Nikon announced the new D5100 with full auto focus in video mode at both 30P and 24P. This looks like a solid attempt to cater to their base. Most still photographers want auto focus and the ability to use their entire lens line up. This sub 1K camera kit should fit the bill quite nicely. It even has a microphone! Here is the full rip from engadget. “Been waiting for a new Nikon DSLR to slide in under that magical $1,000 mark? Then we’ve got some good news for you, as Digital Home Thoughts has now let slip some official details and pictures of Nikon’s new prosumer D5100 model. This one steps things up to a D7000-matching 16.2 megapixels from the 12 megapixel D5000, and boasts a 3-inch articulated display (side-mounted this time), 1080p video recording at both 30 and 24 fps (with autofocus!), ISO settings from 100 to 6,400, and an 18-105mm lens included in the kit (no body-only option available just yet, it seems). What’s more, Nikon’s also releasing a new ME-1 microphone alongside the camera to let you take full advantage of those video recording capabilities — check it out after the break. Look for this one to set you back $899.95 for the kit, with the mic running $159.95. Those are Canadian prices according to Digital Home Thoughts, though we’d expect US pricing to be the same.” Click here for the press release. Source: (nikon rumors, engadget)

Chase was kind enough to share this with me early on but we have been slammed with expo coverage. We are cutting the night away and will have DV Expo coverage up soon. In the meantime please enjoy the cool sounds and great images of this very talented man. Check out the full article here. Here is a rip from his site. “Thanks so much to everyone who tuned in to the sharing of my experiences with the new Nikon D7000 camera in this post here, where I featured the behind the scenes video and a new short film: Benevolent Mischief. It just so happens that I’ve been sitting on another little nugget since then that I’m excited to share today: the Benevolent Mischief REMIX featuring MC Victor Shade and MTK.” Courtsey: Chase Jarvis

I got the chance to hit up Steve Heiner from Nikon at Photo Cine Expo 2010. He was candid in his response to why it took so long for Nikon to give us 1080P 24 fps with full manual control. We now have it with the D7000. It also has a nifty auto focus feature in movie mode. We also got a chance to test out the new Redrock Micro EVf with it . The Nikon is going to give Canon a run for their money for sure. Nikon has also released a ton of new lenses. Check them out here. UPDATE: The Nikon D7000 will retail for around $1499 including the kit lens.

Chase Jarvis sent me a link to this killer video shot with the new Nikon D7000. He has had the camera for some time and was cool enough to share this info with C5D. Here is a rip from the post. Thanks to the Chase Jarvis crew for hooking up this video! Click here to check out Chase’s site for more photos, tech specs and stills. “There’s a feature list a mile long after the jump below, but the only data I cared about heading into this can be summed up in 4 lines: _16.2 Megapixels. (CMOS sensor, DX format, 6fps) _1080p full HD video. (24fps) _ISO up to 6400 (pushable to 25,600) _Magnesium alloy construction (read “pro quality”) When an automaker rolls a new car off the assembly line, the first thing they do is call in a professional driver to “road test” that car. They’re armed with the basic tech specs, but the drivers aren’t overly saddled with capturing data and providing computer-style analysis. In reality they don’t care about that stuff. The care how the car feels. In the very same way, I got to “road test” the Nikon D7000. This behind the scenes video (above), this short film Benevolent Mischief I got to make with the new 1080p HD video (below), and the still photos I shot after the jump tell my story of getting to play with this cool new camera.” **Update: Here is a more complete spec list from the site. _16.2 megapixels with new Nikon DX-format CMOS sensor (4,928 x 3,264 pixels) _ISO sensitivity range from 100 to 6400 at normal setting; can be raised to ISO 25600 _Full HD (1080p) D-Movie _H.264/mpeg-4 video compression _Makes .mov files at 24fps in 1080 (30fps at 720HD) _Movie has built in mono, but stereo sound recording capability with optional external mic via stereo mini jack _20 minute movie recording times _High durability magnesium alloy body (dust and water resistant) _6 frames per second still image capture _9, 21, 39 point AF systems _Double SD card slots _12 or 14 bit color depth _HDMI out display port _Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS) capabilities onboard

Nikon has announced a shiny new HDSLR. The new D3100 will finally shoot some serious 1080P HD video at 24 FPS. It also has some pretty nifty focus tracking while in movie mode. They have also announced four new lenses to the lineup. Most notably an 85mm f1.4. They are also releasing a 24-120mm f4 zoom, a 28-300 f3.5-5.6 zoom and a 55-300 f4.5-5.6 zoom lens. All three zooms have Vibration Reduction built in. Here are some of the specs for the new Nikon D3100. Source: Digital Rev. 1080p/24 H.264 AVCHD movie mode AF-F Continuous contrast-detect autofocus with face detection and subject tracking for movie mode. 14.2mp sensor with ISO range from 100-3200 (can be boosted up to 12,800). New Expeed 2 processor for improved noise performance. Refined guide system to make camera operations easier. Click Here To Read The Boring Press Release.

Nikon Sweden's Johan Kling Photo By: Kamerabild The heat is on at Nikon, they are finally discussing adding 1080p HD to their DSLR’s. Johan Kling, head of Nikon Sweden was recently interviewed by kamerabild on the topic of adding HD video to their DSLR’s. Here is a translated quote from the interview. Sounds like 1080p HD is still some time away for Nikon.

Not in the user manual. Here is how to manually adjust the new Nikon D3s in movie mode. this is coming out of Nikon Rumors but it looks to be solid. The Nikon D3s User Manual does not explain how to manually control the camera while shooting movies. Nikon clearly missed advertising this very important feature of their new camera. With the new Canon 1D Mark IV hitting shelves in a few weeks, this could be a costly mistake for Nikon. Click Here For the Nikon Website.

Here is a mixed up preview from Nikon, on the new D3s. The Nikon rep doesn’t even know that there is a manual setting in movie mode. Skip ahead to about 5:30 to hear about the video features of this camera. All coming from James Banfield, Nikon UK’s Support and Training Manager. Maybe this is why they are getting kicked in the teeth by Canon.