In Depth: Nikon D800: 10 things you need to know

In Depth: Nikon D800: 10 things you need to know:

10 things you need to know about the Nikon D800

Nikon has finally revealed the D800 after months of speculation and rumour. It's aimed at professional users looking for a back-up body along with high-end enthusiasts and comes just two weeks after the flagship D4 was unveiled. Here we take a closer look at the stand-out specs and key pieces of info about this exciting new camera.

1. Sensor

Of course the headline-grabbing feature of this camera is its huge 36.3 million pixel full-frame (FX) sensor, which the company says has been newly developed. It is the world's highest resolution full-frame sensor, with the kind of pixel count usually reserved for medium format cameras.

Nikon promises that the sensor, with its 12-channel readout with 14-bit A/D conversion is capable of producing low noise images with a wide dynamic range.

2. File sizes

With a 36.3 million pixel sensor, you can expect big file sizes, so it might be time to start stocking up on extra memory cards now. Nikon tells us that a raw file captured with the D800 will weigh in at a whopping 76MB, while a 16 bit TIFF can expect to take up 212.1MB. Stock up on external hard drives now…

3. Sensitivity

Despite having over three times the pixel count of its predecessor, the D700, Nikon claims that noise output is of a similar level. With so many extra pixels to contend with, this is an impressive claim and one we'll be keen to thoroughly put to the test when review samples become available. Sensitivity ranges from ISO 100-6400 in standard mode, but it can be extended down to ISO 50 and up to ISO 25,600. The low ISO setting is likely to appeal to studio and landscape photographers.

4. Autofocus system

Essentially, the D800 uses a similarly advanced autofocusing system as its bigger brother, the D4. This means you get 51 autofocus points and low light performance which means the autofocus works down to -2EV (essentially moonlight).

AF and AF-area mode selection is also now possible without taking the eye away from viewfinder, another feature that was also introduced in the D4.

5. Autofocus at f/8

Although part of the autofocus, we think this is worthy of a separate point because this is a real boon for photographers using teleconverters with their lenses.

Like the D4, the D800's AF operation is possible under a combined aperture of f/8, which means that a 600mm f/4 AF-S lens combined with a 2x teleconverter to make it effectively a 1200mm f/8 lens can be used with the central 11 AF points.

This is something that Nikon's biggest rival has decided not to offer with the Canon EOS 1DX (although rumours of a firmware fix to enable f/8 autofocus are circulating) and means that photographers don't necessarily need to carry heavy and expensive lenses, especially where space is at a premium.

6. Full HD video

Its predecessor, the D700, didn't have video at all, but of course pretty much every DSLR these days comes equipped with Full HD video. Movie capability on the D800 is also similar to the performance from the D4, with 30, 24 and 25p frame rates available at 1080p and 50p and 60p rates available at 720p for shooting slow motion video.

It also includes the same Clean HDMI output as featured on the D4 and also offers two different crops when shooting (FX and DX), allowing videographers to shoot different focal lengths with the same lens.

7. Ergonomics

There's not a huge deal of difference in the size, body and shape of the D800 when compared with the D700, but it does come in at around 10% lighter and features a number of subtle redesigns to button layout.

As on the D4, the angle of the shutter release button has been slightly sharpened to make it easier to reach to the sub command dial, while a number of new buttons have been added for quick access to different features. These include a direct video record button and a button for changing the AF mode.

8. D800E

The D800 is also available in a special 'E' edition, which will set you back an extra £400.

The D800E comes with the camera's anti-aliasing filter removed. In simple terms, this means that finer detail should be available, but it comes at the risk of moiré patterning appearing in a some areas of the picture. Clothing and textiles are notorious for showing this effect.

Nikon says that these problems can be easily overcome in photo-editing software, such as its own NX2 which will come bundled with the D800E.

9. It's not a replacement for anything

Although the D800 is the successor to the D700, Nikon is keen to point out that it's not a replacement. Instead, it will sit alongside the older camera.

With its 36 million pixel sensor, it also outperforms the D3x, which Nikon is also still keeping in its range.

10. Price

For roughly half the price of the new flagship D4 model, you will be able to pick up the D800 which shares many of its features but comes in a lighter and smaller body.

With an RRP of £2399.99 (or £2689.99 for the D800E), this is a camera at a price point that will appeal not just to pros looking for a back-up, but also to serious enthusiasts.

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