Nikon D600 Full Frame

Nikon Rumors have published specs on a supposed upcoming Nikon Full Frame camera, the D600.  Reading the specs, it looks to be a D7000 body with a 24MP Full frame sensor from a D3X and a D800/D4 screen.  Sounds like a winning combination to me, as I like the size and weight of the D7000 and the screen and sensor will also be a good improvement over the D700 too.

My main concern is low light performance.  From reading the specs, it probably won't offer any improvement in this area over the D700, and in fact the D3X wasn't as good.  Perhaps newer software and some sensor tweaks might improve things.  

The other thought is the size.  While I like small cameras, full frame lenses tend to be larger than DX lenses, and this camera could feel very front heavy with a Nikkor 24-70mm f2.8.  Even with a lighter Nikkor 24-85mm f2.8-4 may feel unbalanced.

All in all, it sounds like the replacement camera I have been waiting for.

Here's a shot from a full frame analogue Nikon FE2.

Nikon D3200 and Nikkor 28mm f1.8

It's interesting to see Nikon release a new basic digital SLR with the Sony 24MP sensor, the same as in the NEX-7.  This move surprised me, as it exceeds all but the D800 (and equals the D3X) on megapixel count.  It is interesting than Nikon released their D4 pro camera with 25% LESS resolution than their entry level model!!

Also interesting is the release of Nikon's 28mm f1.8 full frame lens.  At $599, this lens looks really interesting, and I am looking forward to reading the reviews.  I'm betting money that this lens will be at least as good as the legendary Nikkor 28mm f1.4.

Nikon FE2 w/ Nikon 28mm f2.8

Nikon D4

The new Nikon D4 has just been announced, and it is a very interesting camera.  Amazingly it is only 16 megapixels – low for such a high end camera.  However the quality of each of those pixels promises to be exceptional, with perfectly clean photos possible at ISO 12,800, which is truly remarkable.   Top ISO is over 200,000 which is night vision territory.

Other features which are very cool are the new AF sensor which will probably be the best in the world, built in HDR and improved video.  It has been priced $1000 above the D3s, which does two things – 1) gouges the early adopter and 2) keeps used D3 and D3S prices high.   When I first heard the D4 was released, my first idea was to investigate a used or open box D3S, but with this price point, I don’t think it will be feasible.

Almost definitely the yet to be released D800 will have the same sensor, and those low light capabilities will be right up my alley.   I also wonder what other cameras this sensor will make its way into – I would suggest a Sony alpha 900 replacement, and maybe even a Pentax Full Frame SLR.

Nikon D2X with Nikon 18-135mm