If you look at the specs of the released D7000, it beats D90 hands down in all areas, and beats even D300s in some areas (16pixels,ISO, Movie, TTL) except for slower Continues Shooting rate and less AF points.

D7000 is positioned in such as spot that it may be replacing D300s as well. Who knows maybe we will not see a D300s replacement. Nikon could be putting more attention to PRO line gear on FX sensor, and slowly trimming DX.

What do you think?

http://wonderfultime.biz

I think there will be a new D-400 Prosumer camera next year. It will be the pro caliber DX format body. Designed for more serious photographers who want DX format. It will have 1080p HD video, better low light performance, higher rate for continuous shooting 8-10 fps, 3-4 group Commander controls for CLS. Probably +/- 18 mp which is just about the resolving power of a lot of lenses on a DX sensor.

I think they will want a pro caliber DX camera.

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

>I think there will be a new D-400 Prosumer camera next year.
>It will be the pro caliber DX format body. Designed for more
>serious photographers who want DX format. It will have 1080p
>HD video, better low light performance, higher rate for
>continuous shooting 8-10 fps, 3-4 group Commander controls for
>CLS. Probably +/- 18 mp which is just about the resolving
>power of a lot of lenses on a DX sensor.
>
>I think they will want a pro caliber DX camera.

This is the most well-thought out, compelling analysis of the "issue" that I've read to date! (And I've read a heck of a lot of them.) Good thinking! Let's hope you're right. Because as tempting as this camera is, I'd severely miss having more than 3 shots of bracketing. So my (non-existent) savings account is safe for now. And I have another six months to try to build it up …

— LaDonna

_________________________________
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing

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After Reading the specs, i'll agree it does kick the d90 in the butt, and I thorougly loved the D90. I will be sure to get the D7000


Photography: you either have it in you to handle the demands Phography presents you everday or get out

>After Reading the specs, i'll agree it does kick the d90 in
>the butt

The most interesting spec for me is that the D7000 will shoot at ISO 100. If this is a "real" ISO 100, I'd love it. But could somebody explain to me the difference between shooting a Nikon dSLR at 100 (like the D40/D60/D3000, or the new D7000) and shooting another Nikon dSLR which has a lowest "native" ISO of 200, but then choosing "LO 1.0," which Nikon calls "ISO 100 equivalent"?


_________________________________
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing

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>
>But could somebody explain to me the difference between
>shooting a Nikon dSLR at 100 (like the D40/D60/D3000, or the
>new D7000) and shooting another Nikon dSLR which has a lowest
>"native" ISO of 200, but then choosing "LO
>1.0," which Nikon calls "ISO 100 equivalent"?


When Nikon uses the lo/hi labels instead of the numbers it is because the settings do not match 100% of the specs for those settings. Whether is matches 9% or 99%, Nikon does not officially say. Obviously it is closer to the 99% else Nikon would not be shipping it.

---------+---------+---------+---------+
Joseph K
Seattle, WA, USA

D200, 17-55mm f/2.8 DX, 70-200mm f/2.8 VR, 50mm f/1.4 D
18-70mm f/3.5-4.5 DX, 70-300mm f/4-5.6 ED, D70S

Actually, when I look at the DxO Mark ISO sensitivity chart for the D90, there seems to be a significant difference between the manufactures stated ISO and their measured ISO. The Nikon stated ISO of 100 AND 200 were both measured at ISO 145. That's not close to 99% accurate at all. The stated ISO of 1600 was actually measuerd at 1125!

Kurt

Who knows, the D7000 may well be the new DX flagship. Yes Nikon might add another body in the big hole between the D7000 and the D700, but that could be a D7000 with D700 sensor, to go along with the 28-300 FX travel zoom. And then of course the D700 is updated with the D3S sensor, and Nikon will be set for a while.

Tom
Bay Area Nikonian

http://www.tkphoto.me/

>Who knows, the D7000 may well be the new DX flagship. Yes
>Nikon might add another body in the big hole between the D7000
>and the D700, but that could be a D7000 with D700 sensor, to
>go along with the 28-300 FX travel zoom. And then of course
>the D700 is updated with the D3S sensor, and Nikon will be set
>for a while.
THere will never be a time when Nikon is set for a while. Canon will always move ahead with something to pry money out of our wallets. Plus what would Nikon do with all those engineers?

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

Hi Tom:

D700 and D7000 is becoming too confusing. Let us say D700 and D7K .

I did not expect the D7K to be able to handle non-CPU lenses; that is a surprise. What is the advantage of the D300’s line of cameras except for the big lenses, like the 200-400 and above? And that is debatable.

