Nikon’s new D700 – a seriously good serious camera

The D700 features the D-SLR FX-format first introduced with the Nikon D3. Highly praised for its outstanding features, the D3 established a new level of professional performance in terms of overall image quality, extraordinarily low noise, ISO sensitivity range, continuous high-speed shooting, colour gradation, image crispness, durability, weather-resistant operation, system versatility and more.

The new D700 incorporates an extensive array of features that boast a level of performance that is in many ways comparable to the D3. At the same time, it derives a wide range of benefits – including functionality, flexibility and operability – from the more agile D300, Nikon’s flagship DX-format D-SLR.

The D700 has everything it takes to satisfy a broad spectrum of photographic needs. The 12.1-megapixel FX-format CMOS sensor with a sensing area of 36.0 x 23.9 mm; a sensitivity range of ISO 200 to 6400; continuous shooting at up to 5 frames per second (and up to 8 fps with the optional Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D10); Nikon’s exclusive 51-point AF system; Scene Recognition System for optimum auto focus, auto exposure and auto white balance detection – these are but a few of the advanced capabilities of the extraordinary new D700.

Main features

Large image sensor, developed by Nikon; 12.1 effective megapixels: The D700 employs an FX-format CMOS image sensor with an area of 36.0mm (h) x 23.9mm (v). It provides superior picture quality throughout a wide ISO sensitivity range, with advantages that include a large pixel size to ensure a higher signal-to-noise ratio and wide dynamic range, and improved circuit layout to efficiently increase the strength of the electrical signal from pixels. High-speed, 12-channel readout enables fast continuous shooting of high-resolution images at up to 8 frames per second (with Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D10 and Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL4a/4 or eight AA-size batteries).

Scene Recognition System: Improvements to the exclusive 1,005-pixel RGB light sensor have allowed information from the sensor to be utilised for auto exposure, auto white balance and auto focus. 3D-Tracking in AF, for example, achieved by using the Scene Recognition System, tracks subject position and automatically shifts the AF points used to match the subject’s movement within the frame. This system also contributes to higher accuracy of auto exposure and auto white balance detection.

Picture Control System: Nikon’s Picture Control System enables users, from novices to professionals, to create the pictures they envision by making specific selections and adjustments to image sharpening, tone compensation, brightness, tone and saturation. Even with different cameras, when the settings are the same, you get the same picture tone. Picture Control System offers four fundamental setting options – Standard, Neutral, Vivid and Monochrome — for easy customisation of image parameters.

High-definition, 3-inch VGA, TFT LCD monitor with wide viewing angle: The ultrahigh-definition [920,000-dot VGA (640 x 480)], 3-inch LCD monitor with tempered glass provides a 170 degree viewing angle. The large monitor is remarkably effective when confirming the focus with enlarged playback images. The wide viewing angle enables easy recomposing of the frame in Hand-held mode with Live View.

Nikon D700 D-SLR camera

Price and availability

The Nikon D700 has an RRP of $3,999, and will be available in July 2008.

Source: Nikon