D810 successor in the pipeline?

[Akira]

The shutter shock of D800/800E would be problematic, but the faster shutter response compared to D810 with the reduced shock (44msec vs 54msec) can be beneficial to shoot BIF...

[pluton]

I think of the D800 as a prototype and the D810 the finished product with a great deal of refinement.

Just from the brief moments of handling the D810, I have had the same thought.
I have resolved to be wary of 'prototypes'---first generation models---in the future.

[MILLIREHM]

The shutter shock of D800/800E would be problematic, but the faster shutter response compared to D810 with the reduced shock (44msec vs 54msec) can be beneficial to shoot BIF...

Actually I successfully used D800E to shoot BIF, was not aware of response time differences

[Ilkka Nissilä]

I understand that on a mirrorless camera, EFCS has a broader range of uses.

[Ilkka Nissilä]

Actually I successfully used D800E to shoot BIF, was not aware of response time differences

The shutter delay in viewfinder photography is a bit longer in the D810 because the mirror slows down before hitting the end of its travel, reducing the sound and vibration that it creates. I think the delay was just perceptible when first going from the D800 to D810 but I doubt it impacts my photography in any practical way. I recall when I got a used F-801s, I noticed the pronounced shutter delay, I don't recall the details but I think it was 250ms and was affected by whether automatic exposure was used or not and whether the exposure meter is active (by half-pressing the shutter before going all the way).  Here we are talking about a difference of the order of 10ms.

This is an interesting report on the D5

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/nikon-d5/nikon-d5A6.HTM

Nikon has been able to slightly reduce the shutter lag with prefocused lens in viewfinder photography (39ms vs 43ms, D5 vs. D4s),  much more significant differences were found when autofocus were used (132ms vs. 204ms; 60 AF-S Micro used as lens) or in live view mode (95ms vs 239ms). I think the 10ms difference between D810 and D800 is something easily accommodated for in my photography.  In live view, the D810 has less shutter lag than the D800 (158ms vs. 184ms) and the delay between shots before is much shorter in the newer camera when using LV. So overall there is some improvement and Nikon live view is getting better.

[MFloyd]

Ilkka, thanks for the report !

[MILLIREHM]

This is an interesting report on the D5

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/nikon-d5/nikon-d5A6.HTM

Thanks for the information and the link

[Akira]

I would say that the 10msec (roughly 20 percent) difference of shutter lag could be perceivable.  If I remember correctly, Canon EOS RT offered the mode in which the shutter responded at the same lag as then-flagship EOS 1 model which was slower than the normal lag of RT.  Professional sports shooters learned to release the shutter precisely with the shutter lag in mind.

[Ilkka Nissilä]

The EOS 1N RS can achieve just a 6ms shutter lag, much shorter than normal SLRs where the mirror goes up before the shutter opens.

The 10ms difference between D810 and D800 is perceptible but I don't see how it could result in a practical difference in timing accuracy since the processing of information and preparation of motor action in the brain takes some time as well. It should be easy to get used to a small (but consistent) change in shutter lag considering that the delay in the brain also needs to be compensated for by anticipating the subject. Assuming of course that one does not mix cameras with different delays. It is just a question of a slight adjustment in the brain. And 10ms is a very small change compared to what kind of timing accuracy can be expected from most users quite frankly. I certainly cannot achieve that kind of precision.

[Erik Lund]

The first rumors are out; 46 MP for the D810 successor,,, a small step up nothing earth shattering

[longzoom]

The first rumors are out; 46 MP for the D810 successor,,, a small step up nothing earth shattering

    Most contemporary Nikkors will survive that 46 MP, but what about DR?  Canon's 50 MP is very detailed, but simply disaster with its narrower DR... Let us wait and see.

[Ron Scubadiver]

I think 42.4 MP is more likely because Sony already manufactures one.  It would be unique to Nikon in any case.

[Ilkka Nissilä]

DR at base ISO increases with increasing pixel density given equal tech, because read noise is at photosite level and  each photosite in a higher density sensor contributes a smaller area so at the image level (per area) there is less noise. However at high ISO things may not follow this. 5Ds has more DR at base ISO than 5DIII or 6D.

The Sony 42 MP sensor is several years old now. Nikon will not use old sensor tech in their best image quality camera. They will use something new that they designed or co-designed with their collaborating partners, be it Sony or someone else. Probably Sony.

[Akira]

According to DXOmark test, Sony A7RII with the 42MP sensor shows excellent performances in terms of the low-light performance (DR) and the color sensitivity.  Well above D810.

Considering that Nikon has been using customized Sony sensors, the 42MP sensor should be customized for better performance with wider DR at lower ISO settings.

[Ron Scubadiver]

According to DXOmark test, Sony A7RII with the 42MP sensor shows excellent performances in terms of the low-light performance (DR) and the color sensitivity.  Well above D810.

Considering that Nikon has been using customized Sony sensors, the 42MP sensor should be customized for better performance with wider DR at lower ISO settings.

It's possible all Nikon would use is the mask for the substrate.  Materials going into the semiconductor could be different and all the other layers of the sensor could be different.  At least the AA filter bugaboo is gone.