D700 Nikon Digital SLR

Nikon’s new D700 essentially a D3 squashed and squeezed into a case roughly the same size as a D300. The D700 is Nikon’s first ‘compact’ professional standard SLR, and will be up against Canon’s replacement for the EOS 5D.

Imaging wise, the D700 is pretty much the same as the D3, sharing the 12.1MP full frame (‘FX’) sensor and processing engine. The main differences apart from physical are a different shutter which is good for 150,000 exposures and a different viewfinder prism and a slower burst rate.

Also lost is the rear LCD info panel due to lack of space. The D700 also lacks one of the D300′s CF card slots but to some extent the D700 compensates with a self-cleaning sensor and a built-in flash.

Nikon D700 Key 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 *