Digital Camera Information

It looks like the 12 megapixel Nikon D90 or even the D60x is due soon. If rumors are true where Nikon may omit the autofocus motor, then the latter is a strong possibility. I certainly hope not.

According to Nikons Quaterly report, it looks like they will have a great year in 2008. So far they have grown market share, exceeded their forecast and are now trying to increase production to meet dermand.

Here are three supporting questions and answers mentioned in their financial results for the first half of the year ending March 31, 2008.

Question: What is the outlook for the digital camera market?

Answer: Nikon’s digital SLRs led the market during the first half of the year ending March 2008 in Japan. And they sold in other regions as well. October sales in the US exceeded our forecast, and while we as yet do not see any slowdown in consumer spending due to the subprime mortgage problem, we are paying close attention to how the Christmas selling season is going. Next fiscal year our competitors will develop their marketing to full extent in the digital SLR market, and we expect this will stimulate market growth and contribute to sales.

Question: What is the profit outlook for Imaging Products Business?

Answer: Robust digital SLR and interchangeable lens sales are being boosted by the appreciation of the exchange rate. We forecast an operating profit rate of 13.5%, higher than the 10.2% of the previous fiscal year. Currently, we are moving ahead with our manufacturing reform projects with the aim of achieving profit margins and cost efficiencies that rival our competitors.

Question: How are the new digital SLRs, D3 and D300, performing?

Answer: They have been extremely well received on the market since their announcement and we receive a great number of orders. In response, we are preparing to increase production of both models.

It looks like Nikon will be expanding on its Full Frame FX series with further cameras planned for the future. This time it seems Full Frame may come down in price to a point where the average Joe can afford it.

According to Steve Heiner, Senior Technical Manager of Nikon SLR marketing, he says: “These FX-sized sensors offer higher sensitivity and a broader field of view than the smaller DX sensors Nikon has used in its SLRs until now. Nikon will develop new DX-based cameras, but the company will flesh out its FX line as well”

At a meeting with other reporters he also says: “I think you’ll see other FX products. It’s a sensor size we’re committed to,”

No further details about timing or models were mentioned. As with the progression of all Nikon models, they will most likely offer a lower-end full-frame model.

Source

Nikon-Chulalongkorn Scholarship Program

Nikon Corporation (President: Michio Kariya) has established the “Nikon Scholarship Program” as part of the company’s social contributions to commemorate the 90th anniversary (July 25, 2007) of Nikon’s founding. In line with this initiative, Nikon and the top university of Thailand came to an agreement on this new program that supports young Thais who wish to study in Japan.

The program will give Thai students opportunities to reach advanced levels of education in Japan. It will also nurture human resources that will strengthen relations between Thailand and Japan.

Nikon Corporation and Chulalongkorn University (President: Professor Khunying Suchada Kiranandana) came to an agreement regarding applicant recommendations.

Nikon will select one of the applicants - graduates or undergraduates of Chulalongkorn University - recommended by the university, granted that the applicant is permitted by a Japanese graduate school to enroll in a doctorate or master’s degree program. The selected candidate will be provided with tuition fees and basic living expenses by the company, which will select the first scholarship winner this year and eventually support up to four scholarships per year for this program.

The Nikon-Chulalongkorn Scholarship and the preceding Nikon-Shanti Scholarship for junior/senior high school and college/university students constitute the total Nikon Scholarship Program for students in Thailand from junior high school students to students who wish to come to Japan to pursue higher education at graduate schools. It is Nikon’s hope that this support program will contribute to the future of Thailand.

University Outline:

Located in the city of Bangkok, Chulalongkorn University is Thailand’s oldest university with about 30,000 students, eighteen academic departments plus graduate schools for a wide range of fields. The university was named after King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) who had founded in the Palace what became, years later, the first university in the Kingdom.

Source

Here is a very interesting image taken with the Nikon D3 at ISO 5000 (Osaka games). As you can see, the high sensitivity images are quite usable which gives you an indication of the sensitivity of this new camera. It’s good to see Nikon competing head on with one of the major strengths that Canon has in its DSLR - the silky smooth low noise CMOS sensor.