The only lens that will be useful with the D7K is my ZF 25. To upgrade the ZF 25 to the ZF.2 25 is around $500. If I sell the D5K (~ $500,) it is the price of the D7K. The D7K was a reason for me waiting on a new lens – there is so much money to go around. However, after playing with the 28-300, that thing is staying - what a lens!

I could upgrade from the D5K to the D7K. However, I geared all my DX lenses to be less than one pound except of the 16-85 that is ~ 1.1 lbs. At this time, I’m inclined to wait for the D5K replacement, but who knows. This D7K seems to be better than my D700, except for being a DX camera. However, I have to clear Bill-Me-Later first and I have 6 months to do it, before I entertain the notion of going after the D7K.

I just pulled the 14-24 and 70-200 from the “I want to sell” forum. I just cannot see myself without the 14-24 and I’m losing too much money selling the 70-200 VR-I. In addition, I have to rethink everything; there is a new player in town. I still have time to put them back for sale, but no going back, if sold.

I have too many lenses, imho, but I can’t sell any of them. It is like having too many children. How can you sell any of them? However, I still do not have the 24 1.4 (DOF, DOF, DOF) and no prospects in getting it unless I sell the 14-24 and 70-200!

Best regards,

Hektor

A Nikonian in Kemet

My Blog: Hektors Blog
My Photo Album: Hektors Photos

Let's remember that this is the D7000 Forum, not the Nikkor Lenses Forum

Brian
Welsh Nikonian
Check out the Nikonians Team pages

>Who knows, the D7000 may well be the new DX flagship. Yes
>Nikon might add another body in the big hole between the D7000
>and the D700, but that could be a D7000 with D700 sensor, to
>go along with the 28-300 FX travel zoom. And then of course
>the D700 is updated with the D3S sensor, and Nikon will be set
>for a while.

If I were getting a D700 I'd seriously think of getting the new 28-300 and may yet get one but I'll have to sell my 28-200. I've never found 28mm on the wide side to be that big of a disadvantage and sort of caved in to popular opinion when I bought the 18-200. I use the 28-200 about as much as the 18-200 because it's smaller, lighter, and more convenient if I'm going to be hauling it around very much. I also tend to supplement the 28-200 by hauling around a lightweight 20mm f3.5 AI and now have the 17mm f2.8.

I have a tendency to always buy a new lens with a new body (have never bought a kit lens).

If there D300s price point is going to be preserved, a replacement will be needed soon and be spectacular.
Almost all the advantages of the D300s over the D90, in terms of AF, housing, dual slots, and legacy lenses have been matched or bettered by the D7000. Sales of the D300s will surely come to a standstill until it is replaced. But what differences will a camera have to have to warrant a $1000 or more increase in price? Resolution possibly but at 18mpx it is getting into the dangerous range of image impact from high pixel density, i.e. the diffraction problems of the 7d starting at f/9.
A new DX standard bearer might be more video intensive, such as 60fps, or possibly upping the ISO performance, hard to do with smaller photo sites than the FF D3s. They have upped the D7000 to the range of the D700 but with a lower 16.2mpx density. Maybe adding 11fps. Not sure what else could be added to make a clear distinction and price justification.
What ever the new replacement will be, it is known by some right now in field testing if it is going to be announced next spring. Nikonrumors.com had these last two offerings nailed weeks before announcements. The official announcement did have some nice surprises however, such as AF fine tuning confirmed, and the 2k element metering sensor.
I love my D90 but this announcement has me wondering how to order a D7000 without being hit with gigantic import duties and delays. The new capabilities are just too tempting and at a price I can afford.
Stan
St Petersburg Russia

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

D7000:

Nicest new feature: two programmable user modes
Second nicest: one more stop of ISO performance
Biggest concern: no focus motor?

Peter

>Biggest concern: no focus motor?

Just read the DPReview hands-on preview and the D7000 does support legacy lenses. Don't know why the Nikon web site is silent on this important feature.

>Biggest concern: no focus motor?

If by "no focus motor" you mean like the D3000 et al, I think you're mistaken. It will auto-focus the AF-D lenses etc. just like the D90 and the D300. Or did you mean something else?

— LaDonna

_________________________________
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

Thanks, yes, I now see it has this feature. Nikon are silent about it on their web site.

I very much like the D7000. The DPReview write up is worth reading. If I could wish for one thing on the D7000, it would have been better than one stop of improved ISO performance. Second would have been separate AF-L and AE-L buttons, but I guess those are reserved for the "pro" line.

