According to this, the Nikon D400 would be using a different sensor of a more specifically Nikon design and of a lower pixel resolution.

No date, no image, though.

Nikon D7100 - or not

So, can we try and build a summary of what is known and what the Nikon-lovers must know and understand if they are waiting for their next dream photo camera?

The first thing to notice is clearly the way Digital SLR photo cameras ran one after the other in the Nikon range of cameras. I dare say that I borrowed a camera Timeline built by Wikipedia (See below). This historical approach based on the record of launch dates allows to better perceive how Nikon usually operates:

• Entry-level photo cameras replaced at high frequency
• A much quieter Pro-level range

It is immediately clear that the pro photo cameras are about to be replaced with new models, if only because of the age of the current cameras:

• 3 years for the D3x
• Nearly two years for the D3s
• 3 years for the D700
• 2 years for the D300s

From this poiint, rumors are flaring up quite naturally (just look at how many wrong rumors we collected about the Nikon D400).

But the rhythm seems to speed up with the various announcements seen recently on Facebook, NikonRumors, PCHome (China), Tech.Hexun.com (China too), and a few others.

We long considered as certain that Summer 2011 would see the simultaneous launch of two pro cameras at Nikon, but the Japanese tsunami totally changed the landscape for a company whose main pro camera manufacturing plant was in Sendai (nearly exactly at the center of devastation in March). Nikon quickly reacted and decided to move its manufacturing resources to Malaysia. The latest news tell that machines are now humming with the people you relocated (with the help of special supporting bonuses) and the “Made in Malaysia” production is nearly here (with the same quality as in Japan).

Nikon D4

On the other hand, it seems that it transformed the Marketing calendar that Nikon had built in January 2011. All the rumors were concentrating on a Summer with a Nikon D4 and a Nikon D400 (successors to the D3 and D300s). But in the recent weeks, everybody seems to be sharing an expectation of Nikon D4 and Nikon D800 (successors to the D3 and D700). I could not seriously confirm this change but it seems that it could have been dictated by the need to optimize resources leading to something like:

1. Two Full Frame cameras in September 2011 (according to NR, it could even be August)
2. A D400 in January 2012

the only problem of this scenario: The Nikon D800 is supposed to use the Sony digital sensor being readied to power the Sony A99 which should not appear before the end of 2011 (or even the first quarter of 2012).

So, it is still possible that the rumors heard here and there are going to be corrected by facts and that in September 2011 we’ll see a Nikon D4 (with a specific sensor designed exclusively by Nikon with a “pro” label) and a Nikon D400 (with an APS-C sensor shared with the Sony A77 -or slightly modified- and an “expert” label).

Nikon D400

• 24 MP APS-C CMOS sensor from Sony
• ISO 100-51,200 (ext. ISO 102,400)
• New AF
• Continuous shooting: 9 fps
• Full HD video
• In-camera GPS?
• Two SD cards

Nikon D800 or D700s

• 18 MP FF/FX CMOS sensor from Nikon
• ISO 100-102,400 (ext. ???)
• Same AF as D700 or D3
• Continuous shooting: 9 fps
• Full HD video
• CF + SD cards

Nikon D4

• 18 MP FF/FX CMOS sensor from Nikon
• ISO 100-102,400 (ext. ???)
• New AF?
• Continuous shooting: 10-15 fps
• Full HD video
• CF + SD cards

Sony Alpha 77 & Alpha 65

This is still a rumor coming from a leaked image, but it looks like one of the most accurate information up to now. This is the confirmation of the tilt-and-swivel mechanism holding a large LCD screen. It was rumored, but the mechanism seems quite clear and precise. Good news for this new camera (expected in July 2011).

It’s quite certain that this is not a pre-series or a prototype but a model (enlarging the function/feature rotating button shows what is probably only a rough prototype of this part). But who cares?

As is quite obvious on the photo, there is a second camera and it appears that it could be named Alpha 65 or A65. This is the real surprise since -visually- this is a simplified A77 (the LCD seems to be tilt only and the rest looks very similar except the viewfinder/flash gap line) as Sony has been already used to in the past, but the name is breaking the few Sony conventions for cameras in a similar range since they started using two figures (A33, A35, A55, etc.) for the Alpha series. It may not mean anything specific; maybe just a glitch in the Naming Group of the Marketing Department…

The main questions are:

1. Is the Alpha 65 going to use the Alpha 77 big 24 MP CMOS sensor? The naming would point to a somewhat smaller sensor, but it’s still pure guessing.
2. Most certainly, the A65 will have a reduced sensitivity range (probably not reaching the ISO 102,400 that everybody is hoping to see on the Alpha 77, if they keep the same sensor).
3. Will they use the same viewfinder AMOLED viewfinder LCD? I would bet on “yes, the same” according to my sources who suggest that the current viewfinder will be obsolete for Sony in July (Don’t read me wrong: Electronic Viewfinder (EVF) is a 101% certainty for these two cameras).

The presence of two cameras also raises questions about pricing. We all know that the EVF is helping Sony reduce costs, increase continuous shooting speeds and ease fast AF even in video modes; But Sony may be trying to keep a relatively large margin on the Alpha 77 by giving it a little brother which would be shooting for rock bottom prices. At first, Sony may have the possibility of keeping high prices (high margins, big revenues) on the A77 with bargain prices on the A65. When Nikon presents a competing product (the Nikon D400 in September? or October?), Sony will be ready to reduce margins (and prices) kicking Nikon where it’s most painful: Price.

