dSLR Gossip

More chatter about the new Nikon full-frame camera – it seems like it is going to be a Nikon D900 after all. Personally, I would love to see the 18 megapixel Nikon sensor go into the Nikon D900. It just makes more sense – it will not alienate the users who sold their kidneys to get a Nikon D3x .

There may be an explanation after all to the naming convention – D900 follows Nikon’s odd-even naming cycles. These 4 year odd-cycle started with the Nikon D3. What followed was D300, D90, D3000, D700 and D5000 – all non-zero odd numbers. Going with this rationale, Nikon D900 is the next to follow.

The next even-cycle will start with the Nikon D4, sometime around summer of 2011. And, soon we’ll see: Nikon D400, Nikon D800, Nikon D4000, Nikon D6000, etc.

Popular rumor website, http:/www.NikonRumors.com has some reasonable explanation of why the Nikon D800 is going to be called the D900. Read more over here…
New year, new rumor: Nikon D900

Nikon had 3 different mules (all full-frame sensors) a few months ago. The most probable one that was touted to go production was the 18 megapixel one, for two main reasons

• it was not going to eat into the Nikon D3x sales
• it had excellent noise characteristics akin to the Nikon D3s

And, the 18 megapixel sensor mule was supposed to be named, Nikon D800.

The next mule was a 24 megapixel one with the same sensor as in the Nikon D3x. The camera was a really stripped down version the body and features (except the sensor) were very similar the Nikon D90. This was supposed to be named the Nikon D900.

Five more weeks, we should know by then. Or maybe sooner, when the leaky press materials start sprouting. Stay tuned…

The 18 megapixel sensor mule was supposed to be named Nikon D800. The 24 megapixel mule was supposed

There has been plenty of blog and forum posts about the upcoming Nikon prosumer full frame camera, D800. Here’s one more confirmation that Nikon is all set to announce the D800 just before the PMA 2010. A couple of lenses are also going to be announced together with the camera.

The sensor will be very similar to the one in the Nikon D3s, than the one in Nikon D3x. h. It is designed by Nikon fabbed by an undisclosed partner, just like the Nikon D3 and Nikon D3s. It is supposed to have excellent noise characteristics similar to the D3s.

The key thing is video – there have been mules with 720p video. With the popularity on Canon 5D Mark II (which has 1080p) video, Nikon is caught in a mix. Since the top dogs do not support 1080p, yet and they need to have an ace when Nikon D4 is released in summer 2011. And, Nikon D4 is said to use a variation of the Nikon D800’s 18 megapixel sensor, with a completely new auto focus system.

So, here you have it – the most likely specifications:

1. Sensor: 18 megapixel full-frame
2. Speed: 3 frames per second
3. 96% viewfinder coverage
4. Built-in Flash
5. Price: US $3499
6. Availability: Spring 2010