Nikon D880 Speculation

[Warren D]

With the announcement of a large price cut on the Nikon D850, NR is reporting that it falls into place with the rumor of a pending D850 replacement next year. With that in mind and things being slow due to covid, time of year, wind and rain, I've been thinking what I'd like to see and what I think we'll see in a replacement. These are only my opinions/guesses so I don't want to start any arguments. If this isn't appropriate, please delete.
First of all, I think it will be called the D880. I base this on the D750/780 as well as Nikon did very well with the N8080 back in the day. The sensor could go one of two ways, either the same 46 MP BSI sensor as the D850 tweaked for some ISO gain (my prediction) or a new 60 mp sensor. If they go with the 46 mp sensor I think we'll see a gain in fps both with and with out the grip as well as maybe a 1 stop gain in ISO. I'd like to think they will keep the grip from the D850 but I have a feeling it'll be a new one. Probably won't differ much from the current grip but just enough to get us to buy a new one. If they go with the 60 mp sensor, I think we stay where we are fps and ISO wise.
In the AF department, I think we'll see gains with either sensor, probably D5 level AF performance. While I'd like to see D6 AF performance, given past practice, Nikon usually reserves that for their flagship body. On board wifi and gps are likely. Pricing, I'll guess in the $3800-3900 (USD) range if it's 46mp, $4200 +/- if it's 60 mp.
YMMV...

 

[jvanpelt]

Very likely it will mirror what the D780 did. It will get the Z7 or Z7ii sensor and bits for Mirrorless live view. Higher resolution will probably appear first in a Z8 which will be later in the year.

 

[gordon_g]

I'd be very surprised if the pice jumps 800-1200 Dollars.. Especially with the mirrorless offerings coming. This could be the very last FX DSLR they make. That 500 price drops sure is nice though!

 

[fcotterill]

Quite a few comments suggest the D880 will be a hybrid - a boosted Pro version of the D780,. Built around a Z7 sensor (hope they do not go higher ie 60mp); D6 engine and at least some of its new algorithms. Perhaps even extra CPU power, in addition to the EXPEED6 that makes sense.

If a trend emerges from the D780, the D880 will have excellence Lv, and other Z features, including the i-Menu. Let's hope Nikon does NOT reverse on any excellent features in the D850, especially extended Custom menu options to optimize the AF settings etc. It will be most useful to have at least 1 more control ie an AE button on rear panel (as in D780). It is now 4+ years and we are still waiting for a Recall Shooting Functions! Yes and sort out instant access to Custom Photo Banks (complementing hotkey switching between Photo-banks). It is also high time Nikon added a few more useful features to the grip.

Nikon continues to rely on sales of DSLRs to maintain its 2nd place in the ILC market. The profits are also larger on top end cameras as well as their faster/longer lenses. They cannot make from enough copies of the 500 PF for example. This is clear through the 2019 data of the status of the ILC industry, and they are are unlikely to be in any hurry to drop DSLRs nor allow standards to slide and thus Nikon's status for excellence in industry-top DSLRs. The more D780 type hybrid models they release, the more revenue they earn off their R&D invested in mirrorless technology (including the sensors) and the D6 AF system.

 

[ccw91011]

Does anyone know if it's possible to engineer in body image stabilization into a DSLR? That would be a real boon for my G series prime lenses that don't have VR.

 

[DRwyoming]

Does anyone know if it's possible to engineer in body image stabilization into a DSLR? That would be a real boon for my G series prime lenses that don't have VR.

It's technically possible but it's a path Nikon has never taken.

One thing about in-camera image stabilization in a DSLR is that you wouldn't see it through the optical viewfinder. IOW, the sensor can be mounted on moving coils or piezoelectric positioners and shifted to minimize camera motion while shooting but you wouldn't see that while looking through the viewfinder which is quite different than seeing in-camera image stabilization work on a mirrorless camera where you see the actual sensor image.

I doubt Nikon would add IBIS to a DSLR as they most likely would have done that by now.

 

[ccw91011]

Thanks DR for your reply.

 

[Not A Speck Of Cereal]

So what do we expect the D880 to be priced at? At least what the D850 premiered at, or will there be other factors at play (competition with Canon and Sony)?

 

[calcal]

If it does include IBIS that will put me over the edge and I'll trade up otherwise just loving my D850! I think we're coming to the end of the line with DSLRs and if a D880 materializes it would be nice have what (I expect) may be the last high end DSLR from Nikon. Features from the D780 and z line paving the way towards mirrorless most likely would be included along with resolution boost , more fps, Expeed6

 

[Warren D]

I'm about 90% sure it will have the same 46 mb sensor as the D850, BSI, with more processing speed, better af. I think it will be similar to the upgrade path we've seen with the D5-D6 and 750-780. Nothing earthshaking, no big leap like back in the D2-D3 days. The D850 is still said to be the best all-around DSLR after 4 years so Nikon isn't motivated to try a big leap. They are putting just about all their resources into mirrorless so I don't think we'll ever see a radically new dslr.

