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“Nikon’s dropping 5 lines of SLRs” says DPReview’s Chris Nichols

by 34 Comments

During the recent first look video for the Canon EOS 90D and Canon EOS M6 Mark II over on DPReview, Chris Nichols let slip at around 6:45 in the video that Nikon is “dropping 5 lines of [D]SLRs”. This seems to suggest that Nikon believes that DSLRs are, for the most part, well and truly dead.

We already knew at the beginning of July that there were rumours Nikon was possibly planning to drop the D3x00 series, the D50xx series and that there would be no follow up to the D500. But now it appears two more lines of Nikon DSLRs are to be cancelled.

Nichols didn’t specify which of the product lines would be discontinued, but I think we have to assume that one safe bet is possibly the D7x00 series. Given Canon’s release of the EOS 90D, Nikon has to respond, really. As for dropping the D500, well, that makes sense if Canon has dropped any thought of replacing the 7D Mark II.

But let’s look at all of the DSLR product lines Nikon currently offers…

  • D3x00
  • D5x00
  • D7x00
  • D500
  • D6x0
  • D7x0
  • D8x0
  • Dx

If we assume that the D3x00, D5x00 and Pro APS-C bodies are to disappear, Nichols might be including the D6x0 as the fourth. While Nikon has not confirmed it, the D610 appears to have been the last of its lineage. The D600 sensor “repair” (which typically meant “replace with a D610”) is ending in January. This might be down to the possibility that the D610 is going away, too.

But what could that final DSLR product line, be?

Last month’s report suggested that the D7500, D750, D850 and D5 would see replacement models. And there have already been rumoured specs for a D6 including 5-axis IBIS. The Z6 and Z7 compare to the D750 and D850 pretty well already, and the D750 is notably overdue for a replacement, being just a couple of weeks shy of five years old.

The D750 is the oldest of the bunch when we look at the possible remaining cameras, and the only one that doesn’t shoot 4K video, too. Nikon might have decided that it’s best to just end the D7x0 line along with the D6x0 line and release a single body to replace both, much as Canon have done with the EOS RP.

Well, I suppose only time will tell. Or Chris. Chris could tell. But he probably won’t.

What would you kill off?

[via Nikon Rumors]

Related posts:

Nikon is killing off some of their DSLR product lines, rumour claims Nikon stops forcing Snapbridge on users – unlocks real WiFi on the D850, D500, D7500 and D5600 Nikon may announce D7500 next week, leaked photo and new D760 & D850 rumours Nikon Z6 and Z7 specs and price leaked – Yes, they have 5-axis IBIS

  • Its fake

    • Trino Pam

      It’s real. They better do less cameras but better cameras.

  • Somehow I doubt they’d cut their product lineup that harshly. 🤔

    • AlainCl

      They would if they were milking their most popular non-mirrorless models for the holidays while introducing new (fewer) mirrorless replacements… as NikonRumors reported months ago.

  • Assuming too much eh? Come on!

  • “Nikon Rumors is reporting that the D3500, the D5600 and the D500 will be axed, although it has been suggested that they may be replaced by mirrorless versions instead. This rumor is given weight by Nikon’s own statement from last year that the new Z mount will be used “to pioneer the future”.” Techradar

    • Trino Pam

      They should all become a Z5. And stop this non sense of too many models

  • MichaelXX2

    Honestly Nikon’s DSLR product breadth is pretty messy, and I think it would be smart to just have a low-end crop body, a low-end FF body, a high-end FF body, and a pro action camera. That seems to be what they intend to do.

  • Just rumous

  • stewart norton

    Surprised by the D500. As far as I am aware by far thier best received crop body.

  • CanonMinolta

    Tightening up thier product line is a good thing
    Betting on mirrorless seem to be their aim
    Getting rid of most of their DSLRs is just plain stupid
    Not everyone is getting olad and doesn’t want a heavy camera

    Mirrorless has a way to go to match the quality of a good DSLR
    Guess it depends on what kind of photographer you are

    • Trino Pam

      I guess we all look at the screen in the end… and that’s what it should be the end result. I do admit the mirror saves battery though…

  • Jurgen Lobert

    There is no way that Nikon will drop all of their APS-C lines. The 7000 line will probably survive or will be replaced (8000?). The DX line could and should be killed, it is a minor niche and has nothing that others don’t have. I do not believe they will kill the 700 and 800 lines. And I disagree that the DSLR is dead. Anything but.

