Nikon D700 gets real: full-frame, 12.1 megapixels

Well, we can finally put the D700 rumors to bed. The beast that houses Nikon's newest monster (near) full-frame FX format 12.1 megapixel CMOS (not dissimilar from that found in the D3) is officially announced tonight, and it takes UDMA CompactFlash, and comes packing with a live view 3-inch display, 51 point autofocus (with 3D tracking), scene recognition, four-speed active dust reduction, ISO up to 6400, 5 or 8 fps full-res shooting, HDMI out, and a whole lot more. Expect it in July for $3,000 US (for the body).

Also being released are the SB-900 speedlight (August, $500), and the PC-E Micro NIKKOR 45mm f/2.8D ED and PC-E Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/2.8D lenses (August, $1,800 and $1,740, respectively).

Gallery: Nikon D700 gets real: full-frame, 12.1 megapixels

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[Rick @ Jul 1st 2008 12:27AM]

Attention photographers. W00t. I repeat, w00t. That is all.

[Pochi @ Jul 1st 2008 12:56AM]

Attention megapixels: We have enough of you now. We don't need anymore.

[Josh Warner @ Jul 1st 2008 1:16AM]

Actually we do. Most 35mm Lenses have diffraction limits around 25 Mpxl when properly used (usually technique limits your resolution to below this, but many lenses can do it). The MTF curves drop off really sharply for sub-pixels details (duh), which is not how film behaves.

End result? 20x30" prints from 10-12 Mpxl cameras are noticeably soft up close. Softer than film would be. And that bothers me.

Actually we've reached sufficient pixel DENSITY in the 1.5x crop factor (see: D300). Raising that much more is not a great idea, because of noise and sensitivity issues. However, what I am looking for is that same density in a fullframe sensor size. The fabled D3x will probably finally bring this to the table (on the Nikon side, yes I know Canon already has it), but it's a generation out until that sensor gets stuffed into a Dx00-like body.

[Blake @ Jul 1st 2008 1:19AM]

You obviously haven't seen the 4,000 megapixel (or 4 GIGApixel) camera . (Google it if you haven't, the detail is amazing...) Anything worth doing is worth overdoing.

[Reader @ Jul 1st 2008 2:02AM]

Calling it a 4Gigapixel camera is a misnomer since it uses film.

[slackercow @ Jul 1st 2008 2:51AM]

well put, josh

[LuvMuffin @ Jul 1st 2008 12:28AM]

Noooo! just got d300 and am now too broke to get this now hopefully it will drop the price of the other Nikons

[Porkchop Flavored Cupcake @ Jul 1st 2008 12:41AM]

Don't feel bad for scooping up the D300, that's still a bad ass camera.
For those unfortunate souls who find themselves mistiming their purchases of a DSLR or point and shoot camera, the DPreview forums are your friend. They can also be your enemy, but once you learn how to tame the fire breathing trolls and sort through all the disinfo., the real info. can help you make very well informed decisions, and maybe even help you become a better photographer.
Here, I'll even give you a nice headstart on who's posts to watch in the Nikon Forums on DPreview, Watch Thom Hogan's posts, and Jeff-C. There are some other veterans in there who have access to some inside info. and post very rarely as well. But just by watching some of the threads these folks get involved in, you'd have known about these kinds of upcoming announcements very well in advance.
Happy Hunting.

[LuvMuffin @ Jul 1st 2008 12:45AM]

ty

[bebop @ Jul 1st 2008 1:14AM]

The D700 is/will be initially 2x the price of the D300. Those without cash to burn might want to wait until the price drops when Nikon and Sony release the 25 MP full frame models later this year.

[Fubar @ Jul 1st 2008 12:33AM]

OK, it's late and I'm tired--can somebody please explain to me why the 85 mm PC is in the gallery? Is it to establish the D700's professional bona fides? Maybe an ironic juxtaposition of old school/new school? It's not a new version of the lens, is it?

[Ryan Block @ Jul 1st 2008 12:38AM]

It's not an old lens, it's one of the new lenses just announced. It's in the post.

[Fubar @ Jul 1st 2008 7:42AM]

Thanks--somehow, I didn't see that last night. Probably should have shut the computer off a little earlier....

