If ever there was a "given" in the future of DSLR camera bodies, it is the D3X. After the announcement of the D3, and ESPECIALLY after Sony's announcement that they're working on a 24 megapixel full-frame sensor, it could not be more obvious that Nikon is about to take the D2 and put a behemoth 24 MP sensor in it.

For those who prefer the Nikon ergonomics over other systems, This will be the 2nd to last "clincher" in the ever-perpetuated debate of which brand is best. By the end of 2008, (or at least by PMA 2009) Nikon's lineup will be the most formidable it has ever been, to say the least.

Now all they have left to do is update their prime lenses, which I still have faith will happen largely in 2008. (Either that, or at the rate Sigma is going we won't NEED to wait for Nikon to update their primes...) Sigma, we need 85mm 1.4 and 1.8 HSM's!

=Matt=

[EDIT] Oh, I forgot to post WHY I'm posting this! Here's the deal: The Nikon D3 just came out with a firmware update, and people have dissected the code. Inside it they found bits and pieces that tell the D3 how to handle "24.4 M" image files from a D3X. (if you've ever tried to view images from one camera on another, you know that sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't...)

If that's not a DEAD GIVE-AWAY, then I don't know what is... The firmware lists large, medium and small resolutions, to be precise. And "small" is 10 megapixels, LOL!

And personally, my opinion on such a camera:

WHAT THE HECK do you need 24 megapixels for? Definitely NOT weddings, portraits, or photojournalism. I wouldn't even DREAM of buying such a camera for weddings and photojournalism, especially if the smallest image size is 10 megapixels. For photojournalism and sports, the D3 is THE camera to have. For wedding photography, the D3 is nice with it's low-light performance, but even still I'd rather pay ~$3000 for Nikon's forthcoming affordable FX body.

However, as a nature / landscape photographer, I would pounce on 24 megapixels SO FAST.... The only problem being, there's no way on earth I'd drag a massive D3 size body into the backwoods; so I guess I'll have to wait until they come out with a lightweight version. (Who knows, maybe they'll pull an F6 type move, and make it vertical grip-less. That would be sick!)

Alright peace out, again,

=Matt=