Nikon D900. Whatever the name, it’s supposed to be the replacement of the Nikon D3 (not really old) and to use the 24.6 mega-pixel Full Frame sensor borrowed from Sony.