D300s Successor-D400, what and when

spraynpray

Don't forget the impact of the 7DII spec on the D400 too.

Msmoto

Just to clarify....the question about a replacement for the D300s includes almost anything one can imagine. And, it may well be that the final product Nikon offers up will precipitate reactions like the D700 replacement....some stating the D800 was not it.

In any case, whatever comes along will no doubt be of interest for many, either as an object for purchase or something which drives us in another direction. My personal hopes have been stated many times, a D300s with updated features, high FPS, ISO, and which, when a grip is attached, will be similar to a crop sensor D4.

I am hoping the announcement will be in September, but I am unaware of anyone who has any good data, suggesting another disappointing month...ugh.

Photobug

Msmoto...what do you make of this release by Aptina:

"For Aptina this trend represents an opportunity to expand - not just with 1" sensors but right up to APS-C. We've had a lot of interest. In terms of 1", we've been working closely with our current customer base and have been having interest beyond the customer currently using them - we expect to see cameras announced at the beginning of next year."

Specifically the comment regarding APS-C. Something for the D400 or????

Msmoto

As far as I can figure out, Aptina has listed a 1" sensor with about 5MP currently in production. But I can find little about it.
They may have an APSC sensor coming as they seem to be a very active sensor manufacturer, probably with all the research going on behind closed doors.

I certainly have no details on any new sensors, but I do believe the progress in sensor development is so fast we will see some interesting products in the next year or two.

DaveyJ

I guess my hopes that a D400 would be announced on September 21st have been dashed. I believe msmoto's comments are accurate as it surely seems some more info would be out now if that date is still possible. I am sure hoping this September is spectacular for me and for all of you, but it sure looks like it will have to be some other GOOD event that makes that come true, not a D400 announcement. Disappointed?, YES! My continued use of the D3200 proved that is a really nice camera. But it is no D7100, yet alone a D400! If it is shipped with a new and better sensor it will challenge the lens I have. I have been using the modest 55-300VR and found it is pretty good on the D3200, yet as soon as I pick up the D7100 and the 70-300VR I can see the difference. Right now I see the D400 as the camera to try say a 80-400VR new lens on. But WHY is this camera taking so long to be available?

donaldejose

Let's hope it is taking so long because it will use some brand new technology. But I doubt it.

catfish252

If any new cameras are going to be announced and they seem to be announced in conjunction with a major trade show give or take a few weeks. There are 3 or 4 major electronic shows left that would give enough time before Christmas.
1) IFA-Berlin Consumer Electronic Show, Sept 6-11 more towards small electronics. Nikon, Canon, and Sigma are the only major brands for digital cameras.
2) IBC-Amsterdam Sept 12-17 for the broadcast/cinematography industry Canon is there big time.
3) The Digital Show (PMA-Australia) Sept 13-15 All major camera brands registered for show.
No Photokina this year (every other year)
4) PhotoPlus Exhibition NY City Oct 23-27 All major brands and this is nothing but cameras. There are no photography trade shows in August that I can find.

heartyfisher

So anyone think the new 18-140 vr is the kit lens for the D400 ?

Its heavy and has a metal mount .. so it could be a really good lens ! if its as sharp or sharper than the 16-85 it could be great for the D400 .. Yes? no?

spraynpray

@heartyfisher: As somebody who has the 16-85 and doesn't rate it above the 18-105 on performance, I sure hope that the 18-140 is brilliant. I think it is the absence of really good glass for DX that is its greatest weakness and the biggest reason I would jump to FX.

There is no sign of the 7D2 yet is there? Word is that the two launches will be linked - they must be waiting to see who will blink first.

PB_PM

Word on the 7D MKII is that it won't come until sometime next year. Frankly each time there is a new rumour about it, the date changes. Nikon would be wise to launch the D400 well in advance of whatever Canon does. It only took Canon 3 years to make a camera that could match the D300...

brownie314

As far as I can figure out, Aptina has listed a 1" sensor with about 5MP currently in production. But I can find little about it.
They may have an APSC sensor coming as they seem to be a very active sensor manufacturer, probably with all the research going on behind closed doors.

