Nikon has replaced their entry-level DSLR once again, and while the previous D3200 and the new D3300 are very similar, there are a couple major differences: they've removed the anti-aliasing filter, and they've added 1080p 60fps. That makes the D3300 Nikon's second DSLR with 1080/60 -- the first being the D5300 which was introduced in October. We've also got word that Nikon is going to be introducing a new flagship camera, the D4s, and they've been showing it off at CES, with an eventual release in 2014.
Nikon D3300
The product overview from Nikon:
Here's a first look at the camera from What Digtial Camera:
Specs of the D3300:
- 24.2 Mp DX-Format (APS-C) CMOS Sensor
- EXPEED 4 Processor
- 1920 x 1080: 60 fps, 50 fps, 30 fps, 25 fps, 24 fps (Record 20 minutes of 60fps)
- 1280 x 720: 60 fps, 50 fps
- 640 x 424: 30 fps, 25 fps
- No Optical Low-Pass Filter
- 3.0" 921k-Dot LCD Monitor
- SD, SDHC, SDXC Memory Cards
- 11-Point Multi-CAM 1000 AF Sensor
- ISO 100-12800 (High Sensitivity Mode: 100-25600)
- Microphone Port
- 5 fps Shooting
- Availability: February 2014
- Price: $650 with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G Lens
While these videos are from the D3200 and NOT from the new D3300, the image quality should be relatively similar between the cameras, so these samples can give you an idea of what you'd be looking at when the new camera comes out:
The lack of anti-aliasing filter may make for sharper photos in certain instances, and though it may seem detrimental on the surface for video, there might not be much of a difference in the end, as we saw with the Nikon D800E. The EXPEED 4 processor should improve quality for both stills and videos over the EXPEED 3 in the D3200, but we won't know how much better it will be until the cameras start hitting the street. The D3300 only comes with this new kit lens, but at $650, it's not a huge investment as a first DSLR if you're just getting into video, and could be a good second or third camera if you'd like to have something with 60fps for slow motion.
Nikon D4s
Nikon also showed off its new high-end camera, the D4s, at CES, but they didn't reveal much about the new camera except for the fact that it will have a new sensor (though we now also know that it will use the same memory cards, one QXD and one CF slot). This is what they said in a press release earlier in the week:
As Nikon's new flagship model, the D4S will offer advances over the Nikon D4 HD-SLR camera, including enhanced image quality enabled with adoption of a new image-processing engine. The new HD-SLR will also feature more advanced autofocusing performance, further solidifying it as the choice for professional sports, nature and event photographers as well as photojournalists.
Here is Focus Numerique with a look at the camera from CES:
It's been said that this will be a minor update, but hopefully video quality will be improved on the new D4s. The old D4 was actually worse than the D800 when it came to sharpness, so we'll see what Nikon does with the new version. I would be very surprised if they did anything like 4K on the new camera, but you'd have to think that if the company was going to experiment with higher resolutions, that's probably the model that makes the most sense. If Nikon included some more video options on the camera (including 4K), and kept stills as good as they are now, it could bring some people away from cameras like the 1D C. This probably isn't likely, but as I've said many times, Nikon has no higher end video products to protect, so they are in a unique position.
We'll likely hear more about the D4s in the coming months.
What would you think about a D4s with 4K video like the 1D C for half the price?
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