Nikon D7000 announced

[DaveL]

It's the Nikon D90 replacement. News of the announcement spread September 14th, 2010.

Now when will the replacement for the D300S and others come?

I brought one home 4 months ago, and predicted it would happen right away.

DaveL

[Michael LS]

No doubt the replacements are coming- and then, the replacements for those replacements. It would seem the camera makers aren't slowing up tech progress, and "value-added". D300S, 7D, 60D, A55, D7000...ever improving low-light performance, resolution...The features and capabilities of these cameras are fantastic. I hadn't expected APS-C cameras to get this good, this soon (at least what I call "soon").

In fact, I sorta wish they were dumber and crappier- would give a much better excuse for some of us to upgrade to full-frame.

[JBerardi]

It's the Nikon D90 replacement. News of the announcement spread September 14th, 2010.

Now when will the replacement for the D300S and others come?

I brought one home 4 months ago, and predicted it would happen right away.

DaveL

As I understand it, the D7000 isn't replacing the D90 (at least not yet), it's slotting in between the D90 and the D300s. Interesting that Canon and Nikon are both diversifying their pro-sumer lineups. Possibly because DSLR technologies are becoming more mature and they expect these products to have longer shelf lives?

Re: the D300s replacement, chances are it's going to be a baby D4, and it's pretty much a lock that the D4 will be announced late in summer '11. I'd expect the D400 to be launched at the same time, or soon after.

[BernardLanguillier]

It's the Nikon D90 replacement. News of the announcement spread September 14th, 2010.

Yep, it appears to be the perfect complement to a D3s/D3x on these assignements when you need a back up camera and perhaps to shoot a bit of video.

In terms of positioning they have found a sweet spot between the D60 and 7D. Basically close to 7D specs at close to D60 price.

It seems to be a good replacement for my aging D80.

Cheers,
Bernard

[Bernard ODonovan]

It does look to be a great little camera.

I know some have already moaned about the top left control dial the lower locked ring looking fiddly and the top dial looking easy to knock. I think I could easily live with that on such a well spec-ed camera.

Interesting it appears to have the next generation of image processor and a doubling of the colour metering pixels.

Looking forward to reading any reviews. A very tempting camera.

 

[LKaven]

In terms of positioning they have found a sweet spot between the D60 and 7D. Basically close to 7D specs at close to D60 price.

The Canon customers are up in arms at DPReview big time.  The 60D has been downspec'd from the 50D, leaving the D7000 as the clear favorite at only $100 over the price of the 60D.  Owners of 40D/50D looking to update are mad.  The 7D looks very overpriced.  I'm not sure what the 7D has over the D7000 besides allowing 60p in video mode.  I'm not counting the 2MP difference.  And the D7000 has the 3D color matrix meter upgrade that even we D3/s/x users would like. Very good strategic move by Nikon at this point. 

Maybe next year Nikon will come up with a 5DIII killer as well as the D4.  Can't wait to see their new FX sensors.

[feppe]

The Canon customers are up in arms at DPReview big time.  The 60D has been downspec'd from the 50D, leaving the D7000 as the clear favorite at only $100 over the price of the 60D.  Owners of 40D/50D looking to update are mad.  The 7D looks very overpriced.  I'm not sure what the 7D has over the D7000 besides allowing 60p in video mode.  I'm not counting the 2MP difference.  And the D7000 has the 3D color matrix meter upgrade that even we D3/s/x users would like. Very good strategic move by Nikon at this point. 

Maybe next year Nikon will come up with a 5DIII killer as well as the D4.  Can't wait to see their new FX sensors.

They should add 550D to the comparison. 550D has only few inferior specs which matter to some shooters (lower max shutter speed, FPS and possibly poorer metering and AF), and is superior on some. We'll have to wait until DXOMark releases comparisons on the sensor. And it's much cheaper and lighter and smaller than 60D or the 7000D.

[LKaven]

They should add 550D to the comparison. 550D has only few inferior specs which matter to some shooters (lower max shutter speed, FPS and possibly poorer metering and AF), and is superior on some. We'll have to wait until DXOMark releases comparisons on the sensor. And it's much cheaper and lighter and smaller than 60D or the 7000D.

Most of those people are current 550D, 40D/50D owners who are looking to update/upgrade. 

[feppe]

Most of those people are current 550D, 40D/50D owners who are looking to update/upgrade. 

And my point was that an upgrade from 550D to 60D or 7000D is probably pointless for a landscape shooter - again pending sensor comparisons.

[BernardLanguillier]

And my point was that an upgrade from 550D to 60D or 7000D is probably pointless for a landscape shooter - again pending sensor comparisons.

