We just don’t know what Nikon intends to launch. Thom Hogan has given a pretty good anayisis.
With the D3 and D700 Nikon edged in front of Canon, you would have thought that they would have delivered the ‘coup de grace’ on Canon, but they have always been a Company with a capital ‘C’ for conservatism.
The market is ready for the Nikon 15Mb, DX, self cleaning, ISO and FPS matching the D700, all sitting in a D3 body, price it sensibly at around the D700 and it will fly off the shelves. Granted the gross profit per item may have to be reduced but the World is in a global recession. Nikon is no different than any other equipment manufacturers who have to change direction to maintain market share.
Those people who have D1, D2’s, D200, D60, D80 and even D300 would consider upgrading.
Canon on the other hand have a different scenario, they will launch a MkIV, but most of those people with MkII’s and III’s will question the justification whether spending another £3+ on a camera that delivers exactly the same image quality, only a wee bit bigger and faster.
Canon have saturated their middle market, there’s room (just) for a Nikon.