D300s Successor-D400, what and when

Paperman

Nikon knows the guy with the semipro body is going nowhere. He is already addicted to Nikon/has made all the investment in lenses so jumping to Canon is almost out of question. And naturally there is no stepping down to D7xxx bodies. So he is choice-less ; will use whatever Nikon gives him.

All we can do is resist/delay purchase - as long as our current DSLRs hold ... ( and I don't think mine will do much longer ! )

spraynpray

@Paperman: I think you are getting your terminology in a tangle - the D7xxx is 'semi-pro' (prosumer) having a mainly magnesium body, motor in body and many external controls similar in layout to the D600, the D300/s is 'pro' having fully magnesium body, similar control layout to the D800/D4.

Paperman

D300 has always been considered "prosumer" - never a pro camera.

Golf007sd

@Paperman: I respectfully disagree. The DX (crop factor) bodies are not going to go away anytime soon.

D600: Yes it does have some issue with dust & oil spots...but the bodies does have the capability to produce very nice sharp images. I had the chance to play with Ben_v3 while in Colorado and I was very impressed with its performance. For the price it is a great body.

PB_PM

D300 has always been considered "prosumer" - never a pro camera.

Guess you've never looked at Nikon's website in the past. The D300s qualifies for Nikon Pro service, the D7xxx line does not.

Ade

Pro or not?

For NPS Canada, the D300 and D600 are accepted as backup cameras. D7xxx are not accepted.

For NPS USA, D300 and D600 are accepted as primary cameras. D7xxx are accepted as backup cameras.

For NPS UK, neither the D600 nor the D7xxx line are acceptable at all.

Etc.

Golf007sd

For those that are interested: Equipment List for NPS Membership.

Giovannibg

Nikon seems to forget that the most simple way to make money is to make the products that customers want / ask for.

With the D600 /V1 they wanted to decide what customer MUST buy,

The bad financial results of D600 and mirrorless are the logical consequence of this way to think

sevencrossing

Nikon seems to forget that the most simple way to make money is to make the products that customers want / ask for.

what most people, on this thread seem to want, is a camera with most of the features of a D4 for less than the price of a D800

Unfortunately, I don't thing Nikon can do this and still make a profit

BUT

given that they should have recovered, most of, the R&D costs of the D800 and that they must be aware the D800's biggest failing is fps

they might bring out a "new" D800 with a higher fps retailing at the D800 current price

then they could discount the existing D800

and then, they could call the new "D800" a D400

would that keep most of you happy ?

NO
I did not think so

snakebunk

I would be happy with a faster D800 (if I could afford it). I would also be happy if Nikon only had three camera models: entry level dx, pro level dx and pro fx. It's ok with me if they want four models in the DXXXX-series, but I don't understand it.

The thing with a D400 is that it would be perfect for a bird photographer like me; reliable build quality, high fps and high pixel density, as well as all modern goodies like great iso performance and great auto focus.

I don't think a D400 would have to be more expensive than the D300s was when it was introduced.

Giovannibg

what most people, on this thread seem to want, is a camera with most of the features of a D4 for less than the price of a D800 - See more at: http://forum.nikonrumors.com/discussion/34/d300s-successor-d400-what-and-when/p51#sthash.HMYLOQNL.dpuf

This is not so complicated

Take the D300s body (already existent) , put inside the sensor of D7100 (not so expensive), increase the buffer size, use 51 point AF system and 95% of the wildlife photographers will be very happy.

It's so complicated? NO

I'ts expensive? NO because you use a combination of technolgies that you already have in hands now.

It will sell? By sure more than V1, more than D600, a lot more.

Target price. Something in the range of 1500-1800 it's realistic to produce good margins for Nikon since D300 is sold for about 900 euro now and D7100 also for 900 euro (tax included)

Sports

A new D400 could cost almost exactly the same as the D300s, maybe 100$ more. There's no reason at all, it should get close to D4 teritory.
Body: same price as before
D7100 sensor = same price as old D300s sensor (area and quality "grade" is the same!)
Video: it's software, developed already for all the existing models
Larger buffer for higher res: 4GB of RAM needed = 30$
Ok, an updated auto-focus module (from D800) would be expected, and I don't know if it's the same price or 50$ more or what. Let's say 70.
All further rise would be the "new model premium" which is fair, but hardly more than 500$. We're still well below the D800 price tag.

sevencrossing

If cameras were made by Dell
Then yes you could the body of camera (a) add sensor from camera (b) install the firmware from camera (c) the focusing from camera (e) the view finder from camera (f)
and make your own D400

snakebunk

@sevencrossing: It's a great idea!