Peter

>If I could wish for one thing on the D7000, it
>would have been better than one stop of improved ISO
>performance.

Doesn't it have two stops of improved ISO over the D90 — one stop and top end and one at the bottom?

— LaDonna

_________________________________
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

Thanks, yes, I now see it has this feature. Nikon are silent about it on their web site.

At when I just looked, it's implied by the specifications. All functions are supported for the G or D AF Nikkors.

Like the D300, it also works in A and M modes with non-CPU lenses.

You don't have to sort of enhance reality. It is already pretty weird ... you know that there is nothing stranger than truth. Annie Leibovitz

Hi Mike:

According to the Nikon Website for non-CPU lenses:

D700:

“Non-CPU AI NIKKOR: Can be used in exposure modes A and M; electronic rangefinder can be used if maximum aperture is f/5.6 or faster; Color Matrix Metering and aperture value display supported if user provides lens data.”

D7K:

“Non-CPU: Can be used in modes A and M; color matrix metering and aperture value display supported if user provides lens data (AI lenses only.)”

It seems to me that both cameras have the same support for Non-CPU lenses. Am I mistaken? In order words, I can used my non-chipped Zeiss ZF (not ZF.2) with the D7K as I do with the D700?

Thanks,

Hektor

A Nikonian in Kemet

My Blog: Hektors Blog
My Photo Album: Hektors Photos

Yes, that's the meaning of that specification.

_____
Brian... a bicoastal Nikonian and Team Member

My gallery is online. Comments and critique welcomed any time!

Hi Brian:

Thanks for your response. That is what I thought, but could not believe it. Frigging chippers! This camera just threw a monkey range to all my plans. It could be a game changer, but I have to wait and see.

Best regards,

Hektor

A Nikonian in Kemet

My Blog: Hektors Blog
My Photo Album: Hektors Photos

interestings, there is no high ISO samples from D7000 yet.

http://wonderfultime.biz

Untouched JPG @ ISO 3200 from Chase Jarvis' review:

Edited because the like to the picture was broken. Sorry.

Looks damn good. I really want to see a 6400 sample myself, reports are that the images produced are very usable.


Jason

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

For some reason DPR is biased against Nikon, maybe not enough ads space purchased but their D90 review countered every other review and measurement, and actual field use claiming much less DR than it has. Same with the D3s which they said was a modest change of less than 1 stop over the rest of the field.
I have learned to distrust their reviews for glass and cameras if the brand involved is Nikon.
It will be interesting to see how much more capable the D7k is than they claim, when other more objective reviews come out.
But their review might be viewed as "on a very bad day, under the worst combinations of conditions, with the least serviceable particular unit" and assume much better results in real use.
Stan
St Petersburg Russia

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

well my understanding of the situation is this:
D300s will be replaced in the d7000, D400 Model that is coming will be Full Frame that is at Price point of D300s, in other words, I think Nikon is planning a $1500-1600 FF, and that takes over at D300s price point, that sits between D300s and D700, don't quote me on all this.

Photography: you either have it in you to handle the demands Phography presents you everday or get out

"If there D300s price point is going to be preserved, a replacement will be needed soon and be spectacular. Almost all the advantages of the D300s over the D90, in terms of AF, housing, dual slots, and legacy lenses have been matched or bettered by the D7000. Sales of the D300s will surely come to a standstill until it is replaced. But what differences will a camera have to have to warrant a $1000 or more increase in price? Resolution possibly but at 18mpx it is getting into the dangerous range of image impact from high pixel density, i.e. the diffraction problems of the 7d starting at f/9.

A new DX standard bearer might be more video intensive, such as 0fps, or possibly upping the ISO performance, hard to do with smaller photo sites than the FF D3s. They have upped the D7000 to the range of the D700 but with a lower 16.2mpx density. Maybe adding 11fps. Not sure what else could be added to make a clear distinction and price justification.

What ever the new replacement will be, it is known by some right now in field testing if it is going to be announced next spring. Nikonrumors.com had these last two offerings nailed weeks before announcements. The official announcement did have some nice surprises however, such as AF fine tuning confirmed,and the 2k element metering sensor.

I love my D90 but this announcement has me wondering how to order a D7000 without being hit with gigantic import duties and delays. The new capabilities are just too tempting and at a price I can afford."

Hi Stan:

I completely agree with you; could not have said it better.

What we have to always keep in mind is that technological advances, in most of the fields, are for smaller, lighter, and faster products, unless we are talking about HD TV’s, for example. This is something I have been saying since joining this forum.

