Nikon Says, "Me, too!"
Fast on the heels of Canon’s announcement of two new ante-upping DSLR models, Nikon cries, “Me, too!”
Nikon’s web site this morning carries press releases for a new D300 as well as a new model D3. The specs on the D300 are skimpy in the press release, and those given don’t look particularly earth-shattering, especially at an estimated selling price that’s $500 more than the Canon 40D. With the exception of the Multi-CAM 3500DX auto focus module, which sports up to 51 auto focus points, and the full-VGA-resolution 3″ display, most of the other features appear to be very similar in concept to items that Canon users have enjoyed for at least two years now!
The more interesting development is the D3. It’s Nikon’s first DLSR camera that doesn’t use a CCD image sensor. Instead, Nikon appears to have “seen the light,” so to speak, and moved to a CMOS sensor. The model is aimed more at the Canon 1D MkIII, rather than at the newest 1Ds MkIII. However, in another Nikon first, it does sport a 12.1MP full-frame sensor — something Nikon executives previously vowed would never happen. Nikon also claim high ISO performance up to ISO 25,600 in its extended range (read “really noisy”) mode. “Normal” ISO range is 200-6400. Street pricing is expected to be similar to that of the 1D MkIII — again, about $500 higher.
Nikon advocates will claim that these new models will put Nikon quantum leaps ahead of Canon in performance, but I see things a little differently. These cameras employ vastly different technology from previous models, and Nikon is diving into relatively unknown territory. There will be bugs. There will be issues. It will take time for Nikon to “master” CMOS technology, which Canon have been using since the inception of their DSLR program seven-plus years ago (not counting the previous Kodak/Canon hybrid models).
[UPDATE] Nikon have updated their web site with more in-
I will admit that the auto focus system looks impressive, especially since it is implied that focusing can be achieved while in live view!
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