Nikon D700 Review

Nikon has now officially revealed the compact, professional, twelve megapixel, full-frame (FX format) Nikon D700. From the outside the D700 is virtually identical to the D300, albeit for its larger 'full frame' viewfinder, internally it's almost identical to the D3, except for a slightly slower shutter (five frames per second up to eight frames per second with the MB-D10 battery grip). DPreview have just posted their review of the new D700 DSLR here.

"In conclusion the Nikon D700 is an excellent camera that is extremely versatile and performs well both in the studio and on location. No doubt it sets a benchmark in the 'compact' pro bracket of the market. For how long remains to be seen. We will know more after we've reviewed the Canon 5D Mark II and the Sony DSLR-A900."

The Nikon D700 DSLR

Dimensions - Width 5.8 x Height 4.8 x Depth 3.0 Weight - 35 ounces (995 grams)

D700 Features

12.1 megapixel full-frame sensor (8.45µm pixel pitch)

Image Sensor Cleaning (vibration) *

ISO 200 - 6400 (with boost up to ISO 25600 and down to ISO 100)

Also supports DX lenses, viewfinder automatically masks (5.1 megapixels with DX lens)

14-bit A/D conversion, 12 channel readout

Same ultra-fast startup and shutter lag as D3

Nikon EXPEED image processor (Capture NX processing and NR algorithms, lower power)

New Kevlar / carbon fibre composite shutter with 150,000 exposure durability *

Multi-CAM3500FX Auto Focus sensor (51-point, 15 cross-type, more vertical coverage)

Auto-focus tracking by color (using information from 1005-pixel AE sensor)

95% coverage, 0.72x magnification viewfinder *

Auto-focus calibration (fine-tuning), fixed body or up to 20 separate lens settings

Scene Recognition System (uses AE sensor, AF sensor)

Picture Control image parameter presets

5 frames per second continuous with auto-focus tracking*

Optional MB-D10 Battery Pack (same as D300), increases burst rate to 8 fps *

UDMA compatible single CF card slot *

3.0" 922,000 pixel LCD monitor

Live View with either phase detect (mirror up/down) or contrast detect Auto Focus

Virtual horizon indicates if camera is level (like an aircraft cockpit display)

HDMI HD video output

'Active D-Lighting' (adjusts metering as well as applying D-Lighting curve)

Detailed 'Control Panel' type display on LCD monitor, changes color in darkness

Magnesium alloy body with connections and buttons sealed against moisture

Improved Info display on main screen