Latest - Review and Sample Photos by The Online Photographer (added 09 October’08)
Nikon D700 is a 12.1 megapixel full frame DSLR digital camera and it features a 3 inch LCD, image cleaning system, and a 51 point auto focus with 3D focus tracking. The camera dimensions are Width 5.8 in. (147mm) Height 4.8 in. (123mm) Depth 3.0 in. (77mm) and it weighs 35 oz. (995g).
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Reviewers Conclusions & Verdicts - (updated 09 October’08)
“Even after two months, I think Nikon’s new D700 DSLR is the most perfect camera that I have ever held in my hands, and I’ve held a lot of them. In terms of features, ergonomics, build quality, image quality, and gestalt, I can find no fault with it.”
DPReview
“While a lack of resolution could be a potential deal-breaker for some the slightly unreliable auto white balance performance in artificial light probably isn’t. Nor is the steep tone curve that we’ve mentioned above. Simply use custom white balance and change the default settings or - even better - shoot RAW to work around these minor issues.”
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Tom Hogan
“The D700 simply blows away any DSLR Nikon has previously produced (except for the D3, of course). I’m almost tempted to say that you can shoot at any ISO up to 1600 at any camera setting (sharpening, JPEG compression, etc.) with impunity.”
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GoodGearGuide
“All up, the D700 is almost identical to the D3, but it comes in a smaller and lighter chassis. Its full-format sensor is definitely the stand-out feature, so if you’re already a D-SLR user the D700 is perhaps the next model you should aspire to own.”
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DigitalCameraInfo
“The Nikon D700 and its big brother, the D3, allow you to take available light pictures in near darkness, with remarkably little image noise. This is not a subtle enhancement: it opens the door to new photographic possibilities.”
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DPExpert
“Images are noise free with wide dynamic range and beautiful tonal gradation. Auto bracketing can produce an amazing nine images at varied exposures or white balance.”
PhotographyBlog
“If we’re asking what the D700 misses, we can point again to the lack of a built-in sensor-shift image stabilization system, which just forces users to invest in a VR lens instead, plus a tilt and swivel LCD screen like that found on the Olympus E-3, Panasonic L10 and Sony A350 (all currently cheaper) for making the best creatively out of those awkward angle shots and the accessibility of Live View.”
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DigitalCameraReview
“The cameras (D700 & D3) offer practically identical (and exceptional) high ISO performance, and the slight differences I noticed could well be individual camera specific rather than systemic.”
PCAuthority
“Typical of a pro camera, the D700 offers +/- 3 stops of exposure compensation and the ability to automatically bracket up to 9 frames across that span — ideal for experimenting with handheld high-dynamic-range photography.”
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PopPhoto
“Typical of a pro camera, the D700 offers +/- 3 stops of exposure compensation and the ability to automatically bracket up to 9 frames across that span — ideal for experimenting with handheld high-dynamic-range photography.”
OutBackPhoto
“The Nikon D700 is a very solid and extremely responsive camera - Image quality is excellent - The D700 delivers at high ISO - The LCD is very good (like with the D300)”
ScottKelby
“The new sensor, the autofocus, the low noise—it all adds up to photos that just beat the D300 (with the D700 you get D3 quality photos, which the D300, good as it is, just can’t deliver).”
ImagingResource
“The Nikon D700 is well-built, with such superb features and a nimble, smart interface. It is adaptable to most any kind of photography, and thanks to its full-frame sensor, works with lenses in a way that photographers familiar with 35mm film will find comfortable and familiar.”
PhotoReview reviews the Nikon D700 and writes -
“The D700 is currently the best DSLR camera in its class and provides excellent value for money for photographers who want the advantages of the 36 x 24 mm sized sensor in a smaller, lighter and more affordable body than the D3.”
Overall, Review was Favorable: 
CameraLabs reviews the Nikon D700 and writes -
“By keeping the core image quality of the D3 and squeezing it into a smaller, lighter and cheaper body with the addition of a popup flash and anti-dust features, Nikon’s created a highly compelling full-frame DSLR.”
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ThinkCamera reviews the Nikon D700 and writes -
“There’s no point in beating around the bush - the Nikon D700 goes straight for the jugular; it’s a beast of a camera. There are very few downsides, except perhaps for that hefty body only price tag.”
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TrustedReviews reviews the Nikon D700 and writes -
“The D700 is in the main a great performer. Detail is crisp and clean, sharpness (again within the parameters of the optic used) is very good, and the tonal range within the images is beautiful. Noise is also exemplary, with no worrying noise at all until you go over ISO 6400. There is some noise at ISO 12800 and ISO 25600, but I think we can allow Nikon some slack here.”
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LuminousLandscape field tests the Nikon D700 and writes -
“At any sensitivity up to ISO 1600 there’s little of concern in terms of low noise. Uncanny. At ISO 3200 a slight bit of luminance noise appears, but it can be easily removed in post. ISO 6400 is still eminently usable, and even ISO 12,000 equivalent is acceptable for reportage. Truly amazing is that ISO 25,000 equivalent, though noisy, is no worse than Tri-X used to be at ISO 1,200.”
