Will there Be a Professional DX Body From Nikon?

manhattanboy

Given that a D610 FX is currently approx the same price as a D7200 Dx

I can only conclude. The manufacturing cost of a sensor, is a fairly small part of the retail price of a camera

Nikon probably is making a boatload on margin for both the 7200 and 610.
Anyway, it really does not matter. Some folks like DX (myself included) as the reach/cost/weight are more in line with the type of photography that we prefer. More recently I am returning back to using the 7100 over the 810 for the very reason of reach and speed. The 7100 in 1.3 crop mode is pretty darn good, and often I prefer it over the 810 which has less reach and less speed (not to mention higher costs and size/weight). There are many things from the 810 that I wish Nikon would bring to the DX line and I think some folks feel similar (or to be more specific want D4S features to be brought to a DX), hence the desire for this thread.

Ironheart

The retail cost has approximately 66% markup (33% wholesale, 33% retail). Nikon's corporate profit is in the base cost, and is about 12%. So that $2000 camera costs about $300 in materials, and another $200 in labor, and another $200 in overhead and profit. The rest goes to the middlemen.

sevencrossing

@ manhattanboy
On the subject of reach. Would you be so kind as to post a comparison, using the same lens, between the D800 in DX crop mode and the D7100

I fully understand the advantage of size and weight. At some stage I am going be have replace my D800 for something lighter

Some people hope a pro DX would have the controls and size of a D800

snakebunk

I think the need/desire for pro dx diminishes as the resolution and speed of fx cameras increas. But, even when there are 50 mp fx cameras there will probably be something like 36 mp dx cameras. So the dx cameras will have a pixel density (/reach) advantage compared to fx cameras for a long time.

I think it would be good for Nikon to make pro cameras where you can choose between different sensors. Either by replacing them yourself, or that there are different models. I.e. a pro camera with the choice of a dx sensor, high resolution fx sensor or low resolution fx sensor, but the rest of the camera remains the same. I think it will be easier for Nikon to do this with mirrorless cameras.

In other words I like the idea of many sensor/body combinations but as similar user interfaces and accessories as possible.

Personally though I will probably continue to buy my new cameras from the D8XX line as long as it exists. Because I like a large sensor, and when I by a new camera my old fx camera will be backup so there will never be time for me to buy a dx second camera.

One_Oh_Four

I disagree with the last few dozen post of anti ProDx Discussion comments..

If, by any chance, you are referring to me
Let me it clear
I am not anti ProDX
In its time, the D2 was a groundbreaking camera
I just don't think, Nikon will make another Pro dx in the foreseeable future
The latest rumor for a Nikon Mirrorless suggests, it will be full frame, seems to support this

Whoa! @sevencrossing; the quotation you show wasn't written by me. It was part of a posting I replied to!

heartyfisher

. however the result was that the DX sensor will cost approximately 10% of an FX sensor.

Given that a D610 FX is currently approx the same price as a D7200 Dx

I can only conclude. The manufacturing cost of a sensor, is a fairly small part of the retail price of a camera

I think the current prices for D610 and D7200 is a bit skewed. probably bec the demand for the new D7200 is high.. a better comparison would be the D7100 and the D600. or the D7200 and the D750..

retread

I would like a DX with the D810 control layout but not necessarily the size. Smaller would be just fine.

spraynpray

I would like a DX with the D810 control layout but not necessarily the size. Smaller would be just fine.

Like the D300 Vs the D3 you mean?

Sports

When some want the DX pro "smaller", is this important to you, or would it just be nice?

Personally, I don't wish for smaller. Even with pretty small hands (maybe because of that??), the D300 feels way better in my hands than the D750. Maybe, the D750 is actually designed for bigger hands, and the D300 for Japanese hands, who knows?
Additionally, the heavier the body, the less shake (from the hands as well as from the mirror and shutter), so a heavy camera will produce better IQ in those cases where camera shake matters.
Finally, with a lens attached, a 100g weight saving will not matter that much, and if you take tripod, bag, etc. into account. the camera is just a small part ... but - admitted - the only part that's always in the equation.

retread

Smaller would be nice but not a deal breaker. Having a larger and a smaller camera in the bag would give me a choice to fit the occasion. The same button layout is far more important. When I hang 3.5 pounds of glass on it I agree weight doesn't make a whole lot of difference.

I too have small hands, feet, and some would say brain yet when you add it all up it is 200+ pounds.

spraynpray

In my opinion, perhaps a little too much is made of similar class FX/DX weight differences. At the end of the day it seems like a small difference to me. D750/D7100? Not a lot in it. OK, compare a D3300 and D4s and you have a significant difference.

