The only batteries that may be replaced hold the letter E or the letter F in 9th position in their serial number.

EN-EL15 Rechargeable Li-ion Battery Service Advisory (Nikon).

We are not alone. Plenty of people on the web have the same objective and they brought us exactly that: A wealth of comparisons, parallel tests and face-to-face reviews for the newest contenders for the title of “Most attractive enthusiast-targeting photo camera with a Full Frame sensor”.

• Low Light Comparison of the Canon 5D Mark II, 5D Mark III, and Nikon D800 from Joe Marine (via PetaPixel): It’s an impressive show of the Canon video performance (even calling the old 5D MkII in)
• DxOLabs does a number of reviews and comparisons aiming at the sensor quality (D800 & 5D MkIII): does not leave any doubt about the photo ability of the Nikon sensor (or should I say Sony sensor?).



• Nikon D800 vs. D3s and D7000 comparison by Cary Jordan: is obviously impressed by the D800 performance (as an excellent FX camera and as a very good DX/APS-C camera, too.)
• Canon EOS 5D Mk III Vs Nikon D800 at PhotoAnswers: is rather balanced but shows very nice D800 pictures.

Nikon D300s and Nikon D700, it's the end

Nobody’s really surprised by the presence of the Nikon D700 since Nikon will announce its successor the Nikon D800 as soon as the beginning of next month (probably on February 7th).

On the contrary, if many people (like me) are waiting impatiently the successor to the Nikon D300s which started to look old; Despite its qualities, the competition progressed a lot in the last two years.

So, is this announcing the demise of the D300s and the presentation of a new Nikon D400 in February? At first, some thought it could be an error (!) but after more than 24 hours on site, the error seems to be here to stay. But we are clearly out of rumors about the Nikon D400.

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

Nikon D700 or D800?

According to the Spanish webzine QUESABESDE.COM, Nikon has clarified (at least internally) what to do with the upcoming replacement of the Nikon D700 (FX large sensor with a high sensitivity).

Because of the impact of the Japanese earthquake on the Sendai plant normally used to work on the pro SLR cameras of Nikon, the future Nikon D800 was in a rather difficult position. According to QSD, the announcement has been moved from the beginning of Summer (July? about the same time as the 3rd birthday of the D700) to October with a D800 camera availability still pushed around the end of 2011 (Marketing launch is easy, making the camera is a bit more difficult).

Obviously, the exact dates are not set yet because of the fluctuating nature of the news about the earthquake recovery. But this seems in line with what I hear about the industrial capacity of Nikon right now and in the coming months.

QSD also indicates that the Nikon D4 (successor to the Nikon D3s) will only be launched in 2012. But this is still very imprecise and needs to be confirmed.

Nikon D700 and pro lens kit: $700 rebate

70-300mm VR Lens & 18-55mm Bundled with the D-5000 ($250 Instant Rebate)

18-200mm VR Bundled with the D-90 ($300 Instant Rebate)

24-70 f/2.8G ED mm & 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II Bundled with D-300S or D-700 ($700 Instant Rebate)

This offer ends 11/20/2010: Hurry up!

And all the other rebates at B&H.

Actually, the most important of his issues was with ISO sensitivity and general behavior of the Canon EOS 5D MkII in low light (including digital noise and AF). Despite that the Canon is still a very strong seller, the reduced sensor resolution of the Nikon D700 has been superbly exploited to provide maximum sensitivity and minimum noise. I cannot help but agree with Allister.

A visit to his post will also show a nice set of pictures made during a wedding in the Gosfield Hall in Essex (England) and showing his excellent documentary style.

As a matter of fact, an online Chinese eCommerce web site published a product page for the Nikon D800. A photo, some features somewhat far from what is expected from Nikon, but after all, why not?

First and foremost, the resolution would (fast) climb to 24 MP, or near to the current maximum for Full Frame digital sensors, indicating a possible use of the Full Frame photo sensor from Sony (already used on Sony Alpha 900 and Alpha 850, but with some video-capture ability added).

Next, we find a shutter with speeds from 30s to 1/8000s for continuous bursts of 7 frames/second, video recording in 720p and 1080p, ISO 200-6400 (ext. to ISO 100-25600) light sensitivity, exposure metering using a 1005-RGB-point sensor and system, Nikon Multi-CAM 3500FX AF 51-point AF system, a fixed LCD screen attached to the back of the camera with a 3″ (7,5 cm) LCD with 921.000 pixels.

Clearly, this would build a relatively easy to predict kind of camera (apart from the high resolution of the sensor which would indicate Nikon is leaving the lonely track of low resolution Full Frame to go and catch up with Canon and Sony where they already succeed).

But this is still surprising. If this is more than an unfounded rumour, it will allow a prediction of the direction Sony is taking in terms of FF sensors and the successor to the Sony Alpha 900 and Alpha 850 would keep their resolution at 24 MP while video capture would be added like on the Nikon D800.

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.

Seeing that this kind of terminology is now used by Nikon these days, it seems credible, even if nothing is said about a confirmation by Nikon.