Cross brand upgrades are rarely ever a cost effective option and I would for sure not be the one recommending one.

My type of shooting requires rugged bodies. I have managed over the course of half a year to bend the mount of a D2x out of alignement so that I know for a fact that less rigidely built bodies wouldn't work for me. From that standpoint I would not settle for anything less than a 7D if I were a Canon shooter. All I am saying is that the D7000 will probably appeal to folks like myself doing things a bit on the rough side at a price point un-heard of since film days.

Cheers,
Bernard

[feppe]

Cross brand upgrades are rarely ever a cost effective option and I would for sure not be the one recommending one.

Fully agreed.

My type of shooting requires rugged bodies. I have managed over the course of half a year to bend the mount of a D2x out of alignement so that I know for a fact that less rigidely built bodies wouldn't work for me. From that standpoint I would not settle for anything less than a 7D if I were a Canon shooter. All I am saying is that the D7000 will probably appeal to folks like myself doing things a bit on the rough side at a price point un-heard of since film days.

I'm glad Nikon has chosen to go for weather sealing on a prosumer body, following Pentax who I believe have done that for years. The differentiation between the pro and amateur and entry-level bodies is getting thinner and thinner, which is good for us shooters.

[DaveL]

Competition is good.

Meanwhile there are other factors. Long time ago I bought a Penax Spotmatic II new, and built a system. Worked well. I was an equipment snob; got burnt on an F purchase, and then did get an F2 brand new when they came out.

Point is, I missed every candid shot I tried to take for it seems like 2 years. Every dial worked the wrong way. And indexing lenses? Adding that to a camera body finder was like teaching a child learning to talk, to stutter!

I've run 2 systems at the same time. Makes me think. (Leica and Nikon) Leica was my choice until my M3 was stolen.

Now I don't buy equipment unless it works better, and allows me to take photos I couldn't before.

Appreciate the input of posters here. Thanks!

DaveL

Toronto

[BernardLanguillier]

I'm glad Nikon has chosen to go for weather sealing on a prosumer body, following Pentax who I believe have done that for years. The differentiation between the pro and amateur and entry-level bodies is getting thinner and thinner, which is good for us shooters.

Yes, Pentax has been releasing excellent bodies for some time. They would be a formidable competitor if camera systems were opened and users allowed to use any lens on any body.

As of now though, I find that Canon and Nikon are the only companies offering a credible lens line up.

Cheers,
Bernard

[DarkPenguin]

Yes, Pentax has been releasing excellent bodies for some time. They would be a formidable competitor if camera systems were opened and users allowed to use any lens on any body.

As of now though, I find that Canon and Nikon are the only companies offering a credible lens line up.

But Pentax is the only manufacturer that can guarantee a camera in a color that will match your purse!

[BernardLanguillier]

But Pentax is the only manufacturer that can guarantee a camera in a color that will match your purse!

I use a black purse... 

Cheers,
Bernard

[BJL]

I'm glad Nikon has chosen to go for weather sealing on a prosumer body ... The differentiation between the pro and amateur and entry-level bodies is getting thinner and thinner, which is good for us shooters.

Yes, with recent models like the D7000 and 7D (or even the Olympus E-5 and rumored Pentax K-5) there is certainly no sign that the market dominating DSLR formats like DX and EF-S are being relegated to entry level models while every vaguely serious photographer is upsizing to 35mm format. For me one touchstone of design for serious photography is the 100% coverage pentaprism viewfinders of those two models. One guess is that the divide will someday be between cameras with good optical viewfinders like these models have, and cameras with EVFs instead. Less that 100% VF coverage will hopefully become a thing of the past.

But I believe that some folks like Bob Atkins are still predicting that "Full Frame Uber Alles" future.

[BernardLanguillier]

But I believe that some folks like Bob Atkins are still predicting that "Full Frame Uber Alles" future.

This is getting less and less credible. Unless you print real large, DX is the way to go for landscape work.

Cheers,
Bernard

[feppe]

One guess is that the divide will someday be between cameras with good optical viewfinders like these models have, and cameras with EVFs instead. Less that 100% VF coverage will hopefully become a thing of the past.

Optical viewfinders will be all but dead in a few years. You heard it here first.

[LKaven]

And my point was that an upgrade from 550D to 60D or 7000D is probably pointless for a landscape shooter - again pending sensor comparisons.

Apologies, I thought you were saying otherwise.

[uaiomex]

OVF forever!
A friend of mine let me fondle his D3S last night. The vf is incredible. It puts my 5DII vf to shame.
Eduardo

Optical viewfinders will be all but dead in a few years. You heard it here first.