Nikon D300s adds video capture

Though Nikon fans on message boards around the Web were hoping today's announcements would include a "D700x," we'll all have to settle for a not-too-shabby replacement for the D300 instead. Along with the D40's update, the D3000, and a pair of lens replacements, Nikon unveiled the D300s, which most notably includes support for 720p video capture.

Nikon D300s photos

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The D300s incorporates the same video engine as that of the D90, which, at 720p resolution but limited to 24fps, isn't the greatest video we've seen, but it's significantly better than nothing. And the D300s goes it one better by supporting autofocus during recording--though we'll have to see how usably implemented that is--and use the Picture Controls to adjust the tone and color. The camera also has a stereo mic input.

Here's how it compares to line mates old and new:

Even if you don't care much about the video aspects of the camera, there's quite a bit here for photography purists, too. While the body and performance remain relatively unchanged--the continuous shooting rate is bumped by 1 fps, Nikon has tweaked both the Live View and standard AF systems, and there's some accelerated image processing, but that that's about it--the D300s adds dual CF and SD card slots (yay!), streamlined Live View operation, and a quiet shutter release mode. If you use the on-camera flash, note that the wide-angle coverage has expanded to 16mm.

There really aren't any direct competitors for the current D300 and the D300s looks to be in the same solitary segment:

However, Canon has a press event scheduled for August 19 and rumors abound that a video-capable replacement for the didn't-set-the-world-on-fire 50D is a possibility. That might shake things up a bit.

Expect to see the D300s on your virtual store shelves at the end of August.