The gap is now closing for what use to be a major advantage and competitive edge for Canon DSLR. The constant patriotic salute to the high ISO sensor in almost every digital photography forum is slowly being eroded away. Horary for competition.

Source

Nikon is really taking the challenge to Canon with its first professional DSLR to have a full framed sensor. Although it only has 12 mega pixels sensor, it does make it up with high sensitivity and speed. With boost, it can go as high as ISO 25,600!

Here are the specifications:

Type of Camera - Single-lens reflex digital camera

Effective Pixels - 12.1 million

Image Sensor - CMOS sensor, 36.0 x 23.9 mm; total pixels: 12.87 million; Nikon FX format

Image Size (pixels) - Image area L M S

- FX format (36 x 24) 4,256 x 2,832 3,184 x 2,120 2,128 x 1,416
- 5:4 (30 x 24) 3,552 x 2,832 2,656 x 2,120 1,776 x 1,416
- DX format (24 x 16) 2,784 x 1,848 2,080 x 1,384 1,392 x 920

Sensitivity - ISO 200 to 6,400 in steps of 1/3, 1/2, or 1 EV; sensitivity decreases approx. 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, or 1 (ISO 100 equivalent) EV below ISO 200, and increases approx. 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1 (ISO 12,800 equivalent), or 2 (ISO 25,600 equivalent) EV over ISO 6,400

File System - Compliant with DCF 2.0, DPOF and Exif 2.21

Storage System

- Compressed 12/14-bit NEF (RAW, Lossless compressed): approx. 60-80%
- Compressed 12/14-bit NEF (RAW, Compressed): approx. 45-60%
- PEG: JPEG-baseline-compliant; can be selected from Size priority and Optimal quality

Storage Media - CompactFlash (Type I/II, compliant with UDMA); Microdrives

Release Modes 1) Single-frame [S] mode, 2) Continuous low-speed [CL] mode: 1-9 frames per second*, 3) Continuous high-speed [CH] mode: 9 fps (9-11 fps with DX format)*, 4) Liveview [LV] mode, 5) Self-timer [ ] mode, 6) Mirror-up [Mup] mode

*With Continuous-servo AF, S or M exposure mode, shutter speed 1/250 s or faster; other settings are set at “Default”.

White Balance

- Auto (TTL white balance with main image sensor and 1,005-pixel RGB sensor);
- Seven manual modes can be preset with fine-tuning; color temperature setting; white balance bracketing: 2 to 9 exposures in increments of 1, 2 or 3

Liveview Handheld mode:

- TLL phase-difference AF with 51 focus areas (15 cross-type sensors)
- Tripod mode: focal-plane contrast AF on a desired point within a specific area

LCD Monitor

- 3 inch with approximately 920,000 pixels (VGA), 170-degree wide-viewing-angle, 100% frame coverage, low-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD with brightness adjustment

Playback Function

1) Full frame, 2) Thumbnail (4 or 9 segments), 3) Zoom, 4) Slideshow, 5) Histogram indication, 6) Shooting data, 7) Highlight point display, Auto image rotation

Video Output

NTSC or PAL; simultaneous playback from both the video output and on the LCD monitor available
HDMI Output Supports HDMI version 1.3a; Type A connector is provided as HDMI output terminal; simultaneous playback from both the HDMI output terminal and on the LCD monitor not available

Interface - Hi-speed USB

Lens Mount - Nikon F mount with AF coupling and AF contacts

Compatible Lenses*1

1) Type G or D AF NIKKOR: All functions supported
2) DX AF NIKKOR: All functions supported except FX-format (36×24)/5:4 (30×24) image size
3) AF NIKKOR other than type G or D*2: All functions supported except 3D Color Matrix Metering II
4) AI-P NIKKOR: All functions supported except autofocus and 3D Color Matrix Metering II
5) Non-CPU AI NIKKOR: Can be used in exposure modes A and M; electronic rangefinder can be used if maximum aperture is f/5.6 or faster; Color Matrix Metering and aperture value display supported if user provides lens data
*1. IX NIKKOR lenses cannot be used
*2. Excluding lenses for F3AF

