Let me guess Live View?
Ok yeah, we know the D90 is going to have live view which is now becoming speaking a ubiquitous DSLR camera feature.
Given the fact that the D80 and presumably the D90 are hybrids of the D40/D60 and the D200/D300 what will we be getting from the respective cameras? I noticed Thom Hogan had some thoughts on this, and we’ll assume his sources are a wee bit more extensive than mine (basically Tim, a 17 year old kid at Bestbuy):
D200 viewfinder, D300 color LCD, some creative subset of the D300 AF and metering (e.g., same AF sensor, but fewer AF options, coupled with the use of the 420-cell matrix meter for the Auto Area 3D mode), but with the reduced control set, the shutter, write mechanism, mode dial, and remote controls of the D40/D60/D80. Sensor? It could go either way (10mp or 12mp), but expect an auto cleaning function. Add Active D-Lighting and perhaps one of the Live View modes and you’ve got a new mid-range model that’s competitive.
I feel pretty confident that it’s going to have a 12mp sensor, but given Pentax and Sony playing megapixel wars, there’s an outside chance at using that 14mp sony sensor. Also it’s a definite for me that it’s going to have the D300 LCD, some type of sensor cleaning and hopefully (fingers crossed) a big chunk of the D300’s AF system
What I’m really hoping for is a camera body with more extensive sealing, think D60 body with D300 sealing. The reason this is high on my wish list is I’m getting quite jealous of the the ads for Olympus and Pentax touting their rugged weather proofing. Clearly it’s possible to get some weather sealing on a camera with a D90 type budget. I know I could move up and just get the D300, but I’ve really become fond of my D80’s smaller stature, and I’m pretty sure the specifications of the D90 will be far more relevant to me than the D300.
Of course I can already see what’s going to happen. I’ll be incredibly close to pulling the trigger on the D90 after doing tons and tons of research to make sure that, “yes this is the perfect camera for me”, and then at the last second, I’ll splurge and get the D300.
I should give in now, but I’m really hoping the D90 comes through for me.
For more on the D90, be sure to check out Thom’s thoughts…
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July 21, 2008
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I agree about the sealing. You should get it for the price($1,000 plus-US). I also hope for 4.5 or 5 fps (w/o grip), 6 to 6.5 fps(w/grip), but no 14bit @ 2.5 fps. Trying to capture the action at a child’s birthday party w/ D40x @ 3fps and slower focus after having the D200 was a let down. I can live without GPS and WT4 wireless. I hope for grid lines. I hope for whole 51 point AFS system with as much of it intact as possible otherwise whats the point of the camera. After having owned a D200 and D40X I agree with you about the smaller stature (I love the D40X size, but I was spoiled by D200 features). I hope for similiar flash control like D200/D80/D300. This would be an almost perfect walking/hiking camera w/18-200mm lens. Yet for heavy lifting you could use with pro-glass and get great results.
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July 22, 2008
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I agree with pretty much everything you’ve said here, and can’t begin to explain my anticipation for the D90’s actual feature set…