Re: Will Nikon build anymore DSLR's, or are they done with DSLR's?
Bruce @OwlsEyes raises valid criticisms. The D780 appears to be a damp squib to many Nikon shooters. However it ticks many boxes, but it is overpriced for the features. Nikon reap what they sow. The oft repeated criticisms of the AF is one ie they should made it closer to the existing D850 but with Z6 sensor; same menus and AF. Actually the D780 AF is highly capable despite a smaller sensor coverage.
I agree with @mawz the D880 should be a very different imaging instrument. It should meet all 3 of the logical corporate aims, but only if Nikon do not derail the potential by releasing yet another distinctly underwhelming product.
mawz wrote:
The other thing to consider is there are several indications that the physical D780 design dates back several years prior to its actual launch. In UI it's just too D750 and not enough Z6 to be the follow-on design to the Z6. Th key UI item here is the joystick, the D780 didn't get it, but the Z5 did.
Frankly, I continue to think the D780 was something Nikon was sitting on to give the Z's breathing room, and it was launched some years after the basic physical design was settled and molds cut.
The D780 was also the poster child for how not to launch a body. It was too expensive at launch, had a couple of glaring decontenting items (the grip most notably) and most of the D750 upgraders had already assumed that the D750 successor was never coming and bought something else (either a D850 or mirrorless). $2300 was simply too much money when D850's were drifting under $3k new, Z6's were $1800 on sale all the time and the D750 was on perma-sale at $1500-1600.
The difference with a D850 update is that the D850 update would be clearly top-dog for the market that wants a do-everything DSLR. The D780 on the other hand had to compete with the then-current top dawg D850, the dirt cheap predecessor D750 and the mirrorless bodies, and at a price that didn't give it any advantages. Quite frankly you could buy a used Z6 + used D750 for the cost of a D780 at launch.
Now is the D780 a better body than the D750? Yes. But if you don't do video, the advantages are smaller, really that extra stop of shutter, mild high ISO improvements, really usable LVAF (with the 12fps mode in LV), a minor boost in battery life (the CIPA ratings are distorted by the lack of flash on the D780) and some buffer & write speed improvements. Real, but minor for a body which cost $7-800 more than a new D750.
Will the D850 update be an iteration of the D850? Yup. But don't assume it will be a minor iteration. If Nikon is smart they'll throw in everything but the kitchen sink for their last major DSLR launch. So D6 AF, double Expeed 6 to net a decently deep buffer along with the CFE-B slot, silent shutter, etc. Probably a minor FPS boost too. Imagine a D850 with D6 AF and a usably deep buffer at 9/10fps. That would sell to the birders for sure.
Apr 12, 2021 at 03:14 AM
Previous versions of chambeshi's message #15563012 « Will Nikon build anymore DSLR's, or are they done with DSLR's? »
