Another low end ‘compact’ dSLR from Nikon, they are really going heavy into the bottom end of the market – it wasn’t long ago since the Nikon D5000 was announced.

With the discontinuation of the D40, the D3000 will be Nikon’s cheapest dSLR.

Features

• 10.2megapixel CCD sensor. Even in low light the image resolution makes easy work of big prints and sharp enlargements.
• 11-point autofocus system. Keeps even the fastest moving subjects in focus, often the biggest challenge for compact cameras
• Fast response. The start up time and shutter lag means you can capture the shot almost instantly, without the delayed response time common of compact cameras
• Guide mode. Simply the easiest way to get great pictures, without having to read the manual
• 3-inch TFT. With pictures this good, you will need a great screen to share them with friends and family
• EXPEED image processing. Exclusive system to deliver rich, bright results close to what you saw with your own eyes
• Picture Controls. Lets you set the look and mood of your images before you shoot
• 3 fps continuous shooting allows you to capture fast-moving action at 3 frames per second
• Intuitive ergonomics. We challenge anyone to pick up a D3000 and it not to feel part of your hand
• Stylish discrete appearance. The D3000 does not become a barrier between you and your subject, resulting in natural looking expressions
• Compact, light and durable. It won’t fit in your pocket, but with pictures this good you will find a shoulder to hang it on

You can find a hands-on here:

Nikon D3000 brief hands-on

And full details of the camera here:

Nikon unveils D3000 entry-level DSLR

Looking forwards to some reviews soon, it would be a great travel companion with something like the Sigma 10-20mm HSM UWA lens.

So it looks like Nikon is hitting the entry level again before bringing anything else out, but then they have the top end Nikon D3x now so I guess with the Nikon D90 already doing very well this is a good move.

It’s been a while since the Nikon D60 came out so the market is perhaps ripe for a newer slightly higher spec model.

Nikon D5000 Key Features

• 12.9 megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor (effective pixels: 12.3 million)
• 2.7″ tilt and swivel LCD monitor (230,000 dots)
• Movie capture at up to 1280 x 720 (720p) 24 fps with mono sound
• Live View with contrast-detect AF, face detection and subject tracking
• Image sensor cleaning (sensor shake)
• 11 AF points (with 3D tracking)
• IS0 200-3200 range (100-6400 expanded)
• 4 frames per second continuous shooting (buffer: 7 RAW, 25 JPEG fine, 100 JPEG Normal)
• Expeed image processing engine
• Extensive in-camera retouching including raw development and straightening
• Connector for optional GPS unit (fits on hot shoe)
• New battery with increased capacity
• 72 thumbnail and calendar view in playback

There are some interesting design choices, personally I’m not sure if I’d prefer a bigger higher spec screen – or this tilting kind the D5000 has and is generally seen on consumer cameras.

Quite a lot of the D90 features have been put into this camera though making it a formidable piece of kit.

Nikon D5000 vs D60: Key Differences

• 12.3 MP CMOS sensor (D60: 10.2 MP CCD)
• Tilt/swivel screen
• Live View with contrast detect AF
• Wider ISO range
• 11 point AF system with 3D tracking (D60: 3 point AF)
• Control of Active D-Lighting intensity
• Automatic correction of lateral chromatic aberration
• Choice of JPEG quality in RAW+JPEG shooting
• Faster continuous shooting
• Bracketing

I’m glad to see the inclusion of bracketing too for all the HDR freaks.

Preview is available here:

Nikon D5000 Hands-on Preview

With the Nikon D300 being announced in August 2008, perhaps the new Nikon D400 will be coming in August 2009?

It seems unlikely though as the normal Nikon lifecycle is 2 years for each product, I’d be guessing a D300s (with video) or D300x (more megapixels) would be more likely.

The specs look pretty feasible with 1080p 24fps video recording, aiming at the Canon 5D Mark II market where the video capability has been a great success.

The rest is pretty normal like the 14.8MP DX sensor and the standard features, not a far reach from the D300.