You are right about NikonRumors. However, they did not get the legacy lenses capability. Otherwise, I would not have gotten the 28-300. I can still return it, over my dead body!

At this time, the D7K is the camera to get, me guesses, with people with one camera or considering just one camera. It seems to be as good as my beloved D700, but we have to see on that one. The problem is that Nikon is more secretive than the Knights Templar ever were. I do not call them the Ninja Corporation for nothing. After getting over the euphoria of the moment, I will continue chugging along with the D5K, D700, and all my lenses. The future just became too unpredictable, imho. As Horace Greely used to say: “Go with glasses and not cameras, Young Man,” or something like that.

Best regards,

Hektor

A Nikonian in Kemet

My Blog: Hektors Blog
My Photo Album: Hektors Photos

>If you look at the specs of the released D7000, it beats D90
>hands down in all areas, and beats even D300s in some areas
>(16pixels,ISO, Movie, TTL) except for slower Continues
>Shooting rate and less AF points.
>
>D7000 is positioned in such as spot that it may be replacing
>D300s as well. Who knows maybe we will not see a D300s
>replacement. Nikon could be putting more attention to PRO line
>gear on FX sensor, and slowly trimming DX.
>
>What do you think?


First, respecting the D7000 - wow. As a loyal D90 user who has felt no need to upgrade (the 300/300s imo just didn't provide incentive and full frame it just too big an investment for what I shoot) I am literally tripping over myself to pre-order. The upgrades are impressive and numerous. Everyone is talking about the stuff we knew about for sometime (such as the impressive ISO and video) but what about a new TTL metering system with 2x the pixels or the much desired Canon ability to save shooting preferences (U1/U2). It goes on and on.

Second, I think this actually confirms Nikon's commitment to the DX format. It is not going anywhere. Ultimately I suspect the 300s gets replaced in the next year or so. With Nikon now cooking all their sensors in house I would suspect that the normal refresh times might get stepped up temporarily to phase out the 3rd party sensors and to even out the feature set in the current line-up so that the hierarchy makes sense.

Jason

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

>the much desired Canon ability to save shooting preferences (U1/U2).
Does anybody who has familiarity with the D300 family know whether this U1 and U2 are the D7000's version of shooting banks?

>Second, I think this actually confirms Nikon's commitment to the DX format.
Excellent point! I guess we can lay that old question "Is DX dead" to rest now. YAY!!!!

— LaDonna

_________________________________
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

>>the much desired Canon
>ability to save shooting preferences (U1/U2).
>Does anybody who has familiarity with the D300 family know
>whether this U1 and U2 are the D7000's version of shooting
>banks?

From Nikon's web site:

"New U1 and U2 settings on the mode dial allow users to assign frequently used settings, including ISO sensitivity and exposure compensation, to these positions for instant recall of the registered settings by simply rotating the mode dial"

http://www.nikon.com/about/news/2010/0915_d7000_02.htm

Jason

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

>D7000 is positioned in such as spot that it may be replacing
>D300s as well...

The D7000 seems to be aimed at the same market as the Canon 60D. Seems like Nikon would also like a camera aimed at the same market as the 7D, which suggests a D400 at some point.

Randy

Seems to me that the D7000 is a worthy competitor of the 7D as well as the 60D. Metal body and weather sealing, 100% VF, etc. are many features that the 7D touts over the 60D.

Some of my pictures

Reading Chase Jarvis' blog (at http://blog.chasejarvis.com/blog/2010/09/nikon-d7000/), there are interesting comments from his buddies who have shot with the cam.

"Great low light performance. Holds up for commercial to 1600-3200. Very usable for other applications at 6400. Same league as the D3 line."

"The D7000 seems to have about a stop better high ISO performance as compared to the D90."

"...the Rolling shutter is MUCH LESS prevalent in the D7000"

(Chase on rolling shutter) "...it’s 100% improvement...waaaay better."

Simon

A Richmond, B.C. Nikonian
- FM2n, F100, D300, D800

>"Great low light performance. Holds up for commercial to
>1600-3200. Very usable for other applications at 6400. Same
>league as the D3 line."

I wondered if that might be the case since it has the same standard ISO top end (6400) and HI-1 and HI-2 as the D3. D3 noise performance in a DX body -- that's pretty darn impressive!

