We’ve been quite busy and haven’t a chance to post about some of the latest releases from Nikon and now Canon as well, so we’ve decided to roll it all into one easy to read post.

Nikon D4 – Nikon’s Answer to the Canon EOS 1D-X

The Nikon D4 (pre-order here) represents the next generation flagship camera in Nikon’s line-up replacing the already amazing Nikon D3s. Here are some of the key points of the Nikon D4:

• 16.6 MP full-frame sensor
• 10 frames-per-second
• 91,000 pixel sensor for metering
• ISO 100-12,800 (with 50-204,800 as expandable options)
• 1080p HD 24-frames-per-second with uncompressed video output
• Twin card slots: one Compact Flash and one XQD
• Expeed 3

Most of all the specs sound very good, but I’m actually quite disappointed that Nikon has opted to do away with the dual Compact Flash slots in the Nikon D3 and Nikon D3s. I understand how amazing XQD can be, but Nikon should have made the XQD in addition to the dual Compact Flash slots.

Canon has been owning the HDSLR market very successfully for the longest time now. With the release of the D4, Nikon is saying that they aren’t ready to concede HD video to Canon. Here’s a sample of HD video shot with the D4:

One other noteworthy feature is if you opt for the optional WT-5 wireless transmitter, you can use a smart phone, tablet, laptop, or any other wi-fi device to access a special website built into the camera that allows for almost full remote control of your camera such as remote firing, changing aperture, shutter, and etc. with no software or app to download! That’s a pretty awesome, making the WT-5 a worthwhile consideration for purchase for landscape and/or studio photographers who use remote triggers. It will be interesting to see if Adobe develops a plugin to their Lightroom software to allow for control of the camera via Lightroom.

There are other changes, such as the look and feel of the D4 is not as sharp and rough as the D3s, but more curvy like Canon’s 1D series. I like it, has a more futuristic, smooth feel to it. Nikon has also added a Canon-like joystick, which is a welcome addition. The LCD screen size increased by 0.2-inches (to a total of 3.2-inches) but retains the same 921,000-pixel resolution unlike Canon’s 1,040,000-pixel resolution. There are many other features and improvements, too many to list, but we’re betting the D4 will be amazing.

Nikon D800: Nikon’s Answer to the Canon EOS 5D Mark II (and possibly the Mark III)

The Nikon D800 (pre-order here) has just been released and there are two big things that people have noticed and noticed big: a) it has a 36.3 MP full-frame sensor and b) it costs $3,000. Once you get over that shock, the Nikon D800 will most likely be Nikon’s most popular DSLR. With 1080p HD video like the more expensive Nikon D4, the D800 has everything any professional photographer could want at a relatively affordable price. Here are some of the most noteworthy features:

• 36.3 MP full-frame sensor
• 4 frames-per-second
• ISO 100-6400 (with 50-25,600 as expandable options)
• 1080p HD 24-frames-per-second with uncompressed video output
• Twin card slots: one Compact Flash and one SD/SDHC/SDXC
• Expeed 3

Again, we’re very confused about Nikon’s choice to move away from dual Compact Flash slots. This was one of the most annoying things with Canon, the different media type memory slots. This means one more type of media to buy and pack.

What we’re waiting to see is how well controlled noise is at ISO 6400-25,600 at full-resolution. With three times the resolution compared to the Nikon D700 but the same high ISO, this is truly some amazing evolution.

The Nikon D800 also has the same 1080p HD video options as the Nikon D4 which will make many people happy as now they can have the video quality (and performance?) of the D4 for about half the price. Here’s a sample video from the D800:

Curiously enough, Nikon also offers an “E” version of this camera, essentially the identical camera but with a modified low-pass filter (commonly called the anti-aliasing filter) that is supposed to result in higher sharpness at the cost of more moire.

Also as many people have observed, the D800 has the DX-crop mode that allows it to mask the sensor to 1.5x of the full-frame sensor at the cost of half the megapixels (a feature I use a lot on my D3 and was introduced in the D700). Previously before, that cost was a big disadvantage to many, but now with a 36.3 MP sensor, using DX-mode results in a 15.3 MP image which can keep much of its quality. As one person on the internet had pointed out, it’s almost like getting a Nikon D7000 for free and we agree. The D4 and D800′s crop mode means you’re one camera is really like two.

The D800 is very impressive.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM

The refresh for the workhorse lens, the 24-70mm, has been a lens that people have waited for and speculated on for years. One of the incessant rumors was that it will have Image Stabilization on it, something which we believe wouldn’t happen as it would needlessly drive up the price an additional $500. The time came and Canon released the Mark II version of their 24-70mm mid-range zoom and guess what, Image Stabilization was not included. So what has changed? It has gotten slightly shorter, but fatter, weighs slightly less, and the hood is mounted and functions differently. It also includes a single Super UD (Ultra Dispersion) as well as 2 UD elements that reduces chromatic aberrations and color-blurring around the subject. It will also cost about $1,000 more for a total MSRP price of $2,299… You can pre-order one here. And if the price doesn’t shock you enough, the 24-70mm II uses 82mm filters, which can be quite expensive.

Canon EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM and Canon EF 28mm f/2.8 IS USM

Canon also released two consumer grade prime lenses, the 24mm and 28mm. Generally speaking, nothing terribly exciting about either lenses except for the cost of $849 and $799.99, which to us sounds quite high for consumer grade prime lenses. We’re guessing what drove up the price is the interesting inclusion of Image Stabilization. While Canon opted to leave IS out of the new 24-70mm, they seem to have included in the 24mm and 28mm with no second thought. Prime lenses, especially in the less than 100mm range, rarely, if ever need IS as the lens is smaller and weighs less meaning hand-holding slower shutter speeds is not an issue as it is with the larger zoom L-lenses. Not entirely sure why Canon did that, but feel free to order the 24mm or 28mm if this is what you’ve been looking for. Looks like pre-ordering is not quite available yet.