D300S an answer to the K-7?

Eigengrau · 07-30-2009, 02:04 PM

I just noticed the D300S was announced on DPreview, and the feature list looks eerily familiar.

720p video and quiet shutter mode seem like they could both be responses to the K-7's video and new shutter design.

Is this just coincidence, the next logical step for DSLRs, or did Nikon do a last minute update to an existing body to cope for lost D300 sales? At any rate, this looks to be a more direct competitor to the K-7 than the previous camera, albeit at a $500 higher price.

Link: http://www.dpreview.com/news/0907/09...nikond300s.asp

*falconeye* · 07-30-2009, 02:33 PM

Add to the list the electronic horizon

No, this is just the logical thing to do. D300s was long planned ahead. As is D700s, btw. D300s is a much smaller upgrade to the D300 than K-7 is to the K20D. And it comes later. And is more expensive. Despite the fact that Nikon has more resources. Well played, Pentax!

And it is less than K-7, actually. 24p only, and no 3:2 1024p mode. Not to forget the HDR feature and sensor shift magic. NR and AF are two strongholds for the D300, of course.

deejjjaaaa · 07-30-2009, 03:33 PM

Originally Posted by falconeye

NR and AF are two strongholds for the D300, of course.

DR, flash system, FPS, etc... do not be the 2nd Mabo... Nikon just does not feel the heat to make a bigger step (yet)... and it does have a new 12mp sensor not the one that was in D300

Urkeldaedalus · 07-30-2009, 03:43 PM

I believe if you read down the Dpreview summary of the D300s, they say the quiet mode is only "relatively" silent, and requires you to have the mirror up, which you can do on the K-7 as well with quiet results.

The D300s still seems like a pretty cool camera, though, if you need the FPS and have good Nikon glass for it. Similar to many Pentax users, if I were a Nikon user with a D300 I'd probably just keep that, but if I had a D90 or lower I know what camera I'd be interested in. Well, actually I'd still be craving the D700, but that's besides the point.

I like that the K-7 has staked out its position where it has, right between the D90 and the D300s cost and performance wise. It seems to be a well researched move by Pentax.

Pentax, Olympus, and Nikon seem to be done until the fall. It will be interesting to see if Canon or Sony have anything up their sleeves.

Big G · 07-30-2009, 03:50 PM

I would take a D300S over a K-7 any day of the week.

*falconeye* · 07-30-2009, 04:08 PM

Originally Posted by deejjjaaaa

DR, flash system, FPS, etc...

It may be better as well. But I consider the advantage in the areas of in-camera NR (better actually than Canon) and AF (almost on par) to be more noticeably. Which is why I called these "strongholds".

I actually like what I heard about the D300s. You say "Nikon just does not feel the heat to make a bigger step". Not with regard to Pentax, I agree. But I am still wondering why Nikon didn't attempt more seriously to capture part of the 5DmkII video market.

I really hope you don't consider me fanboy just because I think the K-7 can compete against D300s (price/performance-wise, by its video capabilities, and its smaller size (for those who prefer smaller)). I didn't say K-7 is the better camera.

Eigengrau · 07-30-2009, 04:29 PM

If weather resistance, price, or size are critical to you then I would argue the K-7 is a better choice than the D300s.

Frankly, though, I've never understood the D300 when the D700 is just a bit more. Unless you've got a ton of digital-only glass, that is.

07-30-2009, 05:23 PM

Well, trollDJ the Sensor Judge returns! The dilemma over K20D and K-7' sensors wasn't enough for this little one I see. Now let's see what smarter people than TDJ has to say about the sensor in D300s:

Nikon's press release from dpreview: "Built upon the widely acclaimed D300, the D300S incorporates the same DX-format 12.3 megapixel CMOS sensor, professional 51-point autofocus system and commended EXPEED image processing in a discrete compact body".

Imaging-resource.com: "Nikon updates one of the most well-received digital SLRs on the market with the Nikon D300s, a digital SLR with the same 12.3-megapixel sensor, a slightly faster frame rate, and HD Video capture capability, among other improvements, all for the same $1,799.95 price tag."

dcresource.com: "Nikon D300s [specs]

* 12.3 Megapixel CMOS sensor (same as D300)"

Now TrollDJ don't be the second Rice you have the real potential to be even worse!