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StillePhotographie reviews the Nikon D700 and writes -
Whatever test I have done, overall, I am very happy with what I have found out. Yes, there are some topics and points, which I mentioned, because I do not like them, but the overall concept of the D700 is a very attractive one - a price, which is still more or less affordable, a camera with a lot of good and valuable features and which takes very good images. It is a very interesting and future oriented alternative to the D3 and should attract lots of happy customers. If I would have the money, I would sign into the already long waiting list of people who want to get it.
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PopPhoto video preview of the Nikon D700 -
Nikonians preview the Nikon D700 and writes -
“Nikonian Bill Ely (d50extreme) sums up his take on the positioning of the D700 with a simple comparison: “The D700 isn’t an upgrade from the D300. It’s a whole new camera. Something that many D300 users will want to use along as a second body or for people who want FX but not in the size of the D3. With a D300 and D700 you would have high ISO, long reach, wide angle FX capability, and two semi-pro bodies that share accessories. Nikon is just filling in the gaps between their models so there is a body for everyone.”
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Ron Galbraith previews the Nikon D700 and writes -
“Choosing between the D3 and D700 - The emergence of the D700 forces shooters considering a D3 to do some additional pre-purchase pondering. Call it The US$2000 Question: what do you give up if you opt to purchase the significantly less costly D700? The answer is surprisingly not all that much, though opinions will vary on the value of this or that feature.”
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ePhotozine previews the Nikon D700 and writes -
“Looking at the numbering of the camera, it looks like Nikon are releasing this model as a go between for the D300 and the D3 which isn’t a bad thing. After all, years ago Canon released the EOS 50e because photographers wanted eye control focus from the EOS 5 but didn’t want to pay the same price.
The Nikon D700 appears to be a similar release with features of the D3 but in a somewhat clipped format. It shows that Nikon are listening to the users and developing gear to suit what people want which is something that Nikon are, quite rightly, very proud of.”
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TechUp previews the Nikon D700 and writes -
“Google Translated - We have used an afternoon for the Nikon D700 and despite the generous size is manageable as the D300, particularly through the excellent balance of the masses. The construction quality is of the highest levels, without imperfections even though they still preliminary copies, although the D3 remains more robust than that massive.”
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CNET Asia previews the Nikon D700 and writes -
“We think the D700 is going to give the Canon a good run for its money, and if it doesn’t unveil the successor to the EOS 5D soon, we won’t be surprised to see some shutterbugs switching camps to enjoy the power-packed features of this Nikon shooter. But one deterrent could be the price: We were told by Nikon that while the pricing for the D700 has yet to be confirmed, it may lie somewhere in the US$2,999 range.”
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DPReview previews the Nikon D700 and writes -
“The D700 joins the D3 as a fully-fledged ‘professional’ model; it has the same tank-like build quality (though we’re sure the pop-up flash will cause a few raised eyebrows), and gets you the full pro service from Nikon. And the pricing (around $2999) reflects this; anyone hoping for an ‘affordable’ semi-pro full frame Nikon SLR will have to wait until the cost of producing such large sensors falls considerably.”
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Actual Owner Feedback
“The title says it all - fantastic camera, awful lens. I give the D700 5 stars with no reservations, but the 24-120 lens is a shame for Nikon and should have never even be allowed into production.”
Portion of user comment on Amazon.com
“I’ve owned it for over a month now and this seems to be the digital SLR I’ve wanted since I stopped using my old Nikon F. I have owned the D200 and D300, but as expected, this surpasses all. You really need to look through the viewfinder to appreciate the beauty of full frame.”
Portion of user comment on Amazon.com
“Wow!!! everything is fast and instant, it’s almost telepathic, always a step ahead of you, seems to read my mind, there is no back focus issues, no front focus issues, nothing between me and perfect focus every time I take a photo.”
Portion of user comment on Amazon.com
“Wow!!! everything is fast and instant, it’s almost telepathic, always a step ahead of you, seems to read my mind, there is no back focus issues, no front focus issues, nothing between me and perfect focus every time I take a photo.”
Portion of user comment on Amazon.com
“My only negative comment so far is that Nikon’s proprietary software (included with the D700) is necessary to download photos to one’s computer. I’ll adapt, but it just seems an unnecessary restriction.”
Portion of user comment on Amazon.com
“The Nikon D700 is exactly the digital SLR that I envisioned when I first heard that such an animal existed.”
Portion of user comment on Amazon.com
“I’ve had the camera for a week, and took 3,000 pics, and it is amazing. I paired it up with a 50mm f/1.4 and the results are magical.”
Portion of user comment on Amazon.com
“I have not found any technical data on the autofocus and processing chip but in my non-scientific side by side comparison the D700 seemed just as fast as the D3 while the D300 appeared noticeably slower.”
