D300s Successor-D400, what and when

Photobug

The D400 does not have to be perfect for me, just a solid DSLR with no QUALITY CONTROL issues like focus left errors, oil on the sensor, etc.

My hunch there will be a surprise or two in the D400 camera and that most of the requirements/expectations listed in the last 40 pages will be incorporated but not all. Which will allow for a new form to discuss why they didn't include xxxxx.

Finally, it won't be called the D400. I expect it will be called the D8000 which follows the current naming convention for DX cameras.

spraynpray

"Finally, it won't be called the D400. I expect it will be called the D8000 which follows the current naming convention for DX cameras."

No it isn't Photobug - the full pro DX bodies are currently DXXX. Consumer/prosumer DX bodies are currently DXXXX.

heartyfisher

I really dont care what its called :-) they can call it DCANNON for all i care !

Photobug

Spraynpray, understand where you are coming from. The D400 can be a DXXX or a DXXXX...depends upon how you classify the D300 replacement.

I don't agree with your classification. My assessment of how Nikon is labeling their cameras as follows:
If its a Full Frame camera its DXXX
If its a DX camera its DXXXX.
That made more sense to me than how you divided the models.

So who is right....don't think it matters I just thought my understanding of how they label their cameras made sense.

Msmoto

Well, if Nikon brings out a pro-sumer DX body to replace the D300, with the internals of all the latest goodies, my guess is they will call it a D400 specifically so it will follow the D100, 200, 300, etc.

If it is a consumer body such as a D7100 style...it will not make much difference to me what they call it.....

spraynpray

Interesting that you called the D300 replacement DX a pro-sumer Tommie, that is a term Nikon coined for the D7000/D7100 level cameras isn't it? The D300 is a full pro camera.

Msmoto

Maybe things have changed. I think a d300 is not a pro body in the eyes of NPS. In my eyes the D300, D800, D4 are pro bodies in control configuration.... if this helps.

spraynpray

I was going to add a link here to show the Nikon website which was laid out with Pro and consumer/prosumer on separate pages and labelled accordingly to show they placed the D300s as pro but they have changed their website to something- er - 'different' with everything lumped into one page.

Photobug

Sparynpray, I also saw the change to how they lumped everything together. It sure makes you wonder what Nikon is up to. Still expect a 4 digit model number and I expect the news release to specifically state the DXXXX is the replacement of the D300S.

DaveyJ

I personally cannot believe Nikon Marketing and Nikon USA, and parent Nikon is so oblivious to the DEMAND for a D400. Renaming it a DXXXX is not going to have as fast a reaction time no MATTER what Nikon announces. Just look at brandname advertising. In many industries names that have real punch get bought up YEARS before markets have a pent up demand product. I'd rather not get into brand names with big crowd appeal that illustrate this because I am sure you yourself can think of many. I was a water quality scientist for years and the big companies are trying to corner the entire fresh water supply on earth. That is a fact. Also I admit that that is not good at all. When there is such a "product recognition" for a D400 that doesn't exist as a production camera yet putting different numbers on it will believe it or not, will influence sales. Just think out one joke line a poster used.....I don't call if it is called a DCannon .......Which I think heatryfisher had a good point.....in many ways......but we KNOW Nikon is not going to call it THAT. Yes there will be many that if told by Nikon that this DXXXX is THE 300S replacement it would sell WELL. My point is that it would sell BETTER if the instant Model Recognition is intact. At any rate bring the darn think on already!!

Photobug

Daveyl, yes...bring the new model to market.

Msmoto

Features of the ?D400.....
++Same body size as the D800. Agree....
++At least 24 mega pixels with an APS-C sized CMOS sensor and 14-bits/color in RAW mode...The DXXX has usually had about the same number of pixels as the D2hs D3, Thus 16-20 MP is my guess
++DX-format
++8 or 9 FPS burst rate. Would like to see the buffer filled at 24 RAW files and something over 75 in JPEG Hopefully the buffer will allow more than 24 RAW, but this would be acceptable
++51-point AF system with the latest Continuous, Single, and what I call the party mode where the camera makes the decision. I use this when my D300 is being used by a non photographer.
++Dual card slots. Prefer CF but can live with SD Highly doubt this....too expensive.
++Wi-Fi does not have to be built in but would be a "nice to have" feature
++ISO 100 to 51,200 "Native" ISO of 12,800 would be nice
++Put the ISO button on the top of the camera to remove the awkward feel on the D7100. Ergonomics will be same as D800.
++Improvement to the AF speed, nailing the low EV numbers for focus speed
++Continue with the embedded button that lets you switch other parameters, such as the AF mode and number of active focus points. Using the AF button and command wheels.
++Add the built in intervalometer like the one in the D7100. Intervalometer intervals: 1 sec to 24-hours
++Self-timer settings: 2, 5, 10, 20, or 30 seconds I suspect they will use the same as D800.
++Intervalometer can capture nine images in intervals of 0.5, 1, 2, or 3 seconds.
++LCD must have a better brightness control than the one in the D300...even the D4 has poor brightness control, IMO
++Street price of body: $1,900 to $2,400. .
++Shutter speeds: 1/8000 to 30 seconds. Shutter rated at 200,000 activations....maybe, but I see 1/4000th as max
++Live view - full time contrast detection and make a few improvements
++Video: give us the best standards you can incorporate into the cameras body
++Video - provide the opportunity to change the aperture during filming.