 

[Steve]

I tend to agree with Warren - I think it will be a mild update. Probably the D6 AF, a few more customizations, updated menu system, maybe another FPS or two if we're really lucky. At this point, I too think Nikon is (rightly) more focused on mirrorless. Still, the D880 (?) will likely be a great camera and the last of its generation. In fact, I have a distinct feeling that once I add it to my AF book for DSLRs, that will "complete" the book forever. I just don't see Nikon doing much more with DSLRs.

 

[Warren D]

I tend to agree with Warren - I think it will be a mild update. Probably the D6 AF, a few more customizations, updated menu system, maybe another FPS or two if we're really lucky. At this point, I too think Nikon is (rightly) more focused on mirrorless. Still, the D880 (?) will likely be a great camera and the last of its generation. In fact, I have a distinct feeling that once I add it to my AF book for DSLRs, that will "complete" the book forever. I just don't see Nikon doing much more with DSLRs.

If it does get the D6 AF, I think it will be a somewhat crippled version. Nikon kinda used the D5 af in the D500 and then in the D850 but neither were as good as in the D5.

 

[fcotterill]

It will be a big surprise if the D880 is NOT a hybrid. It's wise economy - in cutting costs - for Nikon to expand sales of its existing parts ie Z7 sensor; EXPEED6 (albeit double?) ; the D6 AF engine, and also a major chunk of the Z menus - ie i-Menu etc - that are relevant in DSLR (including Liveview).

It is clear Nikon usually downscales the "lower" ranking cameras - as in the scaling of D5 > D850 > D500. Let's hope they are generous, and repackage as much as feasible of the D6's vital organs into the D880

Quite a few comments suggest the D880 will be a hybrid - a boosted Pro version of the D780. Built around a Z7 sensor (hope they do not go higher ie 60mp); D6 engine and at least some of its new algorithms. Perhaps even extra CPU power, in addition to the EXPEED6 that makes sense.

If a trend emerges from the D780, the D880 will have excellence Lv, and other Z features, including the i-Menu. Let's hope Nikon does NOT reverse on any excellent features in the D850, especially extended Custom menu options to optimize the AF settings etc. It will be most useful to have at least 1 more control ie an AE button on rear panel (as in D780). It is now 4+ years and we are still waiting for a Recall Shooting Functions! Yes and sort out instant access to Custom Photo Banks (complementing hotkey switching between Photo-banks). It is also high time Nikon added a few more useful features to the grip.

I tend to agree with Warren - I think it will be a mild update. Probably the D6 AF, a few more customizations, updated menu system, maybe another FPS or two if we're really lucky. At this point, I too think Nikon is (rightly) more focused on mirrorless. Still, the D880 (?) will likely be a great camera and the last of its generation. In fact, I have a distinct feeling that once I add it to my AF book for DSLRs, that will "complete" the book forever. I just don't see Nikon doing much more with DSLRs.

If it does get the D6 AF, I think it will be a somewhat crippled version. Nikon kinda used the D5 af in the D500 and then in the D850 but neither were as good as in the D5.

 

[StefanSC]

Does anyone know if it's possible to engineer in body image stabilization into a DSLR? That would be a real boon for my G series prime lenses that don't have VR.

Pentax and the old DSLR lines from Sony and Olympus have IBIS. They would have an indicatorin the viewfinder telling the user ifthe IBIS was working.

Otherwise, I would love to see a D880 with the Z7 II sensor and dual expeed, dual XQD/CFExpress card slots and bumped to 9-10 FPS. Would makeit a camera to keep for the next 5-7 years .

 

[Pistnbroke]

It would be nice to see the stupid memory system gone and replaced with U1 U2 etc but I don't think it will be over 46MP or that would affect the sales of the Z8. Upgrades to the LV focus system and its focus problems would be good

 

[Nikondale]

What ever the new model, it would have to greatly outperform my D850 for me to switch. IMOP the same is true for the D5 to D6. The D6, although a great body, does not have enough enhancements for me to trade up, D5 to D6.
Keep shooting

 

[BLev65]

I'm actually "bearish" on the release of any new high-end DSLR's. While some users may want a D880, the D850/D500 remain best in class and provide the best DSLR experience of any camera, save the D5/D6 and Canon 1DXmkIII.
If Nikon is going to thrive moving forward, they need to put ALL of their chips in the Z-system. This includes creating a Z equivalent of the D6 and D500. The high-end DX body does not exist in Sony or Canon's line, and this would be a great body to co-introduce w/ the 100-400S and 200-600mm lens. Here is a place that Nikon can differentiate themselves from the others. IMHO, were Nikon produce a D880, they would perpetuate the false-belief that they are prepared to maintain dual systems.
Personally, I think Canon was wise to "rip the band aid" off, declare the end of EF optics and signal that they have moved on. They have the resources to cut of one "big toe" and stitch a new one in its place.
In contrast, Nikon is wise to declare the dual system pathway, as their lack of resources requires that dollars be spent on both lines. As such, I wouldn't be surprised if they maintained dual production for another four years, but... I do not think they will invest any new R&D or manufacturing resources in the DSLR/F-mount. Throwing R&D & manufacturing dollars into their older system will just stifle the progress of required to compete with Sony and Canon in the future.
While I am likely wrong about this in many ways, and I know it will disappoint D850 years who are suffering from GAS, I do think latter is the approach they should take.
I say.. Bring on the Z500(dx) and Z1 (Z9 or whatever you want to call it)!