Digital Photography Equipment Review—The Nikon D700 DSLR Camera, Part 1

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nikon-d700-1 image To design and manufacture the D700, its first “compact” professional DSLR, Nikon had to find a way to put most of the features and capabilities that define its D3 camera into a body that is similar in size to the smaller D300. Nikon has been able to do just that and compete successfully with the Canon EOS 5D Mark II and Sony DSLR-A900.

Read real customer reviews of the Nikon D700 here.

The core of the D700 includes the same 12.1-megapixel, full-frame (FX) sensor and processor that so many photographers like about the D3. The primary differences are the shutter, viewfinder and burst rate. The Nikon D700 shutter is limited to approximately 150,000 exposures compared to the D3’s 300,000. The viewfinder prism provides 95% of the coverage of the D3. Totally missing from the D700 are the D3’s rear-LCD info panel and one CF card slots. It might not be an equal switch, but Nikon gave the D700 a self-cleaning sensor and a built-in flash.

It Starts with the Body

Placing the Nikon D700 and D3 and D300 in a family setting certainly reveals their common pedigree, although close inspection shows the D700 to be more similar to the D300. In terms of size, the D700 is in the middle, being 0.4 pounds (170 grams) heavier than the D300. The D700 equals its siblings with a magnesium alloy body and front and rear, soft rubber grips that provide a firm purchase when holding it. With the many rubber gasket seals used at critical seams and controls, it’s safe to say the D700 is protected from the elements better than the average DSLR.

The ergonomic triumphs of the D300 are evident in the D700. It feels substantial in your hands and is very easy and comfortable to carry and use. The fingers of D3 or D300 owners will subconsciously reach for the same exterior controls and buttons and discover they are in the same place. The large size of the buttons and controls was undoubtedly designed to accommodate photographers wearing gloves. Even if a D700 is a photographer’s first Nikon, those control positions are easily learned because where Nikon put them makes so much sense.

The D700 does have some operational upgrades, with the D3’s multi-controller and a new INFO button located below the AF-area mode selector. To provide space for the INFO button, Nikon had to eliminate the lever for the compact flash slot, which is a component found on all (other) pro-grade Nikon DSLRs.

Primary Features of the Nikon D700:

12.1-megapixel, full-frame sensor (8.45µm pixel pitch).
Image Sensor Cleaning (vibration).
ISO 200–6,400 (with boost to ISO 25,600 and a minimum of ISO 100).
Supports DX lenses, viewfinder automatically masks (5.1 megapixels with DX lens)
14-bit A/D conversion, 12 channel readout.
Ultra-fast startup and shutter lag.
Nikon EXPEED image processor (Capture NX processing and NR algorithms, lower power).
New Kevlar/carbon-fiber-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 as many as 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
Three-inch, 922,000-pixel LCD monitor.
Live View, with either phase-detect (mirror up/down) or contrast-detect Auto Focus.
Virtual horizon to level camera.
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.

Read Part 2 of this PhotographyTalk.com article for additional examination of the Nikon D700 DSLR camera.

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