As regards buttons, sure Nikon have made an effort to be more consistent with button layouts recently, but the functionality under each button is just different enough to reduce the benefit of that. Perhaps if that rumoured firmware update policy had turned out to be fact those differences could have been ameliorated.

heartyfisher

. however the result was that the DX sensor will cost approximately 10% of an FX sensor.

Given that a D610 FX is currently approx the same price as a D7200 Dx

I can only conclude. The manufacturing cost of a sensor, is a fairly small part of the retail price of a camera

I think the current prices for D610 and D7200 is a bit skewed. probably bec the demand for the new D7200 is high.. a better comparison would be the D7100 and the D600. or the D7200 and the D750..

VERY Nice drop in D7200 prices here locally !! VERY tempted to pull the trigger !!

D7200 is now $300 cheaper than D610 !

Only thing is that several reviews of D7200 vs 7Dm2 that I have been reading have talked as if the D400 is a forgone conclusion and will be here soon. Does the price drop mean a D400 is on the way ? or that the D7100 to D7200 upgraders are not biting ?

spraynpray

Only thing is that several reviews of D7200 vs 7Dm2 that I have been reading have talked as if the D400 is a forgone conclusion and will be here soon. Does the price drop mean a D400 is on the way ? or that the D7100 to D7200 upgraders are not biting ?

I will not be biting. I would like to put the D7200 through a test in the conditions I use my D7100 to see what - if any - improvements there are, but I'm happy with the D7100 for the next few years.

Maybe Nikon have made life hard for themselves in getting the IQ from the D7xxx series so good that they are struggling to give us a decent hike with the D400?

Sports

Hard to see why Nikon are THAT desperate, but I'm sure it's not a D400 indication.
The D7200 is not meant to attract D7100 upgraders, IMHO. But one would expect lots of potential D7000, D5xxx, D3xxx upgraders along the way. But maybe, they already picked up a D7100 ... or they hoped for more features ... or they waited, as they've learned that prices always drop.
The D7200 looks like a slow seller, but a solid and long lasting one.

sevencrossing

The D7200 looks like a slow seller, but a solid and long lasting one.

I think a lot of potential customers bought and are still buying the D7100

The bluebells are out early, There is an election in the UK next week , The next full moon will be on a Sunday and The wind is in the East. Sure signs the D400 is on it's way

One_Oh_Four

The D7200 looks like a slow seller, but a solid and long lasting one.

I think a lot of potential customers bought and are still buying the D7100

The bluebells are out early, There is an election in the UK next week , The next full moon will be on a Sunday and The wind is in the East. Sure signs the D400 is on it's way

According to her:......

bryanD7100

I was going to wait till Sep. to see what Nikon produces but both my D7100 and D5300 have sold and the D7200 should be here today . Without new technology the D400 doesn't look like a 7D MkII killer. It will add about 8fps and different/better body design to resemble what everyone wants. Providing they release it that new Sony sensor rated at 19 fps might be the basis for a killer update though!

heartyfisher

The D610 price dropped too !! ! ( Must really mean that is a D400 coming ;-) )

Msmoto

The D7200 looks like a slow seller, but a solid and long lasting one.

I think a lot of potential customers bought and are still buying the D7100

The bluebells are out early, There is an election in the UK next week , The next full moon will be on a Sunday and The wind is in the East. Sure signs the D400 is on it's way

According to her:......

This reminded me of a restroom in Italy, I believe... or was it France....early in the 1970's )

Parke1953

Msmoto LOL been there done that.

spraynpray

If it was France in the early '70's, it would have been a hole in the floor... @-)

haroldp

It looks like a hole in the floor to me.

.... H

manhattanboy

@ manhattanboy
On the subject of reach. Would you be so kind as to post a comparison, using the same lens, between the D800 in DX crop mode and the D7100

I will do you one better and post a much better photographer's comparison:
D7200 pic:


Versus the D810:


These are from this article btw:
https://photographylife.com/reviews/nikon-d7200/2

This difference is the main reason why I have not abandoned my 7100 (and to be fair the 7200 looks even better) for the 810 alone. If you really need reach, there is nothing better for a given lens than Nikon's latest and greatest top of the line DX camera. This is also why I am hoping that Nikon keeps the resolution high if they ever release a pro-DX...if we have to crop our way to glory on a lower res pro-DX camera, we might as well just shoot the 810 or D4S instead.

sevencrossing

I will do you one better and post a much better photographer's comparison:

At last. Thank you so much

So what is more likely

a D400
a D900 with 54mp and 8fps
a D4x with 54 mp and 14fps
a Mirrorless with 54mp and 20fps ?

I am hoping for the Mirrorless but suspect we get the D900 in a year's time

haroldp

@manhattanboy

I am impressed by the lens that can show a clear difference in this situation, what was it ??

... H