First up is the new D3000, a 10.2-megapixel entry-level DSLR that will be going on sale next month priced at £429.99 body-only or £499.99 with an 18-55mm kit lens. The D3000 id a companion model for the high-spec D5000 launched earlier this year. It features an 11 point autofocus system with tracking AF, a three-inch LCD monitor and a plastic body. It weighs in at a relatively lightweight 485g body-only, and measures 126 x 97 x 64 mm, almost exactly the same size as its closest rival, Canon's EOS 1000D.
Other features include EXPEED image processing, a very fast start-up time, 1600 ISO maximum sensitivity and 3fps continuous shooting. It also has a Guide mode, which helps beginners with visual demonstrations of the best way to take difficult photos, as well as suggestions for more advanced techniques. The D3000 will be hitting the shops around August 28th.Nikon’s other DSLR launched today is the D300s, an upgrade of the successful D300 launched early last year. It features the same tough environmentally sealed magnesium-alloy body, the same 12.3-megapixel CMOS image sensor, and the same 51-point Multi-CAM3500DX autofocus system as the D300. It also has the same superb 920k 3.0-inch LCD monitor with twin-mode live view.
The new features that set the D300s apart from its predecessor are slightly improved continuous mode performance (7fps versus 6fps), a faster start-up time and more importantly the addition of HD video recording with stereo audio, which is fast becoming a must-have feature for new high-spec DSLRs. It can shoot at 1280 x 720 resolution at 24fps, and there is the option to connect an external microphone for better audio quality. The D300s also features an HDMI output socket for connection to a HD TV.
The D300s goes on sale at the end of August, priced at £1499.99 body only.
Nikon has also announced two new DSLR lenses. The F-S DX Nikkor 18-200MM F/3.5-5.6G ED VR II is a multi-purpose 11.1x wide-telephoto zoom which replaces the popular AF-S DX VR Zoom Nikkor 18-200MM F/3.5-5.6G IF-ED, providing smoother operation and improved image quality. It goes on sale in early September priced at £729.99.
The other new lens is a new fast telephoto zoom, the AF-S Nikkor 70-200MM F/2.8G ED VR II. As well as the fast shutter speeds provided by its f/2.8 aperture the new lens features VRII optical image stabilisation, making it an ideal choice for wildlife or sports photography. It can be used with both DX and FX format cameras. It’s not cheap though. It goes on sale in November priced at a hefty £1999.99.
Lenses
| Author | Cliff Smith |
| Published | 30th Jul 2009 |
2 Comments
Wait! Am I the only one getting super confused by the Nikon numbering scheme? So the D300s is obviously a semi-pro level camera, given its price, but how does the D3000 fit in with the D40-60-80-90 series?
ReplyDeleteWell to me it looks like more of a replacement to the D60 than anything, as the D60 doesn't feature the [fancy] 11 point tracking AF system.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Nikon's "done a Microsoft" and has made it deliberately bad... Only a nice review will see! :D