I have been extremely happy with my D3300 and its kit lense. It has few features missing, but none of them deal breaking. I have been thinking a lot on what a budget low cost FX from Nikon should be. Well here is what would suit me
As D6xx is below D8xx, so a D4xx will be below D6xx, so let it be D400
1. Body - same as the D3300 with the same button lay out, with the D610 sensor.
. Small and Light Polycarbonate body. The weight and size is a boon while roaming around for any appreciable length of time.
. 6 FPS
. 60 fps video
. 1 SD slot
. Compact AF module, as I primarily use the centre AF only
2. Features that are missing in the D3300, but I would like to have
. FX sensor (of course), with Expeed 4 processor.
. Motor in body - so that "D" lenses can be used.
. Metering with AI/AIS lenses - will open up avenue for using lots of MF lenses. This will need a facility to input the lense focal length and maximum aperture.
. Mirror Up option - no idea why it is missing in D3xxx series.
. Live View while tethered - missing in the D3xxx series. This is a useful feature as the camera can then be controlled remotely and a bigger screen used for focusing.
3. Lens
. Now that it is FX, the 18-55 will correspond to 27-82 if FOV is to remain same. I would say that 25-85/F3.5-F5.6 would be just right.
. It should be as light as the current 18-55, preferably with the retractable design.
The reason I think that a bare bones FX will take off is -
. All controls required for taking images are there in the D3300 series. You can change most of them without drilling deep into the menus - mostly one step. Less buttons means less real estate in the body which translates to a smaller lighter and a more compact body - which should be less expensive to produce.
. There are a lot of users who do not not fancy advanced features - more dedicated buttons, bracketing, dual card slots, metal body, more AF points, higher resolution/swivel screen, 100% VF. This can be seen from the volume of the D3xxx series compared to D5xxx or D7xxx sales.
. Lots of users are like me, they want an inexpensive bare bones camera, as they shoot for pleasure of it, and rarely change the settings between shots. In short they are not in a high pressure situation.
. Landscape photographers really need a good sensor, good high ISO performance and MUP, they rarely need to fiddle with settings constantly.
. A lighter lower cost D4xx FX will entice more P&S shooters (as does the D3xxx series) to switch to the world of DSLR. Most of them will rarely go beyond the kit lense, so a good performer is essential.
Let us see what the other Nikonites think of it.
As D6xx is below D8xx, so a D4xx will be below D6xx, so let it be D400
1. Body - same as the D3300 with the same button lay out, with the D610 sensor.
. Small and Light Polycarbonate body. The weight and size is a boon while roaming around for any appreciable length of time.
. 6 FPS
. 60 fps video
. 1 SD slot
. Compact AF module, as I primarily use the centre AF only
2. Features that are missing in the D3300, but I would like to have
. FX sensor (of course), with Expeed 4 processor.
. Motor in body - so that "D" lenses can be used.
. Metering with AI/AIS lenses - will open up avenue for using lots of MF lenses. This will need a facility to input the lense focal length and maximum aperture.
. Mirror Up option - no idea why it is missing in D3xxx series.
. Live View while tethered - missing in the D3xxx series. This is a useful feature as the camera can then be controlled remotely and a bigger screen used for focusing.
3. Lens
. Now that it is FX, the 18-55 will correspond to 27-82 if FOV is to remain same. I would say that 25-85/F3.5-F5.6 would be just right.
. It should be as light as the current 18-55, preferably with the retractable design.
The reason I think that a bare bones FX will take off is -
. All controls required for taking images are there in the D3300 series. You can change most of them without drilling deep into the menus - mostly one step. Less buttons means less real estate in the body which translates to a smaller lighter and a more compact body - which should be less expensive to produce.
. There are a lot of users who do not not fancy advanced features - more dedicated buttons, bracketing, dual card slots, metal body, more AF points, higher resolution/swivel screen, 100% VF. This can be seen from the volume of the D3xxx series compared to D5xxx or D7xxx sales.
. Lots of users are like me, they want an inexpensive bare bones camera, as they shoot for pleasure of it, and rarely change the settings between shots. In short they are not in a high pressure situation.
. Landscape photographers really need a good sensor, good high ISO performance and MUP, they rarely need to fiddle with settings constantly.
. A lighter lower cost D4xx FX will entice more P&S shooters (as does the D3xxx series) to switch to the world of DSLR. Most of them will rarely go beyond the kit lense, so a good performer is essential.
Let us see what the other Nikonites think of it.