Picture Angle - Equivalent to angle produced by lens focal length (1.5 times when DX format is selected)

Viewfinder - SLR-type with fixed eye-level pentaprism; built-in diopter adjustment (-3 to +1 m-1)

Eyepoint - 18 mm (-1.0 m-1)

Focusing Screen Type B BriteView Clear Matte VI screen

Viewfinder Frame Coverage Approx. 100% (vertical/horizontal)

Viewfinder Magnification - Approx. 0.7x (50mm f/1.4 lens at infinity; -1.0 m-1)

Reflex Mirror - Quick-return type

Lens Aperture - Instant-return type, with depth-of-field preview button

Autofocus

- TTL phase detection, 51 focus points (15 cross-type sensors) by Nikon Multi-CAM 3500FX autofocus module; Detection: -1 to +19 EV (ISO 100 at 20°C/68°F); AF fine adjustment possible
- Focal-plane contrast [in Liveview (Tripod) mode]

Lens Servo

1) Autofocus: Single-servo AF (S); Continuous-servo AF (C); Focus tracking automatically activated according to subject status,
2) Manual focus (M) with electronic rangefinder

Focus Point - Single AF point can be selected from 51 or 11 focus points

AF-Area Mode

1) Single-point AF
2) Dynamic AF [number of AF areas: 9, 21, 51, 51 (3D-tracking)]
3) Automatic-area AF

Focus Lock - Focus can be locked by pressing AE-L/AF-L button or by pressing shutter-release button half-way (single-point AF in AF-S)

Exposure Metering System

- TTL full-aperture exposure metering using 1,005-pixel RGB sensor
1) 3D Color Matrix Metering II (type G and D lenses); Color Matrix Metering II (other CPU lenses); Color Matrix Metering (non-CPU lenses if user provides lens data)
2) Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 8-, 15- or 20-mm circle in center of frame, or weighting based on average of entire frame
3) Spot: Meters 4-mm circle (about 1.5% of frame) centered on selected focus area (on center focus area when non-CPU lens is used)

Metering Range

1) 0 to 20 EV (Matrix or center-weighted metering)
2) 2 to 20 EV (Spot metering) (ISO 100 equivalent, f/1.4 lens, at 20°C/68°F)

Exposure Meter Coupling - Combined CPU and AI

Exposure Modes

1) Programmed Auto (P) with flexible program,
2) Shutter-Priority Auto (S)
3) Aperture-Priority Auto (A), 4) Manual (M)

Exposure Compensation

±5 EV in increments of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV

Exposure Lock - Exposure locked at detected value with AE-L/AF-L button

Exposure Bracketing - Exposure and/or flash bracketing (2 to 9 exposures in increments of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1 EV)

Picture Control System

- Four setting options: Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome; each option can be adjusted

Shutter

- Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter; 1/8,000 to 30 s in steps of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV; Bulb

Sync Contact - X = 1/250 s; flash synchronization at up to 1/250 s

Flash Control

1) TTL flash control with 1,005-pixel RGB sensor; i-TTL balanced fill-flash and standard i-TTL fill-flash available with SB-800, 600 or 400
2) Auto aperture (AA): Available with SB-800 and CPU lens
3) Non-TTL auto (A): Available with SB-800, 28, 27 or 22s
4) Range-priority manual (GN): Available with SB-800

Flash Sync Modes

1) Front-curtain sync (normal), 2) Slow sync, 3) Rear-curtain sync, 4) Red-eye reduction, 5) Red-eye reduction with slow sync

Accessory Shoe - Standard ISO 518 hot-shoe contact with safety lock

Sync Terminal - ISO 519 standard terminal

Creative Lighting System

- With Speedlights such as SB-800, SB-600, SB-R200, supports Advanced Wireless Lighting, Auto FP High-Speed Sync, Flash Color Information Communication, modeling flash and FV lock

