Rumor: Nikon D8000

D90 Replacement Called D8000

Date: 6/2/2010
Source: NR

Rating: 3.1/5, Votes: 8, Comments: 2

NR suggests the D90 replacement could be imminent and called the D8000.

If true, this would represent a significant change from Nikon's recent naming conventions: In recent years the higher end models in any part of Nikon range have always began with a '7' for the first camera (the advanced consumer range started with the D70, the FX prosumer range with the D700) - for that reason we'd expect that should Nikon go to the DXXXX naming format, then the name would be D7000, not D8000.

The post also goes on to say the D90 replacement will be 16-18 Mp and a D4000 (D3000 replacement) will be 14-18 Mp. Again, this would go against Nikon's 'Introduce a sensor in a higher end body and trickle down' pattern of recent years.

Our thoughts: (1) A D4000 (D3000 replacement) will most likely be the last camera to use a derivative of the 12 Mp sensor currently found in the D3000 - a D4000 with a sensor that is better spec'd than the D5000 doesn't make sense. (2) The big question is does Nikon introduce a new higher resolution sensor with the D90 replacement (in which case we'd expect a new camera name, probably D7000. And if so, what does this mean for a D400 next year)? Or does it boost video and add a few minor changes and call it the D90s? (i.e. do what they did with the D300s). Given economic conditions, the D90s is the conservative route for Nikon to take, but if they are feeling pressure from Canon's recent offerings, then the D7000 with new sensor may make more sense. If the main pressure they are feeling is on the video front, then full HD may be achievable in the current 12 Mp chip, which again may favor the D90s route.

Source: NR on 6/2/2010.

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Thom Hogan says maybe 2010

Date: 12/4/2009
Source: Thom Hogan

Rating: 2.8/5, Votes: 5, Comments: 1

Thom Hogan has released his 2010 predictions (see source link below), and is predicting a D90 Redux, although he expects it to be called the D8000 instead of D90s.

He expects a different sensor, different AF, and improved video.

Our take: Yes the D90 hits 2 years old in 2010, so a redux is due. If Nikon introduce a new sensor we'd expect it to be the D7000 not D8000 (since Nikon likes to bring in the "upper end" models starting with 7 - i.e. the advance consumer bodies went D70->D70s->D80->D90, and the pro-sumer FX bodies started at D700).

However Nikon has been heavily reusing sensors to help control costs (think D200->D80->D40x->D60->D3000 all with derivatives of the same sensor, and so far the D300 sensor has been seen in the D300->D90->D5000->D300s). Given the D90's massive success, we still believe it more likely to see an iterated D90s rather than a new body/sensor (either D7000 or D8000).

Source: Thom Hogan on 12/4/2009.

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Thom Updates his 2010 Predictions

Thom has updated his 2010 predictions (from the best we can tell, these are based largely on speculation combined with some likely reliable inside sources).

He's now claiming the D90 replacement (due in August) will be called the D7000, not the D8000 as he stated before.

Source: Thom Hogan on 1/25/2010.

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