D300s Successor-D400, what and when

Photobug

You guys are right, it did not hurt sales. It just made a lot of us sit and wait. I only had to wait 3 weeks for my D300 which was better than a lot of people.

Just read this from the main rumor page:
"Like I mentioned before, I also expect a new D4 type camera (D4x?) before the end of the year or in early 2014 that could even have a 45MP sensor inside. Basically we should see three major camera announcements in the next few months in addition to any new Nikon 1 and Coolpix products. Sorry, nothing on the D400 for now (no surprise again since there seems to be a "zero chance of a 7D Mark II in 2013")."

Read more on NikonRumors.com: http://nikonrumors.com/2013/08/08/nikon-to-release-new-entry-level-dslr-camera-revised-compact-cameras.aspx/#ixzz2bQqDWJTF

Not good at all.

1skully

Is it September YET ?????

Photobug

The dog days of summer makes thing happen slowly. Still waiting for September.

heartyfisher

lol its cold here down under... we have pma in melb in in a few weeks time !! going to go feed my NAS.. :-(

snakebunk

In a world without a d400, what's the best option for a pro level camera with a super high pixel density?

Msmoto

@snakebunk

D800/E or D7100?

Sports

@snakebunk
If pixel density is your main concern then D7100 ... and accept it's not "pro level". You'll even be able to buy a lens - say, one of those new Sigma babies - for the money you save.
But if you ALSO need high speed then you're in trouble, at least if you're locked to Nikon lenses.
If you're ready for a fresh start (and if you like a good rumour when you hear it), the next Sony DX top model is rumored to be a megapixel monster and a speed monster at the same time. Hopefully, Nikon will try to match such a challenge. But right now, it feels more like Nikon (and Canon for that matter) are abandoning the high-end DX segment. If nothing happens in six months, then I, too, will find it difficult to keep up hope. Sad.

sevencrossing

@snakebunk
the next Sony DX top model is rumored to be a megapixel monster and a speed monster at the same time. .

the question is; what sort of quality monster will it be
if just want pixel density, look at the latest smart phones

snakebunk

@Msmoto
@Sports

Thank you for your answers. I think the D800(/e) is the closest Nikon option. Compared to D300(/s) you get better autofocus, higher pixel density and better iso performance, but it's a slower camera. It's 3 out of 4 possible improvements for my needs. I will look for the new Sony camera and I hope for improved Sigma Foveon crop cameras. Don't really want to swap lenses though... Well, my D300s can stay for the winter, but after that it's time for that "megapixel monster and a speed monster at the same time".

sevencrossing

@Msmoto
@Sports

. Compared to D300(/s) you get better autofocus, higher pixel density and better iso performance, but it's a slower camera. ".

slow in which way?

snakebunk

slow in which way?

I mean slower as in less frames per second.

Photobug

Found this at Ken Rockwell's web site:

Canon 70D

I just got back from an invitation to visit to Canon's new USA headquarters, and got my hands on a pre-production Canon 70D.

Its big pitch is "Dual Pixel AF," and in actual use, it really does allow smooth autofocus without hunting while rolling video.

The most important thing along with smooth AF is that you simply tap the live-view LCD to pull focus from one subject to the next. Tap a face and it focuses there, and tap another face (or the object of a conversation) and it focuses there. Once something gets tapped, it does its best to track it in and out, up and down and left and right as it moves around.

Technically, I finally saw some diagrams that show the big deal about what's clumsily called "Dual Pixel." Canon really does have a sensor with some depth in the sensor wells so that it can detect focus directly from the optical 3D image for live "phase-detection" AF, as opposed to having to analyze the image from the sensor for "contrast" AF.

I didn't get much time with it, and from what I could see, it does have smooth video AF under reasonably sane conditions. I didn't get to try it during complete craziness, like a kid's birthday party, but from what I did see, even if it can't focus on everything instantly, it ought to be the state of the art in DSLR video AF today. DSLRs have much larger sensors than camcorders or iPhones, so they have to move much bigger optics inside much bigger lenses much further to change focus. The 70D's video AF does track moving objects, and like all AF systems, it has its limits as to just how close you can get how fast before it loses lock. Camcorders and iPhones have their limits. The 70D should be a big hit for shooting video.
================================================
Nothing about timing.

heartyfisher

On the other hand its from KR and that means that it could all be a figment of his imagination ;-) will have to wait for independent confirmation :-)

Sports

@snakebunk
the next Sony DX top model is rumored to be a megapixel monster and a speed monster at the same time. .

the question is; what sort of quality monster will it be
if just want pixel density, look at the latest smart phones

This is a very interesting question. I've never tried a Sony, and I'm sure they still have "issues" that they need to address to get to the "pro level" that was mentioned earlier.
But seen from outside, Sony is expanding upwards with fullframe compact (RX-1), fullframe mirrorless in the near future (NEX-"x"), and also more regular DX and FX cameras.
At the same time, Nikon and Canon are not even replacing their pro DX bodies. Instead, they made some not very ambitious mirrorless's. Canon made a tiny low-end DSLR (100D), and Nikon is rumored to do the same with a model below D3200. They're moving downwards. Arrgghh.
(Sorry, I just happen to have a Nikon budget but can't do anything until I see that they actually wish to stay in business.)