[Temple @ Jul 1st 2008 12:54AM]

DPreview already has a hands-on preview:

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0807/08070103nikond700previewed.asp

[Temple @ Jul 1st 2008 1:39AM]

Sample pictures taken with the D700. . .

http://imaging.nikon.com/products/imaging/lineup/digitalcamera/slr/d700/sample.htm

. . .but I suppose you could just look at pictures taken with the D3 being that they use the same damn sensor and EXPEED processor.

[jason @ Jul 1st 2008 12:56AM]

3d tracking? what is that for?


damn... this probably blows my sony a-350 out of the water :(


but damn. DSLR's are so nice. I used to have a normal SLR and spend about $100 a month on film alone, and change film 2-3 times everytime i went out, and still not know if you got the right shot.

but now i have a 1TB hdd, so everything is nice and tidy. (except that i probably need to make back ups)

[omnicloud @ Jul 1st 2008 1:43AM]

Well considering that you're comparing two entirely different price levels, it doesn't blow the A350 out of the water. It wipes it clean off the face of the Earth.

Anyways, I was considering a major investment into the Pentax system with the K20D but now Nikon has grabbed me by the ankles and dragged me closer to their side. Yes I can get more lenses if I get the K20D, but the D700... FX... Damn. It even has quicker (than I expected) framerate.

The problem is that there is a lack of exceptional retailers in Canada and prices here for lenses suck. I don't want to order abroad because that just nulls my warranty. Nikon should really lighten up their warranty policies.

[Mr Epic Hero @ Jul 1st 2008 1:03AM]

6400 ISO? That puts my Rebel XT's 1600 to shame :(

[Temple @ Jul 1st 2008 1:12AM]

Actually goes up to ISO of 25,600 like the D3 extended. ISO 6400 it does natively (without boost), and basing of the D3, which uses the name sensor, 6400 ISO performance is actually pretty usable and has a relatively low amount of noise considering its ISO. The D700 should be a high-ISO monster like the current champ (the D3).

[tenzintsewang @ Jul 1st 2008 1:07AM]

good thing i didn't buy SB-800. Still not sure about $3k price for D700 vs. D3's $4.8K (i think they recently dropped the price).

[jollyllama @ Jul 1st 2008 1:15AM]

God that's good camera pron...

[bebop @ Jul 1st 2008 1:15AM]

So the "faked" photo was actually real? Strange.

[michas_pi @ Jul 1st 2008 1:15AM]

Nikon FTW.

[David @ Jul 1st 2008 1:25AM]

fanswag giveaway?

though...I couldn't even afford the taxes if I won this thing...not that I WOULD win, haha.

[letstakeawalk @ Jul 1st 2008 1:32AM]

Judging from the avatars, I'd like to say it's nice to see so many new commenters. I'm just an amateur myself (old Lumix FZ4), but I certainly respect those with the knowledge!

[!!! @ Jul 1st 2008 5:42AM]

Makes me wish Olympus would get its act together and release a full-frame.

(Yes, I know, Olympus is putting all its money on its "universal" Four-Thirds sensor, but hey, you might as well be undermining the needs of pros. It's pathetic really...perhaps it won't happen till full-frame can be "prosumerised.")

[Amy @ Jul 8th 2008 12:50PM]

It's not going to happen, because the 4/3rds system is designed to be smaller. None of the current lenses have an image circle that will even cover an APS-C sensor, let alone a full-frame sensor. With it's smaller lens mount diameter, the 4/3rds system cannot support full-frame at all. Everything is designed around that smaller sensor format. In order for Olympus to go full frame, they would have to design a new system from scratch, effectively abandoning all the investment they've made in the 4/3rds system thus far.

[??? @ Jul 1st 2008 5:44AM]

Makes me wish Olympus would get its act together and release a
full-frame.

(Yes, I know, Olympus is putting all its money on its "universal"
Four-Thirds sensor, but hey, you might as well be undermining the
needs of pros. It's pathetic really...perhaps it won't happen till
full-frame can be "prosumerised.")

[Steven @ Jul 1st 2008 7:21AM]

OK, so you noticed we didn't fall for it when you just reformatted your comment before you submitted it a second time.
And now you expect us to fall for it when you -- drum roll -- change your nick? Now that's what I call adding insult to injury.

[Karl Hackswell @ Jul 1st 2008 8:49AM]

Im waiting for the D80 replacement, but then again maybe the price of the D300 will go down.

