Nikon D700 12.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)

Product Description
The new D700 digital SLR camera featuring a 12.1-effective megapixel Nikon FX-format sensor that measures 23.9 x 36mm, which is nearly identical to the size of 35mm film. Benefiting from Nikon's legacy of imaging technology innovation, the D700 offers both advanced and professional photographers stunning image quality, accurate color reproduction and revolutionary low light performance.Building on the immense success of the Nikon D3 professional D-SLR camera, the D700 offers pro-level performance and an extensive array of features and innovations in a comfortably nimble platform. In addition to the Nikon-original FX-format CMOS sensor, the D700 incorporates Nikon's EXPEED Image Processing System, Nikon's renowned 51-point auto focus system with 3D Focus Tracking and two Live View shooting modes that allow photographers to frame a shot using the camera's three-inch high-resolution LCD monitor. The D700 also features Nikon's sophisticated Scene Recognition System and a new active dust reduction system.Nikon's flagship FX and DX-format cameras, the D3 and D300 respectively, established new benchmarks for digital image quality, speed, and unmatched ISO performance. The D700 maintains this new measure with exceptional overall image quality, broad tonal range and depth, and extremely low noise throughout its native ISO range of 200 to 6400.

• Binding: Electronics
• Brand: Nikon
• Department: Digital Cameras
• DisplaySize: 3
• EAN: 0018208254446
• Feature: 12.1-megapixel FX-format (23.9 x 36mm) CMOS sensor; body only
• Label: Nikon
• LensType: interchangeable
• Manufacturer: Nikon
• MaximumResolution: 12
• Model: D700 Body
• MonitorSize: 300
• MPN: 25444
• OpticalSensorResolution: 12.1
• OpticalZoom: 1
• PackageQuantity: 1
• ProductGroup: Photography
• ProductTypeName: CAMERA_DIGITAL
• ProductTypeSubcategory: slr
• Publisher: Nikon
• Studio: Nikon
• Style: D700 Body
• Title: Nikon D700 12.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)
• UPC: 018208254446

D700 vs DX
Photographers have always thought that putting your money in good glass is the best investment since cameras bodies wear out or get outdated more quickly. The thing is that as sensors improve and ISO increases, one can use lighter and cheaper lenses with a smaller f-stop and still get good results. This camera is a good example. What I am saying is buy this camera even if you won't have too much money left for expensive lenses. It will give you more bang for the buck than buying a DX camera and putting the extra money in good glass. Just my opinion.

Are you kidding me???
I am writing this review as a D90 owner and a (small) photography business owner.

As a photography business, low-light weddings are the rule, not the exception. So I sold all my belongings, along with a few small exotic animals and upgraded from a still amazing D90 to this amazing piece of machinery. Yeah, 2k is a lot of money to drop on a camera that will be obsolete in about 5 years, but if you do low light photography there is nothing in this price range that can compete... or even comes close to trying to compete. Add on any of Nikon's 1.4 prime lenses, or a 2.8 zoom (I use the 24-70 which is a jaw dropper) and see if you can ever go back to anything else. Coming from the D90, the biggest pluses are the low noise at high ISO, and the blazing-fast AF that is an absolute game changer (especially with the 24-70, the combination is just sick, with far fewer out-of-focus pictures or plain ol' missed shots).

You know the specs by now. Sony and Canon make great stuff too, but Nikon has them all beat in fit, finish, and feel IMO... and high ISO/low noise and blistering Auto Focus. No, it doesn't have video, but neither does my toaster... but oddly enough, my video camera does. Hmmm... That being said, I am loving the Interval option to make stop motion video. Fun stuff.

I love having my D90 (which now feels amazingly compact in comparison) to take with me on riskier ventures, and the D700 to take on photo sessions and personal shoots. If the rumored D95 comes out soon, I can't imagine me (my business) needing much more than the 700 and either one (or both) of those guys, with a selection of FX-friendly lenses, and a few SB 600/900s.

Bottom line: if you are out of debt (thanks Dave Ramsey), have the available funds (even if it's juuuuust barely enough), and need a disturbingly amazing low-light camera, get the D700. If any of those things don't apply to you, the D90 (or its successor) is outstanding too, for about $1.5k less.

Get the Picture?
This is an excellent, high caliber camera. It's as simple as that.

Many people who have used and/or owned the D300, which is also an excellent camera feel that this is a step up. Eagles and falcons - two very different things. The D300 and the D700 work well together, like an eagle and eaglet. The D300 has low noise issues and the D700 has the clearer images and wide angle feature working in its favor. Both cameras are 12MP. The D700 is an FX sensor, which is a full frame whereas the D300 is DX. If you want to shoot pictures without using the flash in low light, you can do so with the 1.4 lens at 1600 ISO! You can also count on getting good close ups and good portraits as well.

If you are serious about shooting wide angle, then you want this camera. Compatible lenses are also an issue and you can spend up to $5000.00 for acoutrements, such as lenses for this camera. Since lenses tend to be more durable than the camera overall, they can be costly.

You can get away with 2 DX lenses for the D300. One drawback the D300 has is a possible tendency to overexposure. The D700 is a definite upgrade with regard to picture quality and versatility. Again, you will want to buy DX lenses. If you decide to go with the D700, make sure you have back up memory cards as added insurance. You can use the D300 as well as the D700 to write images on more than one card. The one thing this camera doesn't have is a video component. Another point in the D700's favor is that the D700 has a much better battery. If you get Portrait Expo Discs, you can count on shooting some very nice portraits.

Great camera but beware of FX lenses
I've owned Nikon D40, D40x, D80, D300 and now D700. Also Canon XSI, 20D, 30D, and 40D. I've owned D300 for 2 years and I thought D300 was the most amazing and perfect camera in the world. However, I kept wondering re: D700 and I know several people that swear by it. I sold my D300, D80 and Canon 30D with a bunch of lenses, and purchased D700 and D40 (for backup.)
I've had D700 for a month. The learning curve from D300 is almost zero, if you know how to use D300 this is almost the same.
The question is was it worth to upgrade from already-amazing D300. It depends.

My D300 was an amazing piece of machinery. I've been very happy with high iso photos of D300. I've taken very good photos in low light with it up to ISO5000 and above. So in general I was satisfied with its high iso performance. The lenses for DX are plenty and are easy to find. I had an amazing Sigma 17-70 2.8-4.5 which is super sharp. There is no equivalent in length and price FX lens. Tamron 17-50 2.8 is another affordable DX lens. In FX you have to go to Tamron 28-75 and 17-50 for DX is wider. There are more affordable choices in DX land than there are in FX land.

D700 has even better high iso, slightly larger viewfinder (I expected a larger difference between that viewfinder and that on D300). And FX of course means that my 180mm 2.8 Nikkor is 180mm, not 270mm and I don't have to walk back 100 feet to take a portrait shot.

Bottom line both D700 and D300 are great cameras, and you should be happy with either. For the price of D700 body you can get a used copy of D300/D300s with Nikkor 17-55 F/2.8 which should be something to consider. If you can afford FX lenses then do research on FX lenses first and see if there are lenses available in the range you will be shooting....

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