Nikon's pre-Photokina announcements centre around their P7000 compact and D7000 DSLR
To read the Press releases:
Nikon announces the P7000
Nikon announces the D7000
Nikon Announces The New S80
The new Nikon D7000
Yesterday Nikon UK formally announced the Coolpix P7000 high-end compact, the multi-touch screen Coolpix S80 slimline compact, and the 16MP D7000 mid-range DSLR. Two new FX (full frame DSLR) lenses were also unveiled. I went along to the press event to get the low down on Nikon's latest news, which sets them up for next week's Photokina trade show.
All the UK prices of the new products
If you are hoping for news of a Nikon initiative in the area of mirror-less interchangeable lens cameras, or hybrids as we call them here at DPNow, as were several journalists this morning, then you will be disappointed. Nikon bosses in Japan have stated that as they are a camera company, of course they are looking at the new category, but there was nothing to add to that today. Clearly Nikon UK isn't getting flustered by the hybrid sector, citing a sub-10% market share in the interchangeable lens category here in the UK.
Michio Miwa
The president of Nikon UK, Michio Miwa, was on hand to give us a summary of Nikon UK's performance. Nikon achieved 40% market share for DSLRs for a period during last year and although this has slipped in 2010, they are aiming to get back to the 40% figure. Supply issues concerning the popular D90 were partly to blame, while competition at the budget end of the market will be eased by the recent introduction of the D3100 model. Miwa also reported that sales of compacts had improved significantly and that despite the general financial gloom, sales were ahead of projections.
Group marketing manager, Jeremy Gilbert, revealed the Nikon's 'I AM' initiative was going well and we can expect several additional TV adverts featuring Robbie Williams later this year.
Nikon Coolpix P7000
Nikon's new Coolpix P7000, is ten megapixel compact aimed at the high end of the market, currently dominated by Canon's G10 and G11, as well as Panasonic's Lumix LX3 and LX4.
The new Nikon P7000
The P7000 has a 1/1.7 inch sensor and a 7x 28-200mm equivalent optical zoom. An optical viewfinder is included, while Nikon's Expeed C2 image processor controls image quality. Sensitivity up to ISO 3200 can be selected and this is extendable to 6400. An electronic 'virtual horizon' mode is also featured to help you shoot straight.
Nikon Coolpix S80
The Nikon Coolpix S80 is a high on style and tech
Meanwhile, of interest to gadget fans and also the style conscious, the Nikon Coolpix S80, a super slim (0.6 in.) compact that sports an impressive looking,OLED multi touch screen. It's also capable of shooting in very low light at ISO 6400.
Nikon D7000
The biggest news today is the Nikon D7000 DSLR. This is an APS-C sensor size model that fits in above the existing D90 but below D300s. It sports a 16.2 MP sensor and the ISO sensitivity range is 100-6400 (extendable to 25600). Nikon's Expeed 2 Image processor speeds up various functions, including image data transfer to memory cards, and Active D-Lighting. The D7000 also gets an improved. 39 point autofocus system, while the. 2,016 pixel metering sensor is the most powerful from Nikon to date. Continuous shooting can reach 6 frames per second, and you can choose between two SD card slots, which are SDXC compatible.
On the design side, there is now a dedicated live view switch that incorporates a video record button. Full HD (1280HD) is supported at 24p and H.264/MPEG4 AVC compression is used instead of Motion JPEG and AVI encapsulation featured on earlier models. This also allows longer clips - 20 minutes regardless of resolution.
MB-D11 power grip
The D7000 has a plastic chassis but gets a magnesium alloy top and rear. It also gets 1/8000th maximum shutter speed, 150,000 shot shutter duty cycle, 100% viewfinder with 0.94 magnification, and there is a new MB-D11 power grip, with magnesium alloy cover. A new mode dial and rubberised feel of some controls is complemented by the addition of a virtual horizon mode. View NX2 software with movie editing is included too.
Speedlight SB700
Meanwhile, there is a new SB-700 speedlight flash 14-120mm power zoom and head temperature sensor to avoid overheating with intensive use..
New lenses
Press releases:
Nikon announces AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G
Nikon Introduces the SB-700
Nikon announces AF-S NIKKOR 200mm f/2G ED VR II
Nikkor 200mm f/2 G ED VR II
Nikkor 35mm f/1.4 G
Finally, there are two new FX lenses, the 35mm f/1.4 G with 10 elements in 7 groups, including one aspheric, and there is the 200mm f/2 G ED VR II with elements 9 groups 3 ED and 1 Super ED elements, weighing in at a not inconsiderable 2900g.
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