Im still using my D100, HA!

[zabrelayrwle @ Jul 1st 2008 1:47PM]

So finally some competition for the Canon 5D... 3 years later.

Wow Nikon good job for catching up.

Sure some of you nikon fanboys will quote all the new gadgetry, 3 years is a lot of time to invent gizmos.

[Temple @ Jul 1st 2008 1:22AM]

catching up? Its Canon that needs to catch up at this point. The 5D only has amateur 9-point autofocus (compared to Nikon's 51-point on the D300/D700/D3) and body of the 30D and a full-frame sensor that can only go up to 3200 ISO (25,600 ISO in the D700/D3, 6400 in the D300).

Canon will definitely be releasing their 5D MkII very soon (maybe Photokina in September), but they really need to get their professional-features (45-point autofocus and metering) into their new camera. I think people will be very disappointed if it turns out to be a 40D with a full-frame sensor.

There's also competition from Sony, and they have already announced that their A900 will be using a full-frame 24-megapixel sensor with sensor-based image-stabilization.

[Macindows @ Jul 1st 2008 1:56PM]

Okay, I'm torn between keeping my D300 or buying the D700.

I have a D300 with a Sigma 10-20mm, a Sigma 10mm fisheye, a Sigma 30mm f/1.4, a Nikon 50mm f/1.8, a Sigma 70mm Macro and a Nikon 18-200mm VR.

I always wanted to have a fullframe camera, since portrait shots just look so much better with a fullframe and my beloved landscape shooting would also get improved by not having any distortion. In addition I would get an ISO up to 25600!

So now I'm asking myself and you: What would you recommend?

- Keep my D300 and be happy?

- Sell my D300 (& all lenses) and buy the D700 plus new lenses?

[fashionista @ Jul 2nd 2008 10:58AM]

You won't be sorry, but you will be broke.

[KilgoreTrout @ Jul 2nd 2008 3:43PM]

Never again complicated Nickies,You can buy my D300 on eBay right now.

Do yourself a favor and get one of these lovely Casio Exilim pro-EX F1 (60fps).
I've had it for 2 days and I'm still compelled to kiss it every time I see her.
Every time I see it, I mean.

[box @ Jul 2nd 2008 5:15PM]

Thanks, but I'll keep using my trusted D70 until full frame sensors reach a proper pixel density of @25 MP. No use in buying in now as it's 1/2 the resolution I want for my future printing requirements.

[Amy @ Jul 8th 2008 12:58PM]

Who says 25MP is the proper amount for a full frame sensor? Sure, you'll get a larger image size, but you'll lose signal to noise ratio which is why the Nikon D3 and the D700 have the best high-ISO IQ in the business. Unless you're shooting for advertising hoardings in a studio where you can control the lighting exactly as you desire, or you're a serious landscape shooter who always uses a tripod, then you won't derive any benefit from 25MP vs 12MP you have now on the D3/D700.

[KilgoreTrout @ Jul 2nd 2008 6:54PM]

I have had a Nicky D300 in my hands for nearly 2 months now and even if it supposedly is great cam, I found it so complicated, heavy , and generally annoying that now is for sale on eBay.This new one promises to be even more so

Now I have had this Casio exilim proX F1 (60fps) for nearly 2 days , and I already love her.
Love it , I mean.

[Yoshi @ Jul 12th 2008 11:32AM]

Thanks goodness. I was going to get 5D, as my patience run out.
Then I found this info'------ m m m, Oh! Its there.
Of cause, the full frame is better, as the individual censor / pixel has more
area to collect light, its mean less amplification of signal, less noise.
( and ISO setting can be extended more )
And the effect of dust is also less. Anyhow, as I have 15mm lens etc
I want use them in their full extent. ( In fact I used them on 6X6 films to
get whole image circle before )

[Bryan @ Jul 27th 2008 3:49AM]

Yea, we got the D700 and the SB-900 at work. They're pretty sweet.
I wish full frame cameras weren't so expensive. Till I can afford one. I'll stick to borrowing the Phase One P30+ kit.

[ilyathereis @ Jul 28th 2008 3:05AM]

What's the difference between the D3 and D300? Anything relevant?

[hakimnama @ Jul 28th 2008 4:39AM]

the article says "Nikon's newest monster (near) full-frame FX format"
...why (near)??? is it not full frame?am im missing something?