Well the rumor mill is alive and kickin, even going as far as Photoshopped pictures of a Nikon D400 and articles in magazines from far away countries.
Well, rest easy. If you are a die hard Nikon fan, it's inevitable. The Nikon D400 is around the corner. History shows us that it's time for a new DX sensor Dxxx camera. The D300 was released in August, 2007 and Nikon has been running about a 18-24 month time period between like models.
If you were watching this closely then you know that at the beginning of April Nikon told everyone they were having a "big press release". On April 14, they did release a new model, but it was not the D400, it was the D5000. The D5000 will be a new entry level DSLR featuring 720p HD video recording capabilities.
So the new rumors push the release date of the D400 to August 2009 with delivery ready for the Holiday Season. So what's it gonna have that the D300 does not?
Well, I have compiled the rumor list from many different sources and the general consensus is the following:
- 14-15 Mega pixel CMOS Sensor (still DX format although rumors differ even on this)
- Faster FPS then the D300 (7 fps and more with the battery grip???)
- Next Gen Expeed Processor?
- Greater ISO range then the D300
- Video Capability
So, what does all this mean? Not much, it's just rumors.
But here's my 2 cents. At this point I really don't see a compelling reason to upgrade if you are a D300 user. But, if you are a Dxx user and want to upgrade, it makes more sense. Personally I think the video capability is a gimmick. You have to remember that (at least in the D90) the camera does not auto focus in video mode. That squelches the idea of the camera doubling as a still and a video camera for everyday practical use. Also remember that the audio capabilities are minimal compared to a hand held video camera meant for video.
Another consideration for you Dxx users looking to upgrade is the fact that the D300 should come down in price when the D400 is released. The D300 is still the king of all DX sensor cameras and will maintain it's relevance for a long while. (Don't get mad at me Canon users - I meant king of the Nikon lineup. Your 50D is an awesome camera).
For me, I am sitting tight for a while. I think FX sensors will make their way into less expensive cameras and within 3-5 years even perhaps phase out DX sensors. But who knows, if I could predict the future, I'd just get next Wednesday's lottery numbers, win it all, and buy an island.
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