Nikon D9300 DSLR rumored to be the Nikon D300s replacement

Nikon is rumored to announce a so-called D9300 DX-format DSLR camera as a replacement for the aging D300s, instead of the previously-rumored D400.

One of the oldest camera in Nikon’s line-up is the Nikon D300s, the top of the DX-format DSLR series.

It used to be the company’s most advanced DX-format camera, but in the middle of 2014 it will become 5-years-old and it can no longer brag about being the best Nikon camera with an APS-C sensor.

Sources familiar with the matter have been shy about a replacement for this device. Very few words have been said about it and photographers have become somewhat impatient.

Anyway, it looks like it is finally happening! As Canon is working on the EOS 7D Mark II as a replacement for its flagship APS-C DSLR, called 7D, the Nikon D9300 is also in the works as a successor for the D300s.

Nikon D9300 DSLR camera rumored to be line-up as a D300s replacement

Nikon D300s is almost 5 years old. The DSLR is preparing for its swan song as the Nikon D9300 is in development and will replace it soon.

Highly-reliable sources have revealed that Nikon is actively developing a replacement for the old D300s. As stated above, the upcoming DSLR will feature an APS-C-sized image sensor, while other specifications are still unknown.

The Nikon D9300 will support DX-format lenses, albeit it will be compatible with FX-format lenses, which will function in crop mode (just like with all other Nikon APS-C shooters).

The announcement and the release dates have not been mentioned, but the launch event could occur in the near future.

Here is why it will be called D9300 instead of D400

The naming may confuse a lot of people. However, you will see that it makes much more sense this way. Currently, Nikon is offering D3000, D5000, and D7000 series. Add a couple of thousands to maintain the progression and you get the D9000 series.

Now you might wonder why the company is not starting from scratch with a D9000 or at least a D9100. The thing is that Nikon is already offering a D3300 and D5300, so the Japanese maker is aiming to match the numbers.

The D7100 might also be substituted with the Nikon D7200 this year and, if the refresh rate continues, then the D7300 will be released in 2015. This means that all the company’s DX-format DSLRs could be in their “three hundreds” next year.

About the Nikon D300s

The flagship DX-format camera features a 12.3-megapixel sensor, EXPEED image processor, 3-inch LCD screen, dual SD card slots, and a 51-point AF system.

When it was introduced, the D300s was one of the most advanced DSLRs in the company’s entire line-up. We can safely assume that the Nikon D9300 will follow the same path, so we can expect to see a plethora of cutting-edge technologies.

Until the D9300 is out, Amazon is selling the D300s for a price around $1,550.