Scraps Stuffs - Random musings from apun ka desh

Nikon seems to be falling behind Canon in the pro DSLR category and this is possibly the worst place to fall behind in. Having the best pro DSLR gives you bragging rights, market share if the pros switch and mind share among all the potential buyers / fence sitters. Nikon appears to be a bit behind in image quality, especially at high ISOs. From all accounts I have heard, Nikon has better metering, better flash capabilities and better focussing at the higher end. What they lack is in image quality. Canon has been able to squeeze out better noise performance from their sensors which Nikon has only now managed to equal with the D40x (reputed to be equal to the Canon 30D which is an old camera by DSLR standards). To regain lost ground Nikon needs to create a new flagship DSLR with atleast the following features (my wish list, not that I'm going to be buying anytime in the future):

1. 24 MP full frame / 12 MP 1.5x crop in the same body
2. Practically noise free upto ISO 400 and very low noise at ISO 800
3. 4 fps at 24 MP, 8 fps at 12 MP
4. Increased dynamic range to 7 stops
5. Increased colour resolution to 16 bits per channel
6. Focussing improvements
7. Live histograms in the viewfinder

That should enable them to regain the lead. If the cost turns out to be excessive, then a D3x with the 24 MP / 4 fps and a D3h with the 12 MP 8 fps can be created, other specifications to be the same. And they need to get these DSLRs out sooner rather than later.

A large number of nature photographers have switched to Canon mainly because of the availability of IS in Canon's long lenses. The lack thereof in Nikon's equivalent should have been addressed long ago, but its still not too late to do so. Here's are the lenses I would bring out were I in charge on Nikon engineering:

1. 400 f2.8 AF-S VR lens
2. 500 f4 AF-S VR lens
3. 600 f4 AF-S VR lens
4. 400 f5.6 AF-S VR lens
5. 200 f4 AF-S VR macro lens

I would also create and release extension tubes that support full AF-S, VR and metering. And ensure that Nikon lens prices are competitive with their Canon equivalents. Right now the long lenses are typically costlier than their Canon counterparts and by a large margin.

Nikon has missed the boat in the digital photography world. To prevent more loss of market share it needs to improve. The trickle down benefits will be tremendous for amateurs still loyal to Nikon.