-- Jon
Wethersfield, CT, USA
Connecticut High School Sports Photos

Since we're speculating, a D400 will be here before you know it. Maybe by end of year or beginning of next. Dual CF cards, 16-18mp DX, at least 1600 ISO with no/low noise. 8-9 fps, 1080 video, and lots of little features that will surpass the D7000. As will the price.

or not.

Jim Stamates
Nikonians Academy Workshop Instructor

http://www.nikoniansacademy.com
http://stamates.com/blog
http://www.stamates.com

Jim, You could be right, but I would suspect Nikon would keep the dual card (CF / SD) from the 300s due to space constraints. I was looking to upgrade to the 300s myself, but the D7k has me rethinking that totally.

Doug
D300s | MB-D10 | SB-700

Yes, you're right about the CF/SD card. Okay, now all we need is to see it ship at $1500.

Jim Stamates
Nikonians Academy Workshop Instructor

http://www.nikoniansacademy.com
http://stamates.com/blog
http://www.stamates.com

I was seriously considering moving from my beloved D90 into a D300s, when the D7000 comes out and makes me rethink everything, but surprisingly, not how I envisioned.

I took careful stock of my hobby fund, my D90's capabilities, and the -300s and -7k's capabilities, AND MOST IMPORTANT, WHERE I CAN BETTER MY PHOTOGRAPHY ABILITIES.

The honest answer is that my skills have not come close to exceeding the D90's abilities, and therefore, I chose to spare my hobby fund, keep my D90, and not let those 4 extra megapixels and other nice, but not limiting features bother me. They're not what's limiting my photography...not by a long shot!

One question that lingers, is how the 39-pt AF system of the 7k compares to the 51? I'll bet the numbers are misleading!

Dave F
Franklin, Pa

"Always do right. You'll gratify some, and astound the rest." Mark Twain

Like many, I have been waiting for the D90 replacement. I need a light camera for the hikes/ultra-light travel that can also record the full HD video. I also need a backup for my D700, and a 1.5x crop factor for the wildlife shots. Everything that I have read about the D7000 so far exceeded my expectations (price aside), except the new battery. I currently use a combination of the D700 and the D200 (which I was planning to replace with the D7000). Both run on the same EN-EL3e batteries; I have five batteries, allowing me to go on a multi-day wilderness shoot with no chargers, or travel with the same charger(s) for both cameras. If I buy the D7000, I would have to have two sets of batteries and chargers. I am also thinking about getting the P7000 (provided its high ISO is usable). This would result in three different types of batteries and chargers.

I wonder if the new EN-EL15 battery will become the standard for all mid- to higher-end DSLRs, except possibly the single digit line. If that's the case, buying a camera running on the EN-EL15 may make sense to me. Or if someone comes up with the EN-EL15 to EN-EL3e adapter, allowing the use of the EN-EL15 batteries in other cameras.

For now, I will wait.

Mikhail

www.focusonwild.com

Hi Dave
The new Multi-CAM4800DX is an evolutionary development of the CAM3500 according to one blogger who seems to know some details we don't. That is reasonable to expect since the CAM3500 was designed 4 years ago and did not have the same high performance sensors as inputs. This is probably the new AF system for all upgrades of mid to upper end cameras until the D4 comes out. Thom Hogan wrote some time ago that one of the main features of the D4 will be a revolutionary AF system.
With a faster processor, wider data widths, faster and more memory, and a wealth of data gained from several models having the CAM3500, it would be surprising if the CAM4800 was NOT faster and more accurate than the already class topping CAM3500. I suspect the 39 points is a concession to the need to include something in the D400 to justify its price point position, which would be 51 or more points. I could not care any less about 39 versus 51, Just a few well placed but connected to a powerful system is more than enough points. The 9 cross polarized cells in the center region are all I care about.

Take a look at the videos shot by Chase Jarvis, the AF in action is VERY impressive, as he pans from the nearest object varies from infinity to someone standing close through to intermediate distances a number of times in the 5 minute videos. No hunting, no visual transition, just the subject always in sharp focus and the background smoothly coming in and out of focus. That takes some processing power.
One of those scenes has someone running from 15 feet or so straight at the camera to about 3 feet in a quick 1 second take and the fine focus never varied, only the background went from sharp to creamy bokeh. I think that was a hint at some mighty impressive AF performance.

Nikon seemed to make a big deal of the new 2k metering sensor, it is not just used in the metering system but as input for the AF system as well, is partly responsible for the jump in AF performance as well as a more effective WB and metering system.
Pre-Order price from Amazon: $1199 body only.

Just think, D3/D700 noise levels in a DX body, with new AF system plus high end video, legacy lenses, all for $1199 and exactly the same size as a D90. How long will these stay on the shelf?