Self-timer - Electronically controlled timer with duration of 2, 3, 10 or 20 s

Depth-of-field - When CPU lens is attached, lens aperture can be stopped down to value selected by user

Preview Button (A and M modes) or value selected by camera (P and S modes)

10-pin Terminal

1) GPS: NMEA 0183 (Ver. 2.01 and 3.01) interface standard supported with 9-pin D-sub cable and GPS Cable MC-35 (optional)
2) Remote control: via 10-pin terminal

Supported Languages

Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish

Power Source

One Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL4a/EL4, Quick Charger MH-22, AC Adapter EH-6 (optional)

Tripod Socket 1/4 in. (ISO 1222)

Dimensions (W x H x D) Approx. 159.5 x 157 x 87.5 mm (6.3 x 6.2 x 3.4 in.)

Weight Approx. 1,240 g (2.7 lb.) without battery, memory card, body cap or accessory shoe cover

Operating Environment Temperature: 0-40°C/32-104°F, Humidity: under 85% (no condensation)

Supplied Accessories* Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL4a, Quick Charger MH-22, USB Cable UC-E4, Audio Video Cable EG-D2, Camera Strap AN-D3, Body Cap BF-1A, Accessory Shoe Cap BS-2, Eyepiece DK-17, Battery Chamber Cover BL-4, USB Cable Clip, Software Suite CD-ROM

*Supplied accessories may differ depending on country or area

Main Optional Accessories Wireless Transmitter WT-4, Magnifying Eyepiece DK-17M, AC Adapter EH-6, Capture NX Software, Camera Control Pro 2 Software, Image Authentication Software

Click here for the D3 pdf file

Just as soon as the Canon 40D was announced, Nikon has announced the release of the new Nikon D300 and from the specifications; the Nikon seems to come out on top.

Here are the specifications

Type of Camera - Single-lens reflex digital camera

Effective Pixels - 12.3 million

Image Sensor - CMOS sensor, 23.6 x 15.8 mm; total pixels: 13.1 million; Nikon DX format

Image Size (pixels) - 4,288 x 2,848 [L], 3,216 x 2,136 [M], 2,144 x 1,424 [S]

Dust-reduction System - Clean image sensor, image dust-off data acquisition (Capture NX required)

Sensitivity - ISO 200 to 3200 in steps of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV with additional settings of approx. 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 and 1 EV (ISO 100 equivalent) under ISO 200 and approx. 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 and 1 EV (ISO 6400 equivalent) over ISO 3200

File System - Compliant with DCF 2.0, DPOF and Exif 2.21

Storage System

-NEF 12-bit or 14-bit (uncompressed, lossless compressed or compressed RAW)
-TIFF (RGB)
-JPEG: JPEG baseline-compliant

Storage Media - CompactFlash (CF) Card (Type I and II, UDMA compliant), Microdrive

Release Modes - 1) Single frame [S] mode 2) Continuous low speed [CL] mode: 1 to 7*1 frames per second 3) Continuous high-speed [CH] mode: 8 frames per second*1, 6 frames per second*2 4) Liveview [LV] mode 5) Self-timer [] mode 6) Mirror-up [Mup] mode

*1. When using AC Adaptor EH-5a/EH-5 or Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D10 with batteries other than Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3e
*2. When using Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3e

(When shooting in Continuous-servo AF (C), Shutter-Priority Auto [S] or Manual [M] exposure modes, at a shutter speed of 1/250 s or faster with other settings at default)

White Balance - Auto (TTL white balance with 1,005-pixel RGB sensor), seven manual modes with fine-tuning, color temperature setting, white balance bracketing possible (2 to 9 frames in increments 1~3)

Liveview - Hand-held mode, Tripod mode

LCD Monitor - 3-in., approx. 920,000-dot (VGA), 170-degree wide viewing angle, 100% frame coverage, low-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD with brightness adjustment

