A reader, Jan Klattenhoff, recently asked for some advice about buying a Nikon camera:

Could you compare the Nikon 700 to the D7000. What are the advantages of a full format. I subscribe to the New Mexico Highways magazine and aspire to take pictures like the ones in their annual photo contest. I live in Austin and know their classes I can take to help me when I have made my purchase.

This is a great question. Both cameras are capable of capturing amazing images. The main difference here is full frame (FX) D700 vs crop sensor (DX) D7000. You have to evaluate your needs to find the one that best suits you. I will try to summarize the main differences.

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The Nikon D800 is set to be announced just before the CP+ Camera and Photo Imaging Show in Japan. The date had been reported previously as a new product announcement, but Nikon Rumors has confirmed that the new product will be the much anticipated D800.

The camera will feature a 36MP sensor capable of delivering outstanding detail. It will sit alongside the new flagship D4. The Nikon D800 will be aimed at landscape and studio photographers, as well as those requiring a more compact full-frame camera capable of delivering high resolution images.

Nikon Rumors has made a statement regarding a major new camera announcement which is to take place before PMA in Las Vegas. The date given was January 6, 2012 and the indication is that the camera may be the Nikon D4. While more is apparently known about the D800, it looks like we may see the D4 announced first. There have been few leaks and rumors about the D4, but it will be aimed at sports, and low-light photographers who need high frame rate and high-ISO to capture their images. Expect a 16MP camera with expanded ISO range upwards of 200,000 and frame rate of 11 fps. The professional flagship DSLR is expected to ship by the end of January, 2012. (Source: Nikon Rumors)

Perhaps Nikon is waiting for Canon to announce the 5D Mk III before they bring the D800. Canon has already announced the 1D X which has specs very close to the rumored D4. The 1D X is expected to be released March 2012.

Two weeks have elapsed since Nikon reported extensive flooding at their factory in Ayutthaya, Thailand. The building is still under 2 meters of water and flood waters have not begun to recede yet. Thom Hogan reported today that Nikon has rented a facility just outside of Bangkok, Thailand. They have asked some of their workers to report to the new location starting next week. While there are still numerous obstacles to overcome, any word of progress is a blessing after weeks of seemingly endless bad news.

Nikon reported that they suspended work at their factory in Rojana Industrial Park on October 6, well ahead of the worst of the flooding. We assume they were able to move whatever inventory and some work in progress to higher ground in advance of the impending disaster. The Thailand facility handles manufacturing and assembly of their consumer DSLR cameras, including the D3100, D5100, D7000 and D300s, as well as numerous DX and even some of the low end FX lenses.

Sony Thailand Facility Under Water - PATTARACHAI PREECHAPANICH, Bangkok Post.

The rumors of the rumored D800 announcement being delayed seem to be true. A rumor negating a rumor does not bring validity to either rumor, but Nikon is obviously focused on more critical issues, including how to produce their current lineup of DSLR cameras and lenses with their factory under water and no prospect of resuming production for months. Even though Nikon’s Thailand facility was not likely to be responsible for manufacturing the D800, there may have been components made at that facility for the new camera. Furthermore, their suppliers and partners are undoubtedly also being affected by the flooding, not the least of which is Sony, likely manufacturer of the D800’s rumored 36MP sensor, who also has a facility under water in Thailand. According to Bangkok Post, the Sony facility has been seriously damaged. The facility produces electrical components, including CMOS image sensors used in digital cameras. Sony sensors are used in several Nikon DSLR cameras, including the D5100 and D7000.