Last Updated on 02/07/2012 by Chris Gampat
Nikon finally announced what all the fanboys and girls were waiting for after leaks of the worst kept secret ever: the Nikon D800 full frame successor to the D700. Sporting a new 36.3MP full frame CMOS sensor, 91,000 pixel RGB sensor (metering), and an advanced Scene recognition system, it sounds like the camera that lots of enthusiasts and pros alike have been asking for.
More images and specs after the jump; but if you want to read the press release, check out Nikon’s press room section.
Available for Pre-order at B&H Photo: D800 and D800E
Tech Specs
– 36.3 megapixel CMOS sensor (7360 x 4912 resolution) and FX format (35.9 x 24mm)
– When mounting a DX mount lens (meant for APS-C sensors) it will shoot at 15.3 megapixels (4800×3200)
– 51 autofocus points; 9 cross type sensors
– Dustproof and splashproof body made of magnesium alloy
– 100% viewfinder
– 4fps still shooting in FX mode and 6fps in DX mode.
– CF and SD card slot
– Built in flash to control speedlights wirelessly like the SB-900 and SB-700 (reviews linked)
– OLPF converter and a 14 bit A / D to minimize the noise around the picture
– ISO 100-6400, expandable to 50 (Lo-1) and 25600 (Hi-2)
– 16 Bit RAW files
– 3D Color Matrix Meter III with a type of face detection built in.
– EXPEED 3 processor; citing energy efficiency as well.
– New white balancing system
– Active D-Lighting and an HDR mode.
– Full HD 1080 and HD 720 30/24p to 60p in H.264 / MPEG-4 AVC up to 29:59 minutes per clip.
– LCD is 3.2 inches and 921,000 pixels with reinforced fabric, automatic control of brightness and wide viewing angle.
– Uncompressed HD signal can be transmitted via HDMI output (8 bit, 4:2:2) to a display, hard drive, recording device, etc. Plus you can view the image on the LCD and external display simultaneously.
– Headphone jack and on-board microphone with different volume levels.
– USB 3.0 slot
– D800E allows for higher resolution. This unique alternative model will effectively enhance the resolution characteristics of the 36.3-megapixel CMOS sensor by cancelling the anti-aliasing properties of the OLPF inside the camera.
Ergonomics
Followers of this site will know that I mostly use Canon gear, but that I have spent quite a bit of time using Nikon gear as well. So to see these new changes is very exciting, especially since I own a D5100. The new D800 seems to have some subtle yet significant ergonomical changes that still add to the overall beauty of the camera. For example, there are more curves, the ports on the left of the camera have different covers, and the slope incline for the shutter seems a bit different too.
The top of the camera still looks very much the same as is previous. The pop up flash looks a bit more well defined though. Additionally, the dial on the top left will still allow you to change most settings on the camera without needing to remove your eye from the viewfinder.
The camera will obviously be the apple of many Nikon users’s eyes. But when it comes to professional videography, I hope that it’s better than the D4. It’s a little odd but understandable that the J1 can out do it.
You can expect the camera to ship around April 12, 2012. The Nikon D800 will be available in late March for the suggested retail price of $2999.95.* The D800E version will be available in mid April 2012 for a suggested retail price of $3,299.95.
Please Support The Phoblographer
We love to bring you guys the latest and greatest news and gear related stuff. However, we can’t keep doing that unless we have your continued support. If you would like to purchase any of the items mentioned, please do so by clicking our links first and then purchasing the items as we then get a small portion of the sale to help run the website.