NIKON D800, NIKON D400 AND NIKON D4 / D4X

Further to our last update on this subject earlier in August, we've been seeing a lot of news and info filtering through the internet on the Nikon D800 and other future Nikon pro bodies. Perhaps one of the most talked about item is the resolution of the sensor for upcoming models. Will it be 16 megapixels or 24 megapixels or some other number? If Nikon were to make a Canon 5D Mark II replica… 24 megapixels would seem the obvious choice but that does not agree with how Nikon's current lineup is positioned. Nikon has never been about resolution per se but rather the improvement of the overall system. That's why it seems reasonable to see the D800 at a lower resolution to the 5D2 but delivering high ISO performance and superb image quality. With that said, there is still a market for a higher resolution camera but that is pretty much covered by the Nikon D3X at this time and I don't believe that Nikon will relinquish their noise handling advantage for the sake more megapixels or to offer 2 ''non-professional'' FX bodies. The launch of the D800 will most likely be preceded by the D4 with the D400 and D4X even further down the time line. Other than the Nikon D4 and Nikon D800 which we have got some tentative information, the specs for te other models are pure conjecture. We've been told that with the slowdown of sales for the D3S and D700, Nikon is getting ready to launch new FX format cameras but won't announce it until later in the year or early 2011 to give the D3100 and D7000 more opportunities to establish themselves in the market. Our source has been disturbingly quiet after the last update so it's good to get an update at this time. Would I wait… looking at the specs below… The Nikon D400 is not really worth the wait even though it will be better and unless you are really keen on movie mode with full frame, there is no need to wait for the new FX formats either. You can expect the new bodies to be all incremental improvements over their predecessors so there really isn't much to jump up and down about. D400 (replaces Nikon D300S) Sensor size 23.6 x 15.6mm DX format Sensor type CMOS sensor Sensor resolution 16.2 megapixels ISO Sensitivity ISO 200 to ISO 12800 (Extendable to 102400) Continuous Burst Speed 7fps (9fps with Battery Grip) Focus System Multi-CAM 3500FX 51-point AF Video Mode Full HD 1920x1080p (24, 25, 30, 50, 60fps) with Stereo sound & AF LCD 3-inch (921k dots) VGA LCD D800 (replaces Nikon D700) Sensor size 36.0 x 23.9mm Full Frame FX format Sensor type CMOS sensor Sensor resolution 16.2 megapixels ISO Sensitivity ISO 200 to ISO 12800 (Extendable to 102400) Continuous Burst Speed 6fps (8fps in DX mode) Focus System Multi-CAM 3500FX 51-point AF Video Mode Full HD 1920x1080p (24, 25, 30, 50, 60fps) with Stereo sound & AF LCD 3-inch (921k dots) VGA LCD NIkon D800 Nikon D400 D4 (replaces Nikon D3S) Sensor size 36.0 x 23.9mm Full Frame FX format Sensor type CMOS sensor Sensor resolution 16.2 megapixels ISO Sensitivity ISO 200 to ISO 12800 (Extendable to 102400) Continuous Burst Speed 9fps (11fps in DX mode) Focus System Multi-CAM 3500FX 51-point AF Video Mode Full HD 1920x1080p (24, 25, 30, 50, 60fps) with Stereo sound & AF LCD 3-inch (921k dots) VGA LCD D4X (replaces Nikon D3X) Sensor size 36.0 x 23.9mm Full Frame FX format Sensor type CMOS sensor Sensor resolution 24.5 megapixels ISO Sensitivity ISO 200 to ISO 6400 (Extendable to 25600) Continuous Burst Speed 5fps (7fps in DX mode) Focus System Multi-CAM 3500FX 51-point AF Video Mode Full HD 1920x1080p (24, 25, 30, 50, 60fps) with Stereo sound & AF LCD 3-inch (921k dots) VGA LCD