Nikon announced two new digital SLR cameras today. The new D300s is an incremental upgrade to the already-great D300; the main changes being a 720p movie mode, faster native continuous shooting speed (which can still be ‘boosted’ when using Nikon’s optional battery grip), dual memory card support, Quiet Release mode and several control additions (ie a dedicated live view button).

The D3000, on the other hand, is an entry-level digital SLR, positioned below the D5000 we reviewed recently. Think of the D3000 as the old D40X updated for 2009, with several new features and a lower introduction price ($600 RRP with kit lens, versus the $800 RRP of the D40X). The most exciting new feature of the D3000, in my opinion, is the tried-and-tested 11 point AF system trickled down from Nikon’s D5000/D90 cameras. The D3000 also features a new Guide mode, which comes closer to an interactive user guide versus the basic tooltips of Nikon’s ‘Help’ menu on their previous cameras.

Nikon D300s
(Upper-tier APS-C SLR)

• 12 effective megapixels (CMOS, 1.5X crop factor)
• Nikon F lens mount
• Dust reduction
• Weather-sealed body
• 3 inch super-high resolution LCD (920,000 pixels)
• Live view mode; NEW quiet release mode and face detection
• Built-in flash with wireless flash control
• Faster 7 FPS burst mode (can be boosted to 8 FPS with optional battery grip)
• Full manual controls with RAW mode and hotshoe
• ISO range of 100-3200 (expandable to 6400)
• 51-point AF with 3D tracking
• NEW: 720p 24 FPS movie mode with sound; autofocus and external microphone jack available
• NEW: Dual memory card slots for Compact Flash and SD/SDHC
• Uses a lithium-ion battery
• Available in August for $1800 (body only)

Nikon D3000
(Entry level SLR)

• 10 effective megapixels (CCD, 1.5X crop factor)
• Nikon F lens mount; no built-in lens motor means the camera will autofocus with AF-S/AF-I lenses only
• Dust reduction with ‘Airflow Control’
• 3 inch basic resolution LCD (230,000 pixels)
• NO live view
• 3 FPS burst mode
• Full manual controls with RAW mode and hotshoe
• NEW: Guide mode gives concise tips and techniques to help first-time SLR users
• ISO range of 100-1600 (expandable to 3200)
• 11-point AF with 3D tracking (same as D5000 and D90)
• NO movie mode
• Takes SD/SDHC memory cards
• Uses a lithium-ion battery
• Available in August for $600 (with AF-S 18-55 mm f3.5-f5.6 VR kit lens)

Along with their new digital SLR cameras today, Nikon also introduced two updated lenses:

• AF-S 18-200 mm VR II, f3.5-5.6 SWM features Nikon’s latest 4-stop optical image stabilization system, zoom lock switch (among other things to reduce zoom creep) and will be available in September for $850
• AF-S 70-200 mm VR II, f2.8 SWM; an update to the old 70-200 mm f2.8 VR, and has been redesigned from the ground up for improved image quality (especially on full-frame FX cameras) and is weather-sealed. It will also feature 4-stop image stabilization and will retail in November for $2400

Related articles:

• Nikon D3S professional digital SLR announced
• Nikon D3X digital SLR
• Olympus introduces PEN E-PL1 camera; preview to come!
• Nikon D3000 Review
• Nikon Coolpix S60 Review