Forgot to check Canon's stock price on the Tokyo exchange;>) The already poor reception the 60D got, coupled with the hit to 7D sales due to a lower noise, faster AF, smaller lighter, Video AF, D7k at $600 less probably has a few executives looking for new jobs. Forget the "competing with the 60D/50D", the D7k leaped over it and butts up against Canon's best.
Stan
St Petersburg Russia

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

I am in a similar situation in some ways. I can safely say that the weak link in my photographic chain is my skill/technique, and that I am nowhere near exhausting the capabilities of the D90. That said, I too wonder (very much!) about the 39 point AF system of the D7K. In particular I wonder how it compares to the D90's 11 point system (and the D7K's 9 cross-type sensors vs. the D90's one.) How much of an improvement if any would I see in my shots? I know it's a hard (impossible?) question to answer, but if I am sometimes unhappy with the focus I achieve now, would the D7K help me in this regard? (Particularly if the subject of many of my shots is an active six year old?)

I've been very happy with my D300 and have grown with it. I do a lot of low light shooting and am waiting to see what the D7K and the next generation up from the D300 does to improve noise and low light focusing. The D7K seems like it would be a big step up in both areas. I can't wait to see what comes out with the D400.

Visit
My Nikonians Gallery
NorcrossPics.Com

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

Samiz,
that was almost exactly my same thoughts. its easy to screw up 1000 shots, then blame the camera when #1001 is out of focus!

Thanks Stan, that makes perfect sense. Marketing, I believe, has the final say in design and timing of releases! (what technology is carefully metered out....pun intended)

I think my hobby-fund strategy is to keep saving, and once the D4 hits the shelves, pick up a used D3 or possibly a new D400. (hopefully they'll be price comparable at that point)

Have a good one guys,
dave

Dave F
Franklin, Pa

"Always do right. You'll gratify some, and astound the rest." Mark Twain

My hands are too large to be able to shoot with a camera the size of a D7k. Going from a d200-d300s-d700, there is no way I could imagine using a physically smaller camera body. That is just me, and I know there will be some with midget hands who disagree!!

I would love for you to check out www.j-strophotography.com

Try a D90 with the grip, it is great handling and balance with large lenses. That will give an idea of how the D7k handles since they are almost identical in size except a 2mm greater height of the D7k. You might change your mind about that class body as being too small.
Stan
St Petersburg Russia

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

The PC sync is a big thing that I need from a pro camera. I did not see this in the D7000, nor the 10 pin.

Here is what my crystal ball tells me:

The D400 will definitely have more MP than the D300s, faster speed, and continue to have PC sync and 10 pin. It will also have 1080p video and AF during video like the 7000.

My guess is that a new D400 will use the same sensor as the 7000 and thus be DX.

I'd guess the same ISO range as the D7000 too.

I am not sure about CF/SD card slots, but there will be two slots. Personally, I prefer CF, but that is largely do to the fact that I already have 40 of them and trust their reliability.

But what else? IDK. Nikon will have to have something else up its sleeve to support another $800 to $1000 over the 7000 for a D400 besides what I have listed.

The D7000 sounds like a real winner. But lets wait until we see what Nikon has in store next with the D#00 line before we write it off and declare the D7000 a total replacement to this line.

I'd guess that we will also see a D4 with a 16MP to 18MP FX sensor with speed and ISO range/performance on par with the D3s, but not better. I'd also guess that this camera wont be announced any time soon. But I think that they would have to announce the D400 right after the new year.

You don't think the D400 will go FX?

Its an interesting thought, but would require lots of camera bag re-outfitting, that might rub folks the wrong way. They still need a DX camera with a larger frame, IMO. (I have big hands too, and anything smaller than a D90 is out of the question. )

Dave F
Franklin, Pa

"Always do right. You'll gratify some, and astound the rest." Mark Twain

Dave, I am not going to bet the farm on the D400 not being FX, but I think that is what the D800, the replacement to the D700 will be for. I think that there is room in the line-up for a pro (like) DX camera. I think that you not only need the faster speed for sports photographers without the money to purchase 400mm f/2.8 lens, but I think that a lot of event pros still prefer the DX format.

I agree. I love the DX format for wildlife, and FX for landscapes. Can't wait for the D400 or what ever is next in the pro DX line up.

Jim Stamates
Nikonians Academy Workshop Instructor

http://www.nikoniansacademy.com
http://stamates.com/blog
http://www.stamates.com

>
> I think that you not only need the
>faster speed for sports photographers without the money to
>purchase 400mm f/2.8 lens, but I think that a lot of event
>pros still prefer the DX format.


