Today Nikon announced their two newest flagship DSLR cameras, the Full Frame 12.1-megapixel D3 and the 12.3-megapixel D300. Both are very exciting and impressive additions to the line and they illustrate that Nikon is still very much on the cutting edge of professional digital photography.
Nikon D3
The D3 is Nikon’s first full frame digital SLR, and it packs a huge punch. With shooting speeds of 9fps at full resolution (up to 11fps at 5-megapixel resolution) and a 51 area Multi-Cam autofocus system, the D3 features the fastest startup time and shutter lag of any SLR, a brilliant 3-inch LCD rear monitor, Nikon’s all new EXPEED image processing circuitry and a dual compact flash card slot.
A quick view of some of the D3’s major features:
• Full frame FX-format 12.1-megapixel Nikon designed CMOS self cleaning image sensor.
• 3-inch diagonal view, crystal clear 920,000-pixel LCD viewfinder that has a 170-degree viewing angle.
• Continuous shooting mode of up to 9 frames per second in full 12.1-megapixel resolution. The D3 can also shoot at higher speeds (up to 11 frames per second) in DX mode, which uses only a part of the CMOS sensor to capture 5-megapixel images.
• All new 51-area autofocus system that contains 15 cross-type AF sensors around the center of the frame. The AF sensors can also be configured into a moveable cluster of either 9 or 21 sensors. Also included is a new technology called Scene Recognition System that works with the 1,005-segmet color sensitive RGB Matrix Meter to aid in focus tracking.
• Dual Compact Flash card slot. Options for using the dual card slot are Overflow: which begins writing to the second card when the first one fills up, Backup: which writes the same images to both cards, and Raw-slot 1, JPEG-slot 2. Images can also be copied between cards.
•Live View, which displays a real time view through the rear LCD viewing screen.
Due to ship in November 2007, the D3 is slated to retail for $4999.
Nikon D300
Not be overshadowed, the D300 is also a hefty inclusion into Nikon’s professional line of DSLRs. The D300 contains many of the same high end features as the D3, including the 51-area autofocus system, 3-inch LCD viewing screen and Nikon’s new EXPEED image processor, all packed into a smaller, lighter body. This definitley appeals to someone like me who makes a living by lugging camera equipment into the remote wilderness and around the globe.
Major features of the D300 include:
• Nikon DX-format 12.3-megapixel Sony made self cleaning CMOS image sensor.
• 3-inch diagonal view, crystal clear 920,000-pixel LCD viewfinder that has a 170-degree viewing angle.
• Continuous shooting mode of up to 6 frames per second in full 12.3-megapixel resolution. The D300 can also shoot at speeds of up to 8 frames per second when using the AC adaptor or the MB-D10 Multi-Batter pack.
• All new 51-area autofocus system that contains 15 cross-type AF sensors around the center of the frame. The AF sensors can also be configured into a moveable cluster of either 9 or 21 sensors. Also included is a new technology called Scene Recognition System that works with the 1,005-segmet color sensitive RGB Matrix Meter to aid in focus tracking.
• A Viewfinder that offers approx. 100% frame coverage.
• Power-up time of .13 sec and 0.045 sec shutter lag time.
• Built-in Speedlight with i-TTL flash control and full support for Nikon’s Creative Lighting System.
• Live View, which displays a real time view through the rear LCD viewing screen.
• Magnesium alloy body for light weight and rugged durability.
Also due to ship November 2007, the D300 will sell for $1799, and of course, I can’t wait to get my hands on one!
Stay Tuned…