D850

donaldejose

vtc2002: I think it is a matter of focus on high end, but not to the exclusion of all mid and low end bodies. The D7500 was never intended to be better than the D500; it occupies a lower rung on the DX ladder. Nikon doesn't intend to abandon any one of the four levels it has at DX or at FX in my opinion. But I do expect them to abandon many of the levels they had in the coolpix line. I don't think Nikon's "focus" comment was intended to mean that all new cameras they release will be "high end." But their more limited research and development budget and efforts are likely to be "focused" on the high end products with "trickle down" to mid and lower end interchangeable lens bodies. As to "the pattern" I think we have to wait until the entire mirrorless line is announced. If I am right that mirrorless will be a new category there may well be four mirrorless bodies; two with DX sensors and two with FX sensors. In about a year or two we should see the entire realignment of Nikon cameras and that will better show us what Nikon means by "focusing on the high end products."

An interesting item to me is the movement of the Df to the new category of "special purpose cameras." The special purpose of the D810 is astrophotography but what is the special purpose of the Df? Nikon says "modern classic" but how is that a special purpose? It is just a retro interface but the photographic purpose it is used for is no different than any of the DX or FX bodies listed in those categories. I sort of think the Df was put in the special purpose category to indicate small sales numbers due to limited appeal. Because Df is not one of the four FX bodies it makes me think Nikon my not update it or if it does the update will be just to put the D5 sensor and processor in it with practically no other changes.

Capt_Spaulding

I think part of the problem is one can now make a pretty strong case that the D7500 is, in fact, a step backward. And perhaps more troubling, it looks like Nikon downgraded it to avoid cannibalizing sales of the D500. While that may be a rational business decision it is almost certain not to sit well with many of the loyal Nikonisti.

Personally, I'm happy with my D610 for the time being, but I can easily imagine members of the tribe feeling that the leadership is jerking them around after seeing the 7500. They are looking to the rapid deployment of the new D8x0 to offer reassurances that sane(ish) heads are at the helm.

[Deleted User]

Perhaps what we are seeing is a company that can no longer expect to have Sony produce new type sensors for Nikon which means rebranding of cameras with already existing sensor designs (D7500), albeit with exterior changes which Nikon can control. If true the D820 will have the D810 sensor. Also perhaps Sony's decisions to limit production of new sensor designs for third parties was the reason Nikon had to abandon the DL series; Sony was unwilling to produce them, or at a price which was uneconomical. In such a scenario, longer term, Nikon will have to find another source of sensor design and manufacturing while in the meantime limiting R&D due to cash restraints. If my read of Sony's earlier announcement this year is correct, Sony has accelerated Nikon's demise and Nikon is scrambling to offer slightly modified products with existing technology. Symptoms so far support this possibility. A cash strapped company whose major supplier has just shut down future sensor production can only mean further and swift deterioration.

One hopes this is not true but 2017 hangs in the balance with nothing terribly new known to be on the horizon. A comment by Leica's managing director after the Sony announcement earlier this year suggested major fallout of competition in the market. The undercurrent was that he meant Nikon in particular. Time will tell. I will not jump and in fact am fine with a sleeker, more refined D810 rebadged as the 820.

If any of this us true I would boycott Sony products altogether (not that I have a Sony product to purchase in mind).

O welcome comments from anyone who has facts to counter this.

IanG

As usual, I take a different view - and I can't help thinking that Sony shot themselves in the foot. Sensor technology advances at a fantastic rate, and Sony aren't the only sensor manufacturers.

This sort of announcement is great for the competition, and I feel this will actually stimulate the other manufacturers and we'll eventually see, albeit after an extended lag time to get back to previous production levels, some innovations and concepts only dreamed of at the present time.

Sony's market share, in terms of digital cameras, will probably remain fairly constant - they have a good product and discerning users will no doubt pick up on this, but I really don't think this sounds the death knell for the other camera manufacturers - far from it.

Last point - for Nikon to produce an 'D820' with the same sensor as the D810 would sadly confirm the retrogression - but then who (even within Nikon) really understands their marketing strategy!

framer

They could do a D810s with upgraded focus and new soft/firmware to update the wireless use.

Images are still the best with the D810 and my goto body for every thing but speed. I'm on a 10 year cycle like the old days. I keep and use a body for 10 years; however, I use two bodies bought 5 years apart. The next replacement will be for my D3s in about two years. Maybe a D6?, don't tell the wife.

framer

shubhabrata29

It was confirmed by various sites already that it will not have same sensor as of D810 but will have a 46MP sensor and people believe it will a RGBW sensor !!!! May be that's the reason they are delaying so much. In comparison to Canon's dual pixel, Sony's in sensor stability, Nikon need that extra push of RGBW to make it high end product.

rmp

I would like to hear what the people on this tread think about "computational photography" as in Light's L16 camera (https://light.co/camera) will mean to Nikon.

donaldejose

Maybe the L16 technology works and maybe it does or doesn't work as well as claimed. We have to wait for the reviews. Since the bedrock of the technology requires multiple lenses, it is not suited for use in a DSLR. Think of it as perhaps a better cell phone camera or as a "flat" shirt-pocket camera.

