Yet another Nikon exec statement

[Mel]

I do realize that some people really want more than 12mp. But I really don't care about that. I seldom sell images larger than 8x10. my D2H did a fine job up the 16x20, so my D3 is not a concern there. My own walls aren't really big enough to hang bigger prints.

Your reason Chris, is the very reason Nikon has not rushed in bringing out another more than 12MP model., There simply is not that great of a need except in the minds of gear driven users. Yes, there are most certainly those photographers who "need" more MP. But the majority do not and Nikon, as well as Canon, knows this. Otherwise the getting long in the tooth 1DsMKIII would already have it's succesor. And currently we all know Canon has nothing larger than 21 MP. As we also know, rumors don't count at this level : ~ ) They even went "down" with their infamous G model. Which btw, is the carry around of choice to many a Nikon pro. Going up would have been a non issue for them if they also believed MP made such a significant difference. I for one will laugh when I see Canon or Sony bring out a 30+ MP model in a DSLR. People have no idea of the additional costs in processing and storage, time and dare I say it? Additional major expense, which will be associated with more MP. Yes, technology will one day get us there and make it "easier" and user doable for the everyday type uses many have purchased these models for. But that ain't today IMO. And again, our manufacturers know this.

As you well realize Chris, that unfortunately "many" do not, and have gotten caught up in the "gear" side of it all. Is that one cannot readily tell the difference between models and MP's by looking at prints.
The segment Z speaks of, just is not big enough yet. Sorry, but it isn't.

BTW, Sony makes nearly all of the Canon Point and Shoot sensors on NIKON steppers. Does this mean Canon is crippling themselves?

Bingo, finally somebody just said it. Ok, let me ask another question. Don't you think that those 3 are involved in price fixing? Look, all has benefits....

Chris,

Thanks for your response but I was really curious about Thom's opinion. Besides that there is no logical explanation why Nikon only has 1 camera that is more than 12MP.

--
I am an expert at contradicting myself. Just wait a while. It will be evident.
Chris, Broussard, LA

--
Mel
http://www.mellockhartphotography.zenfolio.com
http://www.mellockhartphotography.net

 

[Mel]

heh, It's funny that I missed that last sentence somehow . He certainly could speak English, he could also have misused the plural too Guess we will have to wait and see. -

I thought of that too. So yes, we will wait and see. 11 months is a definite limit and promised action bewteen now and then : ~ )

--
A poor photographer blames his tools.

--
Mel
http://www.mellockhartphotography.zenfolio.com
http://www.mellockhartphotography.net

 

[zzddrr]

I for one will laugh when I see Canon or Sony bring out a 30+ MP model in a DSLR. People have no idea of the additional costs in processing and storage, time and dare I say it? Additional major expense, which will be associated with more MP. Yes, technology will one day get us there and make it "easier" and user doable for the everyday type uses many have purchased these models for. But that ain't today IMO. And again, our manufacturers know this.

Our manufacturers actually have no clue about business. I mean, what would it take for Nikon to team up with a computer manufacturer (e.g. apple or asus or even dell) and have them create a "Nikon 30MP optimized" rig of course endorsed by Nikon. It will have all the special bells and whistles that needed to handle the big load.... One stop shop... But our great manufacturers are just not creative enough.

As you well realize Chris, that unfortunately "many" do not, and have gotten caught up in the "gear" side of it all. Is that one cannot readily tell the difference between models and MP's by looking at prints.
The segment Z speaks of, just is not big enough yet. Sorry, but it isn't.

How do you know that this segment is not large enough? Try to imagine that people who cannot properly compose pictures would have the option to later on fix it since they have plenty of resolution to do just that. Try to imagine that how many people would buy into that proposition. Not everyone is perfect especially this not so professional segment. I mean there is a reason why Sony decided to go down that way but of course they still have to learn.

 

[KnightPhoto2]

D3 to D3s - Same MP but better quality.

Canon 40D to 50D - more MP but no increase in quality.

What strategy do you want Nikon to represent?

+1 - excellent point (can't wait for the D700S!)

--
http://images.nikonians.org/galleries/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/119002

 

[Billx08]

Mirror-less, crop sensor (not 4/3), interchangeable lenses, Leica killer with 1080P?

No. For it to be a Leica killer it would have to be priced substantially higher than a Leica.

 

[Mel]

Mirror-less, crop sensor (not 4/3), interchangeable lenses, Leica killer with 1080P?