Portion of user comment on Amazon.com
“The D700 is pretty much a full frame D300..the rest of the specs are the same and the advantage only is the low noise on higher ISO’s that goes with an Fx sensor. Both camera bodies share the same vertical grip and i have it too.”
Portion of user comment on Amazon.com
“I really like the D700 and while its a relatively low megapixel camera (for “full frame”) it really shows that a bigger sensor is what makes the difference.”
Portion of user comment on Amazon.com
“I strongly recommend this camera only if you can afford it, if not there are other good cameras as well that are less expensive. If you want the highest image quality and low light photography with all the goods this is the camera that delivers and is worth every bit of the cost.”
Portion of user comment on Amazon.com
Sample Photos
[Sample Photos at DPReview]
[Sample Photos at PopSci]
[Sample Photos at DigitalCameraInfo]
[Sample Photos at PhotographyBlog]
[Sample Photos at ImagingResource]
[Sample Photos by CameraLabs]
[Sample Photos at TrustedReviews]
Specifications & Camera Profile
Owners Manual
Coming soon…
Press Excerpt
Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 1 July 2008 - Nikon Europe is pleased to announce the introduction of an all-new FX-format digital SLR: the 12.1 megapixel Nikon D700, designed to enable many more photographers to enjoy the acclaimed image quality of the Nikon D3, but in a smaller form factor.
”The Nikon D3 has taken the action photography industry by storm, motivating many pros to change brands and we expect the D700 to contin5ue that trend,” said Robert Cristina, Manager Professional Products and NPS at Nikon Europe. He added: “The D700 excels in the extreme low-light and high-contrast conditions under which today’s cameras are judged and affirms Nikon’s ongoing commitment to meeting tomorrows imaging needs too.”
D3 DNA
The D700 inherits the ‘must have’ image quality of the D3. Using the same core technologies such as the highly-sensitive 12.1 effective megapixel CMOS image sensor with large pixel pitch and gapless micro lens array that affords bright, clean files across a broad ISO range. The D700 also features the same innovative EXPEED high-speed image-processing system, 14-bit A/D conversion and 16-bit processing pipeline to provide the detail and smooth gradation necessary for outstanding print enlargement and reproduction.
FX on the move
The D700 is ideal for those seeking a perfectly-balanced DSLR on the move, without compromising durability or environmental resistance to moisture and dust. The D700 incorporates an image sensor cleaning system that uses high frequency vibrations to reduce the accumulation of dust on the image sensor surface. A responsive 5fps is possible with the compact 1500mAh EN-EL3e lithium-ion battery, with up to 8 fps possible by attaching the optional MB-D10 battery pack to use the powerful 2500mAh EN-EL4a battery if desired. This offers complete power supply integration for those already using the D3 and D300. Another first is the practical i-TTL built-in pop up flash with 24mm lens coverage, ideal for discrete flash lighting when a full size Speedlight might be too cumbersome.
Getting the shot right
Despite its attractive price tag, the D700 makes no compromises in its comprehensive feature array with a highly responsive shutter release time lag of just 40ms, the acclaimed accuracy of the 51-point MultiCAM3500 AF system, DX Crop Mode and Live View with contrast-detect AF displayed on the same high-definition 3-inch TFT monitor used on the D3 and D300. One of the most important advantages of FX format cameras is the viewfinder experience and the D700 features an outstanding solid glass pentaprism, 95% coverage and adjustable AF point LED illumination for a bright, uninterrupted view. A clever new feature is the ability to display the Virtual Horizon level indicator during Live View mode to determine camera orientation at arms length.
What NIKKORS have been waiting for
The D700 is designed for the future without ignoring the past. As Nikon celebrates the 75th anniversary of the very first NIKKOR lens, and with well over 40 million sold, intelligent image processing technologies to control peripheral illumination (Vignette) and chromatic aberration enable photographers to rediscover the creative possibilities of their existing NIKKOR F mount lenses. For newcomers, the ever-expanding Nikon Total Imaging System provides lenses, Speedlights, Software and accessories for every photographic challenge both now and in the future.
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Azem Koleci 09.16.08 at 7:02 am
I have used most of Nikon cameras film and digital. My choice of the best Nikon manual film camera will be Nikon F2, AF film camera the Nikon F4 and finally the best Nikon digital will be the Nikon D700.
It’s the most complete so far despite the D3 looking better the D700 has everything you need for photographer. With 12mp full frame it’s enough to capture differet photography subjects.
I love the built in flash, though not put on the so-called ‘pro’ bodies is wonderful for fill in flash at day ligh etc.
The only thing that is missing which is not very important the dual slot CF card as back up, but surely that not that always needed.
I am afraid that Nikon as usually will bring better camera which makes me ‘nervous’ that I might have to get rid of D700 but it seems not so will be there as back up or ‘history’ if so, but that’s long to come probably, and for a while lets enjoy this.