Nikon announces D3 and D300

[Gdad]

Are we the only Nikon users on this site?

I think there are a few more of us around...

Man that is about to change I think

 

[handicap18]

This is also a major concern of mine- from a trusted DPreview regular who was privileged enough to go to Japan and test one…



http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1021&thread=24463197&page=1 - Bjorn Rorslett on his way to Japan

I hope its true and I hope it is similar with the 300.

Many of the rumors I had read said the D300 was going to have the same sensor as the D2Xs. That is not the case. WHich is good, because many people were not happy with its high ISO performance. The D2Xs is 12.4 and the D300 is, according to Nikonusa.com, an all-new 12.3MP sensor. Considering what Sony recently announced with a new 12.4MP sensor that is supposed to have better noise control, this might be the same technology in the D300's 12.3MP. Its also now 14-bit RAW output, where the D200 (and all the other Nikon dSLR's including the D2Xs) are 12-bit RAW output.

What that means for high ISO I don't know, but it sounds good. Real good. I like what Bijorn said about the D3's performance. Sounds like it may still be another good month + before we get some good images.

Certainly is an exciting time for camera junkies.

 

[Geoff_M]

Considering what Sony recently announced with a new 12.4MP sensor that is supposed to have better noise control, this might be the same technology in the D300's

Thom Hogan has confirmed this:

Using a variant of Sony's new CMOS sensor, Nikon has essentially melded the feature list of the D200 and D3 into one new D200-sized body. Most of the key differences have to do with the sensor:

* The D300 is DX (same as the D200), the D3 is FX.
* The D300 has sensor cleaning shake, the D3 doesn't.
* The D300 only reaches to ISO 3200, the D3 supports 6400 (both support HI1 and HI2, so basically the D300 has one less stop flexibility and perhaps slightly higher noise due to the smaller photosites).
* The D300 doesn't crop, the D3 supports 5:4 and DX crops.
Link

Also encouraging is that the CMOS data will be run through the same "Expeed" image processor as the D3!

I also like Thom's summation of the D300:

The twist is that the D2xs just got better, smaller, faster, and significantly cheaper. That's the way I think of it. That's a pretty impressive feat, actually.

...

Overall, take a D200, which is a very nice handling camera, and stuff some key new components into it and you have something that's as fast as a D2x, has as many pixels as a D2x, has a better focus system than a D2x, writes to cards faster than a D2x, has cleaner high ISO results than a D2x, and, oh yes, sells for US$3200 less (at list prices, at street prices the difference is hundreds of dollars less). What's not to like about that?

 

[tinksdad]

3" 922,000 Pixel LCD Monitor (Vs. 2.5" 230,000 on D200 and Canon D30 and 3" 230,000 on Canon D40 and 1DIII)

I am definately hooked...

I know!! with HDMI connection......

Overall, take a D200, which is a very nice handling camera, and stuff some key new components into it and you have something that's as fast as a D2x, has as many pixels as a D2x, has a better focus system than a D2x, writes to cards faster than a D2x, has cleaner high ISO results than a D2x, and, oh yes, sells for US$3200 less (at list prices, at street prices the difference is hundreds of dollars less). What's not to like about that?

An IMPRESSIVE feat!! The same basic parameters are the main reason I went with the D200 over the D2x before! Looks like the reasoning will be the same this go around as well.

 

[tinksdad]

I agree 100% with you Cap. I love the lack of noise at 1600 on the D50. If I upgrade I will still keep it aournd. Not going to get in a soccer debate, but we have a lot of Hockey and Lacrosse programs around here for kids...so I am going to force him/her to do that

Keep it!! Your lovely and understanding spouse may like to use it!!

 

[Geoff_M]

Man that is about to change I think...

