The rumours about the forthcoming Nikon D400 continue to surface, this time from a Nikon Solutions show held in Germany last week. These rumours about the D400 have been bubbling up for months, and some of them are downright ludicrous. The rumours this time around are a bit more down to earth: the sensor will be based on the new EXPEED II engine, be a DX sensor in the 16 to 18 megapixel range, and do 1080p HD video capture at 24fps. It also mentions a tilt display, similar to the D5000. The D300 has a 12.3 megapixel sensor, so it wouldn't be unheard of for it to jump to 16 megapixels, though I think 18 is stretching it. I'd personally be happy with zero increase in resolution - 12 megapixels is a lot to work with as it is. Some people believe the D400 will be an FX sensor (full frame), but I doubt Nikon wants to make a compeditor for their own D700. The D400, as a successor to the popular D300, will continue the prosumer line and with Nikon's recent investment in DX-format lenses (such as the 35mm f/2.8) I see Nikon continuing that trend. I really like the look of HD video shot on a DSLR - the depth of field is gorgeous - so that's my main reason for wanting a D400. I'm hoping that the D400 will be the first DSLR to offer true auto-focus while shooting video, but that may be too much to hope for at this stage. Lastly, as for when it's coming out, it's anyone's guess - but with the D300 having been released in August of 2007, I'd say sometime in the summer months would be a good bet for when we might see the D400.
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I really like the look of HD video shot on a DSLR - the depth of field is gorgeous - so that's my main reason for wanting a D400. I'm hoping that the D400 will be the first DSLR to offer true auto-focus while shooting video, but that may be too much to hope for at this stage.
I too love the look so long as there is a tripod involved, but I'm not loving the general look of video shot by hand in "real-world" situations. After reading this engadget comparison of Nikon's and Canon's latest (and looking at their sample video clips), I'm going to be waiting a bit for casual video to become viable.
I'm still really liking the Panasonic GH1, though. Based on this DPReview preview, I'm seeing a totally different story in terms of casual video, and of course it does do autofocus.
I don't have much money tied up in lenses at this point, so I wouldn't feel bad about jumping ship to a new platform. The few GH1 videos I've seen look awesome with none of the jumpiness and motion blur that I see with the Canon and Nikon. Not too surprising to me, since I think the GH1 is far closer in concept to a video camera than are either of the actual DSLR's. I can't wait to try it out in person.
Personally I'm likely to get the GH1 than a D400 if video is what I'm looking at. But Nikon being Nikon will have plenty of upgrades for the D400, I hope. Every generation of their cameras tend to obsolete the previous one pretty quick (witness D70 to D80 to D90, D100 to D200 to D300, D100 to D70, D1 to D2 to D3 series).
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I too love the look so long as there is a tripod involved, but I'm not loving the general look of video shot by hand in "real-world" situations.
But it's that the same with all video? The video from my Canon HF100 is going to look herky-jerky unless it's on a tripod or I'm very careful to keep it smooth. I don't think it much to do with the hardware itself...though I do concede that it might be hard to keep a D400 with my heavy 24-70 f2.8 lens on it steady by hand...it's a heavy rig!
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Jason, you should check out the D90. While the output is really lovely (film-like with nice soft highlights) the rolling shutter artifacts are really bad on this one.
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Baka. Soku. Zan. - The justice behind the dysORDer.
Hmm. Interesting - so if I shook video like an chimpanzee on crack, it won't look good? Who knew?? I see what you're saying - I had a hard time noticing it on the moving train shot. Maybe it would be more obvious with someone running or something similar.
I can't imagine I'd leave in bumps and whatever else in editing, so I from my perspective this doesn't seem like a deal breaker. It sure would be nice for it to NOT do this mind you, but this doens't seem like it's something that would be problematic on a regular basis.
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Ok, maybe you're not sensitive to it, but the train one was very noticeable. Also if you have the camera on a tripod at all times it's fine, but for hand held scenes it will be a pain. And by hand-held I do mean with a stabiliser, but I think it looks like only a full-fledged Steadicam is going to effectively eliminate the problem.
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Baka. Soku. Zan. - The justice behind the dysORDer.
Nikon D400 Rumours Continue
I see what you're saying - I had a hard time noticing it on the moving train shot. Maybe it would be more obvious with someone running or something similar. 
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