spraynpray

Apparently Canon did a similar thing when they bought out the 7D - stripped good features out of some cameras to more clearly delineate the pro and prosumer ranges and stimulate more sales of the more expensive product.

vtc2002

Donaldejose I believe you are correct in your comment and I think that is part of Nikon's problem. When I started shooting with Nikon they were the best in the market for cameras and lenses. That included medical and large format lenses too. Nikon has some products that are the best in the market, such as the D810, D750 etc but being slow to release upgrades for them and then release the D7500 with one card slot, etc. instead raises concern to me about their focus and commitment to being a market leader. It's not just Nikon, I think Canon is struggling as well. Others are leading by being innovators and listening to what there customers want. I hope they surprise everyone and release some outstanding products.

donaldejose

Agreed. When I started shooting in the 1960s Nikon was the tops. A few of their products are still great (my list is the same as yours) but they no longer are the leader. I too hope they will regain the position they once held. The D810 is their best product in recent years. I hope they can duplicate it's superiority with its follow-up. The D3 was a standout when it was released. The D500 is a standout among crop sensor bodies today because of its feature set. Hopefully we will see some more standout products in the next few years: mirrorless bodies and RBGW sensors.

shubhabrata29

Hope this is the last rebate ...after which Nikon makes some ground breaking announcements in May. I'm starving for so long................

donaldejose

Nikon's 100th Anniversary is in July. It is likely they will make any new camera announcements they have at that time.

Pistnbroke

If the latest rumor is correct then 46 MP does not excite me against the 36 I have ..tilty screen does not excite me and whats all this about XD and XQD cards ??? the biggest XD I can find is 2 GB..just checked in nikon rumors and XD is a missprint in New Camera for SD thank god.
Would be great if they dumped the pro controlls ....

Not quite the 54 MP mirrorless I could not afford

KnockKnock

Sorry in advance for not following all pages on this thread if I'm repeating already stated thoughts. It seems pretty straight forward to me. Nikon already stated that the D500 was in response to users not being happy enough with the D7100 and D7200 as a replacement for the D300.

At the time, the D7100 was a move upstream in a market where it was supposed to be the top end DX body. The recent addition of the D500 as the new king of the DX hill makes room between the D5500 and D500 for the D7xxx body to move down a bit.

Of course you're not going to make everyone happy. D7xxx users expect an upgrade and features moving down get poo-poo'ed for good reason. Moving up the D500 is the expected answer, but there's the bigger body, the lack of U1/U2. It's not a perfect fit, but the positioning does make sense to me.

I think the more interesting questions here are what happens in the FX world with bodies. A D760 would make sense at 36MP now, but there's room for a higher frame-rate FX camera that slots in below the D5. Will the D8xx family get a lower MP version for that, or will the D760 get bumped up? It's possible if the former the D760 would get bumped down just like the D7500. Remove weight, AI thing, 1 SD slot. We haven't seen a less than D3/D4/D5 FX at 8fps since.... Then it too comes down to, where do the U1/U2 vs Memory Banks users split? I don't think their next move will be a surprise. Just positioning.

And yes, less, activity in the Nikon 1/DL, Coolpix area. Not sure the D3xxx or D5xxx will be very interesting either.

Coming from the D7100 with 4 lenses, I'd be happy with a D7500 and a 16mm f/2.8 DX prime. I don't throw my bodies around, don't have AI lenses, have not needed the luxury of that second slot, and crave the floppy screen. I guess that disqualifies me as a fanboy.

But moving to a D750 or D760 would also satisfy the craving, where the 24mm f/1.8 looks great.

IanG

Pistnbroke said:

Would be great if they dumped the pro controlls ....

Why? It's a pro camera after all, and some people, me for instance, actually LIKE the pro controls.

framer

Pistnbroke said:

Would be great if they dumped the pro controls ....

Please, NO...

The D810 will be a hard act to follow.

framer

Pistnbroke

no stupid memory banks on a Canon ..C1 C2 C3....

heartyfisher

IanG said:

Pistnbroke said:

Would be great if they dumped the pro controlls ....

Why? It's a pro camera after all, and some people, me for instance, actually LIKE the pro controls.

Yup, Love the pro controls :-) if its like the D500 it will be nice :-) still I am not really interested ... The D500 has me enamoured.

Pistnbroke

I see the controlls like this ..If you are shooting a band ..set what you think before you go then adjust to the actual lighting.. the pro will keep the new settings even if you turn the camera on and off .....With the U1 system if you make a change it is forgotten if you turn the camera off and you go back to the presets ...I dont shoot bands so the latter suits me.

IanG

I shoot bands...

donaldejose

Nikon can keep the pro contols and just add a U1,U2, and U3 to a dial. Should just be software. Then people can have the best of both worlds. Use whichever you like best.

spraynpray

Since I reprogrammed my video buttons on my cameras to be ISO, I am happier with my non-profit-making controls than the pro controls.

heartyfisher

spraynpray said:

Since I reprogrammed my video buttons on my cameras to be ISO, I am happier with my non-profit-making controls than the pro controls.

Just curious... how do you video now?

Pistnbroke

U1...video button = ISO U2...video button = video EPLS