Nikon teases with D3 details

Nikon is about to launch the first full update to its top-end SLR camera in years, according to a teaser image for an announcement that has been circulating through the Japanese press. Likely to be called the Nikon D3, the mystery camera is the same size as the D2Xs but would use much more recent technology, which would include a 51-point autofocus system (higher than the 45 of Canon's EOS-1Ds Mark III) as well as 9 frames per second of continuous shooting and a 3-inch LCD. Most details were absent, though the camera is likely to improve on the 12.4 megapixels of the D2 and may include a live LCD preview of the viewfinder.

The press event is reportedly set to take place next week, though a separate Nikon conference is currently scheduled for this Thursday and may see an announcement for Western countries ahead of the Japanese release. Availability is likely set for September or October.