    • Michael Habel

      Again if DLSRs are so dead… Then please point me to ANY Presscore staff shooting on those dinky Mirrorless Cameras.

      Seriously I wish the Intertubes would stop having it’s collective orgasm over Mirrorless. Cause some of us couldn’t give a pair of fetted Dingos Kidney about vloging. So perhaps that’s where Canon, and Nikon can go. A decent no frills full frame (with a modern Pixle count, and AF System), that JUST SHOOTS freaking stills.

      Really Vlogers should either get a proper Video Camera, or get a GoPro instead.

      • Alan Sach

        Exactly. I am not a pro, but I shoot around pros all the time. Not one has dumped their pro DSLRs for mirrorless, and only a handful of semi pros that I know have. Also, if DSLRs are dead, Canon wouldn’t have just come out with the 90d and wouldn’t be field testing the 1dx Mk iii (I know someone involved in that). It will be awhile (if ever) before mirrorless takes over. One problem is batteries. Pros can’t worry about batteries going dead at a crucial time. A 1d x Mk ii battery will crank all day, while the one guy I know shooting Sony is always looking for a fresh battery at a critical moment.

        • Jurgen Lobert

          That is factually incorrect or incomplete. I consider myself a “pro” and dumped my 850 for the Z6. I specialize in night and long exposure photography, slow photography, and the Z6 beats the 850 hands-down for that. I would never have made that switch if I shot wildlife, sports, weddings or such, but for my field, the Z6 is the new standard. As far as battery life goes, I get about the same time out of it as with the 850, 3-4 hours of shooting long exposures. Number of clicks is irrelevant for me, I go home with 30-120 images at the most. Time is more important. So, as always, it depends what you do with the gear.

  • Basically, Canon doing the same also. Merging 2 different categories into 1. Ie canon 90d (merge 7d2+80d)

    • Alan Sach

      90d does not replace the 7d Mk ii. Nowhere has Canon made that announcement. You cannot “upgrade” a camera with one of lesser capabilities. The line may be being discontinued ( which would be a shame), but it is not being replaced by 90d.

  • Robert Simpson

    I believe they are also not renewing the DX. I read that a couple of weeks ago, but can’t remember the source.

  • Jimmy

    APS-C is dead. The cost of full frame is falling to accessible prices. There’s no market (and no margin) in low end camera with smartphones so this all makes sense.

    • Alan Sach

      I disagree. As a wildlife photographer I appreciate the added “reach” and affordability of APS-C. FF isn’t inherently better than APS-C any more than mid size is better than FF. They have different uses. I use FF for landscape (and some wildlife) and APS-C for most wildlife. Same thing is true about so called “crop” video. I have many cases where I appreciate the crop.

  • Good news all round then

  • Keep the D500, 850 and D6. Invest everything else into ML and Z-mount lenses as the future. Fill out pro Z mount lenses ASAP. Keep your ML lineup lean and mean. Improve ML AF so all the people that expect cameras to be like gopros/cellphones can zip it. Crush everyone with build quality and ergonomics.

  • Michal Nicak

    D5xxx, D7xxx, D5xx, D8xx, Dx

    Rest can safely be killed.

  • It’s only a question of timing. At some point there will be no Nikon DSLR’s, only Mirrorless. Not immediately of course but inevitable.

    • Dismayed

      So everyone with screw-drive AF lenses will use them as manual focus? Unlikely.

  • Dražen Čavar

    Great news! I plan on buying D7500, and if they are really dropping DSLR totally, the price of the camera will fall much!

  • I remember 9 years ago when we said that mirrorless would be the future – holy moley a shit storm then, with very angry people and a Sort of religious rage- now all seems to have forgotten that 🤫🤫🤫

  • The people such as myself that have had a SLR in their hand for the past 45 years will be the only ones to mourn if only because of that loss of a sense of form and familiarity, not due to any loss of functionality.

  • I will keep using my Sinar P2 point and shoot thank you very much.

    • Smarten_Up

      😉

  • Richard

    The middle class buyer for them are dead, they’ve moved to their speed, phones. They should kill everything but the D750, the D850 and the D6.

  • Jurgen Lobert

    The Dx is utterly superfluous and should be cut. It’s a D4 in a retro body.

  • Leo Bebb

    Personally, I’ve been so happy with the lightweight D5600/AF-P lens combo, I’ve no desire to switch, though I see the rationale if one was starting from scratch.

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