Nikon D5500 Announced (Successor to the D5300)

The Nikon D5500 has been announced. (Why not a D5400?)Nikon D5500 camera, Nikkor 300 f/4 and 55-200mm f/4-5.6G lenses Headline Feature: Articulating Touch Screen ( a first for the Nikon DSLR line)Additional Features: 

• 3.2-inch, approximately 1037K-dot TFT LCD vari-angle monitor
• 24.2-million pixels, a Nikon DX-format CMOS sensor, and the EXPEED
• Wifi to smartphone/tablets
• Slightly smaller body size - world's smallest, lightest, and slimmest digital SLR camera equipped with a vari-angle monitor
• Additional Scene control and features available for photos AND video

About the touchscreen - "One of eight frequently used camera settings (Focus-point selection, AF-area mode, Aperture, ISO sensitivity, etc.) can be assigned to this function for use with viewfinder shooting, enabling immediate modification of the assigned setting, and achieving practical operation by simply tapping or sliding a finger across the monitor while looking through the viewfinder.""..sliding a finger across the monitor while looking through the viewfinder."Very interesting - I am curious to see how this translates in real world use.The Nikon D5500 will be available in early February, (black and red), in two different kit configurations: alongside the AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II lens for a suggested retail price (SRP) of $999.95 or with the AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens for $1,199.95 SRP. The Nikon D5500 will also be sold body only for an SRP of $899.95. The AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-200mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR II and AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4E PF ED VR lenses will also be available in early February for an SRP of $349.95 and $1,999.95, respectively.Preorder from Amazon | B&H Photo & Video (Available Feb 5th in RED or BLACK)B&H D5500 body only $896.95B&H D5500 with 18-55 $996.96B&H D5500 with 18-140 $1196.95

Nikon D5500 vs D5300 (Differences Explained Simply)

It looks like both share the same sensor, same processor and same number/type of focus points. In short do NOT upgrade to this camera from the D5300 and expect any difference in quality of the images.Key differences. D5500 offers a touchscreen, better battery life 820 vs 600 shots and its just a tiny bit smaller/lighter (just 2oz less than the D5300) - Some don't consider a smaller size to be better.From the Nikon Rumors Page - blue outline is the D5500, purple is the D5300They have dropped the GPS (which I wasn't impressed with) but added some additional picture controls and maybe a star trails mode (I am still researching this)

Nikon D5500 vs the Canon T5i

Full post coming soon - for now watch my video of the T5i vs the D5300 and keep in mind the touchscreen should make the D5500 more user friendlyWhen will we see a Canon response to the D5500? When will we see the Canon T6i or 750D? I predict before the end of February

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED VR II Lens

Available Feb 5th for $396 - Preorder from B&H PhotoPoll - How do you feel about touchscreens in your DSLR? 

Photo Mish Mash 41: 2014 Wrap UP

 Photo Mish Mash Ep #45 Date: 12/19/14Question: Photo Resolutions for 2015?Week in review:D750 Review -Touchscreen DebateCold Weather - touchscreen glovesHOT PINKCheap 50mmThe last image critique of 2014Film vs Digital CostsYear in review:What camera did we shoot with most?What focal length?http://regex.info/blog/lightroom-goodiesNews:Flickr is Sorry :(http://blog.flickr.net/en/2014/12/18/an-update-on-flickr-wall-art/https://www.lenstag.com/?Photography is the successor to the great art of the past (QUote by?)And Peter Lik’s 6.5 million print - something more expensivehttp://www.jeff-frost.com/modernruin/h1438b88d#h1438b88dJeff Frosts - http://vimeo.com/channels/staffpicks/106181453Instagram is now worth 35 Billion and surpassed Twitter in users. . . .http://www.dpreview.com/articles/6769417344/fujifilm-announces-macro-tubes-x-t1-firmware-availability-and-x-series-firmware-updateshttp://www.dpreview.com/articles/0350654437/bpg-image-format-aims-to-replace-jpegsAdobe has bought Fotolia and will be rolling it into their Creative Cloud subscriptionDiscussion:Higher ISOSSony A7s vs GH4Savings, Convenience (size, weight, lenses battery life, 4k crop and FUN!)If I was shooting weddings or needed to be ready for anything anytime - a7S would probably be my pick but for my needs GH4 is sweet.B&H DealReader Questions:printing your own photos on Pixma pro 100 or other printers, battery grips primary manufacture or third partyTheBiscuitHDDo you think that the canon 24-70mm f/4 is a good option for filmmaking ?Wesley OxenhamIs there a cheap canon prime lens (non-L-lens) that is better than an expensive zoom L lens? (comparing the same focal length)Dalibor MrkicAre we going to see assignment critique again?Todd Davisis there any reason to keep old images on your HD from clients that have already paid? How would putting them on DVD etc, work?Frank WhiteQuestion: Do you and Christina plan to get into hybrid photography (marrying photography with vidoeography)?OldSchoolandNewAny thoughts on printing your own photos rather than sending to a lab...maybe on a canon Pixma pro 100?Knut Aage Dahlwould IS be a valuable feature when you grab stills from a video?Matt JuneWill you ever have a local meetup? I mean like a greet and meet?good general posing book.. suggestions?Creative Live Classes -https://www.facebook.com/Digital.Photo.Recommendations/photos/a.10150222907829855.334190.233048999854/10152943043379855/?type=1Good Flash for E5 - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003LWH156/?tag=yt_dpr-20Recommended Books -Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson http://www.amazon.com/dp/0817439390/?tag=yt_dpr-20Your best shot of 2014

Nikon D5400 Rumors

Starting to hear some rumors about the D5400 which according to this post on Nikon Rumors will be called the D5500. Skipping the D5400. It seems the number 4 in Japanese has the same pronunciation as the word for "death" (shi) and thus they avoid it. (Thanks Tom C.)   Why their flagship DSLR is named the D4s causes me some confusion but let's set the number/name aside and talk about the features.At this point we know very little other than a touchscreen will be added to the articulating screen and the camera will be announced in early January in time for Consumer Electronics Show (CES).  I suspect most other features will remain the same or similar with the D5300 and expect Nikon to use the same excellent 24mp sensor that they are currently using.I hear from many photographers upgrading to DSLRS that feel torn between the increased quality of the Nikon but want the touchscreen of the Canon T5i.   This should help with the decision but I expect (or hope) Canon will come back with something in the T6i that gives them a fighting chance. Right now Canon does have a clear advantage with the dual pixel AF and the STM lenses if you want to easily capture video but on the photo side Nikon is my pick. Early rumors that I reported on suggested Canon would go mirror-less for the T6i but I doubt that is true, what will be more likely is the inclusion of the 70Ds fast live view focusing system.How do you feel about touchscreens in your DSLR? Do you have one and love it? Don't have one and don't think you would want it?  Christina and I touch on the touchscreen debate and talk about the D5500 in this segment from our weekly podcast.Poll - How do you feel about touchscreens in your DSLR?