Msmoto

I am of the impression the DXXX nikon bodies are not about high pixel density, but about a crop sensor "pro-sumer" action/paparazzi body. And, when the Canon/Nikon behind the scenes folks decide to introduce their respective bodies, I suspect they will be very competent performers.

While one might mention Sony, they are not a player in the sports photographer world as they are very limited in long lenses and the ones they have are priced out of sight. My guess is they hold less than 10% of the pro market.

Sports

Many birders and plain spotters and the like also use D300 and Canon 7D, and they want high pixel density, I'm sure.
Personally, I'm happy with 12 Mp. Fast auto-focus on moving objects and high fps are my main priorities. And better low light performance compared to D300 is urgently needed, of course.
Sony is a very small player now, and as long as Canon/Nikon had all bases covered, then Sony had very little chance. But I'm just saying that I'm open for the new guy in town if Nikon refuses. And with Sigma on a roll, then that could be the place to get lenses at a more decent price. Their new stuff appears to be good. I actually have their (old-ish) 70-200/f2.8 already (Nikon mount, obviously). Not as sharp as the Nikon, but inexpensive, and very snappy auto-focus!
But fingers crossed for Nikon brewing on something behind the scenes.

spraynpray

Just read the Blog:

"There will be several changes in Nikon's product map as a result of the recent forecast cuts. As you can see from the above Q&A session, Nikon is planning "to launch new products in the latter half of the fiscal year expect a shift towards newer products that have higher profit margins". I already mentioned that I expect three new Nikon DSLR cameras by the end of the year (the actual announcement could be in the first week of 2014 for the CES show): one full frame camera (probably D4x), one entry level DX model (probably D1000). The third camera is still not clear: it could be anything from a mirrorless to a SLT based or a retro design."

Not looking good for a D400 - at least any time soon. 8-|

PB_PM

No it isn't. I'm starting to believe there never will be one. I guess Nikon either doesn't see enough demand for such a product or just doesn't care about that segment of the user base anymore.

proudgeek

Perhaps Nikon is thinking that with both the D600 and D800 capable of shooting in DX mode at the touch of a button (at pretty high resolutions) having a pro-style DX body is redundant. If potential D400 buyers were perceived to cannibalize FX body buyers, why would they make it?
Not saying it's right or wrong, just trying to explain the behavior of a company whose margins are getting squeezed from multiple directions.

PB_PM

I believe that is the thinking as well. I recall an post on Dpreview where a Canon rep mentioned they had no long term plans for high end crop sensor bodies (aka 7D) now that the 6D was out. If that is true, then maybe Nikon is thinking the same thing? D600 = No D400. All the rumors of a D400 or Canon 7D MKII just seem to linger, but we have not seen any leaked photos or anything of that nature. If I recall there were leaked photos of the D800 and D600 months before they were released.

Paperman

The reason we are still looking for a D300 replacement is because the D600 came out to be a lousy/very problematic camera ( besides the body being no match for an advanced/semi pro photographer )

Had the D600 been a decent DSLR , most of us in this forum would have already jumped ship to FX , no longer waiting for - not even mentioning - a D300 replacement.

Nikon will probably get it right this time - affordable FX in a D300ish body and we will not hesitate a moment to go FX. ( And semi-pro DX will be buried forever )

Sports

Spraynpray, PB_PM, proudgeek, I think you're right this is the reason. Nikon wants customers to jump to FX, and they think a semi-pro DX will stop people from jumping..
But I'm totally with you, Paperman. Nikon should actually build the camera that can make us jump. Give me the FX that betters the D300s on all parameters, then I'll jump, and even pay 500$ more than what the D400 would be. The problem is, this camera isn't there (except for the D4 of course). Right now, the D800 is their best offer, but paying 1000$ more and getting half the FPS doesn't appeal to me at all.

PB_PM

Nikon will probably get it right this time - affordable FX in a D300ish body and we will not hesitate a moment to go FX. ( And semi-pro DX will be buried forever )

Nikon already makes a camera with with a D300 style body and an FX sensor, it's called the D800. :P Don't count on seeing a 24MP version for $500-1000 less any time soon.

Paperman

"affordable" being the key word

PB_PM

And "don't count on seeing" is also the key phrase.

Nikon like most camera manufactures is obsessed with creating artificial lines between "consumer" and "pro" bodies.