What is Nikon Thinking? D300S, D7100, D610, D700, D750, Df, D810, D4s Compared

September 14, 2014
|In Photo Gear
|By Mike

With the release of the D750, I’m starting to wonder what Nikon is thinking with their lineup.  Shooters I know are waiting for a true replacement for both the D300s and the D700.  Arguments can be made that the D7100 replaces the D300s, and the D750 replaces the D700.  However, an equal number (and maybe more) arguments can be made that no replacements exist.  In this post, I’ll quickly cover some of the specs that differentiate the cameras that are current in the lineup.  Nikon has a lot of bodies on their site but I wouldn’t consider many of them current (D90, really?).  Here, I’ll just look at the D300s, D7100, D610, D700, D750, Df, D810 and the D4s.  The other bodies (D7000, D4, etc. that Nikon still lists are all very similar to at least one model discussed below).

 

 

Spec

D300s

D7100

D610

D700

D750

Df

D810

D4s
Release Date 2009 2013 2014 2008 2014 2013 2014 2014
Price $1500 $1200 $2000 $2500 $2300 $2750 $3300 $6500
Sensor Resolution (MP) 12 24 24 12 24 16 36 16

 Nikon DSLR Lineup: Price vs Megapixels
Nikon DSLR Lineup Price vs Megapixels Sept 2014: D3300, D5300, D300s, D7100, D610, D700, D750, Df, D810, D4s

(Click for larger)

 
I’m not listing the spec of the lower end cams in the table, but they are shown on the graph above. In general the price curve makes sense, even if the D3300 is a kit price (with lens) and the rest are body-only. Higher spec bodies are higher in price.

  • The D4s takes a huge jump in price, but it is as the top of the lineup and does offer great performance.
  • The majority of the Nikon lineup now uses as 24 megapixel sensor, which is plenty of resolution for almost any application.  It must be a sweet spot for price and performance.  Now I realize that megapixels are not the only measure of performance but they do play a role, many consumers still stick to ‘more is better’.  The current cameras present a marketing challenge for Nikon, and so far they have not done a good job of telling us why you would buy one model over another.
  • The D300s is sitting with just 12 megapixels (APS-C), for less money you get a much more capable camera in a D7100 but you give up build quality and familiar ergonomics.
  • The D700 is also sitting at 12 megapixels (full frame), and Nikon has options that are more capable but unfortunately not in the same body.  The D750 has a better sensor (six years of evolution is an eternity in the tech world), but in a lesser body.  The D810 has a better sensor (best on the market in any DSLR), but with a much lower frame rate.  There is no clear upgrade path.
  • The Df is an oddball too, having only 16 megapixels, no flash, no video, and a mix of modern and classic controls.

Let’s look at a few more stats.

Spec

D300s

D7100

D610

D700

D750

Df

D810

D4s
ISO Range 200 – 3200 100 – 6400 100 – 6400 200 – 6400 100 – 12800 100 – 12800 64 – 12800 100 – 25600
AF Points 51 51 39 51 51 39 51 51
Max Shutter 1/8000 1/8000 1/4000 1/8000 1/4000 1/4000 1/8000 1/8000
Frame Rate 7/8 6 6 5/8 6 5.5 5 11

 Nikon DSLR Lineup: Price vs Frame Rate

Nikon DSLR Lineup Price vs Frame Rate Sept 2014: D3300, D5300, D300s, D7100, D610, D700, D750, Df, D810, D4s

(Click for larger)

 
One thing that strikes me is that the D300s is a camera that was released in 2009 and Nikon has nothing since (outside of the very expensive pro bodies) that has bettered the frame rate.  If we look at the D700 it’s even more apparent (8fps with grip).  Both the D300s and D700 feature pro build and ergonomics, fast frame rates, great autofoucs and other related ‘pro’ features (flash sync speed, max shutter, etc.).  The D7100 comes close to replacing the D300s, but you need to accept a different style body with different ergonomics.  Same for the D610 or D750 replacing the D700, they don’t truly do so. To me, the Df is a waste of time.  Sure, it’s good in low light but that is because it has a great sensor.  The rest of it is there just to get the old guys to buy it for nostalgia.  It is crippled with a poor AF module (relative to price), no video (that isn’t a ‘feature’), and more. Anyone who was going to buy one did so already, ditch it.  The D750 should have been a pro body (controls same as a D810), with 16 or 24 megapixels.  In fact, this is what I think Nikon should have done, if you don’t agree let me know :)

 

DX

FX

Spec

D7100

D400

D610

D750

D810

D4s
Body Consumer Pro Consumer Pro Pro Pro
Price $1200 $1800 $2000 $2500 $3300 $6500
Sensor Resolution (MP) 24 24 16 24 36 16
ISO Range 100 – 6400 100 – 6400 100 – 6400 100 – 12800 64 – 12800 100 – 25600
AF Points 51 51 39 51 51 51
Max Shutter 1/8000 1/8000 1/4000 1/8000 1/8000 1/8000
Frame Rate 6 8 6 8 5 11

To me, it’s a more clear lineup. Two capable DX cameras, one in a consumer body and one in a pro body. The pro body will have a faster frame rate, a tougher build, and the same ergonomics as the pro FX bodies. The FX bodies also seem to have a clear distinction between them. Entry level D610 is a consumer type body, with a less capable AF system and slower max shutter (other features may also be worth discussing). The D750 should have been a true successor to the D700, same frame rate and build quality but with double the pixels. The D810 is the high resolution beast and the D4s the speed demon for those that need it. Each one has a clear place in the lineup and people may buy more than one.

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