Mike...you've been reading my mail...or a least looking at my checkbook!

Keith
North Carolina
www.greatbigshots.com

Good point. I wonder if a D400 with a new AF system and 16mp will be enough to justify the price? I guess that's why they introduce them high, and gradually lower the tag!

I wish they'd drop the video, and knock several hundred bucks off the price. I hate paying for something I never use.

Dave F
Franklin, Pa

"Always do right. You'll gratify some, and astound the rest." Mark Twain

> The PC sync is a big thing that I need from a pro camera. I did not see this in the D7000, nor the 10 pin.

Good catch, you're right. The D7k comes with an ML-L3 - the IR remote. Reading between the lines, I think there's a way to use an RF remote with this camera. I know that my Hahnel RF comes with a thingie to plug into a D90, which has the same remote specs as the D7k. I would think that the same trick would work on the D7k, but that's an educated guess not an assertion.

You could of course use an AS-10 flash coupler to get from the hot shoe to a PC sync cord; that's no big deal.

----

My crystal ball is not as good as my x-ray vision, but I'd guess that the D400 won't come out until the D4 does, since I think it will be sharing technology with the D4, just as the D3/D300.

And make no mistake, the D4 isn't going to be DX. Nikon has made far too much investment in the FX ecosystem to abandon it now.

_____
Brian... a bicoastal Nikonian and Team Member

My gallery is online. Comments and critique welcomed any time!

I think DVDMike got the main elements right, it makes a lot of sense as the D400 being an upgraded D7000, same sensor, but with the features that would be important to those who made the distinction between the D90 and D300; larger, PC sysn, 10 pin, D4 AF system, faster frame rate, CF and SD slots, a few more buttons and external switches but essentially the same IQ, ISO, and processor. For those who expect these items for a camera to be called "pro", $800 or $1000 price premium would be worth it and sales would probably be as good or better than the current D300(s) has been. It is not and never would be a mass market item for Nikon, selling possibly 1/10 the unit sales as the D7k but to an influential vocal clientele. The D3s of the FX community, not that many of them but they influence and drive sales to Nikon.
When a D400? Probably 1st or 2nd quarter of 2011. The D4 will be later, and will have as much increase in performance as the D3s had over the D2 series. There has been a lot of talk and leaks about a new AF system that is to be revolutionary to AF performance as 102k ISO was to low light performance. That coupled with video performance that finally settles the video war between Canon and Nikon. Video is what is driving 5Dii and 1Div sales now, not sports where the 1div is clearly less suited than the D3s. If an advanced interface, possibly wireless to a terminal block/receiver was added that would allow unteathered sample clocks, time code, color sync etc connections so it becomes a real video camera for those who want it, Canon would be left in the dust in video. Right now, DSLR for video is a total kludge but relatively simple technical interface additions could turn it into a video capture device that integrates well into a real video production framework. A wireless connection makes a lot of sense because no one wants 5 cables dragging behind a hand held camera. ENG, Indie, and commercial production users, who do not buy Nikon now, would buy up whatever production capacity Nikon has for the D3/4 level cameras. We still people baulk at $5200 for an overly excellent D3s, film/video production spend that for lunch.

Of course I might have it all wrong also, this is just speculation based on my "vast experience" of being distantly related to Nikon for only 2 years. But I do know how production teams and budgets work due to 25 years in the thick of it.
What do you think?
Stan
St Petersburg Russia

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

>If you look at the specs of the released D7000, it beats D90
>hands down in all areas, and beats even D300s in some areas
>(16pixels,ISO, Movie, TTL) except for slower Continues
>Shooting rate and less AF points.

I disagree that the D7000 "beats the D90 hands down" but would spend the extra $$$ if buying a new camera today. But I need an advanced amateur camera and am not up to waiting a couple of months to actually be able to buy a D7000. The D90 also basically meets my needs and many of the advantages (not to be minimized) are that desirable from the standpoint of what I personally need.

I think that I am going to put my D90 up for sale to help fund the D7000. I was going to start selling it last week, but since I waited I am sure that my price will have to drop some. With a D3 and a D300, I really do not use the D90 much at all. But I would use the D7000 as a landscape camera and save exposures on my pro cameras when I do landscapes for fun.

No im my opinion. Will I get one - possibly... But will it replace the d300 ? no in my opinion.

Pro cameras are all about design and handling and sorry to say from what I can see the d7000 does not fulfill those specs.

