A first look review at the D60 shows pretty much what we expected, some minor technical upgrades from the D40x but no major differences.

Active D-lighting is a good addition for an entry level camera and the image quality is already shown to be great. High ISO performance may be slightly improved.

The new 18-55mm VR kit lens looks pretty nifty too.

I’m looking forward to the D80 replacement we are all still waiting for with CMOS censor, live view and super handling!

Whether Nikon will be as successful with the D60 as with the other models will not depend on the quality, for the quality is excellent. It will depend more on the answer of the competition to this winning concept. Will there be an attack on the price, or will the competition be able to equip their entry-level model with even more features? While working on this review, Canon introduced the EOS 450D and my first impression is that the battle for the most successful entry-level model is an ongoing one.

Read the full review here:

Nikon D60 | Digital Camera Review

Since the Detailed Hands on Preview of Nikon D300, we’ve just been waiting…no more reviews other than informal stuff on blogs and by word of mouth.

Plenty of test pictures, but no real in-depth goodies. Until now! DCRP has come up with what we wanted, a real in-depth review of the new Nikon D300 with pictures, test shots, and a good exam of the new stuff.

The main new features of the D300 are:

• New 12.3 effective Megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor
• EXPEED image processing “concept”
• Continuous shooting as fast as 8 frames/second (with the optional battery grip)
• 51-point autofocus with 3D subject tracking
• Huge 3-inch LCD display with 307,000 pixels (920,000 dots) with live view support
• Dust reduction system
• Picture Control settings let you have sets of color control settings (think Picture Styles on Canon SLRs)
• Active D-Lighting lets you brighten shadows while taking photos (instead of after)
• Rugged magnesium alloy body is sealed against dust and moisture
• HDMI video output

And it’s got a scorching review beating it’s competitors in pretty much every area. The only apparent weaknesses seem so be a flimsy CF card door and a slight over-expose (might be fixed in firmware but I doubt it as it lends itself to better high ISO performance when overexposing slightly).

The images appear slightly soft straight from the camera too, but that’s normal for Nikon as they try to retain maximum detail. It looks wonderful after some careful USM (Unsharp Mask) or Smart Sharpen.

All things considered, Nikon has done a really impressive job with the D300. They made a lot of promises, and the D300 has delivered on them. It keeps up perfectly with its closest competition, the EOS-40D, and surpasses it in several areas. Whether you’re upgrading from an older Nikon SLR, or want something “nice” for your first foray into digital SLRs, then the Nikon D300 is a camera that I can highly recommend.

Read the full review here:

DCRP Review: Nikon D300

The Nikon D3 detailed preview has been released shortly after the Nikon D300 Preview came out as expected.

Still no reviews of either camera, but that’s no surprise.

The Canon EOS 40D came to market extremely fast though, I think Canon is trying to win back some market share before the monster Nikon D300 comes out.

The specs are awesome as from the first release.

• First ever Nikon DSLR with a Full-Frame (36 x 24 mm) sensor (coined FX format)
• 12.1 megapixel full-frame sensor (8.45µm pixel pitch)
• ISO 200 – 6400 (with boost up to ISO 25600)
• Also supports DX lenses, viewfinder automatically masks (5.1 megapixels with DX lens)
• 5:4 ratio crop mode (10 megapixels, up to 9 fps, viewfinder masked)
• 14-bit A/D conversion, 12 channel readout
• Nikon EXPEED image processor (Capture NX processing and NR algorithms, lower power)
• Super fast operation (power-up 12 ms, shutter lag 41 ms, black-out 74 ms)
• New Kevlar / carbon fibre composite shutter with 300,000 exposure durability
• New Multi-CAM3500FX 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)
• Scene Recognition System (uses AE sensor, AF sensor)
• Picture Control image parameter presets (replace Color Modes I, II and III)
• Custom image parameters now support brightness as well as contrast
• Nine frames per second continuous with auto-focus tracking
• Eleven frames per second continuous without auto-focus tracking
• Ten / eleven frames per second continuous in DX-crop mode (AF / no-AF)
• Dual Compact Flash card slots (overflow, back-up, RAW on 1 / JPEG on 2, copy)

The professional Nikon D ’single digit’ series of digital SLR’s started life back in June 1999 with the groundbreaking D1. Groundbreaking because it was the digital SLR which broke Kodak’s stranglehold on the digital SLR market and fundamentally brought prices down to a level which most professionals could afford (around the US$5,500 mark). Since then we have seen a steady progression of this line of cameras, while the core values of a high quality full size body with integrated grip have remained the line split into two halves, one targeted at high resolution photography the other high speed sports type photography (lower resolution but faster continuous shooting); the X and H suffixes. It’s been almost three years since Nikon introduced a completely new digital SLR with a new sensor (the D2X) and there has been much anticipation that Nikon’s next move would be a full-frame chip.

You can find the full Hands-on Preview from DPReview here:

Nikon D3 Hands-on Preview

There are also some new high ISO shots released.

Nikon D3 FX Format Digital SLR High ISO Image Samples

This is the ultimate poison, wow! Great build quality like the tank that is the Nikon D200 and a host of other features…it looks like they have another award winner along with the Nikon D3 which is going to shift the whole paradigm!

This follows very shortly after the Nikon D300 was Announced.

It really looks like an incredible camera!

You can read the full Preview here:

Nikon D300 Hands-on Preview

I can’t wait for the Nikon D3 Preview or Review to come out!

At last! We’ve been waiting so long for a D200s or a D300 – finally they come out with it. I can’t wait to see the pictures at ISO800 and ISO1600 and hear the Canon fanbois stop talking about their superior noise handling!

Looks and body wise it’s almost identical to the D200, it just has a larger screen, 2 more megapixels and some new features. Amazingly it goes up to 8fps with the battery grip attached!

The easy-to-use DX-format D300 offers outstanding image quality, multi-functional technologies and fast response. With class-leading 12.3 megapixel resolution, speedy 6 fps frame advance, self-cleaning sensor unit and high definition 3” VGA LCD display, combined with Nikon’s legendary durability, the D300 is a breakthrough solution for photographers searching for an advanced compact SLR.

“Packed with the latest technologies and Nikon’s renowned ergonomics, the D300 sets a new standard for professionals on a budget,” said Robert Cristina, Brand Manager, Nikon Professional Products, Europe. “The D300 is a true ‘go-anywhere’ camera, delivering fast response, high performance and ease of use that will appeal to anyone serious about their photography.”

I’m really looking forwards to getting my hands on one of these! I’m hoping to see some new DX lenses too, perhaps a cheaper 17-55mm f/2.8 with VR!

It’s surely going to another award winner like the D200 – touted as the best digital camera ever made. Let’s hope the D300 exceeds the expectations.