Nikon has announced two new additions to its DSLR family: the D3000, which replaces the popular D40 at the low-end of the lineup; and the D300s, which replaces the D300.
Consumer-ready D3000
The budget-conscious D3000 offers a number of improvements over its predecessor, the D40 ( ), including 10.2-megapixels of resolution, a 3-inch LCD, faster 11-point auto-focus, continuous shooting at 3 fps (frames per second) with full resolution, and an automatic dust-reduction system. The camera also features an expanded ISO range from 100 to 1600, with an additional Hi-1 setting that extends the ISO to 3200.
The D3000 will ship with an image-stabilized AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 VR lens for $600.
Video-capable D300s
The D300s is also faster (7 fps continuous shooting) than its predecessor, and features a Quiet Shutter Release mode that reduces the sound of the shutter when shooting. For high-contrast scenes, a new Active D-Lighting bracketing feature lets you shoot as many as five frames with varying degrees of Active-D Lighting control.
The D300s will sell for $1800 without a lens.
Both cameras will be available in late August 2009.
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