Nikon, Canon fire latest salvos in battle for DSLR dominance

By BRUNO J. NAVARRO | Editor

Nikon announced the November release of two new DSLR models — including the 12.1 MP, full-frame D3 — and five new ED lenses. Days later, Canon responded with its own announcement: The new 21.1-megapixel, full-frame EOS-1Ds Mark III.

The moves represent an escalation in the battle for dominance in the digital SLR market.

Nikon’s alternative to the 5D, Canon’s DSLR with a full-frame 35mm image sensor, comes as Canon once again raises the bar with a brand new offering.

With an estimated street price of $5,000, the D3 features a 23.9 x 36mm CMOS sensor and Nikon’s newly branded Expeed processor, which boasts beter noise reduction and expanded sensitivity. The D3 boasts a magnesium chassis — a feature it shares with its $1,800 sibling, the D300 — 9 frames per second at full resolution and 51-point autofocus with 3D Focus Tracking.

Canon’s offering is expected to cost $8,000 when it hits the stores in November

A new feature both companies include in the newly announced product — as well as the new Canon 40D — are Live View shooting modes. It allows the convenience of previewing images with larger, brighter displays than in previous models, a feature that users of digital point-and-shoot cameras have long enjoyed.

Along with the cameras, Nikon also unveiled new AF-S Nikkor lenses: 14-24mm f/2.8G ED, AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED, 400mm f/2.8G ED VR, 500mm f/4G ED VR and 600mm f/4G ED VR lenses. All are optimized for use with both FX full-frame and DX formats (1.5x crop factor); the last three lenses also include Nikon’s Vibration Reduction technology.

Canon introduced the new EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM lens to complement the new Mark III.

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Related links:

• Press release: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III
• Press release: Nikon D3
• Press release: Nikon D300