No. For it to be a Leica killer it would have to be priced substantially higher than a Leica.

Ha ha ha!
Now that was funny Bill.

--
Mel
http://www.mellockhartphotography.zenfolio.com
http://www.mellockhartphotography.net

 

[creativeangle]

None of the update to existing cameras can be surprises (D3Xs, D700s). In fact high resolution small body can't also be surprise because people have been crying for it. A surprise is something we don't expect and get dropped in. So my take:

1. EVIL
2. Large Sensor Compact camera

 

[astrograph]

everybody seems to think the surprise will be a new piece of hardware from Nikon, but maybe it is not, maybe Nikon has been buying another company or is merging with another company, or selling the coolpix business, or ...

--
Philipp Salzgeber
http://www.salzgeber.at

 

[Mel]

everybody seems to think the surprise will be a new piece of hardware from Nikon, but maybe it is not, maybe Nikon has been buying another company or is merging with another company, or selling the coolpix business, or ...

And maybe it is because when asked the questuion about what was coming in 2010, the General Manager of the Imaging Division India, Mr. Hiroshi Takashina, stated specifically an answer related to camera models.

Quote: We plan to surprise the market. We will concentrate on only better quality and better line-up of cameras. So you can expect surprises.

Let's look at that statment carefully.

First thing he initially gets across is that whatever is coming in 2010 will "suprise" (us) the entire market.

Second , Nikons concentration will be on quality . This might accout for Dave V's rumor about the D3XS? It might also simply mean just better image resolution, color and noise control for whatever they bring out in 2010.

Third , Nikon will be creating a better line-up of their cameras . This alone could mean the addition of a few models in 2010. Which is why I have always thought they may bring out a high MP mid size "and" a D700S "AND" a e.v.i.l. type model.

Fourth , he ends by "perhaps" teasing us (if he speaks english well and it is not a launguage barrier translation error), in emphasizing how he started out, but with the plural, "surprise(s)" . (Supporting the above multiple models guess/possibility in number three)

It is of course just my opinion, but I don't think there is any question of the 2010 surprise(s) being anything but camera models "specifically".

--
Philipp Salzgeber
http://www.salzgeber.at

--
Mel
http://www.mellockhartphotography.zenfolio.com
http://www.mellockhartphotography.net

 

[Thom Hogan]

Don't you think that Nikon is a bit "sensor cripled"?

Hard to say without knowing what their plan for DX is going forward.

I mean seriously, without Sony we wouldn't have D3x.

I'm not sure I believe that. But it would be different.

It is clear, Nikon does not have the capabilities to makes sensors alone.

Nonsense. Nikon could have started making sensors on their own back in the late 1980's or early 1990's. The appear to have chosen a different route then because the quantities were unknown and it was easier to share cost.

Now this explains why we are 12MP for over 5 years now.

Ironic you should point back to a Nikon-designed sensor as starting the 12mp period.

10 DX sensor = 1 FX. Now this explains why contract manufacturers don't line up at Nikon's door to produce high res FX sensors. Do you think this is one reason?

No, because contract manufacturers are lining up at Nikon's door. There is plenty of excess fab capacity available right now. Nikon certainly has the expertise to direct the wafer-level differences between a fab creating DX or FX sensors. Beyond that, it's a fairly straight forward process.

Finally, it makes me worried when an exec is at large and says stupid things like this quality. Jeez, I translate this as "yes we have some quality problems but we'll have no clue how to fix them at the moment..." What is your interpretation?

You'll have to direct me to the exact quote you're referring to, as I know of no such quote from a Nikon executive. Perhaps you're referring to a Toyota executive? ;~)

--
Thom Hogan
author, Complete Guides to Nikon bodies (21 and counting)
http://www.bythom.com

 

[mngsmt]

2.) Regular 4/3's

nope. They'd better have their own format to distinguish themselves form 4/3.

3.) Mid sized high MP

nope. Nikon rep denied this in the french interview and his words made a lot of sense.

4.) D3XS

would not really be a surprise.

5.) D700S

neither.

Have fun spreculating!

 

[Mel]

2.) Regular 4/3's

nope. They'd better have their own format to distinguish themselves form 4/3.

3.) Mid sized high MP

nope. Nikon rep denied this in the french interview and his words made a lot of sense.

Perhaps you would please point out where the Nikon exec in "any" interview denies the possible creation of a high MP mid sized model?

When that exec was asked about Nikon creating larger MP sensors, his answer was:

"Yes, perhaps we will. If customers expect more pixels, then we will respond to this request."

