According to NR, the announcements of new Nikon for the PMA will be very limited: “several large aperture prime lenses and light compact zoom lens this year”.

The official PMA press conferences will happen in the coming hours, but this probably means “no SLR“.

Updated on 9-Feb: As a matter of fact, the Nikon press conference only presents the new AF-S NIKKOR 24mm f/1.4G ED & AF-S NIKKOR 16-35mm f/4G ED VR (source: DPReview).

The PMA in Las Vegas is now arriving fast. After a long time of little rumors, here comes the moment for big rumors, but not the actual revelations yet.

• Nikon has been telling the world that they intended to have a great year 2010. It seems that they will bring a new DSLR (it could be the Nikon D700x, Nikon D700s, or Nikon D800 according to the rumor mill). It would be confirmed according to the banner visible on LetsGoDigital. But this is apparently a fake built from press material from the older Nikon D3 (via NR).
• Yesterday’s press conference did not bring a single SLR though (Coolpix S8000, Coolpix S6000, Coolpix S4000, Coolpix S3000, Coolpix P100, Coolpix L110, Coolpix L22, Coolpix L21, nothing less!)
• Plenty of people expect to see the Canon EOS 60D arriving now, but it’s still uncertain. NL/DPR predicts a set of features: CMOS 18MPs, 6.3fps, HD 24 and 36fps, Digic IV.
• According to CR, Canon is preparing a new Rebel/EOS camera whose name should be Rebel T2i (the European name could be 550D or EOS 600D), with video, fixed LCD of improved resolution.
• At last, Canon would present the very pro Canon EOS 1Ds Mk IV
• Samsung should extend its new NX line, possibly with some lenses (waiting a little more for a new NX camera body).
• Olympus and Fuji should bring only P&S cameras.
• The Sony rumour line is totally silent, which could be indicator that either they are efficient at keeping a lid on the new Alpha 750 or there is nothing in preparation.

So, let’s wait a little more.

I just updated the tests/reviews in the database of the SLR photo cameras, mostly for the Pentax and Samsung cameras (and some Nikon, Sony, Canon, too).

AlphaMountWorld just produced a very interesting comparative review of three of the most attractive digital SLR photo cameras now on the market:

• Sony Alpha A500
• Nikon D5000
• Canon EOS 500D ou Rebel T1i

Of course, this test is listed in the list of comparisons/reviews attached to the feature page of each of these cameras (follow the links above).

Source: AlphaMountWorld.com Sony Alpha A500, Nikon D5000, and Canon EOS Rebel T1i- Compared

It is sometimes difficult for the budding photographer (or for more seasoned ones, also) to clearly grab the differences between focal lengths. Nikon comes to our help with their Lens Simulator. Nothing absolutely new, but a nice one (even taking into account the differences between DX and FX formats – APS-C and Full Frame).

Lens simulator

If you are looking for the best SLR camera that your money can buy, you have certainly seen the announcement of the latest pro cameras from Nikon and Canon as very interesting. Both the Canon EOS 1D Mark IV and the Nikon D3S pretend to be very fast cameras and to have actual record sensitivity (up to ISO 102400).

But, even if you are ready to switch from your current brand of photo camera, which one should you choose? There are a few comparisons that are starting to pop around the Internet and I want to list them to you:

• The Mansurovs: in Nikon D3s vs Canon EOS-1D Mark IV highlights the 9 key differences between them and says “this camera [the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV] beats the Nikon D3s in almost every feature category.”
• PhotographyReview.com says “the choice comes down to image quality vs. speed.”
• Digital Rev says “Canon EOS-1D Mark IV vs Nikon D3S – Rivalling in Speed and Sensitivity” but they simply compare feature lists and draw no conclusion.

So, which one is yours now?

After the official presentation of the Nikon D3s, here are a couple of nice videos used by Nikon in its international promotion at launch time.

There are a series of informations or rumors rolling in about a possible double announcement in October. Both Canon and Nikon would be readying themselves for major announcements targeting the highest end of the market. It would be a Canon EOS 1D Mark IV and a Nikon D3s (or D3x).

But this is still to be confirmed.

Sources: Shots.fr, Nikon Rumors.

Update: The D3s is now confirmed for October 15th, by another source (via RP).

The Nikon D300s has just been made available that we already offer you the opportunity to see its interest by checking the original/full user manual.

Download the Nikon D300s user manual.

• D300s User manual in English (10.3 MB, PDF file)
• D300s User manual in Spanish (en Español, 11.0 MB, PDF file)
• D300s mode d’emploi en français

It was expected, after the arrival of the Nikon D300s, the older D300 is being removed from Nikon web sites one after the other. You have to admit that the Nikon D300s is a better D300 than the D300…

This is Photoscala which published the sales numbers for digital SLR cameras. The most amazingly interesting is -for me- which major brands progressed (or not) between 2006 and 2008:

SLR market between 2006 and 2008

You cannot miss the obvious progress of Sony who clearly became a major actor of this market, and a significant competitor for Canon and Nikon. Furthermore, as could be expected, the leader Canon is suffering most.

But in the end, in a market terribly difficult for all manufacturers, who will come fourth? I can’t avoid believing that Panasonic is doing it right and applying all the needed efforts to topple Pentax, even if nothing is done yet.

Christian Fletcher is a landscape photographer who has grown very attached to his Full Frame Canon equipment (read: Canon EOS 5D MkII). Interestingly, he seems informed of upcoming pro photo camera(s) which will be sufficiently more attractive to push him into Nikon’s arms.

Hot Nikon (Full Frame) news

What will be this super-Nikon camera?

Origin: NR.

According to SPTS, a Nikon authorized camera repair center, we will see no Nikon D700x, but the next improved version of the Nikon D700 will hold the name of Nikon D700s.

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.

We are told that this Fall is a great time for news on the SLR market. I let you judge by yourself:

• Canon: one announcement would be a definite possibility to replace the Canon 1D Mk III with a Canon 1D Mk IV and maybe also a Canon EOS 7D whose top cover and a detail are visible below (August 25?)
• Nikon: D700x (or D800) to offer a 24 MP full frame sensor.
• Sony: Alpha 500, Alpha 550, Alpha 850 (probably on August 28)
• Pentax: an entry-level SLR

We only have to wait (impatiently) for a few days (maybe a few hours) in order to know all about .

Canon 7D ? top

Canon EOS 7D detail

You wanted to know even more about the Nikon D300s? It’s time to dig into the presentation videos to be found on the Internet: 6 videos right now.

In English

(more…)

Nikon is giving some explanations about what appears to be a second recall of Nikon D5000 cameras.

First, if you checked the serial number of your D5000 camera with the Nikon online tool, it is necessary to check again. Nikon added some more cameras (the initial list was too limited, more cameras are involved).

Second, it seems that there is a failing electronic component in the power supply part of the SLR photo camera. So, they developed an enhanced preventative maintenance procedure, meaning that some of the people who already sent their camera back may have to do it again (apparently those needing to come back to the repair shop are being contacted directly).

Remember to check your camera serial number.

Complements after talking to Nikon France: Some cameras were not sufficiently protected by the initial repair and need to receive an additional protection to fully avoid the switch-on issue. Nikon directly calls the people who need it; as usual this is a 100% free service and the customer does not have to pay anything for this.

In terms of quantities, French Nikon users are relatively protected: only 20 potentially-failing Nikon D5000 cases are listed in France.

And, even more important, since August 15, all the Nikon D5000 sold in France are fully exempt from the little issue we are discussing here.