Scout Images

Interested in when new Nikon DSLRs will arrive? I know I get asked often, so I sat down and had a look to see if I can extrapolate what will arrive when based on the design trends and release patterns that Nikon have used.

In short the soonest we should get:

• D4 – Q311
• D3Xs – Q410
• D4X – Q412
• D700X or D700s or both – Q310
• D800 – Q312
• D400 – Q111
• D90s or D90 replacement – Q310 or Q112
• D5000 replacement – Q410 but this troubles me
• D3000 replacement – Q111

Want to see why? Have a read of the full article to find out.

Nikon DSLR Map, July 2010

The SB-400 is the baby of Nikon’s speedlight line up, designed to be cheap, compact, light and easy to use. Lacking CLS (Creative Lighting System) compatibility, restricted manual controls, zoom and only tilting in one direction, a lot of people overlook this diminutive flash in preference for the large and more versatile SB-600, SB-800 and SB-900, and this is not an entirely bad move to make. BUT the SB-400 should not be written off as a flash that was designed to hit a price point, as it caters for a very important target market, who would really benefit from this flash if they considered it for what is does….more

Having seen the new release and preview of the Nikon D5000, I have to admit that I am excited. Packing in the best features of a D90 into a camera that is only a bit larger than a D60 with the added advantage of a tilt screen, all of a sudden video and Live View seems worth playing with. If image quality is comparable with that of the D90 then this camera will prove to be a real seller. Looks like Nikon is not going to give up its market share easily.

Nikon D5000 Key Features

• 12.9 megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor (effective pixels: 12.3 million)
• 2.7″ tilt and swivel LCD monitor (230,000 dots)
• Movie capture at up to 1280 x 720 (720p) 24 fps with mono sound
• Live View with contrast-detect AF, face detection and subject tracking
• Image sensor cleaning (sensor shake)
• 11 AF points (with 3D tracking)
• IS0 200-3200 range (100-6400 expanded)
• 4 frames per second continuous shooting (buffer: 7 RAW, 25 JPEG fine, 100 JPEG Normal)
• Expeed image processing engine
• Extensive in-camera retouching including raw development and straightening
• Connector for optional GPS unit (fits on hot shoe)
• New battery with increased capacity
• 72 thumbnail and calendar view in playback

For a hands on preview have a look at dpreview.

Nikon introduced this feature with their ground breaking D300 back in August 2007 and has been used in all their new DSLRs since. What is it? Does it work? How is it different from D-Lighting?….more