Interesting stuff...as to Nikon listening.....yes, they may be listening, but I suspect they have different ideas than we do on NRF. The decision making regarding the customer is interesting at best, IMO.

Ironheart

Perhaps the D400 will have 4K video. DX is almost the same format as super35 so cinematographers would eat it up if it had the right output format (uncompressed and clean). If the expeed engine is fast enough for 10 fps it should be able to keep up with 30fps @ 4K. 10fps@24mp=240mp/s 30fps@8mp=240mp/s

Photobug

Msmoto....thanks for posting my info above. I went to post and nothing happened. Guess I had the write comment open to long and did not want to rewrite it. So what did I do wrong?

Msmoto

Oh, one more thing.....the D400 will have no AA filter....IMO

DaveyJ

I sure agree on the no AA filter! I would add that @ $1,900 I would buy, at $2,400 I would pass permanently and I could care how good the reviews were. I think Nikon better be looking at what part of the market is really after the D400. I do not think it is a market that would support the most esoteric additions leading to an extravagant price. If I wanted something like that I would just buy a D800. All of these well it MUST have certain features can lead to an unrealistic total package driven to a unrealistic price. Unless their real target was to sell D7100s. Recent stacked Nikon prices gives some inkling that some think this market can bear more than those i talk to who say they will buy IF it has a point spread but get to close to D800 country and many will just do in a different direction.

Photobug

Good point about the lack of a AA filter. I would still buy the D400 if it crossed the $2K price point. But it better not be priced anywhere near the D800. At that price I would have to reconsider. DaveyJ has a good point on the price point.

I just don't think Nikon would push the price that high just to sell more D7100s. If the price is too high the volume will be low and their break even volume would take too long to pay for the tooling. With Nikon's diminishing profits they can't afford that kind of a camera. What they really need is another camera to sell like the D300 did when it was introduced and back orders for months. That won't happen if the price is in the D800 category...price it at $1900 to $2300 and the buyers "will come".

fgonz

Perhaps the D400 will have 4K video. DX is almost the same format as super35 so cinematographers would eat it up if it had the right output format (uncompressed and clean). If the expeed engine is fast enough for 10 fps it should be able to keep up with 30fps @ 4K. 10fps@24mp=240mp/s 30fps@8mp=240mp/s

Nikon may enter to broadcast business?

fgonz

Good Comment IRONHEART

TaoTeJared

Just to point out some history - D100/D200/D300 were the "first" (or released at the same time as the pro equiv) to have New AF, Metering, and usually a few other wiz bangs. The question comes, the D400 is so far out of cycle that I'm not sure what it will be except for video as Ironheart stated. A D4s is probably on the horizon though so any "pro" additions would likely be added to the D400.

Seeing the trend in announcements with other companies, supposedly leaked specs here is a couple of things that I would believe is a given;
AF & metering of the D4/D800 (always had the same pro specs)
24mp sensor
No AA filter
CF & SD card slots (CF is still the faster) (*note exception for video)
Video specs to match Canon
6fps maybe 7-8 with the battery pack.

Not surprised to see:
4k video (*I could see XQD due to increased speed)
Radio trigger for flash (released with a new flash which is due for a refresh)
WiFi (I'm not holding my breath for this)


Other than that, everything else people are speaking to that series already has (it is a DX D800 minus the sensor and viewfinder) or is "fluff" that is just current selling specs. I don't see ISO as being anything of Nikon's focus anymore (outside the Pro D4 line) and have given that ground to Canon this generation of bodies.

I do think a new radio flash could be coming and would be groundbreaking for Nikon's CLS and keep with the advanced amature DX body having "firsts" for it's release. Video will be updated for sure - but no clue on what. Nikon keeps lagging in video and it seems many utilize the DX "Pro" bodies as video secondary bodies. That would give them a good opportunity for this market as well.

Msmoto

Good points, TTJ. And, I agree, the two card slots are most likely coming....

But, I would like to see a sensor with less MP and better high ISO performance... also, 8 FPS will most likely be standard as this is the D300s spec.

The question in my head is why the delay in bringing this online. Maybe the D4s and D400 will be announced together...? Possibly the explanation is there were problems in the initial production..like the D600, and they pulled the plug, or they have something very special coming.

spraynpray

I am starting to tone down my expectations in order to avoid disappointment re: 'something special'. I 'll settle for a reasonable improvement (like the D7100 was a reasonable improvement over the D7000) and to have impeccable quality.

Anything on top of that is a huge bonus.

donaldejose

Yes, TTJ I too an "toning down" my expectations. I am exhausted. I suppose it will be just about the same relative to the FX line as the D300 and D300s was. That is all I think it may be. Nothing really new. Bland, bland, bland.

Photobug

TTJ and Msmoto have good points. I am so tired of waiting I fell into the "toned down" expectations but have risen above that and really am expecting more. Could I be disappointed...sure. Will it keep me from buying..."NO way". I always like a positive approach.

Never thought about a D400 & D4x release. Boy would that send the Nikon buyers into a frenzy.

Still expect the CF memory card over SD and agree with the two card slots.

spraynpray

Wow, this new invisibility cloak really works :-h