Nikon D300S | Nikon D3000

Nikon made it official this morning, announcing two new digital SLRs – the consumer-friendly D3000 and the semi-professional D300s which features a high-definition movie mode. Nikon also released two new lenses – an all-purpose 18-200mm for photo enthusiasts, and a hotly anticipated, redesigned 70-200 f/2.8 lens for professional photographers.

The two cameras and two lenses have been buzzed about on the Internet for weeks thanks to information that has leaked out about the products. We had hoped to have had an review of the 10.2-megapixel D3000 up on DemystifyingDigital.com this morning, but because of a snafu at Nikon's warehouse, we're told the camera won't be available till later this week. Look for a review of a final, production version of the D3000 on DemystifyingDigital.com next week.

Meanwhile, here's a breakdown of everything Nikon released this morning.

Nikon D3000
Nikon's newest entry-level digital SLR for consumers is also its most compact. The 10.2MP D3000 is so small, it feels like one of those all-in-one superzoom cameras but without the extra-long built-in lens. It ships as a kit ($599.95) with a basic Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR image stabilization lens.

Unlike the step-up model – the 12.3MP Nikon D5000 which we reviewed a couple months ago – the D3000 has no built-in HD movie function. Instead, this camera emphasizes simplicity and its small size, making it an attractive choice for soccer moms and dads out there who might not be interested in capturing HD movie clips. With an EXPEED image processor, the D3000 should be pretty fast with an 11-point autofocus system and 3 frames per second maximum shooting speed.

A new Guide Mode – a feature that was previously called Assist Images – is designed to make picture-taking easier and more understandable via step-by-step instructions.

"It tells you what the camera is doing and it tells you what else you can do," Nikon's Lindsay Silverman told DemystiyfingDigital.com.

The Guide Mode feature, which is accessed by the mode dial on top of the camera, shows the photographer a variety of shooting situations on the LCD screen and guides them toward the appropriate settings for that scene. You can also look at sample photos on the screen to get an idea of what you're trying to achieve.

The new Guide Mode and the camera's unintimidating form factor with rounded off corners, make the low-priced D3000 a seemingly worthy successor to the three-year-old 6MP Nikon D40, a camera which is among Nikon's most popular of all time. (Not to quibble but we do wish the D3000 had added some kind of movie feature.)

Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED-IF AF-S VR II Zoom-Nikkor Lens
Designed as an all-purpose lens to suit a range of users and shooting situations, the new Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED-IF AF-S Zoom-Nikkor ($849.95) adds Nikon's Vibration Reduction (VR) II to help keep your zoomed shots sharp even in low light.

According to Nikon, VR II technology lets you handhold the lens at four shutter speeds slower than normal, compared to the three shutter speeds allowed by the original VR. The new 18-200 also has Nikon's Nano Crystal Coat to prevent lens element reflection and reduce ghosting and flare.

There are also two Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass and three aspherical lens elements to curtail chromatic aberration, astigmatism and other forms of distortion, while maintaining high resolution and contrast.

Carrying this relatively compact wide zoom lens should be easier and more secure thanks to a new zoom lock switch on the barrel that prevents it from extending when held downward—aka "zoom creep"—so it remains at your last chosen focal length. With 11x zoom coverage (27-300mm in 35mm format), you can use this lightweight lens in a range of shooting situations that should make it a good traveling companion.


Nikon D300s
Photographers looking to add high definition video to their list of imaging skills will want to check out the Nikon D300s ($1,799.95, body only) which can capture 720p HD at 24 frames per second. An upgrade to Nikon's popular D300 mid-level professional digital SLR, the D300s also adds an input jack for attaching a stereo microphone to record sound with your movies.

The camera has built-in volume control for the mic at three levels—low, medium, and high. As a still camera, the 12.3-megapixel D300s is a notch faster than its predecessor, with the ability to shoot at seven frames per second. Other improvements include a wider, 16mm range for its built-in pop-up flash; 11 custom settings; and a Virtual Horizon indicator in Live View, which was available on the D3 but not the D300.

What really sticks out for us is the D300s' Active D-Lighting bracketing feature which lets you snap a series of photos with different shadow adjustments so you can select the best one.  Kind of like High Dynamic Range (HDR) photography but without the in-camera ability to combine the three shots.

We also like that the camera has added dual memory cards slots—CompactFlash and SD—which let you split your storage so stills can go to one card and movies to the other. Otherwise though, the D300s is mostly just a D300 with a movie function, a fact that Nikon acknowledges.

"I think it would be silly for us to call it a full new model," Silverman said. "It's an upgrade version of the D300, or basically a refresh of that camera with the movie feature."

Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR II Zoom Nikkor
One of Nikon's most popular professional lenses, the 70-200mm f/2.8, got an upgrade and a redesign this morning with a new version ($2,499.95) that adds Nikon's Vibration Reduction (VR) II to help steady shaky shots.

Most sports, nature, and even portrait shooters rarely leave their homes without a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens and this new model from Nikon features a more slender design that should make it easier to carry. (We were not able to get a spec on whether the new version is lighter than the older lens.)

Instead of having a wide glass element on the front end, the new 70-200mm is straight all the way through which, theoretically, should offer better balance when shooting. (We'll see when we get a unit in to test.)

As in Nikon’s other new lens, VR II technology allows for handholding at slower shutter speeds and Nikon’s Nano Crystal Coat prevents lens element reflection and reduces ghosting and flare. Seven ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements feature a new optical format to minimize vignetting and chromatic aberrations.

Nikon's Silent Wave motor is designed to let you autofocus quickly and quietly; while the lens's 9 rounded diaphragm blades should help give your portraits more attractive "bokeh."