Yesterday, Nikon announced the release of its D3 full frame DSLR, and the DX format D300 along with 5 new lenses. With this post I'll try to summarize everything that I've read about these models with the intent to develop the questions that need to be asked, tested and resolved. Also, I try to show how these model might fit into the current market for DSLRs.
Historically, Nikon's single digit DSLRs began with the D1, introduced in 1999. At $5500, it provided a camera affordable to professionals, breaking Kodak's dominance in this field. The line continued with the hallmark features including a high quality build and integrated hand grip. The line split into two types though. The "H" designation was for the lower resolution but faster frame per second camera, while the "X" indicated higher resolution. You can say that the D3 could really be considered the D3h, and it is hoped that there will be a 20-24 MP D3x coming soon.
The D3 ($5000) marks Nikon first attempt at a fullframe format camera, which it calls the FX format, and utilizes a 36 x 23.9 mm 12.1 megapixel CMOS sensor.
The following are the salient new features for this camera line:
- high sensitivity (ISO) support by default, up to ISO 6400 with 25600 available as a boost option. (No test images have been released showing how well noise is handled throughout the range.)
- 14-bit analog/digital conversion with 12-channel readout
- new EXPEED image processor providing 16-bit image processing
- shutter rated at 300,000 activations with curtains made of Kevlar/carbon fiber
- new autofocus sensor system (Multi-CAM 3500 FX) with 51 points of focus (previous models have 11)
- focus tracking by color
- 9 frames per second continuous shooting up to 64 frames of highest JPEG resolution. 11 fps with DX crop
- DX lens support, at a lower resolution (5.1 mp)
- dual compact flash memory card slots
- 3" LCD monitor
- Live View with either phase detect (mirror up/down) or contrast detect autofocus
- Active D-lighting (adjusts metering as was as tone curve)
- Auto focus calibration for up to lenses of 20 different focal lengths
- 5:4 format supported (for 8 x 10 inch prints)
- TIFF now included along with NEF and JPEG
- HDMI video out socket
- 2.7 lbs
- Scene recognition system provides more precise metering and white balance along with auto focus tracking
The D300 ($1800) represents an upgrade to the D200 that was not anticipated, but because it borrows so much from the D3, becomes an impressive model. It's not the crippled semi-pro DSLR that the Canon 30D and now the 40D represent. The D300 will influence the camera purchasing decisions of photographers of many levels.
Position by Nikon as an almost "compact D3" with its own new CMOS 12.3 mp sensor, a new auto-focus sensor with 51-points (15 of which are cross-type
sensitive), focus tracking by color, scene recognition, Picture
Control presets, six frames per second continuous shooting (or eight
frames per second with a battery pack), Compact Flash UDMA support,
Live View (with contrast detect AF), 3" LCD monitor and HDMI video output.
More features:
- Shutter life 150,000 activations (let's hope)
- ISO 200 - 3200 (6400 with boost)
- Self-cleaning sensor unit (low-pass filter vibration)
- TIFF files
- In-camera contrast and brightness image control (not in D200)
- magnesium vertical grip available separately
- new Nikon Wireless Transmitter WT-43 allows remote control of up to 5 cameras and can push images to a server (also available for the D3)
- 1.82 lbs
You might ask, what's the possibility that the D300 will be upgraded to include a FF sensor? This would position it against the yet to be announce replacement to Canon's 5D.
Also must mention the newly announced lenses:
AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8G ED and a slim line standard zoom, the AF-S 24-70mm
f/2.8G ED. Nikon has also launched three all-new super telephoto lenses
with VR (Vibration Reduction), the AF-S 400mm f/2.8G ED VR, AF-S 500mm
f/4G ED VR and AF-S 600mm f/4G ED VR.