I certainly have no details on any new sensors, but I do believe the progress in sensor development is so fast we will see some interesting products in the next year or two.

I think the 1" sensor is on a similar trajectory to the m4/3 sensors were 3 years ago. 3 years ago m4/3 sensors lagged pretty far behind aps-c. But now with the latest 16mp sensors m4/3 have closed the gap to all but the very latest high end aps-c sensors. I think the 1" sensor will come up to near aps-c quality in about 2 years.
But as far as aptina making an aps-c sensor for the rumored D400 - I am sure the D400 has been in R&D for at least a year, maybe more. They would have been working closely with whomever is going to supply the sensor for this body. Aptina would be more than "just having a lot of interest" for aps-c sized chips. But maybe the CEO of aptina was just being coy.

PB_PM

As far as I can figure out, Aptina has listed a 1" sensor with about 5MP currently in production. But I can find little about it.
They may have an APSC sensor coming as they seem to be a very active sensor manufacturer, probably with all the research going on behind closed doors.

I certainly have no details on any new sensors, but I do believe the progress in sensor development is so fast we will see some interesting products in the next year or two.

Aptina made/makes the sensor for the D3100, so I wouldn't doubt that they are working on a modern APS-C sensor. I'm sure they didn't like loosing the sensor in the D3200 to Toshiba.

Photobug

Well four new items with that announcement..lens, flash, and two point & shoot cameras.

My take, no more announcement until right before Berlin Consumer Electronic Show, Sept 6-11.

Another month to wait.

NikonRob

I'm just wondering how the D400 would fit between the 300s and the D600 in terms of price? Most would tell you just to pay the few hundred dollars extra and go fullframe with a D600. I've heard mixed reviews on the 600..

Kuv

I'm just wondering how the D400 would fit between the 300s and the D600 in terms of price? Most would tell you just to pay the few hundred dollars extra and go fullframe with a D600. I've heard mixed reviews on the 600..

Hi and welcome.
This has been discussed. The D600 is not a camera directed at professionals. The D400 might as well have the same price as the D600. We would buy it because of the better AF system, faster shutter speed, sync speed, more FPS and better ergonomics. All of these functions were present with the D300(s). Personally, I would buy it because the investment into a set of FF lenses would make a greater price difference than the body itself.

Msmoto

Think...September for the word on a D400...

And, I agree, the D600 was not intended for a pro audience, thank goodness....some of the delay of the D400 may also be a result of the D600 fiasco as if this occurred with a D400....some folks might think seriously about the jump....

NikonRob

Kuv said:

Hi and welcome.
This has been discussed. The D600 is not a camera directed at professionals. The D400 might as well have the same price as the D600. We would buy it because of the better AF system, faster shutter speed, sync speed, more FPS and better ergonomics. All of these functions were present with the D300(s). Personally, I would buy it because the investment into a set of FF lenses would make a greater price difference than the body itself.

Thanks for the response! I've heard that the D600 just doesn't have a "pro" feel about also. I've been waiting a long time for a successor to the 300s and I hope it comes soon.

sevencrossing

The D600 is not a camera directed at professionals.

Nikon sensibly, no long seem to differentiate between pro , amateur, consumer and prosumer cameras
for the very good reason, there are fulltime professionals happily using a D7100 and true amateurs a using D4

Nikon currently list 13 DSLRs

( including the dated D90, D7000, D300s, D3100 , D5100 and D3x)

leaving a total of 7 current camera

I cant see them rushing out with yet another new model, until their stocks of dated equipment is reduced

talked to a full time pro today, happily earing a living with a D300. Q What will buy when it finally fails ? A D800

What about a D400? I asked , he had not herd of it

PB_PM

The D600 is not a camera directed at professionals.
Nikon sensibly, no long seem to differentiate between pro , amateur, consumer and prosumer cameras...

