Rumor has it that Nikon is making room at their factories for a D3X, an affordable FX DSLR, and a D80 replacement.

This is nothing new, really, but it’s just important because the facts are solidifying, so to speak. We already have guessed at these cameras, now we’re just getting the REAL “info leaks” from legit sources.

An additional fact is that these cameras WILL be seen in 2008. At least two of them.

~ 24 megapixel D3X price is almost surely going to be $6K.

~ 12 megapixel FX “D10″ (code name for the D300 with a D3 sensor) will probably be $3K.

~ 12 megapixel DX “D90″ (code name for D80 successor) will probably be $1K.

I will now begin to advise those who ask:

If you’re a wedding / portrait photographer thinking about switching from Canon to Nikon because of the D3, don’t. Hang on to your 5D a few more months and Canon will not let you down. A replacement is coming, possibly two different replacements.

If you’re already a Nikon shooter and are “fed up with DX” and want the D3, but are “just” a wedding / portrait photographer, hold tight because the D3 is indeed overkill and you’ll kick yourself if an affordable but capable FX body comes out for $3K in a few months.

If you’re just getting into DSLR’s or upgrading from a basic model, and are thinking of getting a Nikon D80, hang tight for a few months if you really need awesome high ISO performance and/or would like more speed than the D80 offers. The D90 will most likely (finally) have 5 FPS, and a D300 sensor, putting it above and beyond the BEST DSLR for $1K, ever.

If you’re a beginner and just want a basic DSLR, don’t care to ever invest thosuands and thousands into pro gear down the road, but want some quality and features, seriously consider the Olympus and Pentax cameras, or maybe Sony. In my opinion, the Pentax K200D is THE beginner camera to have right now. It has a semi-pro, 11-point cross-type AF system, (something that Canon and Nikon will NEVER put in their baseline models) and weather sealing… (another thing you’ll never see from Canon or Nikon in that cheap of a camera.)

Take care all!
=Matt=