• New 14.8 megapixel DX format CMOS sensor effective 14.3 megapixel
• Self-cleaning sensor unit (low-pass filter vibration)
• ISO 100 – 6400 (with boost up to ISO 25600 and down to ISO 50)
• 14-bit A/D conversion
• Movie capture at up to 1080p 24 fps with stereo sound
• Nikon EXPEED Plus image processor 30% faster than previous EXPEED image processor
• Super fast operation (power-up 13 ms, shutter lag 40 ms, black-out 90 ms)
• Kevlar / carbon fibre composite shutter with 200,000 exposure durability
• Multi-CAM3500DX Auto Focus sensor (51-point, 15 cross-type, more vertical coverage)
• Auto-focus tracking by color (using information from 1005-pixel AE sensor)
• Auto-focus calibration (fine-tuning) now available (fixed body or up to 20 separate lens settings)
• Vignetting control in-camera
• Automatic chromatic aberration correction
• Custom image parameters now support brightness as well as contrast
• Seven frames per second continuous shooting (nine frames per second with battery pack)
• 3.0? 922,000 pixel LCD monitor
• Live View with either phase detect (mirror up/down) or contrast-detect AF, face detection
• ‘Active D-Lighting’ (adjusts metering as well as applying D-Lighting curve)
• HDMI HD video output
• Magnesium alloy body with connections and buttons sealed against moisture

If it turns out to be true, it might be quite a beast. I was wondering about upgrading my trusty D200 for a D300 but it just wasn’t attractive enough.

This D400 might be enough to tip the balance, there’s just something about HD video that’s really cool (think fast primes, shallow DoF in low light – sweet!).

I’m guessing the next release from Nikon will be a low end model, perhaps something like the Canon 1000D.

It’s about time Nikon came out with a high megapixel offering, Canon have had the edge on that market for quite some time with the Canon EOS 1Ds series – the latest being Canon EOS 1Ds MKIII. As the Nikon D700 and Nikon D3 only have 12.1 megapixels it’s lagging a bit in that camp with the new Canon 5D MKII having 21 megapixels!

It seems to be about a 90% certainty that Nikon will be coming out with their latest camera on December 1st 2008 – just a few days from now. The body should look about the same as the Nikon D3.

It’s a good time to come out with it after the very competitively priced Sony Alpha A900 was announced with 24.6 megapixels.

The first slip started in April when a D3 firmware update revealed a new 6048×4032 24.4 MP option, this points soundly at the Nikon D3x.

What I am wondering is will it be an inhouse sensor or something from Kodak or Fuji? The initial rumours were that it was from Sony but with them having their own 24.6 megapixel full frame offering that seems unlikely.

There is a lot of hope on the Nikon D3x, if it can produce such stunning dynamic range and high ISO sensitivity without noise like the D3 and D700 with the additional detail of 24 megapixels it will be a stunning piece of equipment and will definitely rule the high end of the market.

The price of the D3 has been dropping too which indicates something on the horizon.

You can see a whole bunch of clues here:

Nikon D3x – what do we have so far

Almost bang on the Nikon schedule of 2 years for a replacement the Nikon D90 is finally here and no it looks nothing like the Spoof D90 I posted last year.

It’s a good looking camera, the updates are expected with one inclusion which I don’t think anyone thought would be coming in a Nikon dSLR – Video!

Nikon D90 Key Features

• 12.9 megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor (effective pixels: 12.3 million)
• 3.0-inch 920,000 pixel (VGA x 3 colors) TFT-LCD (same as D3 and D300)
• Live View with contrast-detect AF, face detection
• Image sensor cleaning (sensor shake)
• Illuminated focus points
• Movie capture at up to 1280 x 720 (720p) 24 fps with mono sound
• IS0 200-3200 range (100-6400 expanded)
• 4.5 frames per second continuous shooting (buffer: 7 RAW, 25 JPEG fine, 100 JPEG Normal)
• Expeed image processing engine
• 3D tracking AF (11 point)
• Short startup time, viewfinder blackout and shutter lag
• Slightly improved viewfinder (96% frame coverage)
• Extensive in-camera retouching including raw development and straightening
• Improved user interface
• New optional compact GPS unit (fits on hot shoe)
• Same battery and vertical grip as D80
• Vignetting control in-camera
• 72 thumbnail and calendar view in playback

It also comes along with a new 18-105mm VR kit lens which is a pretty nifty range, hopefully it’ll be sharper and optically better than the 18-200mm.

Just up next will be Nikon D3x or whatever they are going to call it with the 24 megapixel beast of a sensor!

Nikon are really pulling ahead in the race now.