That is the closet thing I can find but you obviously saw a better indication so please share if you would?

Thanks,

4.) D3XS

would not really be a surprise.

5.) D700S

neither.

Have fun spreculating!

--
Mel
http://www.mellockhartphotography.zenfolio.com
http://www.mellockhartphotography.net

 

[zzddrr]

Finally, it makes me worried when an exec is at large and says stupid things like this quality. Jeez, I translate this as "yes we have some quality problems but we'll have no clue how to fix them at the moment..." What is your interpretation?

You'll have to direct me to the exact quote you're referring to, as I know of no such quote from a Nikon executive. Perhaps you're referring to a Toyota executive? ;~)

Thank you for your answers.

I was referring to the interview with Hiroshi Takashima (General Manger of Imaging Division at Nikon) at Photofair:
Q: What can we expect from Nikon in 2010?

A: We plan to surprise the market. We will concentrate only on better quality and better line-up of cameras. So you can expect surprises.

That's the part I was reffering to. I am afraid that the translation may changed what he meant but if he talked about really quality then we have a real problem in hand. We may expect that our cameras can suddenly accelerate like the toyotas

 

[lee lindquist]

But I specifically make note of the "plural" for surprise(s) in 2010.

Well, if they raised the prices of lenses again, that would surprise people!

 

[Ermac]

A digital 'S' rangefinder with FX sensor and M mount would be a surprise... An APS-C point and shoot would not be, but it probably is the latter.
--
I brake for animals.

 

[RKGoth]

Now actually "surprises"

5.) D700S

That'll only be a surprise if it doesn't appear. Now the D3s is out, D3 sales are going to drop; and why on earth fab two generations of a 12Mp FX sensor (given that fab costs are pretty consistent once in production) and let the D700 lag behind in the range.

Sadly, I think that the D700X is less likely to appear, since Canon's 5D Mk II has made a "lower-level" 24Mp Nikon body "not quite enough" - it would also need video and higher ISO capability. If the 24Mp sensor has evolved, then maybe, but I expect we'll get something in between - 18Mp FX with video perhaps.

Personally, I want a D3S and D3X, or D700X and D3s - not a D700s and D3X. Where I need the rugged body of the D3, I also need the high FPS and am more likely to use the video; the 24Mp is for the studio and leisurely travel. So I expect that I'll end up buying a D3X next.

--
GeekGoth, Writer
http://www.geextreme.com/
Sigma, Nikon D3s, Fuji and Olympus DSLRs
Music, cars (Citroën mostly), computing, media

 

[Thom Hogan]

zzddrr wrote:

How the heck do you get "we have some quality problems...no clue how to fix them at the moment" from "we will concentrate only on better quality?"

People need to stop trying to read things into statements--multiply translated statements at that--that aren't there.

--
Thom Hogan
author, Complete Guides to Nikon bodies (21 and counting)
http://www.bythom.com

 

[binary_eye]

zzddrr wrote:

How the heck do you get "we have some quality problems...no clue how to fix them at the moment" from "we will concentrate only on better quality?"

Not only that, but the term "quality" (if it's even a correct translation) coming from someone at that level is probably being used in an abstract sense and could mean any number of things. Just because "quality" means image quality over image resolution to one person doesn't mean it means the same to someone in upper management at Nikon.

Similarly, what Nikon considers a "surprise" may not be so surprising to those who follow the camera industry very closely and read forums such as these every day.

 

[mngsmt]

Perhaps you would please point out where the Nikon exec in "any" interview denies the possible creation of a high MP mid sized model?
When that exec was asked about Nikon creating larger MP sensors, his answer was:

"Yes, perhaps we will. If customers expect more pixels, then we will respond to this request."

That is the closet thing I can find but you obviously saw a better indication so please share if you would?

Sorry for the confusion - my bad: I read MF as in medium format instead of MP, and that was what the exec denied.

Cheers!

 

[Krost]

Hi,

just have been to " Mediamarkt", a big retailer for electronics, looking for a lens replacement for my nikon d5000.

well, spoke about tamrons, sigmas, nikons, and that the d90 dropped the price so low...

Then i just mentioned that i think a d90 successor is up in the line, but the guy said:

"no, i haven't heard of a d90 successor, but i think we dohave the d700 replacement already in" took a look in the box where all the hi-end cameras are - "oh no, we don't have this one yet in store"

well, what should i make of that?....