Nikon says expanding FF line - hints at 5D competitor

[Ocean Blue]

From CNET news: http://www.news.com/8301-13580_3-9795957-39.html

Asked specifically if Nikon plans a 5D equivalent, he wouldn't share specifics, but did add that it "doesn't take a rocket scientist" to see the D3 has tantalized some photographers who aren't served by the D3. "That leaves a lot of other photographers out there intrigued."

I think this is good news for both users. We've seen prices come down dramatically in just a few years from the small car prices of the first 2 megapixel DSLR models and - even in the recent past, we've seen prices continue to fall by hundreds already on the 5D since introduction. More FF at lower price ranges will change the acceptable price points over time and that will be welcome.

[Hermeto]

That will be great news for both users once we see those new Nikons in stores.
Until then, these are just great rumors.

[Jon_Doh]

That's good news, competition is good. But it will take them ten years to produce it :)

[Familiaphoto]

Love competition, we will definitely benefit from more competition.

[Hogloff]

We are seeing Canon's reaction already to the D300 by lowering the 5D price to be more competative. More drive from Nikon will just speed up this price gouging and we consumes will all benefit.

[Hermeto]

Are we?
I am still not seeing D300s in stores, to begin with.

5D is next in line for upgrade, which will be announced sometimes in February, March 2008.
If Nikon follows it’s previous announce/release cycle history, it is very possible that we still don’t find D300 in stores by that time.
Well, probably not, because in that case Nikon will have nothing new to offer for this Christmas.

Still, D300 and 5D are very different cameras and they are not competing against each other, IMHO.

[cy88]

Canon should play along and release a new camera that's has some amazing specs..............on paper only. :D

[Hermeto]

Seriously, when was D300 announced, in September?
Six months between new model announcement and it’s actual release to stores is nothing new for Nikon.

By that time, we’ll be in mid February when PMA begins and traditionally, new Canon models are announced.

[-MasterChief-]

By that time, we’ll be in mid February when PMA begins and traditionally, new Canon models are announced.

... and are actually released immediately right after! :D

[mrfixitx]

Good for Nikon hopefully that means we will get a 5DMKII or 6D whatever Canon decides to call it for $2500 and Canon starts selling the 5D for $2000 or less.

At least with Canon within a week or so after announcing the 40D I saw it available in the local camera stores. With Nikon production seems to be a problem I remember all the complaints about the D200 backlog and the their 18-200VR lens backlog where users were waiting months after the official release date to get theirs.

Mr. Fixitx

[Hermeto]

Well, maybe not right after, but within reasonable time frame - a month or so..
But not half a year later!

[mikeassk]

Are we?

Still, D300 and 5D are very different cameras and they are not competing against each other, IMHO.

I dont use Nikon( and never really thought of it) but i mean come on. 12 mp with the option for 8 FPS and 51 focus points! Cheaper than the 5D now!!!
How can you say that?
That logic makes ZERO sense to me.

If i owned no glass and had no camera experience i would buy the D300 vs the 5D on specs alone. Now do i think the 5D still meets the the highest level of iso performance... so ive heard.

[Hermeto]

I dont use Nikon( and never really thought of it) but i mean come on. 12 mp with the option for 8 FPS and 51 focus points! Cheaper than the 5D now!!!
How can you say that?
That logic makes ZERO sense to me.

If i owned no glass and had no camera experience i would buy the D300 vs the 5D on specs alone. Now do i think the 5D still meets the the highest level of iso performance... so ive heard.

So what?
That 12 mp on D300 was Nikon’s attempt to kill 1D3, not 5D..
Two different cameras for two different segments of the dSLR market, me thinks.

However, as always, I could be wrong..

[-MasterChief-]

and the D300 will only shoot at 2.5 fps when set to 14-bit. the 40D will do 6.5 fps all day at 14-bit! and the 1DIII at 10fps 14-bit!!

the D300, what a joke! :D :D :D

[cyrn]

... and are actually released immediately right after! :D

well, it's not the case for 1dm3. till date there's still quite plenty of backlog orders. :rolleyes:

[cdifoto]

well, it's not the case for 1dm3. till date there's still quite plenty of backlog orders. :rolleyes:

Intentional on Canon's part. They're doing it to keep the price up. At least they brought it to market.

Nikon takes ages to get the initial shipment out. Hopefully that changes this time around with the D3 & D300 coming in November as announced.

[liquefied]

Canon - please, please, please make a FF camera for less than $1,300. I don't care if it only does 1fps. Just give it the same low-light and color performance of the 5D.

[dpastern]

That's good news, competition is good. But it will take them ten years to produce it :)

Nah, don't be surprised if Nikon has already working prototypes of a 5D competitor. The DSLR market is stabilising now, and model releases are becoming slower, which suits Nikon to a T. I also think that Sony desperately wants to grind Canon into a paste from a marketing and sales perspective, and it'll use any tool (including Nikon) to do this. Canon simply has to lift its game now, and not sit on its a$$ as I've been saying for quite some time now.

Dave

[AdamJL]

That's great news.
Although weird considering Nikon have been anti FF for so long. Now they have a pro FF camera and are thinking of expanding the range.
It's nice they're jumping on the bandwagon, but it would have better if they did so earlier

[cyrn]

Intentional on Canon's part. They're doing it to keep the price up. At least they brought it to market.

Nikon takes ages to get the initial shipment out. Hopefully that changes this time around with the D3 & D300 coming in November as announced.

I dunnoe about Canon and intentional limiting of 1dm3 supply. But it seems like 1DsM3 is similar to the D3/d300, they were announced a couple of days apart and will be on sale in Nov/Dec 07.

[RedHot]

Canon - please, please, please make a FF camera for less than $1,300. I don't care if it only does 1fps. Just give it the same low-light and color performance of the 5D.

Check back in 6 years. :lol: It ain't gonna happen before then. FPS isn't a price consideration in the 5D. The sensor is the key item that likely costs $1000+ compared to an aps-c sensor that might be $60 to $100.