Below are our current recommendations for purchasing Nikon cameras. Please note, these recommendations are speculative, and are based on a combination of our opinions, the prior release history of cameras from Nikon, and in some cases rumors we believe to be credible. See Recommendations for: Canon
DSLR | Recommendation | Buy From | Nikon D3x: | Recommendation: Buy Reason: The Nikon D3x was released in late 2008, so if there was going to be a mid-term update (Nikon D3xs) then that should have happened by now, but it hasn't. The Nikon D4 is expected to be announced in August 2011 (although availability may be scarce initially due to the March 2011 disasters in Japan that impacted the Sendai plant).
The earliest we'd expect to see a D4x camera is August 2011 (with limited to no availability initially), but we believe a very late 2011, or more likely 2012, date for the D3x replacement to be more likely. Check Availability: B&H, Amazon Released: Nov 30th, 2008 More Info: Overview, Reviews, Price History
| | Nikon D3s: | Recommendation: Buy Reason: Released in Fall 2009, this camera should remain current until the release of the Nikon D4, which we expect some time in 2011 - possibly late August.
However due to the March 2011 disasters in Japan, the D4 announcement may be delayed, and even if it is not, production of the camera will certainly be impacted. That means even if the D4 is announced on schedule, the D4 may be virtually impossible to get hold of for many months after the announcement. Check Availability: B&H, Amazon Released: Oct 14th, 2009 More Info: Overview, Reviews, Price History
| | Nikon D700: | Recommendation: Wait Reason: Announced in the summer of 2008, the Nikon D700 is already coming up for its 3rd birthday, and is widely expected to be replaced with a D800 at some point in 2011.
Based on that, we've given it a 'Wait' recommendation - however events in Japan in March 2011 impacted the Sendai plant where the D700, and presumably its replacement are manufactured. This means the D700 replacement announcement may be delayed. It also means availability of both the D700 and the replacement camera will almost certainly be impacted. So it could easily be 2012 before any D700 replacement is readily available online or at a local store.
Check Availability: B&H, Amazon Released: Jul 1st, 2008 More Info: Overview, Reviews, Price History
| | Nikon D300s: | Recommendation: Wait Reason: Announced in July 2009, prosumer Nikon DXXX models typically have a 18-24 month lifespan before being updated, so we are expecting a summer 2011 replacement with a Nikon D400.
It is unclear whether or not the March 2011 disasters in Japan will impact the D400 (the D300 is made in Thailand, but if the D400 shares the AF system with the D4 like the D3/D300 did, then it's possible key components come out of Japan). In the mean time, take a look at the D7000 - with its improved weather sealing, 16 megapixels, dual memory card slots and improved AF system, the D7000 is a better solution for a large number of photographers.
Check Availability: B&H, Amazon Released: Jul 30th, 2009 More Info: Overview, Reviews, Price History
| | Nikon D7000: | Recommendation: Buy Reason: We expect the D7000 to be *the* advanced consumer DSLR well into 2012, and for a lot of people a better choice than even the D300s. The D7000 is a large step forward over the camera it replaced (the Nikon D90). Check Availability: B&H, Amazon Released: Sep 15th, 2010 More Info: Overview, Reviews, Price History
| | Nikon D5100: | Recommendation: Buy Reason: Featuring the 16mp sensor from the D7000, the D5100 is a major step forward over the camera it replaced (the D5000). The D5100 should stay current well into 2012. Check Availability: B&H, Amazon Released: Apr 5th, 2011 More Info: Overview, Reviews | | Nikon D3100: | Recommendation: Buy Reason: Nikon introduced a new 14mp sensor with the D3100, a sensor which will likely stay current for several years. The earliest we expect a replacement for the D3100 would be late 2011, with 2012 being more likely. A sooner update (2011) would like include only minor improvements to this camera. Check Availability: B&H, Amazon Released: Aug 19th, 2010 More Info: Overview, Reviews, Price History
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