Released in 2008 the D700 was Nikon's first enthusiast-oriented full-frame DSLR. The D3, Nikon's company's first ever full-frame DSLR, set new standards for speed and low light image quality when it was released in 2007 and the D700 combined the D3's versatile 12.1MP FX format sensor and 51-point AF system in a smaller body at a lower price.
Products don't exist in a vacuum though, and in the same timeframe, Canon launched the 21MP EOS-1Ds Mark III and 5D Mark II - both full-frame, and in the case of the enthusiast-oriented 5D II, able to shoot video as well as stills. Nikon retook the baton for highest resolution with the 24MP D3X towards the end of 2008, but at a list price of $8000 it was (and remains) firmly out of reach for the majority of non-professional photographers.
Since then, Nikon has refreshed its professional lineup with the more versatile D3S, which has been followed by the significantly improved 16MP D4. It has upgraded the D300 to the video-equipped D300S and introduced the feature-rich 16MP D7000. As 2011 gave way to 2012, the new functionality introduced by all these models - with video becoming increasingly important - was starting to leave the D700 looking a little long in the tooth.
But now the waiting is over - the D800 will go on sale in March for $3000, roughly half the price of the 16MP D4 but at 36.3MP eclipsing the more expensive camera in terms of output size and comfortably leapfrogging Nikon's flagship, the 24MP D3X, too.
Apart from their sensors, the D800 and D4 are very similar (see the 'Key Technology' page of this preview for a detailed breakdown). Although the D800 offers a much slower maximum framerate at full resolution (4fps, compared to 11fps in the D4) and lacks some of the pro-oriented 'frills' like built-in Ethernet connectivity, it shares the same revamped 51-point AF system, effective down to -2EV, the same processing engine and almost exactly the same highly advanced video mode.
For more than three years Nikon has watched as Canon cornered the enthusiast DSLR video market with the EOS 5D Mark II, but with the D800 it is clearly hoping to advance into this territory and capture some much-needed (and increasingly valuable) ground.
Compared to D700: Specification highlights
•36.3MP CMOS sensor (compared to 12.1MP)
•15.3MP DX-format capture mode (compared to 5MP)
•25MP 1.2x Crop mode
•51-point AF system with 15 cross-type sensors, rated to -2EV* (compared to -1EV)
•ISO 100-6400 extendable to ISO 25,600 equiv (same as D700)
•1080p video at 30, 25 or 24 frames per second, up to 24Mbps, with uncompressed HDMI output and audio monitoring options*
•3.2", 921,000 dot LCD with anti-fog layer* (compared to 3in, 921k-dot)
•Maximum 4fps continuous shooting in FX mode, 6fps in DX mode** (compared to 8fps in FX mode)
•Advanced Scene Recognition System with 91,000 pixel metering sensor* (compared to 1005-pixel)
•'Expeed 3' Image Processing*
•Dual-axis Virtual Horizon (on LCD screen/viewfinder)* (compared to single-axis)
* Same or almost identical to Nikon D4
** Maximum frame rate in DX mode is dependant on power source
The D800 shares basically the same form factor as its predecessor the D700. Both models have a built-in flash and lack the integrated vertical grip of Nikon's top-end DSLRs, which is available instead via an accessory battery grip. There are differences though - some minor, some major.
The most obvious difference from the perspective of core functionality are a massive increase in resolution, from 12 to 36MP, which comes with a significant boost in processing power, and the addition of video mode. The D800's video mode is lifted almost completely from the professional D4 and boasts 1080p30 resolution with the option to output uncompressed footage via HDMI.
The ergonomic changes that have resulted from the inclusion of video are the addition of a video/stills live view mode control on the rear, plus a direct movie shooting button on the top plate. Amongst other refinements, a D7000/D4-style integrated AF mode/function control can be found on the front of the camera, and the door covering the ports on the side of the D800 is now hinged, and stays open when opened rather than flapping annoyingly against your fingers when you try to plug in accessories. The D800's LCD screen is slightly larger than the D700's, at 3.2 inches, but resolution remains unchanged. We're not all that excited by a Picture Style button on the D800's rear but we can see it being useful, especially - again - for videographers.
Compared to the Canon EOS 5D Mark II
The most obvious difference between the D800 and the Canon EOS 5D Mark II is that the D800 has a built-in flash whereas the 5D II doesn't. But look beneath the surface and there are a lot of other distinctions. Comparing the two models in detail it is obvious that the 5D Mark II is a 'first generation' video-enabled DSLR, and in some respects a distinctly 'last generation' stills camera, too (which isn't so surprising given that it was released around the same time as the D700).
As both a stills and video camera the EOS 5D Mark II is outclassed - at least on paper - by the D800. The Canon's 9-point AF system was borrowed from the original EOS 5D, released in 2005, and wasn't particularly impressive even then. The D800 offers a 51-point AF system which operates down to -2EV, roughly a 70% higher total pixel count, as well as a useful DX (APS-C) crop mode which captures 15.3MP stills. The 5D Mark II is a very capable video camera, but it lacks both the uncompressed HDMI output of the D800, and an audio monitoring function - both features that are potentially very attractive to advanced videographers.
Full review in HERE
Nikonian here...~ :p
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