I don't like to get into the "black vs. gray" debates, but I gotta share something. It's by no means scientific, but when we were at WDW for two weeks this summer something amazed me as I looked around the parks. I saw people carrying Nikon dSLRs all over the place... D40's, D50's, and D70's, plus one person with a D2x! Nikon dSLRs seemed to out pace the other brands' dSLRs by 2-1. I'm really beginning to think that Nikon is turning the corner in the dSLR market. At the D3/D300 press conference Nikon execs said that the "prosumer" market is their #1 targeted market, and they sure seem to making some pretty serious inroads.

 

[handicap18]

Gezzz, the more we find out about the D300 the more my mouth waters. So its basically the D2Xs but better and cheeper. WOW. Can't wait to see sample images.

DW already knows that sometime in the 3-5 years I will be getting a new camera body. She understands this and understands many of my reasonings. I think I've neglected to mention the price tag of said new camera body.

I have my fingers crossed for Powerball and MegaMillions.

 

[El Nebuloso]

Probably be a good time to pick up a barely used D200 also- lots of people will be upgrading who can't or don't want to keep both.

I wouldn't hold out much hope for a flood of D200 bargains on the used market. I don't think there is enough difference between the two to warrant the upgrade. My brother has a D200 (and loves it), and took a look at the specs on the 300 and decided to stick with the 200 for now.

Someone in the market for a used D50/70/70S/80, on the other hand will probably be pretty happy.

 

[Miqee]

I wouldn't hold out much hope for a flood of D200 bargains on the used market. I don't think there is enough difference between the two to warrant the upgrade. My brother has a D200 (and loves it), and took a look at the specs on the 300 and decided to stick with the 200 for now.
.

I am the same - there are a few nice bells and whistles but nothing so major that i need to upgrade from my D200. I just can't get excited by the d300.

Colin

 

[fitzperry]

I don't like to get into the "black vs. gray" debates, but I gotta share something. It's by no means scientific, but when we were at WDW for two weeks this summer something amazed me as I looked around the parks. I saw people carrying Nikon dSLRs all over the place... D40's, D50's, and D70's, plus one person with a D2x! Nikon dSLRs seemed to out pace the other brands' dSLRs by 2-1. I'm really beginning to think that Nikon is turning the corner in the dSLR market. At the D3/D300 press conference Nikon execs said that the "prosumer" market is their #1 targeted market, and they sure seem to making some pretty serious inroads.

I've been noticing the same thing. When I got my D70 close to 3 years ago, it really seemed that I was in the minority. Lately I'm seeing more and more Nikons, and most of the people I know irl who have been in the market for their first dslr are choosing Nikon. I haven't seen any sales data, but it seems to me that the D50 must have been very successful for them. I've also seen people going with the D80 over the 30D.

 

[fitzperry]

Not to change the subject, but have any of you Nikonians salivating over the D300 and D3 considered the Fujifilm S5 Pro? The few reviews I've read have raved about the dynamic range, and it seemed like an interesting option to me, but I've not seen much discussion of it (or its predecessor the S3) on here or other message boards.

 

[Gdad]

I have thought about it but never enough to seriously look into one yet. I am probably going to upgrade after the first of the year so it may be something to look at as an option.

Not to change the subject, but have any of you Nikonians salivating over the D300 and D3 considered the Fujifilm S5 Pro? The few reviews I've read have raved about the dynamic range, and it seemed like an interesting option to me, but I've not seen much discussion of it (or its predecessor the S3) on here or other message boards.

 

[KrazyPete]

I feel like I just got my D80 last November. It's too soon for me to be looking at new bodies. The new D300 looks like a great camera but I'll probably spend my camera money on lenses and see what's out there for a body upgrade in a year (or two).

It's exciting to see these two new cameras announced. The only concern I have is the resolution of the D3 with a DX lens on it. It's so low that I don't know why anyone would do it. I think if I were upgrading to a D3 then I would be looking to sell my DX lenses. If they had gone for a resolution closer to Canon's 21mp, the DX crop would have still given you very usable images.

