Nikon Announces New D700 Full-Frame Digital SLR
July 1, 2008
Nikon announced this morning the anticipated Nikon D700 full frame DSLR camera. It features a 12.1 megapixel FX sensor (23.9×26mm) that seems to be the same chip that the current flagship camera (the Nikon D3). This camera will sit in the semi-professional D300 market as a full-frame alternative.
For many photographers, the D300 was a viable—and less expensive—alternative to the D3. The D300 did have a DX sensor, which did suffer more noise at the ISO 3200 and 6400 than its big sister. The D300 is also based on the D200 body, which some photographers consider a shopping factor; opting for a larger professional looking body of the D3 (can someone say “compensation for short comings?”).
With the same full-framed sensor and CAM3500 focus engine as the D3, there are few excuses to spend the money for the D3, which leads me to believe that the D3 will suffer a significant price drop on the classifieds of many photo forums as the next anticipated release for a D3X is on the Christmas wish list.
If anyone remembers the plight of the D2H, the camera sold on the photo forums used for $3,500 (it was selling nearly $5,000 new) before the release of the D2Hs. B&H and other photo stores dropped the price of the D2H so they could get them off the shelves and the D2H used price fell to the $1,000-1,500 used price within 24 hours.
So what justification is there now for the D3? Well, for one, photographers who bought the D3 before the announcement of the D700 could justify the purchase for a full-frame sensor. Other shopping considerations after the D700 release are 1) some photographers really love the ergonomic feel of a larger, heavier, more expensive camera. It makes them feel more “professional,” and 2) the D3 will still shoot more frames per second. Most importantly, when you can spend more money on a camera, you
A full-frame sensor for the D200/D300/D700 market is a clear move to the cross-over prosumer/professional market. There are enough working photographers who are not working sports that will found the D300 a nearly perfect camera for their needs. With the D700 there will be little else that Nikon needs to over this largest market of camera shoppers.
At a suggested retail of $2,995, it will still be about half the price of the D3 (and the D3X when it is finally revealed.
Key features from the Nikon USA site.
Nikon's original 12.1-megapixel FX-format (23.9 x 36mm) CMOS sensor: Teamed with Nikon's exclusive EXPEED digital image processing, the D700 delivers breathtakingly rich image quality.
170-degree wide-angle viewing, calibrated color and tempered-glass protection assure confident image review.
Image Sensor Type 36.0 x 23.9mm
Sensor Size 12.87 million
Total Pixels 12.1 million
Effective Pixels
FX-format
(L) 4,256 x 2,832
(M) 3,184 x 2,120
(S) 2,128 x 1,416
DX-format
(L) 2,784 x 1,848
(M) 2,080 x 1,384
(S) 1,392 x 920
Image Area (pixels) 5 frames per second
Top Continuous Shooting Speed at full resolution
CH: Up to 5 frames per second
CL: Up to 4 frames per second
DX-format
CH: Up to 5 frames per second
CL: Up to 4 frames per second
Continuous Shooting Options 3 in. diagonal
LCD Monitor Type 920,000 Dots
LCD Monitor Resolution 170-degree wide-viewing angle
LCD Monitor Angle of View Brightness, 7 levels
LCD Monitor Adjustments 30 sec.
Slowest Shutter Speed 1/8000 sec.
Fastest Shutter Speed Yes
Bulb Shutter Setting Yes
Mirror Lock Up 200 in steps of 1/3, 1/2, 1 EV
Lowest Standard ISO Sensitivity 6400 in steps of 1/3, 1/2, 1 EV
Highest Standard ISO Sensitivity Hi-2 (ISO 25,600 equivalent)
Highest Expanded ISO Sensitvity
Lo-1 (ISO 100 equivalent), in steps of 1/3, 1/2, 1 EV
Expanded ISO Sensitivity Options
CompactFlash© (Type I/II, compliant with UDMA)
MicroDrive©
Storage Media
Uncompressed 12/14-bit NEF (RAW)
Uncompressed 12-bit NEF (RAW)
Compressed 12/14-bit NEF (RAW, Lossless compressed): approx. 60-80 percent
Compressed 12/14-bit NEF (RAW, Compressed): approx. 45-60 percent
JPEG: JPEG-baseline-compliant; can be selected from Size priority and Optimal Quality
TIFF (RGB)
Storage System
Compliant with DCF 2.0
DPOF
EXIF 2.21
File System
Programmed Auto (P) with Flexible Program
Shutter-Priority Auto (S)
Aperture-Priority Auto (A)
Manual (M)
Exposure Modes
1,005-pixel RGB sensor 3D Color Matrix Metering II
Exposure Metering System
1. 0 to 20 EV (Matrix or Center-weighted metering);
2. 2 to 20 EV (Spot metering) (ISO 100 equivalent, f/1.4 lens, at 20 degrees C/68 degrees F)
Exposure Meter Coupling ±5 EV in increments of 1/3, 1/2, 1 EVEV in increments of 1/3, 1/2, 1
Exposure Compensation Yes
Exposure Lock
Yes
From 2 to 9 exposures in increments of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1 EV
Exposure Bracketing
LiveView [LV] mode