Playback Function - 1) Full frame 2) Thumbnail (4 or 9 segments) 3) Zoom 4) Slideshow 5) RGB histogram indication 6) Shooting data 7) Highlight point display Auto image rotation

Delete Function -Card format, All photographs delete, Selected photographs delete

Video Output - NTSC or PAL; simultaneous playback from both the video output and on the LCD monitor available

HDMI Output - Supports HDMI version 1.3a; Type A connector is provided as HDMI output terminal; simultaneous playback from both the HDMI output terminal and on the LCD monitor not available

Interface - Hi-Speed USB

Text Input - Up to 36 characters of alphanumeric text input available with LCD monitor and multi-selector; stored in Exif header

Lens Mount - Nikon F Mount with AF coupling and AF contacts

Compatible Lenses

1) DX AF Nikkor: All functions possible
2) D-/G-type AF Nikkor (excluding IX Nikkor lenses): All functions possible (excluding PC Micro- Nikkor)
3) AF Nikkor other than D-/G-type (excluding lenses for F3AF): All functions except 3D-Color Matrix Metering II possible
4) AI-P Nikkor: All functions except Autofocus, 3D-Color Matrix Metering II possible
5) Non-CPU AI Nikkor: Can be used in exposure modes A and M; electronic range finder can be used if maximum aperture is f/5.6 or faster; Color Matrix Metering and aperture value display supported if user provides lens data

Picture Angle - Equivalent in 35mm [135] format is approx. 1.5 times lens focal length

Viewfinder - SLR-type with fixed eye-level pentaprism; built-in diopter adjustment (-2.0 to +1.0 m-1)

Eyepoint - 19.5 mm (-1.0 m-1)

Focusing Screen - Type-B BriteView Clear Matte screen Mark II with superimposed focus brackets and On-Demand grid lines

Viewfinder Frame Coverage - Approx. 100% (vertical and horizontal)

Viewfinder Magnification - Approx. 0.94x with 50mm lens at infinity; -1.0 m-1

Autofocus - TTL phase detection, 51 focus points (15 cross-type sensors) by Nikon Multi-CAM 3500DX autofocus module; Detection -1 to +19 EV (ISO 100 at 20°C/68°F); AF fine adjustment possible

Focal plane contrast [in Liveview (Tripod) mode]

Lens Servo - Single-servo AF (S); continuous-servo AF (C); manual (M); predictive focus tracking automatically activated according to subject status in continuous-servo AF

Focus Point - Single AF point can be selected from 51 or 11 focus points

Liveview (Tripod mode): Contrast AF on a desired point within entire frame

AF Area Mode - 1) Single point AF 2) Dynamic Area AF [9 points, 21 points, 51 points, 51 points (3D-tracking)] 3) Automatic-area AF

Focus Lock - Focus can be locked by pressing shutter-release button halfway (single-servo AF) or by pressing AE-L/AF-L button

Exposure Metering System - TTL full-aperture exposure metering using 1005-pixel RGB sensor

1) 3D Color Matrix Metering II (type G and D lenses); color matrix metering II (other CPU lenses); color matrix metering (non-CPU lenses if user provides lens data; metering performed)
2) Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 6, 8, 10, or 13 mm dia. circle in center of frame or weighting based on average of entire frame (8 mm circle when non-CPU lens is used)
3) Spot: Meters approx. 3 mm dia. circle (about 2.0% of frame) centered on selected focus point (on center focus point when non-CPU lens is used)

Exposure Metering Range - 1) 0 to 20 EV (3D Color Matrix or center-weighted metering) 2) 2 to 20 EV (spot metering) (ISO 100, f/1.4 lens, 20°C)

Exposure Meter Coupling - Combined CPU and AI

Exposure Modes - 1) Programmed Auto [P] with flexible program 2) Shutter-Priority Auto [S] 3) Aperture Priority Auto [A] 4) Manual [M]

Exposure Compensation - ±5 EV in increments of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV

Auto Exposure Lock - Detected exposure value locked by pressing AE-L/AF-L button

Auto Exposure Bracketing - Exposure and/or flash bracketing (2 to 9 exposures in increments of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1 EV)

Picture Control System - Four setting options: Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome; each option can be adjusted

Shutter - Electronically-controlled vertical-travel focal plane shutter, 1/8,000 to 30 s in steps of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV, Bulb

Sync Contact - X=1/250 s; flash synchronization at up to 1/320 s (FP) adjustable with Built-in Speedlight or optional Speedlight (will reduce GN)

Flash Control

1) TTL: TTL flash control by 1,005-pixel RGB sensor, built-in Speedlight, SB-800, SB-600 or SB-400: i-TTL balanced fill-flash and standard i-TTL flash
2) AA (Auto Aperture-type) flash: Available with SB-800 used with CPU lens
3) Non-TTL Auto: Available with Speedlights such as SB-800, 28, 27, and 22S
4) Range-priority manual flash; available with SB-800

Flash Sync Mode

1) Front-curtain Sync (normal) 2) Red-eye Reduction 3) Red-eye Reduction with Slow Sync 4) Slow Sync 5) Rear-curtain Sync

Built-in Speedlight - Manual pop-up with button release

Guide number - (ISO 200, m): approx. 17 (manual 18)

(ISO 100 equivalent, m): approx. 12 (manual 13)

Flash Compensation - -3 to +1 EV in increments of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV

Accessory Shoe - ISO 518 Standard hot-shoe contact with safety lock provided

Sync Terminal - ISO 519 standard terminal

Creative Lighting System - With Speedlights such as SB-800, SB-600, SB-400, SB-R200, supports Advanced Wireless Lighting, Auto FP High-Speed Sync, Flash Color Information Communication, modeling flash and FV lock

Self-timer - 2 to 20 seconds duration

Depth of Field Preview - When CPU lens is attached, lens aperture can be stopped down to value selected by user (A and M mode) or value selected by camera (P and S mode)

Remote Control - Via 10-pin terminal or Wireless Transmitter WT-4 (optional)

GPS - NMEA 0183 (Ver. 2.01 and 3.01) interface standard supported with 9-pin D-sub cable (optional) and GPS Cable MC-35 (optional)

Supported Languages - Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish

Power Source - One Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3e, Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D10 (optional) with one Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL4a, EN-EL4 or EN-EL3e or eight R6/AA-size alkaline (LR6), Ni-MH (HR6), lithium (FR6) batteries, or nickel-manganese ZR6 batteries, AC Adapter EH-5a (optional)

Tripod Socket - 1/4 in. (ISO 1222)

Custom Settings - 48 settings available

Dimensions (W x H x D) - Approx. 147 x 114 x 74 mm (5.8 x 4.5 x 2.9 in.)

Weight - Approx. 825 g (1.82 lbs.) without battery, memory card, body cap, or monitor cover

Operating Environment - Temperature: 0-40°C/32-104°F, Humidity: under 85% (no condensation)

Supplied Accessories (may differ by country or area) - Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3e, Quick Charger MH-18a, USB Cable UC-E4, Video Cable EG-D100, Strap AN-D300, LCD monitor cover BM-8, Body cap, Eyepiece Cap DK-5, Rubber Eyecup DK-23, Software Suite CD-ROM

Main Optional Accessories - Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D10, Wireless Transmitter WT-4, Magnifying Eyepiece DK-21M, AC Adapter EH-5a, Capture NX Software, Camera Control Pro 2

More and more material on the Nikon D3 have started to re-surface again and this time it’s from Japan. It’s a teaser showing the outline of the new Nikon D3 with some Japanese (Kanji) character saying the following:

Highly accurate 51 points Autofocus system

9 Frame per second (fps)

Wide view angle - 3 inch TFT LCD with a screen resolution of 920,000 pixels.