Looking forward to seeing the video capabilities though and this might be the ideal travel camera.

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

The Expeed 2 processor can be thanked for many of the advanced features in the D7000 (New AF module, better video). Is the claimed fps when shooting 14bit RAW? That is the question!

J a m e s
My Gallery

Using his camera as a pen, it is the photographer's job to tell a story: Each page authored in frozen moments of time.

All of my work is dedicated to my father, Terry Lee Geib (1943-2009)

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

>The Expeed 2 processor can be thanked for many of the
>advanced features in the D7000 (New AF module, better video).
>Is the claimed fps when shooting 14bit RAW? That is the
>question!


The fps is based on 14 bit RAW. Whether it in fact achieves that is practice remains to be seen, but it should.

Jason

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

Please (re)educate me! I've seen mention a few times that the D7000 has less noise than D90/D300S. How is this possible...same sensor size plus more pixels/sensor = a smaller, not larger, pixel cross-section. And that means fewer, not more, photons per pixel. Since signal/noise is proportional to the number of photons/pixel, how can this result in less noise?
-Dave

"You can learn a lot from Lydia..."

Http://bellnier-photos.smugmug.com

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

>...how can this result in less noise?

In the same way that (for example) the D3S beats the D3 for noise even though both have the same pixel density, and both easily beat the D2H which had considerably lower pixel density. Put simply, technology moves on apace...

Brian
Welsh Nikonian
Check out the Nikonians Team pages

As Brian says, technology continues to evolve. We are dealing with a new generation of image processor (Expeed 2) which Nikon claims offers a better handling of tonal gradations, colour, contrast and noise. Also unlike the D90 engine, it is 14 bit (as is the one in the 300s).

Based on all of the reviews of pre-production models that I have read, there is a unanimous view that Nikon's claim on these points is accurate. Some reviewers are comparing ISO/image quality performance to establihsed cameras that cost 2-5x what a D7000 costs. Unfortunately there is no supporting evidence on this yet in terms of uncoverted raw NEFs for us to look at. Some supporting evidence for this view may slowly come out as we get closer to the first shipments going out. Certainly once the pre-order people (like me!) get their cameras the net will be flooded with shots to scrutinize. For now, I am trusting in Nikon and some of the seasoned photographers who tested it.

Personally I don't think the question is whether it is better than the D90/300s in terms of image quality - indeed the question imo will be how much better and perhaps in what circumstances? If I get modest gains in quality at normal iso levels (the quality of my D90 is already fantastic imo), and notably better at high ISO, I will be very happy.

Jason

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

Nice! I couldn't find that specific spec anywhere.

J a m e s
My Gallery

Using his camera as a pen, it is the photographer's job to tell a story: Each page authored in frozen moments of time.

All of my work is dedicated to my father, Terry Lee Geib (1943-2009)

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

One of the testers on Chase Jarvis' blog stated:

"Just shot a 10 frame burst at 6FPS with 14bit RAW and Large Fine Jpeg turned on. 11 frame burst with 12bit RAW and no Jpegs."

Jason

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

I dont know why people thin the D300 replacement will be full frame.

Nikon will always a a DX Pro body. with the Pro imputs (ones missing from the D7000 0n the top front L/H side under the rubber flaps), Compact Flash and with the 51 point or what ever the next Gen focus is, not to mention 7/8 + FPS.

I fellNikon believe they dont have to upgrade the D300s yet because the 7D reached the bench mark but never surpased it. I suppose thatswhy the 7D is cheaper thabn the D300s

Nikon is saving built-in GPS and an even better LCD for the D400.

J a m e s
My Gallery

Using his camera as a pen, it is the photographer's job to tell a story: Each page authored in frozen moments of time.

All of my work is dedicated to my father, Terry Lee Geib (1943-2009)

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

Nikon is toying with us. By bringing out this terrific sounding D7000 at $1200, they are warning us that they will soon be thumbing their noses leaving Canon in the dust by bringing out the DD440000: an FX/DX hybrid with two lens mounts and two huge sensors with full 1080 60p video capabiltiy for full 3D production! Just imagine that we would have to put on two 70-200 VRII lenses to use this baby! With two TC20EIII tcs? Imagine the size of SDHC cards you'd have to use not to speak of the trolley equipement and steroids you'd have to spring for just to hold this monster... $$$
Oh, is it morning? Boy, let me tell you about this dream I just had...
Neill
Proud to be a Montreal Nikonian
http://picasaweb.google.com/NeillDGraham