Continuous low-speed [CL] mode; 1-4 frames per second Continuous high-speed [CH] mode; 5 frames per second
Shutter Release Modes
Sun
Shade
Fluorescent
Incandescent
Flash
Preset
Fine Tune by Kelvin Color Temperature Setting
Auto
White Balance Yes, 2 to 9 exposures, in increments of 1, 2 or 3
White Balance Bracketing
Handheld mode
Tripod mode
LiveView Shooting
Full frame
Zoom
Slideshow
Histogram
Highlight point display
Auto image rotation
Thumbnail (4 or 9 segments)
Playback Functions
Hi-speed USB
NTSC
PAL
HDMI
10-pin Terminal
Interface Nikon F mount
Lens Mount
1) Type G or D AF NIKKOR: All functions supported
2) DX AF NIKKOR: All functions supported except FX-format (36×24)/image size
3) AF NIKKOR other than type G or D*2: All functions supported except 3D Color Matrix Metering II
4) AI-P NIKKOR: All functions supported except auto-focus and 3D Color Matrix Metering II
5) Non-CPU AI NIKKOR: Can be used in exposure modes A and M; electronic rangefinder can be used if maximum aperture is f/5.6 or faster; Color Matrix Metering and aperture value display supported if user provides lens data
Compatible Lenses Equivalent to angle produced by lens focal length (1.5 times when DX format is selected)
Picture Angle SLR-type with fixed eye-level pentaprism
Viewfinder Approx. 95%
Viewfinder Frame Coverage -3 to +1m-1
Viewfinder Diopter Adjustment 18mm
Viewfinder Eyepoint Quick-return type
Reflex Mirror No
Type B BriteView Clear Matte VI screen with superimposed AF points
Interchangeable Focusing Screens Approx. 0.72x (50mm f/1.4 lens at infinity)
Viewfinder Magnification Instant-return type with depth-of-field preview button
Lens Aperture Yes
Depth-of-field Control
Autofocus TTL phase detection, 51 focus points
(15 cross-type sensors) by Nikon Multi-CAM 3500FX autofocus module; Detection: -1 to +19 EV (ISO 100 at 20°C/68°F); AF fine adjustment possible. AF-assist illuminator (range approx. 1.6-9.8 ft./0.5-3.0m)
Autofocus System 51
Maximum Autofocus Areas/Points Yes
Records values for up to 12 user selected lenses
Autofocus Fine Tune
Single-servo AF (S)
Continuous-servo (C)
Manual
Auto
Manual (M) with electronic rangefinder
Focus Modes Yes
Single-point AF Mode Yes
Number of AF points: 9, 21, 51 and 51 with 3D-tracking
Dynamic AF Mode Yes
Auto-area AF Mode
AE-L/AF-L button
Half press of shutter-release button (single-point AF in AF-S)
Focus Lock
Standard
Neutral
Vivid
Monochrome
Nine User-customizable settings
Picture Control
Trim
D-Lighting
Color Balance
Image Overlay
Filter Effects
Monochrome
Red-eye correction
In-Camera Image Editing Yes
Manual pop-up type
Built-in Flash Yes
External Flash Shoe Standard ISO 518 hot-shoe contact with safety lock
External Flash Shoe Type Yes
Dust-Off Reference Photo Yes
Also visible in LiveView Modes
Virtual Horizon Camera Indicator Yes
Save/Load Camera settings Yes
Built-in Commander Mode 2 Groups: A and B
Nikon Creative Lighting System Compatibility up to 1/250
Flash Sync Speed up to 1/250
X-Sync Speed up to 1/8000
FP High Speed Sync
Front-curtain sync (normal)
Slow sync
Rear-curtain sync
Red-eye reduction
Red-eye reduction with slow sync
Flash Sync Modes
1) TTL flash control with 1,005-pixel RGB sensor; i-TTL balanced fill-flash and standard i-TTL fill-flash available with SB-900, SB-800, SB-600 or SB-400
2) Auto aperture (AA): Available with SB-900, SB-800 and CPU lens
3) Non-TTL auto (A): Available with SB-900, SB-800, 28, 27 or 22s
4) Range-priority manual (GN): Available with SB-900, SB-800
Flash Control Yes
Flash Sync Terminal Yes
Accessory Shoe Electronically controlled timer with duration of 2, 5, 10 or 20 sec.
Self-timer Yes
World Time Setting Yes
Date, Time and Daylight Savings Time Settings Rechargeable
Battery Type EN-EL3e Lithium-ion Battery
Battery / Batteries EH-5a AC Adapter
AC Adaptor MH-18a Quick Charger
Battery Charger Yes
Image Comment No
Voice Memo Function 1000 shots (CIPA)
Battery Life (shots per charge) ¼-20
Tripod Socket
Width 5.8 in. (147mm)
Height 4.8 in. (123mm)
Depth 3.0 in. (77mm)
Approx. Dimensions 35 oz. (995g)
Approx. Weight
Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish
Supported Languages
MB-D10 Mulit-power Battery Pack, WT-4a Wireless Transmitter, DK-17M Magnifying Eyepiece, EH-5a AC Adapter, Capture NX 2 Software, Camera Control Pro 2 Software, Image Authentication Software
Optional Accessories
EN-EL3e Rechargeable Li-ion Battery, MH-18a Quick Charger, UC-E4 USB Cable, EG-D100 Video Cable, AN-D700 Camera Strap, BF-1A Body Cap, BS-1 Accessory Shoe Cover, BM-9 LCD Monitor Cover, Software Suite CD-ROM
Entry Filed under: color, lens, light, photography, portraits, telephoto, theory, wide angle. Tags: D700, digital, digital photography, full-frame, Nikon, photography.
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