Thom Hogan has piped up on bythom.com with some thoughts and possible insider info on the coming Nikon D3x and D90 cameras. Word is that a D3x with the rumored 24+ megapixels should be announced around Photokina in September. The D80 replacement (the D90) may creep out past Photokina (perhaps PMA 2009).
I received a message out of Japan that the high-resolution camera is in the D3 body. I trust that message more than my guess, though please note that having one (usually good) source does not mean something is verified. . . . It seems that a D80 replacement should also be in that set of announcements, which should come just before Photokina, but we just haven’t seen any of the kinds of leaks and rumors we have with previous consumer bodies out of Thailand, so maybe the D80 replacement is going to be later than Photokina.
I don’t have any insider info myself; however, my money is on a for sure showing of the D3x (or whatever they call it) at Photokina. I’m also starting to wonder whether or not Nikon will replace the Nikon D80 at all. I’m beginning to think that they’ll let the D40/D60 line handle the entry-level consumer and let the D70/D80 line die off.
Hmmm 1.4 primes? I hate to not take photos today for a lens I might buy tomorrow, but this makes me re-think the Sigma 30 f/1.4.
A lot of of people will be disappointed if Nikon drops the D80 line or if they remove the AF motor from the body.
To be honest, the D70/D80 line of cameras is in a half-way house… they can AF with all lenses, but they can’t handle the older MF lenses like the D200/D300. The D60 is “good enough” for the majority of consumers, the “serious amateur” goes for the D300, who buys the D80/D90?
leave the D60 as an entry-level (rumors are saying that D40 will be gone by christmas), with no advanced prosumer?
that would be Canon’s dream. the Rebel XTi, XS, XSi and the 40D will have no competition on the market. it will be the entry level kingdom. and this entry level and advanced prosumers are one of the most selling market.
and worse, nikon would stay with a 630 US$ entry level and then just a huge jump to the 1800 US$ D300? this is 1170 US$ gap. it for sure could scare people away from nikon.
anyway, for me, it doesn’t make sense.
@Gustaf
The D80 is the most popular Nikon dSLR on Flickr. I guess no one buys it, huh?
http://www.flickr.com/cameras/nikon/
I agree with Bruno (17/7/08). It would be commercial suicide for Nikon to leave the lower middle ground to Canon and would allow Pentax to entrench even further with its excellent K20D. Buyers of $600-$700 entry level cameras don’t generally spend the same on lenses and other gear aimed at the enthusiastic amateur/semi-pro who are potential customers for the manufacturers pro gear – which is where the real profits are made.
Canon H.O must be rubbing their hands with glee.
There’ll be D80 replacement