Nikon announces D3s DSLR, switches to defense
Spot quiz:
When was the last time Nikon announced a new DSLR with a higher resolution sensor than it’s previous camera offerings at a price more affordable than $8000?
Answer:
September 16th, 2004, more than 5 years ago.
This simple fact was at the heart of the backlash against the D3X announcement last year, and I suspect it is the root cause of the negative response the D3s announcement a few days ago is getting in online forums. While users of Sony, Canon, and other manufacturers camera systems can buy DSLRs with up to 24 megapixel sensors for a few thousand dollars, the Nikon faithful are still stuck at the 12 megapixel level introduced with the D2X unless they can afford and justify the $8000 list price (a little lower in practice) of a D3X.
Taken out of context, this new camera looks like a terrific refresh of an already amazing camera. Nikon’s “s” cameras are always modestly improved versions of previously available models, so for example, the addition of sensor shake for dust removal is not unexpected.
But the D3s in fact seems to be a rather more ambitious refresh than usual. We’ll have to wait for the tests to be sure, but it seems to give another stop or two of high ISO/low noise performance beyond the already industry leading D3. I don’t think anybody expected that, and it certainly solidifies Nikon’s lead in this area.
But if nobody expected this, it is also true that nobody asked for it. One can find thousands of posts from customers wanting more pixels at a more affordable price point. You can find many messages from people wishing that the autofocus sensors covered more of the frame, as they do in DX format cameras. I don’t recall seeing anybody wish for better low light sensitivity. I’m not saying it won’t be useful. I’m saying it isn’t where we are feeling pain.
It has been an exciting couple years to be a Nikon user. After being just a bit behind Canon in previous years, we watched Nikon come roaring back with industry leading bodies and lenses challenging Canon at all levels. Now it seems Nikon is playing defensively, tightening their grip on one particular market segment while customers in other segments wait, and wait.
I’ll probably buy a D3X soon. I’ll be able to only because I’m selling my house. If not for that I’d be as unhappy with the recent announcement as many other people are.