 

[Furgus]

I feel like I just got my D80 last November. It's too soon for me to be looking at new bodies. The new D300 looks like a great camera but I'll probably spend my camera money on lenses and see what's out there for a body upgrade in a year (or two).

It's exciting to see these two new cameras announced. The only concern I have is the resolution of the D3 with a DX lens on it. It's so low that I don't know why anyone would do it. I think if I were upgrading to a D3 then I would be looking to sell my DX lenses. If they had gone for a resolution closer to Canon's 21mp, the DX crop would have still given you very usable images.

The D2H is a 4mp camera, and with the stop down of the D3 sensor it will be about the same size, maybe a little bigger the D2H. I have seem images from the D2H that have been astonishing! You would never know it was 4mp. The surface size is larger then any point and shoot, so you can't judge the quality to those. Also you can turn it off, so you can use your DX lenses with the full 12mp range, but risk vignetting. There is much discussion of this over on the Nikonians site.
I am glad Nikon has decided, right now anyways, to go for pixel quality instead of quantity. I like the smaller files sizes of my D50, and the noise is great at 1600. I can print 13X19 at home and they turn out great, and I can print at 20X30 with no problems.
I still want to upgrade to the D300, but I think I am going to upgrade my glass here shortly, and wait a few years.

 

[tinksdad]

Not to change the subject, but have any of you Nikonians salivating over the D300 and D3 considered the Fujifilm S5 Pro? The few reviews I've read have raved about the dynamic range, and it seemed like an interesting option to me, but I've not seen much discussion of it (or its predecessor the S3) on here or other message boards.

Not really. But it would be worth a look, as long as my Nikon glass is usable.


That is the main reason I went with Nikon when I went DSLR. They have a real commitment to the entire consumer base and the the backwards compatibility, as well as forward of almost all their lenses. The older Nikon glass will still fit and be usable on the newer cameras. That in itself is pretty amazing! Of course, some of the newer features are not possible like AF and some metering. But they still mount and work!

I like a company philosophy that considers that and deems it important. Not making me upgrade all my kit just because they come out with a new model.

So, if I get a wild hair and spend the big bucks for the D3, it will work with all my Nikon glass!

 

[tinksdad]

The D2H is a 4mp camera, and with the stop down of the D3 sensor it will be about the same size, maybe a little bigger the D2H. I have seem images from the D2H that have been astonishing! You would never know it was 4mp. The surface size is larger then any point and shoot, so you can't judge the quality to those. Also you can turn it off, so you can use your DX lenses with the full 12mp range, but risk vignetting. There is much discussion of this over on the Nikonians site.
I am glad Nikon has decided, right now anyways, to go for pixel quality instead of quantity. I like the smaller files sizes of my D50, and the noise is great at 1600. I can print 13X19 at home and they turn out great, and I can print at 20X30 with no problems.
I still want to upgrade to the D300, but I think I am going to upgrade my glass here shortly, and wait a few years.

Agree totally! 5MP is not as much as the full frame, but the proof is in the picture. I think it will be just fine for most folks!!

 

[KrazyPete]

Agree totally! 5MP is not as much as the full frame, but the proof is in the picture. I think it will be just fine for most folks!!

That may be true for "most folks" but what about the kind of folks that drop 5K on a camera body? I think if it were me I wouldn't use that feature. I'd be selling all my DX glass. That's one lens BTW.

 

[Furgus]

Found this on another site. Very good read, very hard for me to pass up and buy the same amount in glass.......


D300 Features Outlined

 

[Gdad]

Found this on another site. Very good read, very hard for me to pass up and buy the same amount in glass.......


D300 Features Outlined

Grrrr- Why are you torturing me? I want mine right now!

 

[Furgus]

Grrrr- Why are you torturing me? I want mine right now!

I am tortuuring myself too ya know.... Nothing worse the working the helpdesk and having no one ask for help....guess what I have been doing all day???

It is killing me...!