Nikon accidentally shows D800, release uncertain
updated 08:50 am EST, Fri January 6, 2012
Nikon D800 spoiled early
Nikon Germany's camera page briefly posted (since edited) an image confirming the existence of the D800. The shot showed what was clearly a smaller FX-mount camera with the sloped shutter controls of the D4. A telltale angled logo on the right side lined up with a previous leak of a side photo.
That the D800 has appeared on an official page shows that Nikon is either close to unveiling the camera, possibly on January 10, or else that it had planned to unveil the D800 but had held back for unknown reasons. Technical issues or just a desire to avoid cannibalizing D4 sales may have factored into the decision.
Based on recent leaks, the D800 wouldn't be a smaller D4, like the D700 was to the D3, and would instead be a competitor to Canon's EOS 5D Mark II. It would trade some of the very high light sensitivity for a much higher 36-megapixel resolution. The release of the D4 corroborates some of the earlier rumors, such as an improved video system that's now known to include B frame compression and smooth aperture control. [via Nikon Rumors]