So far the rumored teaser on the Nikon D3 sounds pretty impressive. The screen resolution is much higher than Canon’s top of the range 10 mega pixel EOS 1D Mark III which has a total of 230,000 pixels in their 3 inch screen. The 51 point autofocus is also impressive compared to Canon with 19 cross-type auto focus plus 26 assist autofocus point.

The only comparable feature is the fps speed which is 9 fps for Nikon compared to 10 fps for Canon.

This is going to be a great year in DSLR with the impending release of the Canon 40D, Olympus E-P1, Sony Alphas and the Nikon D300 and D3.

There seems to be some speculation that the Nikon D200 successor could be called either the Nikon D200x or the Nikon D300.

After recently reviewing the leaked pdf file on the Olympus professional camera called the E-P1 (yet to be announced), I have to say, the Nikon D300 seems the most appropriate choice.

You see, Olympus have somehow named the Nikon D200 successor as the Nikon D300 which is clearly indicated in the pdf file. Olympus has also provided us with some interesting inside information on how they view their future competition; namely the Canon 40D and the Nikon D300.

As you can see in the attached diagram (page 10 of 27), it indirectly points out the Nikon D300 will have a larger LCD screen (?3 inch), faster start-up time and higher mega pixels than the E-P1. There’s also other information you can gather from this diagram such as the absence of dust reduction and live view.

I’m sure more will be revealed soon. Once again, the 18 month product cycle is due again in September this year and it’ll be interesting to see how things develop.

Here is an interesting article from www.asahi.com about Nikon surpassing Canon with a larger market share in Digital SLR cameras within Japan during January to June 2007. This came about by a strong push mainly with the release of the Nikon D40.

It is interesting to see how strong Nikon is these days and it must be concerning to Canon, especially in light of all the issues with the Canon Mark III. This would have to have some professional user worried about the stability of their platform.

The comment about Sony being in third place is a bit misleading though. Sony only have one DSLR model, the A100 and although it is about a year old, it’s an excellent result considering they’re still coming in with similar numbers to Pentax and Olympus I’m sure when the two new Sony models (A100 replacement plus a professional model) comes out sometime this year, Sony market share will rise even further.

Anyhow here’s what they write:

“ Nikon Corp., buoyed by the popularity of its D40 model, sold more digital single-lens reflex cameras than rival Canon Inc. in the first half of 2007.

Nikon clinched a 47.5-percent share of the domestic market from January to June, surpassing Canon’s 36.5 percent, according to Tokyo-based market research firm BCN Inc.

It was the first time that Nikon has held the top spot over a half-year term, although it had done so on a monthly basis before.

Nikon and Canon have long been the dominant players in the domestic SLR camera market, but Nikon appeared stuck in second place for digital SLR camera body sales.

In the first half of 2006, Canon led at 46.4 percent to Nikon’s 31.9 percent, and at 42.9 percent to Nikon’s 35.5 percent in the second half.

Nikon’s low-priced D40 series was released in December 2006. The introductory D40 model initially sold for slightly less than 60,000 yen at retail stores, about 30,000 yen lower than comparable models by other makers.

SLR cameras are sold with open pricing and with lenses sold separately.

The D40X model, boasting superior picture quality at 10.2 megapixels, hit the market in March at less than 80,000 yen.

Nikon cut costs by adjusting details such as leaving off a liquid crystal display panel on top to show operational status and other data.

Both models weigh less than 500 grams.

Having seen its market share drop since late last year, Canon in June recovered some lost ground with a “cash back” campaign. Purchasers of an EOS Kiss Digital X, for example, received a 10,000 yen rebate.

Canon’s popular EOS Kiss model, first introduced in 2003 and now in its third generation, has been selling well.

Competition for third place has also been fierce.

In the first half of this year, Pentax Corp. came in third at 6.7 percent, followed by Sony Corp. at 4.5 percent and Olympus Corp. at 4.3 percent.

In May and June, however, Olympus moved up to third, led by its E-410 model, which it claims is the world’s “smallest, slimmest and lightest” digital SLR camera.

The model, released in April, weighs 375 grams.(IHT/Asahi: July 19,2007) “