Another Nikon DSLR later this year?

[Rex914]

In an interview with Nikon UK, a British magazine managed to glean some interesting information. Apparently, Nikon is not done making DSLR introductions this year. It is aiming 'at the consumer and "pro-sumer" area.' It is not going to introduce any more pro level cameras this year.

I think he came short of stating a replacement to the D50. Whether this is a D50s or a D60 remains to be seen, but it's coming.

The other bit to take from this interview is that Nikon is pouring much more R&D into lenses. With its VRII technology (which sounds great on paper, claiming a 4 stop advantage), it looks like Nikon will try and compete with Canon on this area. This also seems to say that Nikon's going to stick to lens based IS for the time being.

Source: http://www.bjp-online.com/public/showPage.html?page=341394

[jcon]

Interesting read, thank you!

[pagnamenta]

I work at a local camera store on the weekends and I've heard rumors of a D60 coming out before the holidays. Seems it will be replacing the D50.

[Esoterra]

SO when is the replacement coming for the D200?

[Rex914]

I wouldn't expect one until next year. It would be very odd to replace a camera that has barely even fulfilled demand and hasn't been on the market for a year.

[K1W1]

As the D80 and D50 share many common components (probably in an effort to keep costs under control) it would be logical for Nikon to update the D50 to share as many as possible of the new components to further reduce costs.
Going to the 2.5" LCD screen will improve economies likewise using the 10.2 MP sensor will allow greater buying power for that component.
The interesting part will be that if the "headline" statistics (Size, Shape, Sensor Size and LCD) are all the same or near enough the same how are Nikon going to be able justify or indeed sell one camera over the other? I'm picking single control wheel vs twin wheels and less accessories (no vertical grip for example) for the D50 replacement. Maybe the DOF will be missing again as well. These are all relatively small things that don't affect costs very much but allow for a significant variation in retail price because of their preceived value.
I'm sure that there are some fun discussions going in in Nikons Marketing dept at this very time.

[tekriter]

On Friday, I was in a local store which has a reputation for knowing what it's talking about, and a gentlemen there told me they had just been informed that the D50 was no longer available to order.

Existing stocks only from their wholesaler.

We talked about this for a while, and he said he had no information about it's replacement. I mentioned that I thought it was a little soon to be discontinuing it. His answer was that from the time of it's announcement to it's replacement's announcement would be nearly eighteen months.

Sure enough, the press release for the D50 was issued on April 20, 2005 and eighteen months would be this October, really not that long from now.

[TNB]

SO when is the replacement coming for the D200?
I've been wondering that too. Do you plan to attend the PMA Show?

March 8-11, 2007
Las Vegas Convention Center
Las Vegas, Nevada USA.

[K1W1]

I assume that everybody realises that Photokina is on very soon (October).
It would be unusual for a manufacturer like Nikon not to announce at least one new camera at a show as important as Photokina.

[Warin]

I wouldn't expect one until next year. It would be very odd to replace a camera that has barely even fulfilled demand and hasn't been on the market for a year.

Bingo.

People, these things arent like video cards or processors... they dont (and shouldnt) roll out new models every 6 month to replace the previous models. I'd be surprised if there was an update to the D200 (ie: D200s) before june next year. The replacement will likely be 6-12 months after that.

There isnt any point in the rapid replacement of models. It takes away from R&D on important things, like lenses. Leave the quick model changes to the point and shoot market... I'd rather have a solid bit of kit than something hurried out the door for the sake of having someing "new".

Just my humble opinion.

[K1W1]

People, these things arent like video cards or processors... they dont (and shouldnt) roll out new models every 6 month to replace the previous models.

Unfortunately that is no longer correct. It was up until probably 12 months ago.
Entry level DSLR's are now moving very much from the camera store to the electronics market mentality. The new players like Sony and Panasonic and Samsung sell using the same techniques for cameras that they do for TVs or Play Stations or washing machines - short model life, constant updating of features and every diminishing prices. Nikon and Canon are now in this game whether they want to be or not and they will simply have to compete or be left behind and ultimately disappear.
If Nikon or Canon cannot grab the first time DSLR buyer then they have possibly lost that customer forever once that person starts building an accessory collection of brand "A" products and to grab that customer now they are going to have to use consumer electronics sales techniques not traditional camera sales techniques.

[Blob]

I agree with K1W1, the market is going to get a lot more competitive. We as consumers can only benefit by increased market competition through lower prices and increased product value. We're more likely to see VR II and auto-dust removal on future Nikon products because the market demands it. Hopefully the increase in sales volume will more than off set the increase in production costs.

[jcon]

I agree with K1W1, the market is going to get a lot more competitive. We as consumers can only benefit by increased market competition through lower prices and increased product value. We're more likely to see VR II and auto-dust removal on future Nikon products because the market demands it. Hopefully the increase in sales volume will more than off set the increase in production costs.


The downside though is quality could suffer from pushing out new products faster than normal. Id rather they take the time to develop an excellent new product than rush out a sub-par product just to compete. I agree 100% with what Warin said!