Now D300s is probably a nice camera but only a very incremental update of the D300 and even heavier than that (almost 190 grams more than K-7).
The 3 cameras are compared (specs) here: Digital Cameras Side-by-Side, 3 cameras: Digital Photography Review
When the K20D launched at 1100-1200 body only and D300 was 1700-1800 the proportional differences were much larger than the delta between K-7 at 1300 and D300s at the same 1800 (USD and Euro). And the size and wight were much closer than D300s' and K-7' so for some this will be important (one way or another) based on personal preferences. Further more the two kit lenses of the D300s are 16-85 and the new 18-200 neither weather sealed and not exactly inexpensive either.

Radu

Originally Posted by deejjjaaaa

DR, flash system, FPS, etc... do not be the 2nd Mabo... Nikon just does not feel the heat to make a bigger step (yet)... and it does have a new 12mp sensor not the one that was in D300

*SuperAkuma* · 07-30-2009, 05:24 PM

Originally Posted by Eigengrau

Frankly, though, I've never understood the D300 when the D700 is just a bit more. Unless you've got a ton of digital-only glass, that is.

A little bit more? The D300 is $1799 while the D700 is $2999. That is a $1200 difference almost the price of the K-7.

I think that it is great to have a pro grade aps-c camera along with a full frame for Nikon, something that Canon does not have.

*GLXLR* · 07-30-2009, 05:52 PM

Originally Posted by SuperAkuma

A little bit more? The D300 is $1799 while the D700 is $2999. That is a $1200 difference almost the price of the K-7.

I think that it is great to have a pro grade aps-c camera along with a full frame for Nikon, something that Canon does not have.

I think he means in terms of specs. THe only difference from the D300+D700 is the sensor. (not the only one but too lazy to list the small ones like no memory card door hatch or 95% vs 100%)

Pentaxor · 07-30-2009, 06:02 PM

AF mode is truly tempting. but I can't shoot with this under the weather.

*nostatic* · 07-30-2009, 06:06 PM

So did the K7 hold some press conference or something where it asked Nikon a question? Or did the K7 write a test or quiz? And when did cameras start asking questions? I thought they only took pictures of brick walls for analysis.

So little time, so few neurons...oh look, a quarter!!!

Edvinas · 07-30-2009, 07:58 PM

Originally Posted by Eigengrau

Is this just coincidence, the next logical step for DSLRs, or did Nikon do a last minute update to an existing body to cope for lost D300 sales? At any rate, this looks to be a more direct competitor to the K-7 than the previous camera, albeit at a $500 higher price.

Let's go back to reality. I guess that during last year Nikon sold more D300s alone than Pentax DSLRs all together. I doubt that Nikon really cares what camera Pentax is releasing.

*nostatic* · 07-30-2009, 08:19 PM

Originally Posted by Edvinas

Let's go back to reality. I guess that during last year Nikon sold more D300s alone than Pentax DSLRs all together. I doubt that Nikon really cares what camera Pentax is releasing.

Don't be so sure. The dSLR market is not expanding so if Pentax, Olympus and to some extent Sony want to increase their sales, it comes at the expense of Canon and Nikon. I will bet that Nikon closely watches all the players as they have the most to lose from a corporate standpoint. Nikon has become almost totally dependent on cameras while Canon, Hoya, Sony and Olympus are more diversified.

imho Nikon can't afford to lose market share to Canon or the niche players.

lesmore49 · 07-30-2009, 08:24 PM

Originally Posted by falconeye

Add to the list the electronic horizon

No, this is just the logical thing to do. D300s was long planned ahead. As is D700s, btw. D300s is a much smaller upgrade to the D300 than K-7 is to the K20D. And it comes later. And is more expensive. Despite the fact that Nikon has more resources. Well played, Pentax!

And it is less than K-7, actually. 24p only, and no 3:2 1024p mode. Not to forget the HDR feature and sensor shift magic. NR and AF are two strongholds for the D300, of course.

Does not the D300s incorporate an internal high quality microphone ? I'm not sure if the K 7 has this feature ?

Nonetheless...I still prefer the K 7.