D300s Successor-D400, what and when

MikeFrewer

@DaveO
I went into my local Nikon Dealers and they had a brand new D700 and a D300s. I was so tempted to buy them on the spot. But I have to get a new laptop and external hard drives first.

DaveO

I didn't know that there were new D 700's available. I think Amazon wants about $ 2500 for them.

PB_PM

I didn't there were either. I guess a few smaller shops might still have some stock lying around though. Maybe some refurbished models from Nikon?

Msmoto

D700...refurb, Nikon Outlet Store...$2000

Andrewz

I think the idea of a D7000, D300 merger actually makes sense. At this point there may not be enough difference in the two models to make much difference. I would by a D7100 if it had the D300 body! This would also help solve Nikon confusing number system. They could have a DX000 as the DX line, the DX00 as the FX small body and the D with a single digit be the full on Pro Camera.

With that said I think there would be some problems with price points but either way a D7100/D400 would have to come in around $1500.

Kuv

I think the idea of a D7000, D300 merger actually makes sense. At this point there may not be enough difference in the two models to make much difference. I would by a D7100 if it had the D300 body! This would also help solve Nikon confusing number system. They could have a DX000 as the DX line, the DX00 as the FX small body and the D with a single digit be the full on Pro Camera.

With that said I think there would be some problems with price points but either way a D7100/D400 would have to come in around $1500.

This! And let's say $1800. I'm in.

DaveO

I don't think there's any way that it will be $ 1500, more like $ 1800.

BrainBeat

What do you guys think about the possibility of the sensor being the Sony 20MP which is the current top story?
To me it looks like a good resolution option for a higher end DX camera which would differentiate it a bit from the other 24mp models and probably offer and extra 1+fps. It would have to however be at least as good if not a lot better than the Toshiba one in the 5200.

donaldejose

I think that 20mp Sony sensor is going into a Sony camera which Sony will be selling for about $700-$800. Nikon better put a better senor than that into the D400.

Msmoto

@ donaldejose

Agree +1

Paperman

Don't you think there might be good reasoning behind Sony's stepping back to 20 Mp ? Like 20 Mp performing better than a 24 Mp ?.

20 Mp gives same pixel density as 45Mp on FF, something we have not seen yet. Surely, good enough for a DX.

spraynpray

I thought the same when I read it Paperman. If the D4 can be accepted with 16mb when the D800 has 36mp, I'm sure the D400 would be great with a spanking hi ISO 20mb with faster fps etc. than a 24mp D7x00

@Donald: How do you come to this conclusion?

sevencrossing

Yes but the D4 sells to harden professionals, who understand these things
but the D400 and the D7200 are also going have to also appeal to the great unwashed, and as far a they are concerned; the more mega whatnots the better
This why Canon sales have outstripped Nikon, they give you more mega whatnot for you bucks

spraynpray

A $2000 price tag for a 10fps 12800 ISO 20Mb body will keep the hoi-palloi away!

Paperman

Yes but the D4 sells to harden professionals, who understand these things
but the D400 and the D7200 are also going have to also appeal to the great unwashed, and as far a they are concerned; the more mega whatnots the better

True for D7xxx - not true for the D300/400 crowd ...

D7200 ??

Paperman

A $2000 price tag for a 10fps 12800 ISO 20Mb body will keep the hoi-palloi away!

I started seeing $1250-1300 for D700 in Craigslist. Not that I believe a D400 DX will come out but if it does, I would rather go for a used D700 than pay $2000 for a DX ( probably with oil,dust,focus issues in the first batches )

spraynpray

Nah, I reckon those problems will stop with the current models. I am sure the effect on Nikon's bottom line (which they are blaming on it being a tough market) will focus them on quality once more. At least I hope so!

Paperman

When the D300 came out, there was nothing else to think about. All those who couldn't afford FF ( they started from $5000 then ) and who were too advanced for beginner models , went for the D300 prosumer body. That was the camera to go for.

Is that so now ??

I'd say probably nearly a third - maybe more of that market is gone or about to go. The FFs are more affordable, people have learned all there is to learn in digital photography, and they know bigger is better.

And they all know they will eventually end up with FF one day - if not now, in the next 3-5 years.

Nikon must be aware of the diminishing need for pro/prosumer DX. Even if it is 30-40% less, it still is a big decrease. And they are surely aware of the growing "affordable" FF market. The clever thing to do is to go for FF in all serious bodies. They gave hints of the with the D600 - a FF that is not even a prosumer body. They said they are changing the game . No going back now.

Yeah, after 16 pages one starts repeating himself :-((

spraynpray

Some of what you said there makes sense, but you are forgetting that some pro's NEED the 50% extra reach of the DX sensor. I think that DX going would have to be coordinated between Canon and Nikon as neither would willingly hand over that market to the other.

donaldejose

spraynpray: It is not the 20mp that make me think this sensor isn't good enough for the D400, it is the price of the camea Sony will put it into. The quality of the sensor cannot be the best which can be made in DX size because its price is too low. It is a lower price/lower performance model. Nikon wouldn't put the D3200 or D5200 sensor into the D400 either. They will produce something better for the D400.

Msmoto

@ donaldejose

I hope Nikon comes up with a phenomenal DX sensor for the D400....

And, spraynpray, I certainly hope Nikon's issue with quality have been looked at and solved.

ricochet

If there's no interest in a prosumer DX, why is this thread so long?

donaldejose

ricochet: Right on! There is tremendous interest in a great DX sensor in an under $2,000 D300s style body with great autofocus. Great DX is enough for all those many thousands of photojournalists and sports shooters who just need to get pics to their editors which will look great printed no larger than magazine page size. If Nikon can produce a mini-D4 DX (or said another way a body which will do most of what the D4 does just in DX size) it wall sell very well. I am hopeful we will see a D400 this year.

Msmoto

Well, there are 46 people who want one....wonder if that is enough.... )

SquamishPhoto

.

Nikon wouldn't put the D3200 or D5200 sensor into the D400 either. They will produce something better for the D400.

The D90 shared the same sensor as the D300, so I don't see any reason to believe you're right.