Andrewz

I like where this is going... Paraphrased don't change the body just put better bits inside. As far as the sensor goes a quick check of DXOmark shows the D5200 sensor is just slightly better than the D7100. How about Nikon just putting the best DX sensor in they can find or make?

PB_PM

If cameras were made by Dell

If cameras were made by Dell then the industry would be in even rougher shape than it is now. Don't even go there.

Ironheart

Okay, I'll be the bubble buster.

Each camera has a custom main board. Even if you build a camera from existing parts, you will need a new custom main board. Many parts are alrady common to several camera models, AF modules, shutters, mounts, connectors, etc... But it's the combination (especially the sensor) that will drive the overall design.

Can you imagine the hue and cry from the media if Nikon literally re-used the exact body from a 3 year old camera? Where's the innovation? The design evolution? Not that I'm against it, mind you, I just don't think it will ever happen.

TriShooter

While it might make life a little easier if Nikon announced a D400, we have no way of knowing their intentions.

Meanwhile Canon is introducing what most of us that shoot BIF want with their new EOS 70D. Canon has moved the bar very close to where I want it at 12800 ISO, a useful touch screen, and 19 Point All Across AF System at a highly competitive price point. This camera looks very promising to me. If the noise is acceptable at ISO 6400 they have a winner on their hands that will turn a few heads.

Canon EOS 70D
20.2MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
DIGIC 5+ Image Processor
Dual Pixel CMOS AF with Live View
3.0" 1,040k-Dot Vari-Angle Touchscreen
Full HD 1080p Video with Move Servo AF
Built-In Wireless Connectivity
19-Point All Cross-Type AF System
Continuous Shooting Rate Up to 7 fps
ISO 100-12800 (Expandable to ISO 25600)

If Nikon has a plan they will be served to share it with us soon, along with the new specifications.

Ironheart

We covered this back on page 45:
http://forum.nikonrumors.com/discussion/comment/42612#Comment_42612
The 70D is somewhere between a D5200 and a D7100.

Msmoto

My guess, always a guess, is that we will see something from Nikon in mid September, about a week before the EOS 70D begins shipping.

Of note is Canon's ISO 12,800 with 20 MP, which on full frame is about 45 MP. Thus one must conclude there is significant sensor technology advancement to obtain the ISO with the high pixel density. My impression with Canon has always been a little more noise than Nikon at comparable ISO, but if they are successful with the new body, Nikon is going to have to make something happen fast. And, that would IMO be a stunning D400. My guess is about 16 MP, ISO 12,800 with possibly 51,000 expansion, 8-9 FPS, up to 50 shot buffer, the latest focusing and no AA filter.

This thread hopefully will be closed in a month or so when we see the real D400.......LOL )

Photobug

Msmoto said

This thread hopefully will be closed in a month or so when we see the real D400.......LOL

I would love to see you close this thread and open a new one for comments from the owners of their new D400.

Msmoto

IMO once we have an announcement and actually are seeing product delivered this thread will be closed and a new as you have suggested will open.

sevencrossing

....we will see something from Nikon in mid September, about a week before the EOS 70D begins shipping.

http://photorumors.com/

Canon EOS 70D now shipping

http://www.adorama.com/ICA70D.html?utm_term=Other&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=Other&utm_source=rflaid63773

Sports

This thread hopefully will be closed in a month or so when we see the real D400.......LOL )

I would love to see you close this thread and open a new one for the D500.

Giovannibg

an you imagine the hue and cry from the media if Nikon literally re-used the exact body from a 3 year old camera? Where's the innovation? The design evolution? Not that I'm against it, mind you, I just don't think it will ever happen.

Mercedes change the design of a car every 12 years. In the medtyime he make small updates
Toyota change totally the desing every 4 years

This because mercedes invest much on the design and change it only if the old one is too updated.

D800 have been designed by Giugiaro as the D300
The layout of D300 and D800 is not so much different only minor changes.

Nikon have to choose if they want to be the Merecdes of photo equipment or the Toyota.