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

Finally Fuji is innovating compact camera technology again! After their excellent SuperCCD and the legendary Fuji F31fd and it’s not so great successor the Fuji F50fd they are now coming out with the F200EXR.

The new Super CCD EXR provides superior picture quality, enabling a “3-in-1” sensor combination of “Fine Capture Technology” (High Resolution), “Pixel Fusion Technology” (High Sensitivity & Low Noise), and “Dual Capture Technology” (Wide Dynamic Range). With an innovative color filter array and image processing technology, the EXR ensures an advanced reproduction in imaging with exceptionally balanced quality.

It basically drops to 6 megapixels for low light or expanded dynamic range, which is plenty enough resolution for the majority of people and the same resolution as the excellent F31fd.

More about the new EXR technology here.

Features

• Super CCD EXR 12 megapixel switchable sensor (6MP in low-light and dynamic range modes)
• 5x (28-140mm equiv.) wide-angle optical zoom lens
• Dual Image Stabilisation
• 3” clear view LCD screen
• High sensitivity modes (ISO 6400 at 6MP resolution & 12800 at 3MP resolution)
• Manual controls (including aperture and shutter priority)
• EXR Auto mode selects sensor and scene mode (Portrait, Night, Macro, Landscape. Night portrait & Backlit portrait)
• Film Simulation mode (Provia/Standard, Velvia/Vivid, ASTIA/Soft, Black & White, Sepia)

I’ll be looking forwards to testing this out as I really love the output and colours of the Fuji SuperCCD and with this new EXR technology (apparently the auto mode works very well) it could be a joy to use even in dim conditions.

I just hope the flash is more powerful and it’d a little more responsive than the F31fd. There should be some comprehensive reviews hitting the net soon so I’ll keep you updated.

More here: Fujifilm Finepix F200EXR

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.

Wow now even though the rumours were rife recently, no one expected to see this come out! Nikon has pulled out not one, but 2 full frame FX format cameras within a year!

After the superb Nikon D3, now comes the well specced Nikon D700 a full frame camera in a D300 body. This will be making all of those waiting for the elusive Canon 5D MKII cry.

It’s a great move by Nikon and gives a lot of pro shooters a backup body without having to carry another heavy D3, for wedding shoots and those who don’t need the rugged build and high-speed of the D3 this is the perfect choice.

With the excellent new FX lenses from Nikon as well they are really leading the market now.

• 12.1 megapixel full-frame sensor
• Image Sensor Cleaning (vibration)
• ISO 200 – 6400 (with boost up to ISO 25600 and down to ISO 100)
• Also supports DX lenses, viewfinder automatically masks (5.1 megapixels with DX lens)
• 14-bit A/D conversion, 12 channel readout
• New Kevlar / carbon fibre composite shutter with 150,000 exposure durability
• Multi-CAM3500FX Auto Focus sensor (51-point, 15 cross-type, more vertical coverage)
• 95% coverage, 0.72x magnification viewfinder
• Auto-focus calibration (fine-tuning), fixed body or up to 20 separate lens settings
• 5 frames per second continuous with auto-focus tracking
• Optional MB-D10 Battery Pack (same as D300), increases burst rate to 8 fps
• 3.0″ 922,000 pixel LCD monitor
• Live View with either phase detect (mirror up/down) or contrast detect Auto Focus
• Virtual horizon indicates if camera is level (like an aircraft cockpit display)
• ‘Active D-Lighting’ (adjusts metering as well as applying D-Lighting curve)
• Magnesium alloy body with connections and buttons sealed against moisture

It adds sensor cleaning and the horizon tilt in Live View over the D3.

You can find a full Preview of the Nikon D700 here:

http://www.dpreview.com/previews/nikond700/

Some hands on testing from Joe Mcnally here:

http://www.joemcnally.com/blog/2008/07/02/rollin-with-the-pride-of-midtown/

Some Extreme Weather shots from the D700 here:

http://www.jimreedphoto.com/gallery.html?gallery=New%20Nikon%20D700

And some official test shots from Nikon here:

http://imaging.nikon.com/products/imaging/lineup/digitalcamera/slr/d700/sample.htm

Now this is somewhat unexpected, everyone was thinking the next thing from Nikon would be the heralded (and already much leaked) Nikon D3x with the Sony 24.4 megapixel full-frame (FX) sensor.

The latest rumour on the block is a mid-range FX sensor body, something like the Nikon D300 body with the same sensor as the Nikon D3! This would be a direct competitor to the Canon 5D and whatever replaces it (7D or 5D MKII).

• 12.1 megapixels
• 14 bit A/D conversion
• 16 bit image processing
• 51 focus points
• A single Compact Flash slot
• Tough magnesium body.
• Compatible with MB-D10 Battery Grip

The big question is, is it real and will it come out before the much talked about Canon 5D MKII, which should be coming out soon too.

And people are still wondering about the Nikon D90 (the D80 replacement).

According to the rumours the D700 should be priced at US $ 2999.