Nikon Announces 1080p Video

[RFPhotography]

First a set of new lenses and now a new DSLR that offers full 1080 HD video @ 24fps with improved video AF.  Pretty big day from Nikon.

[jasonrandolph]

Now if they would just update the D700, I could release a big pile of money on Nikon!   

[kpmedia]

Is this going to be another one of those tiny "made for girl hands" DSLRs?
When your hands are big (full grown male, here!), it's hard to twiddle all the settings without dropping those things.

Indeed, bring out 1080p on the big boy cameras!

[BJL]

It seems (though I am not quite certain) that Nikon has designed its own sensor for the new D3100, rather than using a Sony sensor. It seems not to be the 14MP Sony Exmor HD of the NEX models, despite very similar spec's. Nikon suggests so at its website, saying "A new DX-format CMOS image sensor developed by Nikon" at http://www.nikon.com/about/news/2010/0819_d3100_01.htm and some spec's and images of the sensors are a bit different.

If so, that is a big step beyond Nikon designing its own sensors only for some low volume high end models (D700, D3s), and could have quite an impact on economies of scale for Sony's DSLR sensors, unless NEX considerably boosts Sony's share of "interchangeable lens camera" sales.

[ziocan]

It seems (though I am not quite certain) that Nikon has designed its own sensor for the new D3100, rather than using a Sony sensor. It seems not to be the 14MP Sony Exmor HD of the NEX models, despite very similar spec's. Nikon suggests so at its website, saying "A new DX-format CMOS image sensor developed by Nikon" at http://www.nikon.com/about/news/2010/0819_d3100_01.htm and some spec's and images of the sensors are a bit different.

If so, that is a big step beyond Nikon designing its own sensors only for some low volume high end models (D700, D3s), and could have quite an impact on economies of scale for Sony's DSLR sensors, unless NEX considerably boosts Sony's share of "interchangeable lens camera" sales.

These may help their economy as well.
http://www.sonyalpharumors.com/first-sony-a55-and-a33-pictures/

[BernardLanguillier]

If so, that is a big step beyond Nikon designing its own sensors only for some low volume high end models (D700, D3s), and could have quite an impact on economies of scale for Sony's DSLR sensors, unless NEX considerably boosts Sony's share of "interchangeable lens camera" sales.

If confirmed this is indeed bad news for Sony Semi-conductors. I believe that Nikon accounted for about half of their DSLR sensors production and the D3000/D5000 were a big contributor among these. If Nikon went for home made for the D3100, chances are that they also did the same for the D90 replacement to be announced in a few weeks.

Fortunately for them, it seems that they are still doing pretty good in the compact cameras segment.

Cheers,
Bernard