Actually they do. Just try to sign up for NPS with a pair of D7100's. At least in Canada they do not qualify. At least two of the following are required, D4, D3s, D3x, D3, D700, D300s or D800(e). The D600 or even an ancient D300 is allowed under NPS as a secondary backup body.

catfish252

Nikon blamed US and Europe for their slow sales of Nikon 1 products:


"In Europe and the U.S. the ratio of mirrorless to SLRs hasn't grown at all, unlike in Asia, where it's quite popular with women because it's light. We had higher expectations for other regions. But people who like cameras tend to just go for SLRs, even though they're very heavy." (Nikon Imaging president Yasuyuki Okamoto via Reuters)

This scares me since they don't seem to understand their customers outside of Japan (they obviously don't query the other Nikon divisions about sales forecast or customer desires.) they blamed 'the regions' for not holding up our end of Nikon's forecast. Meanwhile here in the US and Europe "but people who like cameras tend to just go for SLR's even though they're very heavy." I couldn't have said it better -- Hey Mr. Okamoto, 'Give us that heavy, speedy, low-light hunting D400 with the heavy weather-sealed professional DX lenses and we'll do our best to turn your financial misfortune around." Signed most of us here at NR

DaveyJ

Catfish252 is right on here! The domestic market for mirrorless cameras in Japan seems to have totally clouded Nikon's view of their offerings. I predicted this outcome when the Nikon 1 was announced. I have used the camera. It is NOT what I want or need. I know of no serious photographer that actually bought one. But the most alarming comment on this thread is that the D400 could have a price equal to the D600. Make it too close to the D800 and Nikon just will lose sales. The D7100 is a great camera and sells very well. The D400 just needs to be a seriously upgraded camera. As soon as the price exceeds $2,000 the sales volume will falter considerably short of absolute rave reviews.

heartyfisher

Reminds me of the time the nikon F6 arrived.. waited and waited then and overprices dinosaur arrived.

The longer it takes to come out the higher the chance it will be over taken by a mirrorless..
I think we have seen one of the precursors already in the CoolpixA. (has offset microlenses!)

A mirrorless will probably come with one great kit lens say a 17-55 F2-F2.8 and an adapter like the FT1 which will be fully functional with all the Nikkor Lenses.

Photobug

Daveyj said:
But the most alarming comment on this thread is that the D400 could have a price equal to the D600. Make it too close to the D800 and Nikon just will lose sales. The D7100 is a great camera and sells very well. The D400 just needs to be a seriously upgraded camera. As soon as the price exceeds $2,000 the sales volume will falter considerably short of absolute rave reviews.

Good point about the price. However, I expect some new technology and I expect rave reviews. How will that impact potential buyers....that is the huge question. If it's under $2,000 demand will outstrip supply and we could be looking at 4 to 6 months from order to delivery. I sure would not like that nor other potential buyers.

For some, paying $2,000 to $2,300 won't be an issue with rave reviews. For others, that will probably be a wall they don't want to climb. If the reviews are good and not rave reviews the $2,000 barrier becomes bigger and many will wait for the price drop.

I really expect that sales under a $2,000 price point will result in pent up demand buying. At $2,000 or $2,100 only a minor drop in sales. $2,200 and $2,300 is a different situation..

PB_PM

Daveyj said:
...demand will outstrip supply and we could be looking at 4 to 6 months from order to delivery. I sure would not like that nor other potential buyers.

The same thing that happened when the D200 came out, the D300 came out, and the D800. Somehow that didn't hurt sales of said cameras.

SquamishPhoto

Daveyj said:
...demand will outstrip supply and we could be looking at 4 to 6 months from order to delivery. I sure would not like that nor other potential buyers.

The same thing that happened when the D200 came out, the D300 came out, and the D800. Somehow that didn't hurt sales of said cameras.

Thanks for saying what I wanted to say. :]