If I’m right, the Sony Alpha 65 will be the camera to buy this Summer and the top-performance Alpha 77 reaching its real price potential only at the end of the year (but expect a tremendously deep price fall, then: Both will fly below 1000€).

By Jove! Things are going to be interesting. The next meeting points will be:

• Sony official release of the Alpha 77 and Alpha 65 in early July
• Nikon counter-attack in September: Nikon D400

Apparently, the Nikon D400 (planned for a much later date in 2011) is not impacted.

All in all, it may mean that everything is pushed to the last quarter of 2011. the exact launch order may not be currently determined inside Nikon marketing department.

Nikon D400?

However, Nikon is now ready to launch its replacement (the Nikon D300s was launched in July 2009). So, it is useful to sum up what should be included in this camera when it is revealed to all of us.

The most obvious improvement should be a new sensor, quite certainly coming again from the Sony manufacturing plants. It should be the same as will be used by Sony on the upcoming Alpha 77 (or A77). The rumours has it that Nikon should hit 24 mega-pixels. I am not sure of this, for lack of clear signals from reliable sources. However, the sensor will show a sheer improvement in sensitivity (ISO ratings) and its image quality will be brought to very high levels by Nikon-designed software. The sensor will also provide good video capture (1080p HD at up to 30 fps, possibly a little more) with continuous autofocus (based on contrast detection) during the video shooting.

Some people have been asking if Nikon would be using the semi-transparent mirror of Sony in front of the sensor, and this will not happen. Nikon will only introduce Pellix-like mirrors on a specific camera line which will only appear in the second half of 2011. this is not ready for SLR cameras (it may even be a very long time before Nikon goes into this direction which is not really optimal for expert photographers).

Continuous shooting of the Nikon D400 will not be increased significantly over the existing D300s (already very good) and 7 or 8 fps will be on the characteristics list. However, if the Auto focus will not change (51-point AF & 5 cross-type zones), the light/exposure metering could see the arrival of an improved version of the already excellent 1005-pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering II.

This looks nice (even if not really a jump forward for Nikon), but the availability date for the Nikon D400 is unclear. My sources tell that this could still be in the second quarter of 2011, but probably even very late then (May? June?). Obviously, there is no price information available, but this D400 camera should be fighting hard to drive prices down in a segment which is ready to drop down to the $1000/1000€ mark. I would expect an SRP under 1500€, possibly around 1350€, with a street price coming down quickly to 1200€.

August 4, 2009

• Nikon D3000
• Nikon D300s with Full-HD movie 24 fps, improved AF, self timer + mirror-up, cf + sd-slot
• AF-S DX 17-65/3.2-4 G VR with 72(!) mm filter

October 15, 2009:

• Nikon D700x with 24.5 MP, Full-HD movie 24 fps, improved AF and self timer + mirror-up
• AF-S Nikkor 24-135mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR (The FX-dream-walk-around-lens?)
• AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II (What everybody waited for! 82 mm filter, 1530 g)
• AF-S Nikkor 35mm f/1.4G
• AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.4G (No VR?)

Q1/2010:

• AF-S Nikkor 14-28mm f/3.5-4.5G ED
• AF-S Nikkor 120-450mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR II (Replacement for 80-400? 82 mm, 1480 g)

Q2/2010:

• Nikon D4 with 15.7 MP, improved 1 EV, Full HD-movie 30fps
• Nikon D400 with 13.8 MP, improved 1 EV, Full HD-movie 24fps

Q3/2010:

• AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4G VR (On the waiting list for many!)
• AF-S Nikkor 400mm f/5.6G VR (Have been missing a long time!)
• AF-S Nikkor 70-240mm f/3.5-4.5G VR (The missing medium size telezoom!)
• AF-S Nikkor 105mm f/2G DC (A small surprise. No VR?)
• AF-S Nikkor 24-85mm f/4G VR
• AF-S DX Nikkor 60-95mm f/2G VR (The DX dream-telezoom!)
• AF-S DX Nikkor 17-60mm f/2.8G VR (Replacing 17-55 with addition of VR)
• Nikon Coolpix P1DX with DX 12.3 MP stabilized sensor, 28-85/3.5-5.6 zoom (comparable to FX, actually 18-56), 2.9 inch 920k-display, movable upwards for macro.

Q4/2010:

• Nikon D4X with 30.2 MP with 1 EV improved sensitivity

So, is it for real? Is it a leak? Or is it merely a tediously built list of relatively good expectations/wishes? Hard to say. I would just remind you that this is clearly classified as a rumor.

As always, I recommend not to make your purchase decisions based upon rumors, but based upon the existing cameras and lenses. The best equipment is always the one you use (compared to the one you dream about). Your dream does not produce photos, but your camera will.

Thanks to Mash.

Nikon D300s

Supposedly to describe seemingly independent techniques, the article used (this has been changed now) what appeared to be screen copies of the LCD back screen of the Nikon D300s which is still unannounced. Many people expect that under this name (or under the name of Nikon D400) this will be the first camera from Nikon to sport dual Flash cards slots (Compact Flash and SD/SDHC) as was expected from the Nikon D700 body which shows the possibility. It should be a nice replacement for the successful Nikon D300.

Notice the large display. It looks like a 16:9 wide LCD screen. It would be quite nice to ensure that the picture is well preserved while displaying histograms alongside.

Nikon D300s via Nikon Rumours.